HONG KONG: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/2028

The Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong is inviting applications for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) for the 2027/28 academic year.

Established in 2009, the merit-based HKPFS aims to attract outstanding students from around the world to pursue full-time, research-based PhD studies at participating universities in Hong Kong.

A total of 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded for the 2027/28 academic year.

Applicants are encouraged to research the available PhD programmes, research areas and admission requirements of the participating universities before submitting an application.

Degree Level

• Ph.D. (Doctoral Degree)

Application Deadline

1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (GMT +8).

Late initial applications will not be considered.

NB: Applicants must also take note of the individual application deadlines set by the universities for submission of their full PhD applications.

Eligibility Criteria

The Scheme is open to candidates seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at the participating universities, irrespective of country of origin, prior work experience or ethnic background.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Outstanding academic performance;
• Research ability and potential;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; and
• Leadership abilities.

Applicants must also meet the admission requirements of the university and PhD programme to which they are applying.

Participating Universities

What the Scholarship Offers

For the 2027/28 academic year, the HKPFS provides:

• An annual stipend of HK$344,400; and
• An annual conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400.

The fellowship is provided for a period of up to three years. For awardees who require more than three years to complete their PhD, additional support may be provided by the respective university. Applicants should contact the university concerned directly for further information.

Please note: Applicants should carefully review the terms and conditions of the fellowship and the requirements of their selected university. Any costs or expenses not covered by the HKPFS or the relevant university are the responsibility of the applicant. DHET will not provide additional financial support for any costs not covered by the scholarship or the participating university.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete two stages of the application process:

Step 1: Submit the HKPFS initial application

Applicants must submit one initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES) to obtain an HKPFS Reference Number.

Each applicant may select a maximum of two choices of university/department/programme, with priority indicated, and the choices may be within one or two participating universities.

Step 2: Submit full PhD application(s) to the selected university/universities

After completing the initial HKPFS application, applicants must submit full applications for admission to their selected PhD programme(s) directly to the relevant university/universities, quoting their HKPFS Reference Number.

Applicants must comply with the individual university's admission requirements and application deadlines. These deadlines may differ between universities and may be close to the HKPFS initial application deadline. Applicants are therefore advised to check the relevant university deadlines well in advance.

Important: Only one initial HKPFS application may be submitted per applicant. Submission of more than one initial application may result in all applications submitted by the applicant being disqualified. 

Selection Criteria

Shortlisted applications are reviewed by one of two HKPFS Selection Panels, according to the applicant's field of study:

• Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology; or
• Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies.

While academic excellence is a primary consideration, the Selection Panels also consider:

• Academic excellence;
• Research ability and potential;
• Communication and interpersonal skills; and
• Leadership abilities.

Individual universities may also conduct interviews as part of their assessment and selection processes. 

Contact

For enquiries regarding the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, please email the Research Grants Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For enquiries regarding specific PhD programmes, admission requirements, application procedures and university deadlines, applicants should contact the relevant university directly.

Documents and Links

• Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme – Research Grants Council
• Guidance Note for Applicants
• Initial Application Form
• Hong Kong Higher Education
• About Hong Kong
• Postgraduate Studies in Hong Kong
• Immigration Policy on Study and Guidebook for Entry for Study in Hong Kong
• Poster
• Leaflet
• Frequently Asked Questions

Note

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.