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Fully Funded Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/28.

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September 6, 2026

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The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is the flagship doctoral fellowship of the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, established in 2009 to attract the best and brightest students from around the world to pursue full-time PhD studies in Hong Kong.

For the 2027/28 academic year, 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded across all disciplines at Hong Kong’s eight UGC-funded universities.

Each fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$344,400 (approx. US$44,150) plus a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 (approx. US$1,840) per year for up to three years.

Applications for HKPFS 2027/28 opened on 1 September 2026 and the initial application deadline is 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon (Hong Kong Time).

Key Highlights of HKPFS 2027/28

Number of awards: 400 PhD Fellowships
Stipend: HK$344,400 per year (approx. US$44,150)
Travel allowance: HK$14,400 per year (approx. US$1,840)
Duration: Up to 3 years (universities may extend support for longer programmes)
Degree level: PhD (full-time)
Study in: Hong Kong SAR, China
Who can apply: Students of all nationalities
Application opens: 1 September 2026
Initial application deadline: 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon HKT

Participating Universities in Hong Kong

Applicants may choose up to two programmes/departments at one or two of the following universities:

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK)
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
Lingnan University (LU)
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)

Why Choose Hong Kong for Your PhD?

Hong Kong is home to five universities ranked in the world’s top 100, teaches in English, and sits at the gateway between Asia and the rest of the world.

HKPFS scholars join a vibrant international research community, benefit from world-class laboratories and libraries, and enjoy one of the most generous PhD stipends in Asia.

Degree Level

The HKPFS 2027/28 supports full-time PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) study only. Applicants must be seeking admission as new PhD students at one of the eight participating universities in the 2027/28 academic year. Students already enrolled in a PhD programme in Hong Kong are not eligible.

Available Subjects.

The fellowship is open to all subjects and disciplines offered as PhD programmes at the participating universities, including:

Science, Mathematics and Data Science
Engineering, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Medicine, Public Health, Nursing and Biomedical Sciences
Business, Economics, Finance and Management
Social Sciences, Psychology and Education
Arts, Humanities, Languages and Law
Architecture, Design and Environmental Studies

Benefits.

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship is a fully funded award. Each fellow receives:

Annual stipend of HK$344,400 (approximately US$44,150) for up to three years
Conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 (approximately US$1,840) per year for up to three years
Funding for a period of up to three years; awardees whose normative study period exceeds three years may receive additional support from their university
Additional university top-ups (vary by institution), which may include tuition fee waivers, guaranteed hall accommodation in the first year, and extra scholarships or research allowances for HKPFS awardees

Eligible Nationalities.

The HKPFS is open to students of all nationalities. There are no restrictions on country of origin, prior work experience, or ethnic background.
International students as well as local Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese students may apply.

To be considered for the HKPFS 2027/28, applicants must:

Be seeking admission as a new full-time PhD student at one of the eight participating universities in the 2027/28 academic year
Meet the PhD admission requirements of the chosen university and department (typically a bachelor’s degree with first-class or second-class upper honours, or a master’s degree)
Satisfy the English language requirements of the chosen university (e.g. IELTS/TOEFL) unless exempted
Demonstrate outstanding academic performance, research ability and potential, good communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities

Selection Criteria.

Selection is highly competitive and is conducted by the universities on behalf of the RGC.
Academic excellence is the primary consideration, followed by research ability and potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview.

Application Procedure

Applying for the HKPFS is a two-step process:

Step 1 – Initial Application to the RGC

Submit an online Initial Application through the HKPFS Electronic System at cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs
The system is open from 1 September 2026 (12:00 noon HKT) to 1 December 2026 (12:00 noon HKT)
Select up to two programmes/departments at one or two universities
On submission, you will receive an HKPFS Reference Number

Step 2 – Full Application to the University

Using your HKPFS Reference Number, submit a full PhD admission application directly to each chosen university by 1 December 2026 (11:59 pm HKT)
Typical documents: academic transcripts and degree certificates, CV, research proposal/statement of purpose, two or three reference letters, English test scores, passport copy, and any publications
Some universities charge their own application fee; the RGC initial application is free