Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/2028

Applications are open for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/2028, an international doctoral fellowship established by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong in 2009. The scheme is designed to attract outstanding students from around the world to pursue full time PhD studies at participating universities in Hong Kong.

For the 2027/28 academic year, 400 PhD fellowships will be awarded. The fellowship is open to applicants from all countries who are seeking admission as new full time PhD students at eligible University Grants Committee funded universities in Hong Kong. Applicants are assessed on academic excellence, research ability and potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

The fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$344,400, approximately US$44,150, together with a conference and research related travel allowance of HK$14,400, approximately US$1,840, per year for up to three years. Where a PhD programme requires more than three years, additional support may be available from the selected university.

About the Fellowship

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme provides an opportunity for talented researchers to undertake doctoral study within Hong Kong's research and higher education system. The scheme supports research based PhD programmes across a wide range of academic disciplines offered by eight participating universities.

The participating universities are 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, and The University of Hong Kong.

Applicants should carefully review the PhD programmes available at their chosen universities because admission requirements, programme structures, supporting documents and university application procedures can differ between institutions.

Fellowship Benefits

• Annual stipend of HK$344,400, approximately US$44,150

• Conference and research related travel allowance of HK$14,400 per year, approximately US$1,840

• Fellowship support for up to three years

• 400 fellowship places for the 2027/28 academic year

• Opportunity to pursue a full time PhD at one of eight participating Hong Kong universities

• Potential additional support from the selected university for PhD study extending beyond three years

• Access to Hong Kong's research and academic environment

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

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants from any country may apply.

• Applicants must be seeking admission as new full time PhD students at a participating University Grants Committee funded university in Hong Kong.

• Applicants should demonstrate outstanding academic performance.

• Applicants should demonstrate strong research ability or potential.

• Applicants should demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills.

• Applicants should demonstrate leadership abilities.

• Applicants must satisfy the specific admission requirements of their selected PhD programme and university.

• Applicants may select up to two programmes or departments at one or two participating universities.

Selection Criteria

The Research Grants Council states that academic excellence is the primary consideration in selection. Shortlisted applications are reviewed according to the relevant academic area by one of two selection panels.

The selection panels consider:

• Academic excellence

• Research ability and potential

• Communication and interpersonal skills

• Leadership abilities

Universities may also conduct interviews as part of their assessment process.

Required Application Information

The initial HKPFS application requires applicants to provide personal information and their choices of university and PhD programme. Applicants can submit only one initial application through the HKPFS Electronic System.

Applicants should prepare to provide:

• Personal particulars

• Choice of university and PhD programme

• Priority order for up to two programme choices

• Information required by the HKPFS Electronic System

• HKPFS Reference Number in subsequent university applications

• Supporting documents required by the selected university or universities for PhD admission

• Any additional materials required by the specific PhD programme

The full application requirements are determined by the individual universities and programmes. Applicants should therefore check their selected university carefully before submitting the full admission application.

How to Apply

1. Review the PhD programmes and admission requirements offered by the eight participating universities.
2. Identify up to two suitable PhD programmes or departments at one or two universities.
3. Prepare the information and supporting documents required for the HKPFS initial application and the selected university applications.
4. Submit one initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System.
5. Complete the initial application before December 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong time.
6. Save the HKPFS Reference Number generated after submitting the initial application.
7. Submit the full PhD admission application to the selected university or universities using the HKPFS Reference Number before their respective deadlines.
8. Follow all university specific admission and interview requirements.
9. Monitor communications from the Research Grants Council and selected universities regarding the application and selection process.