Number of areas identified for focused research investment (Chinese Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Information Sciences, Economics and Finance, Goeinformation and Earth Sciences) 5 Number of “Areas of Excellence” projects led by CUHK researchers selected by UGC for special funding (Centre for Research into Circulating Fetal Nucleic Acids, Chinese Medicine Research and Further Development, Centre for Plant and Agricultural Biotechnology, Information Technology) 4 Number of state key laboratories approved by the Ministry of Education [State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China (CUHK), State Key Laboratory of grobiotechnology (CUHK)] 2 Number of research institutes 25 Number of joint research institutes (as of September 2008) 24 Total research funding (in Hong Kong dollars as of September 2008) $1,361.95 million