Established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong in 2009, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD studies in Hong Kong’s universities.
Fellowship to be taken at: Hong Kong’s universities.
Funding Amount: See Program Benefits.
Number of Awards: 300 Fellowships to be funded.
Study Level: PhD.
Nationality: International Students.
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2026/2027 | Eligibility Criteria
To be able to participate in the program for this academic year, you will meet the following eligibility conditions.
- Candidates should be international students seeking to study in Hong Kong (irrespective of their country of origin),
- Applicants with prior work experience and an ethnic background should be eligible to apply.
- Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
While candidates’ academic excellence is of primary consideration, the Selection Panels will take into account factors as follows:
- Academic excellence;
- Research ability and potential;
- Communication and interpersonal skills; and
- Leadership abilities.
Eligible Participating Universities
Candidates are to seek admission as new full-time PhD students in the following eight eligible participating 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
Fellowship Benefits
- The Fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$325,200 (approximately US$41,690) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$13,600 (approximately US$1,740) per year for each awardee for a period up to three years.
- 300 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2026/24 academic year (Universities in Hong Kong normally start their academic year in September).
- For awardees who need more than three years to complete the PhD degree, additional support may be provided by the chosen universities.
Application Procedures
Interested and eligible candidates will need to apply directly to any of the participating universities listed above. Information on enrolment for the fellowship scheme will be provided by the individual universities.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
Visit the Official Website for Further Details.
FAQs
1. What is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Programme (HKPFS)?
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Programme (HKPFS) is a prestigious initiative funded by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) to attract outstanding international students to pursue full-time doctoral studies in Hong Kong universities. The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support, including tuition, a generous monthly stipend, and travel allowances, enabling students to focus entirely on their research.
2. Who is eligible to apply for the 2026/2027 HKPFS?
Eligible applicants must:
Hold a strong academic record, typically with a first-class or high second-class degree (or equivalent).
Be international students or non-local students in Hong Kong.
Intend to enrol in a full-time PhD programme at one of the participating Hong Kong universities.
Demonstrate outstanding research potential and leadership qualities.
Applicants currently enrolled in a PhD programme in Hong Kong are generally not eligible.
3. What does the fellowship cover?
The fully-funded HKPFS provides:
A monthly stipend of HKD 34,000 for up to three years.
A conference and research-related travel allowance of HKD 12,000 per year.
Tuition fee waiver for the duration of the PhD programme.
This ensures that students can fully dedicate themselves to research without financial constraints.
4. How can I apply for the 2026/2027 HKPFS?
Applicants should:
Identify a potential supervisor and PhD programme at a participating Hong Kong university.
Prepare academic transcripts, research proposals, recommendation letters, and personal statements.
Submit the online application through the official HKPFS portal before the specified deadline (usually in November 2025 for the 2026/2027 intake).
Await interview and selection notifications from the respective universities.
It is recommended to carefully follow each university’s application instructions for eligibility and document requirements.
