Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) was established in 2009 by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong. It aims to attract outstanding students from around the world to pursue full-time PhD studies at participating universities in Hong Kong.

Fellowship Benefits

For the 2026/27 academic year, the fellowship provides:

• Annual stipend of HK$344,400

• Conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 per year

• Financial support for up to three years

• 400 PhD fellowships available

Students who require more than three years to complete their PhD may receive additional support from their university, subject to the institution’s arrangements.

Eligibility

Applicants should:

• Be seeking admission as a new full-time PhD student

• Apply to one of the eight participating universities

• Meet the admission requirements of the selected university and PhD programme

• Demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential

Applicants are eligible regardless of their nationality, ethnic background or previous work experience.

Selection Criteria

Candidates are assessed according to:

• Academic excellence

• Research ability and potential

• Communication and interpersonal skills

• Leadership abilities

Academic excellence is the primary consideration. Shortlisted applications are reviewed by panels covering either science-related disciplines or humanities and social-science-related disciplines.

Participating Universities

The fellowship is available at the following eight universities:

• City University of Hong Kong

• Hong Kong Baptist University

• Lingnan University

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• The Education University of Hong Kong

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

• The University of Hong Kong

Areas of Study

Applicants may pursue PhD programmes in a wide range of disciplines, including:

• Engineering and technology

• Natural and physical sciences

• Medicine and health-related fields

• Business and management

• Humanities

• Education

• Social sciences

The available programmes and admission requirements vary between universities.

How to Apply

The application process has two stages:

1. Submit an initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System.

2. Obtain an HKPFS reference number.

3. Apply directly to the selected university or universities.

4. Include the HKPFS reference number in each university application.

5. Submit all required documents before the university’s deadline.

Applicants may select up to two PhD programmes at one or two participating universities. Submitting only the initial fellowship application is not sufficient; a complete application must also be submitted to the selected university.

Application Fee

The Research Grants Council does not charge a fee for the initial HKPFS application. However, participating universities may charge their own admission or application-processing fees.

English-Language Requirements

Applicants who previously studied at a non-English-medium institution may be required to submit IELTS or TOEFL results. Requirements vary by university and programme, so applicants should check the admission conditions of their selected institution.

Application Deadline

The initial application deadline for the 2026/27 academic year was:

1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon, Hong Kong time (forcasted)

The 2026/27 application round is therefore closed. Prospective applicants should monitor the official website for the opening date and deadline of the next fellowship round.

Official Website

Scheme information:
https://cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs/index.html

Application procedure:
https://cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs/apply.html

Participating universities:
https://cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs/institutions.html

Important Notice

Admission to a participating PhD programme does not automatically guarantee the fellowship. Applicants should verify the latest award value, programme requirements, application dates and university deadlines through the official HKPFS and participating-university websites before applying.