The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme is now accepting applications for the 2027/28 academic year.
Established by Hong Kong’s Research Grants Council (RGC), the scheme attracts outstanding students from around the world to pursue full-time PhD study at participating Hong Kong universities.
For the 2027/28 academic year, 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded.
Applicants from any country can apply. Previous work experience and ethnic background do not restrict eligibility under the general fellowship rules.
Successful candidates receive a substantial annual stipend as well as a conference and research-related travel allowance for up to three years.
However, the application involves two important stages. Candidates must first submit an initial HKPFS application and then submit a complete PhD admission application directly to their selected university or universities.
The initial application deadline is:
1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon, Hong Kong Time.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme |
| Short Name | HKPFS |
| Administered By | Research Grants Council |
| Location | Hong Kong |
| Study Level | PhD |
| Fellowships for 2027/28 | 400 |
| Applicants | International and local applicants |
| Study Mode | Full-time |
| Participating Universities | 8 |
| Fellowship Duration | Up to 3 years |
| Annual Stipend* | HK$344,400 |
| Research/Conference Travel Allowance* | HK$14,400 per year |
| Applications Opened | 1 September 2026 |
| Initial Deadline | 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon HKT |
| Expected Results | May 2027 |
| Academic Year | Normally begins September 2027 |
*The RGC currently publishes these award amounts based on the 2026/27 academic-year rate.
Applicants should start with the official Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme information before preparing their application.
What Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
The Research Grants Council established HKPFS in 2009.
Its purpose is to attract highly talented students to undertake PhD research at Hong Kong’s universities.
Unlike a scholarship tied to one university, the scheme covers eight UGC-funded universities.
Applicants can choose suitable PhD programs from the participating institutions while competing for the central fellowship award.
The scheme covers a wide range of research fields.
Applications are assessed broadly within two areas:
- Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology
- Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies
Therefore, HKPFS is not limited to STEM students.
Researchers in humanities, social sciences, business, education and related fields can also compete.
How Many Fellowships Are Available?
For the 2027/28 academic year:
400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded.
This is a significant number of funded doctoral opportunities.
Still, applicants should not assume that the number of awards makes selection easy.
The RGC looks for candidates with strong academic records and clear research potential.
HKPFS Fellowship Benefits
The fellowship provides two major forms of direct financial support.
Annual Stipend
The RGC currently lists:
HK$344,400 per year
This is approximately HK$28,700 per month when divided across 12 months.
The official RGC page also gives an approximate equivalent of US$44,150 per year.
Applicants should treat US-dollar conversions as approximate because exchange rates change.
Conference and Research Travel Allowance
Each awardee also receives:
HK$14,400 per year
for conference attendance and research-related travel.
The RGC currently gives an approximate US-dollar equivalent of US$1,840 per year.
This funding can help doctoral researchers participate in academic activities beyond their home university.
How Long Does the Fellowship Last?
The HKPFS award provides funding for:
Up to three years
Some PhD programs may take longer than three years.
In those cases, the RGC states that additional support may be provided by the chosen university.
Applicants whose programs are expected to exceed three years should check the relevant university’s arrangements rather than assuming the central fellowship will automatically continue.
Is HKPFS Fully Funded?
I recommend describing HKPFS as a funded PhD fellowship rather than making a blanket promise that every possible expense is “fully funded.”
The official fellowship provides a substantial annual stipend and research/conference travel allowance.
However, applicants must also consider university-specific matters such as:
- Tuition arrangements
- University fees
- Accommodation
- Visa expenses
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Other costs
Individual universities can provide additional support or have their own fee arrangements.
Therefore, Pathfinderly should present the confirmed fellowship package rather than implying that every possible expense is automatically paid by the RGC.
Eight Participating Universities
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme covers eight UGC-funded universities.
1. City University of Hong Kong
CityUHK offers research programs across areas such as engineering, science, business, social sciences, creative media and other disciplines.
2. Hong Kong Baptist University
HKBU provides doctoral research opportunities across arts, business, communication, social sciences, science, Chinese medicine and related fields.
3. Lingnan University
Lingnan offers research opportunities particularly across humanities, social sciences, business and interdisciplinary areas.
