Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/2028 | Fully Funded
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, run by Hong Kong’s Research Grants Council since 2009, funds up to 400 PhD fellowships each year across eight of Hong Kong’s leading universities, open to applicants of any nationality and academic background. Applications for the 2027/28 cycle will run from September 1 to December 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time for the initial RGC application.
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Updated figures for this cycle: the annual stipend has risen to roughly HK$344,400 (about US$44,150), with the travel allowance now HK$14,400 (about US$1,840). One detail worth knowing before you choose where to apply: some universities layer additional funding automatically on top of the base HKPFS package, and the size of that top-up varies significantly by institution.
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Understanding the Two-Stage Process and Why Your University Choice Matters More Than It Seems
This scheme runs through two entirely separate application stages, and missing this structure is the most common way applicants stumble. First, you submit an Initial Application directly to the RGC through the HKPFS Electronic System, which gets you an HKPFS Reference Number — this number alone doesn’t get you into any programme; it’s simply your ticket to stage two. Second, using that reference number, you submit full, separate PhD applications directly to your chosen universities, selecting up to two programmes across one or two institutions.
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Every full application must quote your HKPFS Reference Number, or it won’t be considered under the scheme at all. Here’s what’s worth knowing before choosing your two programme picks: the value of winning HKPFS isn’t identical across universities. At the University of Hong Kong, for the 2027/28 cycle, HKPFS holders automatically receive the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship on top of the base award — no separate application needed — pushing the total package to roughly HK$1.58 million over three years or higher over four.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s total package for 2027/28 reaches similarly high figures, around HK$1.81 million. At other universities like HKUST and CityU, additional top-ups exist, but the tuition waiver may only cover the first year rather than the full duration. This means your two programme choices aren’t just about research fit — they carry genuinely different total funding outcomes depending on the specific university.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme |
| Host Country ⇒ | Hong Kong |
| Study Level ⇒ | PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | ~HK$344,400/year stipend + HK$14,400/year travel allowance, up to 3 years, plus possible university-specific top-ups |
| Funded by ⇒ | Research Grants Council of Hong Kong |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | Initial RGC application: September 1 – December 1, 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time. University-specific full applications also generally due December 1, 2026 (confirm each institution’s exact time) |
Who Can Apply
- You must be applying for admission as a new full-time PhD student at one of the eight participating universities — 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, or The University of Hong Kong.
- You need strong academic achievement in your previous studies.
- You need demonstrated research ability and potential, shown through publications, projects, or a compelling proposal.
- You need genuinely strong communication and interpersonal skills, plus demonstrated leadership qualities — this is a holistic assessment, not purely a grades-and-publications review.
- Applicants of all nationalities, ethnicities, and academic backgrounds are welcome — HKUST alone has drawn HKPFS awardees from more than 50 countries and regions.
- You must also separately meet each specific university’s own PhD admission requirements, including English-language proficiency standards, alongside the HKPFS-specific criteria.
What the Fellowship Provides
- An annual stipend of roughly HK$344,400 (approximately US$44,150), for up to three years.
- An annual conference and research-related travel allowance of roughly HK$14,400 (approximately US$1,840).
- Possible funding extensions from individual universities if your PhD takes longer than three years to complete.
- University-specific automatic top-ups at some institutions — most notably HKU’s Presidential PhD Scholarship, layered automatically on top of the base HKPFS award for HKPFS holders at that specific university, with no separate application required.
- A guaranteed hall place in Year 1 at some universities, such as HKU, with possibility of renewal.
- A genuine safety net if not selected: applicants not chosen for HKPFS specifically can still be admitted to their chosen university’s regular PhD programme with a postgraduate studentship — CUHK, for instance, states that candidates it nominates for HKPFS who aren’t ultimately selected by the RGC will still receive standard admission with funding, and may separately qualify for the university’s own Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship.
Documents to Prepare
- Your completed university PhD application form, submitted separately to each chosen university.
- Academic transcripts, covering undergraduate and postgraduate study if applicable.
- A CV or résumé.
- A research proposal or personal statement.
- Two to three letters of recommendation from academic referees.
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL), if required by your chosen university.
- Any additional documents specifically requested by your chosen university.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Register on the HKPFS Electronic System once it opens on September 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.
- Complete the Initial Application, selecting your intended field broadly (Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology, or Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies).
- Submit before December 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time, and receive your HKPFS Reference Number — this is the only output of stage one, not an admission decision.
- Choose your up to two programmes carefully, factoring in not just research fit but each university’s specific funding structure — automatic top-ups at HKU and CUHK are genuinely significant considerations.
- Submit full, separate PhD applications directly through each chosen university’s own admissions portal, quoting your HKPFS Reference Number in every single application — file a separate full application for each programme, even if both sit at the same university.
- Meet each university’s specific deadline — in the previous cycle this was December 1 at 11:59 PM Hong Kong Time across all eight institutions, but confirm this individually for the current cycle.
- If shortlisted, attend an interview — these are conducted by the individual universities, not the RGC centrally.
- Await results, typically published by the RGC in the following spring (March to May), with registration for successful candidates typically running July through September.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme currently open?
Yes. The 2027/28 cycle’s initial RGC application window runs September 1 to December 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.
Do all eight universities offer the same total funding package?
No. While the base HKPFS stipend and travel allowance are the same everywhere, some universities layer significant additional funding automatically on top — HKU and CUHK in particular have notably larger total packages for 2027/28 due to automatic institutional top-ups.
What happens if I’m not selected for HKPFS but I’m strong academically?
Several universities offer a safety net — candidates nominated for HKPFS but not ultimately selected by the RGC can still be admitted to the regular PhD programme with a postgraduate studentship, and may separately qualify for university-specific scholarships.
Can I apply to more than two programmes?
No. You’re limited to selecting up to two programmes, across one or two universities, in your initial application.
Is there really no nationality restriction?
Correct — HKPFS is explicitly open to applicants of any nationality and academic background, and past cohorts have drawn candidates from more than 50 countries and regions.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong and individual university official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details, particularly each specific university’s exact deadline and funding structure, directly on the official HKPFS website and your chosen universities’ pages before applying. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong.
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