Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/28 is a prestigious international fellowship funded by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong for outstanding students from around the world who wish to pursue a full-time PhD at participating Hong Kong universities. For the 2027/28 academic year, 400 PhD fellowships will be awarded. The fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$344,400 and an annual conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 for up to three years. Additional support may be available from the host university for awardees who require more than three years to complete their PhD. Applicants may apply for up to two PhD programmes or departments at one or two participating universities. The application has two stages: applicants must first submit an initial application through the HKPFS Electronic System and obtain an HKPFS Reference Number, then submit full PhD admission applications directly to their selected universities before the relevant university deadlines. Applicants from all countries and regions are eligible to apply, provided they meet the admission requirements of their selected PhD programme. Selection considers academic excellence, research ability and potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership ability. The HKPFS covers a broad range of academic and research fields through eight participating Hong Kong universities. Because individual universities and PhD programmes may have additional admission, English-language, document and application requirements, applicants should carefully check the requirements of their selected programme before applying.

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• 400 Fellowships Available: 400 Hong Kong PhD Fellowships are available for the 2027/28 academic year. This number represents the total number of fellowships under the scheme, not places available at each university or in each field.
• Two-Stage Application: Applicants must first submit an initial application through the HKPFS Electronic System and obtain an HKPFS Reference Number. They must then submit full PhD admission applications directly to their selected university or universities before the relevant university deadlines.
• Maximum Two Choices: Applicants may select up to two PhD programmes or departments at one or two participating Hong Kong universities.
• No RGC Application Fee: The Research Grants Council does not charge an application fee for the HKPFS initial application. Individual universities may charge their own application or processing fees.
• University Requirements Apply: Meeting the general HKPFS eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee admission. Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of their selected PhD programme and university.
• Annual Fellowship Stipend: Annual stipend of HK$344,400 for each awardee, based on the current published HKPFS award information.

• Stipend: HK$344,400/year
• Annual Fellowship Stipend · €344,400 · Basis: HKD · One-time
• Not specified · Amount varies · Basis: Fellowship Award · One-time · Annual stipend of HK$344,400 for each awardee, based on the current published HKPFS award information.
• Conference and Research Travel Allowance · €14,400 · Basis: Annual Allowance · One-time · HK$14,400 per year for conference and research-related travel.

• International Applicants: Applicants from all countries and regions may apply. There is no nationality restriction under the general HKPFS eligibility criteria.
• New Full-Time PhD Applicants: Applicants must be seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at one of the participating Hong Kong universities.
• Academic Excellence: Applicants should demonstrate outstanding academic performance and a strong academic record.
• Research Potential: Applicants should demonstrate strong research ability and research potential relevant to their proposed PhD study.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Applicants are assessed on their communication and interpersonal abilities in addition to their academic and research strengths.
• Leadership: Leadership ability is one of the factors considered by the HKPFS selection panels.
• Gender: Female, Male, Other
• Language test required

• Application deadline: Dec 1, 2026

• Accounting
• Agriculture
• Artificial Intelligence
• Arts
• Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Business Administration
• Business Analytics
• Business Management
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry

1. 1

   Choose up to two eligible PhD programmes or departments at one or two participating Hong Kong universities.

   Review the university's PhD admission requirements before selecting your programmes.

2. 2

   Review the university's PhD admission requirements before selecting your programmes.

   The initial application must be submitted by 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time. Only one initial HKPFS application may be submitted per applicant.

3. 3

   Save your HKPFS Reference Number and password.

   The reference number is generated after submitting the initial application and must be used in correspondence with RGC and in the applications to the selected universities.

4. 4

   Submit the full PhD admission application directly to each selected university.

   Use the HKPFS Reference Number in the university application and follow the university's own document, English-language, referee, research proposal and application requirements.

5. 5

   Complete any interview or additional assessment required by the selected university.

   Participating universities conduct interviews as part of the HKPFS selection process. Final fellowship selection is made through the HKPFS selection process after university nominations.

• Proof of English Proficiency (optional) — Applicants from non-English-speaking universities generally need TOEFL or IELTS results unless they can provide proof that English was the language of instruction for all courses. Specific requirements are determined by the selected university and programme.
• Academic Referee / Recommendation Information — Referee information is not required at the initial HKPFS application stage, but it is required by universities during the full PhD application. Requirements may vary by university.
• Academic Transcripts — Required for the university's PhD admission application. Exact format and academic-document requirements vary by university and programme.
• Degree Certificate / Proof of Graduation — Applicants must satisfy the academic admission requirements of the selected PhD programme. Exact document requirements vary by university.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) — Normally required as part of university PhD admission applications. Check the selected university's application requirements.
• Research Proposal / Research Statement — Requirements and format vary by PhD programme and university. Applicants should follow the instructions of their selected programme.

• TOEFL iBT: Minimum score varies
• IELTS: Minimum score varies

• Website
• Official Scholarship Page
• Official University Page