Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28

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.

• Table of Content
• About Research Grants Council (RGC)
• Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) Fellowship
• Requirements for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) Fellowship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) Fellowship
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) Fellowship

• In the 2026/27 academic year, the Fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$344,400 (approximately US$44,150) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 (approximately US$1,840) per year for each awardee for a period up to three years.
• 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2027/28 academic year*.
• For awardees who need more than three years to complete the PhD degree, additional support may be provided by the chosen universities.

For details, please contact the universities concerned directly.

* Universities in Hong Kong normally start their academic year in September.

Requirements for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) Fellowship Qualification

Candidates who are seeking admission as new full time PhD students in the following eight universities, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply.

• 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

Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) Fellowship

Shortlisted applications, subject to their areas of studies, will be reviewed by one of the following two Selection Panels comprising experts in the relevant board areas:

• Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology
• Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies

Selection Criteria

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.

Documents Required for Application

• 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

Check also:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027
Chevening Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Eligible candidates should first make an Initial Application online through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES) to obtain an HKPFS Reference Number by 1 December 2026 at Hong Kong Time 12:00:00 before submitting applications for PhD admission to their desired universities.
• Applicants may choose up to two programmes / departments at one or two universities for PhD study under HKPFS 2027/28. They should comply with the admission requirements of their selected universities and programmes.
• As the deadlines for applications to some of the universities may immediately follow that of the Initial Application, candidates should submit initial applications as early as possible to ensure that they have sufficient time to submit applications to universities.

Step 1: Submit Initial Application to Research Grants Council

• Open for applications: 1 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
• Guidance Note for completing the Initial Application (in PDF format)
• HKPFS Electronic System - Initial Application

Step 2: Submit Full Applications to Proposed Universities

After completing an initial application, applicants should submit full applications for their selected PhD programmes to the proposed universities quoting their HKPFS Reference Number before universities' respective deadlines. As regards programme information, requirements for PhD admission, application methods, regulations and policy of individual universities, please refer to individual universities and PhD programmes for information.

• City University of Hong Kong
  Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
• Hong Kong Baptist University
  Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
• Lingnan University
  Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
• The Education University of Hong Kong
  Application Deadline : 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
• The University of Hong Kong
  Application Deadline: 1 December, 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)

For more information, kindly visit Hong Kong PhD Fellowship webpage.