4. The Chinese University of Hong Kong
CUHK is a comprehensive research university with doctoral programs spanning numerous academic disciplines.
5. The Education University of Hong Kong
EdUHK has research strengths in education and several related humanities, social sciences and interdisciplinary fields.
6. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
PolyU provides doctoral research opportunities across engineering, applied sciences, business, health, design, construction, humanities and other areas.
7. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
HKUST has major strengths in science, engineering, business, humanities, social sciences and interdisciplinary research.
8. The University of Hong Kong
HKU offers PhD programs across a broad range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, law and business.
Applicants can explore the official list of HKPFS participating universities and follow the university links for program-specific information.
Who Can Apply?
The general eligibility rules are unusually broad.
Applicants seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at one of the participating universities can apply regardless of:
- Country of origin
- Previous work experience
- Ethnic background
International students from around the world are therefore eligible to compete.
However, eligibility for HKPFS does not automatically mean eligibility for every PhD program.
Applicants must separately satisfy the admission requirements of their selected university and doctoral program.
Can Current PhD Students Apply?
The scheme is intended for applicants seeking admission as new full-time PhD students.
Therefore, existing doctoral students should not assume they can convert their current PhD funding into HKPFS.
Anyone with unusual enrollment circumstances should confirm eligibility with the relevant university before applying.
Academic Requirements
The RGC does not impose one universal GPA requirement for every participating PhD program.
Instead, applicants need to satisfy the academic admission requirements of their selected university.
Requirements can vary according to:
- University
- Department
- Research field
- Previous qualification
- Academic system
- Proposed PhD program
A Master’s degree may be useful or required for certain programs, while other programs may accept strong applicants with appropriate Bachelor’s-level qualifications.
Always check the specific doctoral program.
What Does the RGC Look For?
Academic excellence is the primary consideration.
However, the RGC evaluates more than grades.
The four official assessment areas are:
Academic Excellence
Applicants should demonstrate a strong academic record and preparation for doctoral study.
Research Ability and Potential
Candidates need to show that they can undertake high-level independent research.
Previous research, publications, thesis work, projects or other scholarly activity may help demonstrate this potential.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Doctoral researchers need to communicate their ideas effectively.
These abilities can become particularly important during university interviews.
Leadership Abilities
The RGC also considers evidence of leadership.
Leadership does not necessarily mean holding a formal title.
Applicants may demonstrate initiative, responsibility and contribution through academic, professional, research or community activities.
Does HKPFS Require Work Experience?
There is no general work-experience requirement under the central HKPFS eligibility rules.
The RGC specifically states that applicants can be eligible irrespective of prior work experience.
This makes the fellowship accessible to strong candidates progressing directly from previous academic study.
However, individual PhD programs can set their own admission requirements.
Is There an Age Limit?
The central HKPFS information does not specify a general age limit.
Selection focuses on academic and research qualities rather than a standard fellowship-wide age restriction.
Applicants should still check their chosen university’s PhD admission requirements.
Can Students From Any Country Apply?
Yes.
The scheme is open internationally.
Applicants from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and other regions can compete, provided they meet the PhD admission requirements.
There is no general HKPFS nationality quota stated in the central eligibility rules.
Available Fields of Study
HKPFS supports doctoral study across a broad range of disciplines.
Examples may include:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Medicine
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Environmental Science
- Business
- Economics
- Finance
- Management
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Education
- Law
- Communication
- Design
- Interdisciplinary research
Availability depends on the participating university and its doctoral programs.
Applicants should choose a program that genuinely fits their academic and research background.
How Many Universities Can You Choose?
The HKPFS initial application allows candidates to select:
A maximum of two program choices
These choices can be within:
- One university, or
- Two universities
Applicants must indicate their priorities.
This is important because the RGC uses the stated priority when handling nominations in certain circumstances.
Do not select two universities simply because the system allows it.
Each choice should have a clear academic and research fit.
Choosing Your First Preference
Your first choice matters.
If two universities nominate the same applicant for the fellowship, the RGC states that it will process the nomination from the university listed as the applicant’s higher priority.
Therefore, research your options carefully before ranking them.
Applicants can change their university, department or program choices in the initial system until the deadline.
