Entrepreneur Funds $64M Initiative to Tackle Global Fertility Crisis

NEW YORK, NY – November 19, 2025

A New Foundation, A Growing Concern

Dr. James Liang, co-founder of travel giant Trip.com Group, is launching the Genovation Foundation with a $64 million commitment over five years, signaling a significant effort to address the escalating global fertility crisis. The foundation, formally established in Hong Kong, will focus on a multi-faceted approach encompassing economic subsidies, cultural advocacy, and policy research. This initiative comes as birth rates plummet in numerous countries, sparking concerns about future economic growth and societal stability.

Liang’s investment reflects a growing awareness that declining birth rates aren’t simply a demographic trend, but a complex challenge requiring proactive and innovative solutions. “The issue isn’t just about numbers,” explained one source familiar with the foundation’s planning. “It’s about the future of innovation, economic vitality, and the very fabric of society.”

From Corporate Policy to Philanthropic Investment

Dr. Liang isn’t approaching this issue as a newcomer. He has a demonstrable history of prioritizing family-friendly policies within Trip.com Group. The company has allocated significant resources to childcare subsidies, expanded paid parental leave, and implemented hybrid work arrangements designed to support working parents. In 2023 alone, Trip.com committed approximately $137.6 million to childcare benefits globally.

“Dr. Liang’s actions within Trip.com weren’t just about improving employee satisfaction,” said an industry analyst. “They were a real-world testing ground for policies that could encourage families to grow.” This experience appears to have informed his decision to scale up his efforts through the Genovation Foundation, moving beyond internal corporate policies to broader societal impact.

He has also established himself as a leading voice in demographic research, co-authoring publications that highlight the link between population trends and economic innovation. This scholarly foundation provides a clear intellectual framework for the foundation’s initiatives.

Hong Kong as a Launchpad and a Case Study

The foundation’s initial focus on Hong Kong is strategic. The region faces one of the lowest fertility rates globally, with a total fertility rate of approximately 0.75. This presents both a significant challenge and an opportunity to pilot innovative solutions in a concentrated environment. The foundation will initially offer childcare grants of HK$50,000 to full-time PhD students with children born on or after January 1, 2026.

“Hong Kong provides a unique context,” explained a demographic researcher based in the region. “It’s a highly developed, urban environment with specific economic and social pressures that contribute to low fertility. The foundation’s initiatives could provide valuable insights into what works – and what doesn’t – in a challenging setting.”

Beyond the PhD grant program, the foundation will also award grants of up to HK$1 million for creative projects promoting “fertility-friendly” narratives. This reflects a recognition that cultural norms and societal expectations play a significant role in shaping reproductive choices. This cultural advocacy is a departure from solely economic incentives.

The Global Fertility Crisis Forum: Fostering International Collaboration

A key component of the foundation’s strategy is the launch of the Global Fertility Crisis Forum in January 2026. Co-hosted with Peking University, the University of Hong Kong, and Princeton University, the forum aims to bring together leading researchers, policymakers, and thought leaders to address the global fertility crisis.

The involvement of these three institutions is significant. Princeton’s Office of Population Research is a world-renowned center for demographic studies, while the University of Hong Kong houses a dedicated research hub focused on population studies. Peking University brings a crucial Eastern perspective to the conversation. The forum will examine the economic consequences of declining birth rates, explore policy responses, and discuss the balance between women’s reproductive choices and career development.

“This forum isn’t just another conference,” stated a source close to the foundation. “It’s intended to be a platform for sustained collaboration and the development of concrete policy recommendations.” The goal is to foster a more nuanced understanding of the complex factors driving declining fertility and identify innovative solutions that can be implemented at the local, national, and global levels. The forum also hopes to shed light on the need for policy changes such as better, accessible childcare options, more flexible working options, and better support for parents.

The foundation’s approach signifies a broader trend of philanthropic organizations stepping into areas where governments have been slow to act, offering both financial resources and innovative thinking to address pressing social challenges.