The Young Political Economy Forum Hong Kong 2026 will bring young leaders, students, professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs together for three days of international dialogue in Hong Kong.
The forum will take place from:
27–29 November 2026
It focuses on the future of the global economy through the interconnected fields of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE).
Participants from all countries can apply.
The program is open to people aged 16 to 40, and applicants do not need to study economics or politics exclusively.
Several participation routes are available. Most importantly, the organizers offer 10 fully funded scholarships and 20 partially funded scholarships for selected applicants.
The application deadline is:
22 October 2026
Candidates interested in financial support should apply early and clearly indicate their interest in a funded place.
Young Political Economy Forum Hong Kong Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | Young Political Economy Forum Hong Kong |
| Short Name | YPEF Hong Kong |
| Location | Hong Kong |
| Dates | 27–29 November 2026 |
| Main Forum Day | 28 November 2026 |
| Venue | The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong |
| Organizer | Centre for International Political Economy Studies |
| Academic Partner | The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong |
| Age | 16–40 |
| Nationality | All countries |
| Fully Funded Awards | 10 |
| Partially Funded Awards | 20 |
| Self-Funded Route | Available |
| Forum Access Route | Available |
| Deadline | 22 October 2026 |
Applicants should review the official YPEF Hong Kong 2026 page before submitting their application.
What Is the Young Political Economy Forum?
The Young Political Economy Forum is an international gathering focused on the forces shaping economies and societies.
The Hong Kong edition brings participants together through a Politics, Philosophy and Economics framework.
Instead of looking at economic questions from only one perspective, the program encourages participants to consider how economics interacts with:
- Politics
- Institutions
- Technology
- Society
- Philosophy
- Entrepreneurship
- Sustainability
- Public policy
YPEF Hong Kong builds on previous international forums organized by CIPES.
The 2026 Hong Kong edition follows the program’s earlier activities in locations including Madrid, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai and Jakarta.
Who Organizes YPEF Hong Kong?
The forum is organized by the Centre for International Political Economy Studies (CIPES).
CIPES works in areas connected with international political economy, education, research and international dialogue.
For the Hong Kong edition, CIPES is collaborating with:
The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK)
The university provides the academic setting for the forum’s PPE-based approach.
Where Will the Forum Take Place?
The official venue is:
The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
The university is located in Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Its Politics, Philosophy and Economics program provides an academic foundation for the forum’s thematic framework.
The main forum day will take place on:
28 November 2026
Activities across the full program run from 27 to 29 November.
Who Can Apply?
YPEF Hong Kong welcomes applicants from around the world.
Eligible groups include:
- University students
- Emerging youth leaders
- Young professionals
- Academics
- Entrepreneurs
- Researchers
The age requirement is:
16–40 years
Applicants from all countries are eligible.
Therefore, this is a genuinely international opportunity rather than a program restricted to Asian applicants.
Do You Need to Study Economics?
No.
The forum has a strong political-economy focus, but it is interdisciplinary.
Students and professionals from different academic backgrounds can apply if they have a genuine interest in issues surrounding the global economy and society.
Relevant backgrounds could include:
- Economics
- Politics
- International Relations
- Philosophy
- Business
- Finance
- Public Policy
- Development Studies
- Law
- Entrepreneurship
- Technology
- Social Sciences
- Sustainability
Applicants from other disciplines can also be suitable.
Your motivation and interest in the forum’s themes matter.
Is YPEF Hong Kong Fully Funded?
This needs an important distinction.
The entire forum is not automatically fully funded for every participant.
Instead, the organizers offer several participation routes.
For the current edition:
10 Fully Funded Scholarships
are available for selected applicants.
In addition:
20 Partially Funded Scholarships
are available.
Other applicants can participate through self-funded or forum-access routes.
For this reason, describing YPEF as offering funded opportunities is more accurate than saying that every place is fully funded.
