What if your PhD came with a stipend of over HK$344,000 a year, full tuition coverage, and the chance to study at one of Asia’s most dynamic research hubs, regardless of where in the world you are from?
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is a prestigious, fully funded fellowship programme administered by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong. It is open to PhD applicants from any country worldwide, and provides financial support to outstanding doctoral candidates who want to pursue their research at any of Hong Kong’s eight publicly funded universities.
Each year, up to 400 fellowships are awarded for the 2027/28 academic year. Fellows receive a generous annual stipend, a travel and conference grant, and a full waiver of tuition fees, enabling them to dedicate themselves fully to their doctoral research in one of Asia’s most internationally connected research environments.
Applications are open until 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (HKT). Note that individual universities may have earlier internal deadlines — check with your chosen institution as early as possible.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Fellowship
- Host Country: Hong Kong, China
- Host Institutions: Any of the 8 UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong (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)
- Location: Hong Kong
- Duration: Up to 3 years (covering the normal PhD study period; additional support may be available beyond this)
- Start Date: Academic year 2027/28
- Mode: In-person
- Nationality: All nationalities (worldwide)
- Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor’s or master’s degree; applicant must be applying as a new full-time PhD student
- Work Experience: Not specified
- Age Limit: Not specified
- Stipend / Financial Support: HK$344,400/year (~US$44,150) living stipend + HK$14,400/year conference and research travel allowance + full tuition fee waiver
- Health Coverage: Not specified (Hong Kong has publicly accessible healthcare)
- Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (HKT)
- Application Fee: Not specified
- International Travel: HK$14,400/year (~US$1,846) conference and research-related travel grant included
What Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
The HKPFS was established by the Research Grants Council (RGC), the statutory body in Hong Kong that funds and oversees university research, to attract the world’s best and brightest doctoral candidates to Hong Kong’s research universities. The scheme has been running for over a decade and has built a strong reputation for funding outstanding early-career researchers across all academic disciplines.
What distinguishes the HKPFS from most international PhD fellowships is its scope: it is open to applicants from every country in the world, with no restriction on nationality. The 8 participating universities span a wide range of research strengths, from science, technology, engineering, and medicine at HKUST and HKU, to business, arts, and humanities at HKBU and Lingnan, meaning candidates across virtually any field of doctoral study can find a suitable match.
Hong Kong is one of the world’s most internationally connected cities, and its universities are consistently ranked among the top research institutions in Asia and globally. HKPFS fellows gain access to world-class research infrastructure, supervisors, and a vibrant academic community, with proximity to the research and innovation ecosystem of mainland China.
What Does the HKPFS Cover?
- Annual stipend: HK$344,400 (~US$44,150) — a generous living allowance for the duration of the fellowship
- Tuition fee waiver: Full waiver of PhD programme tuition fees at your chosen institution
- Conference and travel grant: HK$14,400/year (~US$1,846) for attending academic conferences and conducting field research
Note: Individual universities may offer additional benefits — such as supplementary awards, housing support, or other institutional supplements — on top of the core HKPFS package. Check with your specific institution for what is offered beyond the standard scheme.
What Is NOT Covered?
- International airfare: Not specified by the host as covered under the core HKPFS
- Health insurance: Not specified by the host as covered — fellows should confirm their healthcare access at their chosen institution
- Family or dependent costs: Not specified by the host
Who Can Apply?
- You are applying as a new, full-time PhD student at one of the 8 UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong
- You are a citizen of any country — there are no nationality restrictions
- You demonstrate outstanding academic performance, research ability or potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership ability
- You have not yet begun your PhD programme (or are beginning it in 2027/28)
The 8 Participating Universities
- City University of Hong Kong (CityU) — strong in engineering, science, business, creative media
- Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) — known for arts, social sciences, communication, medicine
- Lingnan University — arts, humanities, social sciences, business
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) — broad research university, medicine, science, humanities
- The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) — education, social development, linguistics
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) — engineering, applied science, business, design
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) — world-class research in STEM, business, environmental studies
- The University of Hong Kong (HKU) — Hong Kong’s oldest and most comprehensive research university
Selection Criteria
- Academic performance: Strong undergraduate and/or postgraduate academic record
- Research ability / potential: Demonstrated capacity for original research, including publications, research experience, or a strong research proposal
- Communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate research effectively and work collaboratively
- Leadership ability: Evidence of leadership potential in academic, professional, or community contexts
Application Timeline
- Now open: Applications for the 2027/28 fellowship are currently being accepted
- University internal deadlines: May be earlier than 1 December 2026 — check with your chosen institution immediately
- Official HKPFS deadline: 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (HKT)
- Fellowship start: Academic year 2027/28
How to Apply
- Identify your preferred research area and potential supervisor at one or more of the 8 UGC-funded universities
- Contact potential supervisors early to discuss your research proposal and confirm their availability
- Visit the RGC HKPFS portal at cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs to submit your initial HKPFS application and obtain a reference number
- Simultaneously apply for PhD admission at your chosen university using their institutional application portal (each university has a separate system)
- Check your chosen university’s internal deadline — this may be earlier than the 1 December 2026 HKPFS deadline
- Submit all required materials — including transcripts, research proposal, referee reports, and personal statement — before the relevant deadlines
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HKPFS really open to students from any country?
Yes. The RGC explicitly states that applicants are eligible irrespective of their country of origin. There are no nationality restrictions, making this one of the most globally open fully funded PhD fellowships in Asia.
Can I apply with a bachelor’s degree, or do I need a master’s first?
Requirements vary by university and programme. Some Hong Kong universities admit PhD students directly after a bachelor’s degree, while others prefer or require a master’s degree. Check the specific admission requirements of your target programme and university before applying.
Are PhD programmes at Hong Kong universities taught in English?
Yes. Doctoral programmes at all 8 UGC universities are conducted primarily in English. English is the primary medium of instruction for research and postgraduate study across Hong Kong’s internationally ranked universities.
Can I apply to more than one university?
You may apply for PhD admission to multiple universities. However, you will need to check the specific rules for the HKPFS application — the RGC reference number is tied to your application. Review the official HKPFS guidelines to understand how multiple institutional applications interact with a single HKPFS submission.
Can I apply from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, or other developing countries?
Yes, fully. The HKPFS is open to applicants from any country. Scholars from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, the Philippines, Egypt, and every other country have previously held the fellowship. The scheme’s global reach is one of its defining features.
What happens after the 3-year fellowship period if my PhD is not yet complete?
The HKPFS covers the normal study period, typically up to 3 years, and the RGC states that additional support may be available beyond this. Individual universities may have their own provisions for extended funding. Confirm with your department and supervisor before applying.
Is the stipend enough to live on in Hong Kong?
The HK$344,400/year stipend (~US$44,150) is considered a competitive package relative to living costs in Hong Kong. Many fellows also benefit from university accommodation at subsidised rates. The cost of living in Hong Kong is significant, particularly for housing, but the fellowship is designed to fully support a doctoral student’s needs during their studies.
Is there any field restriction — can I apply in arts, humanities, or social sciences?
No field restriction is listed by the RGC. The HKPFS is open across all academic disciplines. Whether your research is in STEM, business, law, education, arts, or humanities, you are eligible to apply — provided you are applying to a PhD programme at one of the 8 eligible universities.
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