Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2025-2026 for International Students




The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), established in 2009 by Hong Kong’s Research Grants Council (RGC), is intended to draw the best and brightest students from around the world to pursue their PhD studies at Hong Kong’s universities.

Benefits of Hong Kong PhD Scholarship

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. 

Requirements for Hong Kong PhD Scholarship

  • Candidates who are seeking admission as new full time PhD students in the following eight universities listed below, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply.
  • Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

Selection Process

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

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 Deadline

Not Specified

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) on cerg1.ugc.edu.hk to apply

For enquiries about the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, please email to HKPF@ugc.edu.hk. You may, however, also get instant answers to the most frequently asked questions below.

As regards admission and application requirements for PhD studies, please refer to individual universities for information.

For more details, visit Hong Kong Fellowship website