Fully Funded Scholarship Benefits
The 10 fully funded recipients receive a substantial support package.
Current benefits include:
- Accommodation during the forum
- Reception dinner
- Two international meals per day
- Full forum participation
- Local transportation
- Certificate of participation
- Airfare support
- Access to forum activities
Recipients also participate in the academic modules, networking and other scheduled activities.
Important Airfare Funding Detail
Applicants should understand the airfare benefit correctly.
The detailed official terms state that fully funded recipients can receive:
US$300 to US$1,000 in airfare support
The amount depends on:
- Country of residence
- Actual travel cost
If the economy-class airfare costs less than US$300, the organizers state that the full ticket cost will be covered.
Therefore, applicants should not assume unlimited airfare reimbursement.
Someone whose ticket costs more than the applicable support level may still have a remaining amount to pay personally.
Accommodation for Fully Funded Participants
Accommodation during the forum is included for fully funded scholarship recipients.
The program runs for three days, and the participation information lists:
Three nights of accommodation
for the residential routes.
This can significantly reduce the cost of attending an international event in Hong Kong.
Applicants should still wait for official accommodation instructions before making independent bookings.
Meals and Local Transportation
The fully funded package includes:
- Reception dinner
- Two international meals per day
- Local transportation connected with the program
This support applies during the forum according to the organizer’s arrangements.
Participants should still budget for personal purchases and any meals, transport or activities outside the covered program.
Partially Funded Scholarships
YPEF Hong Kong also offers:
20 Partially Funded Awards
Recipients receive:
50% reduction in the self-financed participation fee.
This is different from the fully funded award.
Partially funded participants should therefore expect to finance other costs according to the terms of their award.
These may include travel and other personal expenses.
How Are Scholarships Awarded?
Financial assistance is competitive.
The organizers consider factors including:
- Academic merit
- Professional merit
- Financial need
- Leadership potential
- Overall application strength
Final awards are subject to review by the scholarship committee.
Applicants seeking a fully funded place should indicate their interest during registration.
Strong candidates may also be invited to a:
Short interview
before the final selection.
Is There a Fee for the Fully Funded Route?
The current participation page displays a US$15.99 amount alongside the merit-based fully funded route.
Applicants should therefore read the payment conditions carefully when registering rather than assuming that applying for funding has absolutely no charge.
This is another reason we should distinguish between a funded award and an entirely cost-free application process.
Always check the amount shown in the official registration system before making payment.
Self-Funded Participation
Applicants who do not seek or receive a scholarship can use the self-funded route.
The current early-bird price is:
US$599
The page states that this has been reduced from US$899.
The residential self-funded package currently includes:
- Three nights of accommodation
- Meals
- Networking gala
- Visa invitation support
- Six academic modules
- Workshops
- Field visits
- Mentorship
- Certificate of participation
Participants remain responsible for costs not included in the package, particularly international travel.
Forum Access Option
A lower-cost day-delegate route is also available.
The current fee is:
US$200
It includes:
- Six modules
- Workshops
- Field visits
- Mentorship
- Meals during sessions
- Visa support
- Certificate of participation
However:
Accommodation is not included.
This route may suit applicants who already have accommodation in Hong Kong.
Instalment Option
Self-funded participants can also use an instalment arrangement.
The current initial deposit is:
US$199
The remaining balance is due before the forum according to the organizer’s payment schedule.
The current page states that the balance is due 30 days before the event.
Applicants should read the payment and cancellation terms before choosing this route.
Are Participation Fees Refundable?
The organizers state that participation fees are generally:
Non-refundable.
Specific circumstances or instalment arrangements may have additional terms.
Therefore, applicants should confirm:
- Travel feasibility
- Visa requirements
- Personal availability
- Funding
before making payments.
Hong Kong Visa Support
Once participation is confirmed, the organizing team can provide a:
Personalized Hong Kong visa invitation letter
where required.
