Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2025/2026 for Study in Hong Kong (Funded)

Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.

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About Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2025/2026

Opportunity Details

Established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong in 2009, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD studies in Hong Kong's universities.

 

Benefits of Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2025/2026

The Fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$337,200 (approximately US$43,230) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,000 (approximately US$1,790) per year for each awardee for a period up to three years. 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2025/26 academic year*. For awardees who need more than three years to complete the PhD degree, additional support may be provided by the chosen universities. For details, please contact the universities concerned directly.

* Universities in Hong Kong normally start their academic year in September.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2025/2026 Requirements

Candidates who are seeking admission as new full time PhD students in the following eight universities, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply. 

  • 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 

Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

Selection Panel

Shortlisted applications, subject to their areas of studies, will be reviewed by one of the following two Selection Panels comprising experts in the relevant board areas:

  • Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology 
  • Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies

Selection Criteria

While candidates' academic excellence is of primary consideration, the Selection Panels will take into account factors as follows:

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

Application Date and Process

Eligible candidates should first make an Initial Applicationonline through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES) to obtain an HKPFS Reference Number by 1 December 2024 at Hong Kong Time 12:00:00 before submitting applications for PhD admission to their desired universities. 

Applicants may choose up to two programmes / departments at one or two universities for PhD study under HKPFS 2025/26. They should comply with the admission requirements of their selected universities and programmes.

As the deadlines for applications to some of the universities may immediately follow that of the Initial Application, candidates should submit initial applications as early as possible to ensure that they have sufficient time to submit applications to universities.

Step 1: Submit Initial Application to Research Grants Council

Open for applications: 1 September 2024 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time 

Guidance Note for completing the Initial Application (in PDF format)
   
HKPFS Electronic System - Initial Application

 

 

Step 2: Submit Full Applications to Proposed Universities

After completing an initial application, applicants should submit full applications for their selected PhD programmes to the proposed universities quoting their HKPFS Reference Number before universities' respective deadlines. As regards programme information, requirements for PhD admission, application methods, regulations and policy of individual universities, please refer to individual universities and PhD programmes for information. 

CityU

City University of Hong Kong
Application Deadline: 1 December 2024 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time) 

   
HKBU

Hong Kong Baptist University
Application Deadline: 1 December 2024 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)

   
LU

Lingnan University
Application Deadline: 1 December 2024 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)

   
CUHK

The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Application Deadline: 1 December 2024 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)

   
EdUHK

The Education University of Hong Kong
Application Deadline : 1 December 2024 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)

   
PolyU

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Application Deadline: 1 December 2024 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)

   
HKUST

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Application Deadline: 1 December 2024 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)

   
HKU

The University of Hong Kong
Application Deadline: 1 December, 2024 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)

Application Deadline

01 December, 2024

Scholarship Application Portal

View details of Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2025/2026

Apply for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2025/2026

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