Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28

Overview

Established by Hong Kong's Research Grants Council, HKPFS is designed to attract high-calibre researchers to PhD programmes at Hong Kong's eight participating research degree-awarding universities. Applicants may select up to two PhD programme choices in one or two universities.

Applicants who are not selected for the HKPFS may still be considered by the university for regular PhD admission and, depending on the institution, a postgraduate studentship.

Who Can Apply?

• Applicants of any nationality, work-experience background, or ethnic background may apply.
• You must be seeking admission as a new full-time PhD student at a participating Hong Kong university.
• You must satisfy the admission requirements of the university and PhD programme you choose.
• Selection considers academic excellence, research ability and potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

Who should apply? This scheme is particularly suitable for research-focused applicants with a strong academic record, a credible PhD research direction, evidence of research potential, and the ability to communicate their work clearly.

Funding & Benefits

The RGC states that 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded for the 2027/28 academic year. Its current scheme page lists the 2026/27 financial package as:

• HK$344,400 annual stipend (approximately US$44,150 at the official page's stated conversion).
• HK$14,400 annual conference and research-related travel allowance (approximately US$1,840).
• Support for up to three years.
• For PhDs requiring longer than three years, additional support may be available from the selected university.

How to Apply

1. Review participating universities, PhD programmes, and admission requirements.
2. Submit one initial HKPFS application through the Research Grants Council's HKPFSES system.
3. Choose up to two programmes in one or two participating universities and save the priorities before the deadline.
4. Obtain your HKPFS reference number from the initial application.
5. Submit the required full PhD admission application directly to each selected university, quoting the HKPFS reference number.
6. Meet the university's own documents, fee, language, supervisor, and programme deadlines, which may differ from the RGC initial-application deadline.

Application Checklist

The RGC initial form begins with personal details and programme choices, while the full supporting-document package is handled through the selected universities. Prepare early for university-specific requirements such as:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• Research proposal or research-interest statement where required.
• Academic CV.
• Referee details and recommendation letters.
• English-language evidence where the programme requires it.
• Any department-specific portfolio, writing sample, test result, or supervisor-contact requirement.

Because requirements differ by university and programme, use the RGC participating-universities directory to move from the fellowship application to the correct institutional instructions.

Important Dates

• 1 September 2026, 12:00 noon HKT: HKPFS 2027/28 applications opened.
• 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon HKT: RGC initial-application deadline. Late applications are not considered.
• University application deadlines: check each chosen university; some institutional full applications are also due on 1 December but exact times and requirements can differ.
• 2027: participating universities assess and interview nominated applicants before final fellowship results.
• September 2027: Hong Kong universities normally begin the 2027/28 academic year.

FAQs

Can international students apply?
Yes. The RGC invites applicants from around the world who are seeking admission as new full-time PhD students in Hong Kong.

How many fellowships are available?
400 fellowships are planned for the 2027/28 academic year.

Can I apply to more than one university?
Yes. You may choose up to two PhD programme choices within one or two universities.

Is the RGC application enough for admission?
No. You must also submit the required PhD admission application directly to the selected university or universities.

What happens if I do not receive the HKPFS?
The university may still consider you for regular PhD admission and may offer its own postgraduate studentship, subject to institutional rules.

What is the exact deadline?
The RGC initial application deadline is 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (UTC+8).

Last verified: September 7, 2026. ScholarshipHubNow verified the open status, deadline, 400-award figure, eligibility, selection criteria, application structure, programme-choice limit, and current published funding figures against the official Hong Kong Research Grants Council / University Grants Committee HKPFS pages. The opportunity was discovered through an external opportunity publisher, but all factual authority in this article comes from the official RGC sources.