However, an invitation letter is not the same as a visa approval.
Participants remain responsible for following the immigration requirements applicable to their nationality and circumstances.
Visa processing should begin as early as possible after confirmation.
Six Main Forum Modules
YPEF Hong Kong is structured around six interconnected themes.
1. The Future of the Global Economy
This module considers what could drive economic growth over the coming decade.
Topics include:
- Productivity
- Investment
- Innovation
- Entrepreneurship
- Emerging economic centers
2. Cities of the Future
Participants explore how urban economies and societies may evolve.
Discussion can consider infrastructure, governance, technology and sustainable urban development.
3. The Future of Work
This area examines how work is changing.
Technology, automation, skills, labor markets and new economic structures are important parts of the wider conversation.
4. Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Participants consider how innovation and entrepreneurship contribute to economic development.
The module connects new ideas with business, institutions and economic transformation.
5. The Digital Economy
Digital technologies increasingly influence economic activity.
This module explores the opportunities and challenges associated with that transformation.
6. Sustainable Growth and Future Prosperity
The final theme considers how economies can pursue growth while addressing longer-term social and environmental challenges.
Together, the six modules give participants a broad political-economy perspective.
What Will Participants Gain?
The forum is designed around more than lectures.
Participants can gain:
- International perspectives
- Comparative insights
- PPE-based analytical skills
- International networking
- Discussion experience
- Exposure to economic-policy debates
- Certificate of participation
The international format also allows delegates to compare how economic issues affect different countries.
YPEF Hong Kong Program Schedule
The current agenda is provisional, so activities can still change.
Day 1 — 27 November
Activities currently include:
- Registration
- Welcome
- Opening address
- Welcome reception
This day allows participants to meet fellow delegates and understand the program.
Day 2 — 28 November
This is the:
Main Forum Day
The six major modules are scheduled across the day.
Participants also take part in comparative discussions.
Day 3 — 29 November
The final day currently includes:
- Workshops
- Small-group dialogue
- Reflections
- Certificates
- Closing activities
The forum concludes after the closing sessions.
How to Apply
The application process begins online.
Step 1: Visit the Official Program Page
Go to the YPEF Hong Kong 2026 official page.
Step 2: Review the Participation Routes
Decide whether you want to compete for:
- Fully funded scholarship
- Partially funded scholarship
- Self-funded participation
- Forum access
Step 3: Check Eligibility
Confirm that you fall within the:
16–40 age range.
Applicants from all nationalities can apply.
Step 4: Prepare Your Information
Provide accurate information about your:
- Education
- Experience
- Leadership
- Interests
- Motivation
Applicants seeking funding should pay particular attention to evidence of merit and leadership.
Step 5: Indicate Your Funding Interest
If you want a fully funded place, make this clear during registration and provide the requested supporting information.
Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline
Complete your registration before:
22 October 2026
Waiting until the last day can create unnecessary problems.
Step 7: Prepare for a Possible Interview
Strong funding candidates may be invited for a short interview.
Be ready to explain your:
- Motivation
- Leadership experience
- Academic or professional interests
- Interest in political economy
- Expected contribution to the forum
How to Strengthen Your Application
A strong application should explain why the forum matters to your academic or professional development.
Avoid generic statements such as:
“I want to attend an international event and meet people.”
Instead, connect your background with specific forum themes.
For example, you could discuss your interest in:
- Economic development
- Public policy
- Entrepreneurship
- Technology
- Future of work
- Sustainable growth
- Digital transformation
- International relations
Show how your experience has shaped that interest.
Demonstrating Leadership
Leadership is particularly important for fully funded selection.
However, leadership does not necessarily mean being the president of an organization.
Useful examples can include:
- Leading a university project
- Organizing an event
- Starting an initiative
- Volunteering
- Running a community project
- Leading a research team
- Building a business
- Mentoring others
- Solving a problem within an organization
Use concrete examples rather than simply describing yourself as a leader.
