Policy 21 was set up as a fully owned subsidiary of The University of Hong Kong in July 2000.

After the transfer of ownership on 1 May 2009 to its current management staff, Policy 21 continues to provide evidence-based research services to the community, as it has done so previously.

Since its establishment in July 2000, Policy 21 has conducted more than 300 research projects for academic staff of 6 local universities, over 10 non-governmental organizations, more than 20 government bureaus and departments, over 10 quasi-governmental organizations and a number of private corporations.

Policy 21 has a staff complement of more than 50 professional and sub-professional researchers and a team of enumerators with years of experience conducting face-to-face and telephone interviews.