Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)

The Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong established the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme in 2009 to attract the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD studies at Hong Kong's universities.

In the 2026/27 academic year the fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$344,400 (approximately US$44,150) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 (approximately US$1,840) per year, for up to three years. 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2027/28 academic year. Universities in Hong Kong normally start their academic year in September.

If you need more than three years to complete your PhD, your chosen university may provide additional support. Contact the university directly for details.

Candidates seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at the following eight universities can apply, irrespective of country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background:

• 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 academic performance, research ability or potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

Do you need a score from IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT or GRE before applying?

• Applicants from non-English-speaking universities must attach a TOEFL or IELTS score to their PhD application, unless they prove that English was the language of instruction for all their courses.
• This is not required if the PhD programme is specifically in a non-English medium, such as Chinese.
• The universities set their own PhD admission requirements, so whether you need any other test, such as the GMAT or GRE, depends on each university.
• In general, good results from an open examination widely recognised by international institutions help the universities and Selection Panels assess your intellectual and language competency.

Shortlisted applications are reviewed, according to their area of study, by one of two Selection Panels of experts in the relevant broad areas:

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

Academic excellence is the primary consideration. The panels also take into account:

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

1. Submit the Initial Application to the Research Grants Council. Apply online through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES) to get an HKPFS Reference Number. It opens on 1 September 2026 at 12:00 noon and closes on 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon, Hong Kong time. You must do this before applying for PhD admission to your universities.
2. Choose your programmes. You can pick up to two programmes or departments at one or two universities for PhD study under HKPFS 2027/28, and you must meet the admission requirements of each.
3. Submit full applications to your universities. Apply for each chosen PhD programme and quote your HKPFS Reference Number before the university's deadline. For programme details, admission requirements, application methods and regulations, check each university and programme.

The deadline for every participating university is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 Hong Kong time. Some university deadlines follow right after the Initial Application closes, so submit the initial application as early as you can.

The stipend figure is for 2026/27 and the fellowship count is for 2027/28. The scheme page lists only the stipend and the travel allowance, so ask your university what else it adds, such as tuition or accommodation.

Documents

• HKPFS reference number from the RGC systemRequired
• Full application documents of the chosen universityRequired
• TOEFL or IELTS score, unless English was the language of instruction for all your courses or your PhD programme is taught in a non-English mediumOptional