Do You Need IELTS?
The current general eligibility information does not list IELTS or TOEFL as a standard application requirement.
The forum is an international program conducted around discussions and academic dialogue rather than a university degree admission process.
Applicants should nevertheless have sufficient English ability to:
- Follow sessions
- Communicate with participants
- Join discussions
- Participate in workshops
If the organizer requests additional evidence during selection, follow those instructions.
Is Work Experience Required?
No general minimum professional experience requirement is stated.
The forum welcomes:
- Students
- Young professionals
- Researchers
- Academics
- Entrepreneurs
- Emerging leaders
Therefore, university students without several years of formal employment can still apply.
Can Undergraduate Students Apply?
Yes.
University students are explicitly included among eligible participants.
The main age requirement remains 16–40 years.
Applicants should demonstrate how the forum relates to their academic interests or future goals.
Can Applicants From Any Country Apply?
Yes.
The official eligibility information states:
All countries are eligible.
There is no general nationality restriction.
Visa requirements, however, depend on the participant’s nationality and circumstances.
Important Deadline
Registration closes on:
22 October 2026
The forum will then take place:
27–29 November 2026
This leaves a relatively short period between selection and travel.
International applicants who require a Hong Kong visa should therefore avoid delaying their application.
Common Application Mistakes
Applicants should avoid:
- Assuming every participant is fully funded
- Assuming airfare support is unlimited
- Ignoring the US$300–US$1,000 airfare-support terms
- Applying without explaining their motivation
- Giving vague leadership claims
- Waiting until the deadline
- Paying before understanding refund terms
- Assuming visa support guarantees visa approval
- Ignoring personal costs not covered by funding
- Providing inaccurate information
- Applying through unofficial websites
Carefully review the participation route you select.
Young Political Economy Forum vs Other Leadership Programs
YPEF Hong Kong has a particularly strong focus on political economy and PPE.
Applicants looking for broader international leadership development can also explore the Hansen Leadership Institute, which brings young people together around leadership, cooperation and international understanding.
Our HPAIR Conference guide covers another international forum environment with strong links to Asia, policy, business and leadership.
Meanwhile, students interested in youth leadership experiences in South Korea can explore the Korea Youth Summit.
Applicants interested in a broader mix of diplomacy, governance, technology, economics, and international cooperation can also explore the Global Leadership Dialogue, an international leadership program held in Budapest with competitive funded participation routes.
These opportunities have different funding structures and academic themes, so applicants should choose according to their goals.
Is YPEF Hong Kong Worth Considering?
YPEF Hong Kong may appeal particularly to young people interested in the relationship between:
- Economics
- Politics
- Society
- Technology
- Business
- Sustainability
The program provides international networking and structured discussions in Hong Kong.
The availability of 10 fully funded and 20 partially funded awards also creates opportunities for applicants who could not otherwise finance the complete program.
However, funding is competitive.
Applicants should not make travel plans on the assumption that they will receive a scholarship.
Wait for official confirmation before booking.
Final Thoughts
The Young Political Economy Forum Hong Kong 2026 offers young people an opportunity to discuss the future of the global economy through Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
The forum takes place at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong from:
27–29 November 2026
Applicants aged 16–40 from all countries can apply.
The current funding structure includes 10 fully funded scholarships and 20 partially funded scholarships, alongside self-funded participation.
Fully funded recipients receive accommodation, meals, local transportation, forum access and airfare support. However, the detailed airfare provision ranges from US$300 to US$1,000 according to residence and actual travel cost, rather than providing unlimited travel reimbursement.
Applications close on:
22 October 2026
Interested candidates should review the official YPEF Hong Kong information and application options before submitting.
Last verified: September 2026
Pathfinderly provides opportunity information for educational purposes. The organizer may change dates, fees, funding, schedules or participation conditions. Always verify the latest details through the official program website before applying.