After the deadline, the RGC will not accept changes to those choices.
Two-Step Application Process
This is probably the most important part of the entire application.
Submitting only the RGC form is not enough.
HKPFS applicants must complete two stages.
Stage 1 — Submit the HKPFS Initial Application
First, submit an initial application through the official:
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES).
After successful submission, you receive an:
HKPFS Reference Number
Keep this number safely.
You will need it for the university application.
You can access the official HKPFS 2027/28 initial application system while the current application window remains open.
Stage 2 — Apply Directly to the University
Next, submit a full PhD application to each university you selected.
You must quote your HKPFS Reference Number.
Each university has its own:
- Application system
- Supporting documents
- Admission requirements
- PhD application deadline
- Possible application or processing fee
An initial HKPFS application without a corresponding full university application is considered void.
Important: University Deadlines Can Be Different
The central HKPFS deadline is:
1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.
However, this does not mean every university has exactly the same full-application deadline.
Each participating university sets its own submission arrangements.
Applicants should therefore check the relevant university deadline immediately after deciding where to apply.
Do not wait until 1 December to begin the university application.
Does HKPFS Charge an Application Fee?
The Research Grants Council states that:
RGC does not charge an HKPFS application fee.
However, participating universities may charge their own application or processing fees.
Therefore, “HKPFS application is free” should not be interpreted as “every university application is free.”
Check the fee policy of your selected institution.
Application Period for 2027/28
The official application period is:
Opens: 1 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
Closes: 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
Late initial applications are not considered.
The current application is therefore open as of our September 2026 verification.
Application Documents
The central HKPFS initial application is relatively concise.
However, the full university PhD application can require considerably more documentation.
Depending on the institution and program, applicants may need items such as:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- CV or résumé
- Research proposal
- Statement of purpose
- Personal statement
- Recommendation letters
- English-language test results
- Passport or identification documents
- Research experience
- Publications where applicable
- Other department-specific documents
Use the selected university’s official checklist.
Do not assume one university’s document requirements apply to another.
English Language Requirements
There is no single central HKPFS IELTS or TOEFL score that applies to every applicant.
Language requirements are determined through the participating universities and their programs.
Depending on your previous education and chosen institution, you may need:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- Another accepted test
- Evidence qualifying you for an exemption
Check the exact requirements before booking a language test.
Research Proposal
For many PhD applications, the research proposal can be one of the most important documents.
A strong proposal should normally demonstrate:
- A clear research problem
- Knowledge of the existing field
- Relevant research questions
- Appropriate methodology
- Academic significance
- Feasibility
- Connection with the department’s research strengths
Avoid sending exactly the same generic proposal to unrelated departments.
The project should fit the research environment you are applying to join.
Should You Contact a Supervisor?
Supervisor-contact requirements differ among universities and departments.
Some PhD programs encourage applicants to identify or contact potential supervisors before applying.
Others use a centralized admission process.
Therefore, do not mass-email professors.
First check the official requirements for your selected program. If supervisor contact is appropriate, approach researchers whose work genuinely overlaps with your proposed project.
University Interviews
Participating universities conduct interviews as part of the HKPFS assessment process.
Applicants should be ready to discuss:
- Academic background
- Research experience
- Proposed research
- Methodology
- Why they selected the university
- Why the research matters
- Future academic goals
- Leadership experience
- Research challenges
Understanding your proposal is much more important than memorizing scripted answers.
Selection Panels
Shortlisted applications are considered by one of two broad selection panels.
Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology
This panel assesses candidates in scientific, medical, engineering and technology-related disciplines.
Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies
The second panel covers humanities, social sciences and business-related fields.
Experts in the relevant areas participate in the assessment.
What Happens If You Do Not Win HKPFS?
This is another useful feature of the process.
Failure to receive HKPFS does not necessarily mean rejection from the university.
The participating university may still:
- Admit the applicant to its PhD program
- Offer another postgraduate studentship or financial-support arrangement
That decision belongs to the university.
Therefore, a strong PhD applicant may still receive an opportunity even without securing one of the 400 central fellowships.
When Will HKPFS 2027/28 Results Be Announced?
The RGC states that successful applicants will be notified by email and letter.
The 2027/28 fellowship results are expected in:
May 2027
Applicants should use the same active email address throughout the application process.
Be cautious about unofficial messages claiming to offer an HKPFS award.
How to Apply Step by Step
Step 1: Research the Eight Universities
Identify universities and PhD programs that match your proposed research.
Step 2: Check Program Admission Requirements
Review academic qualifications, language requirements, research expectations and supporting documents.
Step 3: Choose Up to Two Programs
Decide your first and, if needed, second preference.
Step 4: Submit the HKPFS Initial Application
Use the official HKPFSES portal.
Step 5: Save Your Reference Number
The system issues an HKPFS Reference Number after submission.
Keep it secure.
Step 6: Complete the University Application
Apply directly to your chosen university or universities.
Enter the HKPFS Reference Number where requested.
Step 7: Submit Before Each Deadline
Pay attention to both:
- The central HKPFS deadline
- The university’s own deadline
Step 8: Prepare for Interviews
If shortlisted, be ready to discuss your academic background and research plans.
Step 9: Wait for the Selection Process
Universities nominate candidates, while the RGC selection process determines fellowship awards.
Step 10: Check the Result
Successful fellowship applicants are expected to receive notification around May 2027.
How to Strengthen Your HKPFS Application
Start with research fit rather than prestige alone.
A strong application should show that:
- Your academic record supports doctoral study
- Your research idea is meaningful
- You understand the field
- Your chosen university has relevant expertise
- You have the ability to conduct independent research
- You can communicate ideas effectively
- You demonstrate initiative and leadership
Applicants with publications can include them where the university permits.
However, publications are not the only way to demonstrate research potential.
A strong thesis, research project, conference work or substantial academic experience can also help.
Common HKPFS Application Mistakes
Avoid:
- Submitting more than one HKPFS initial application
- Forgetting the separate university application
- Missing a university-specific deadline
- Choosing programs without research fit
- Ignoring English-language requirements
- Using an unfocused research proposal
- Leaving recommendation requests until the last minute
- Selecting two universities without considering priority
- Assuming the RGC form alone completes the application
- Assuming HKPFS has no costs simply because the RGC charges no application fee
- Waiting until 1 December to begin
- Providing inconsistent information across the RGC and university applications
The RGC cross-checks information with university applications, so consistency matters.
Important Rule: Submit Only One Initial HKPFS Application
Each applicant should submit:
Only one initial HKPFS application.
Within that application, you can specify up to two program choices.
Submitting multiple initial applications can result in disqualification of all applications, even if a university later nominates the applicant.
This is different from submitting full admission applications to two selected universities, which is allowed when properly listed through the HKPFS process.
Why Consider PhD Study in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong’s participating universities cover a broad range of research disciplines and have extensive international academic connections.
For HKPFS recipients, the financial support is also significant.
In addition, the scheme allows international candidates to compete regardless of nationality or prior work experience.
The combination of doctoral research, international academic exposure and research-related travel funding makes HKPFS particularly relevant to applicants planning research or academic careers.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship vs Other International Fellowships
HKPFS is specifically designed for new full-time PhD students.
That makes it different from short-term professional or summer fellowships.
For example, our LawAI Summer Fellowship is a specialist short-term fellowship related to law and artificial intelligence rather than a complete doctoral degree.
Students should therefore compare opportunities according to their career stage and academic goal rather than funding alone.
Final Thoughts
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28 is one of the strongest current doctoral funding opportunities for international applicants.
A total of 400 fellowships are planned for the 2027/28 academic year.
The RGC currently lists an annual stipend of HK$344,400 plus HK$14,400 per year for conference and research-related travel, with central fellowship support available for up to three years.
Applicants from around the world can compete.
However, a successful application requires more than submitting the initial fellowship form.
You must also complete the PhD admission application for your selected university or universities and satisfy their individual requirements.
The initial HKPFS application closes on:
1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.
Start with the official HKPFS application system and complete the university application well before the relevant deadline.
Last verified: September 2026
Pathfinderly provides fellowship information for educational purposes. Fellowship amounts, university requirements, deadlines and admission procedures can change. Always verify current information through the Research Grants Council and your selected university before applying.