One of the most anticipated fellowship programs for international students in Hong Kong is now open. You heard it right. The call for applications for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme for the 2027-28 academic session is now open. Established by the Research Grants Council (RGC), the fellowship offers talented international students from around the world an excellent opportunity to pursue a PhD at leading participating institutions in Hong Kong. The fellowship scheme aims to promote academic collaboration and support talented researchers in studying at leading universities in Hong Kong.
For the 2027/28 academic session, 400 PhD fellowships will be awarded for up to three years. The fellowships are available across a wide range of fields, including the Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Business Studies.
Students interested in the fellowship have to first submit an initial online application through the PhD Fellowship Scheme online application portal to obtain their HKPFS reference number by December 1st, 2026, before applying for PhD admission at one of the participating institutes. Learn more about the fellowship below
Details About Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-2028
- Host Country: Hong Kong
- Open to: All Nationalities
- Program: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
- Duration: Up to 3 Years
- No of Awards: 400
- Application Deadline: December 1st, 2026
About Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
It is one of the most prestigious fully funded fellowships, supported by the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong, to attract outstanding researchers from around the world to pursue a PhD at leading institutions in Hong Kong.
An ideal opportunity for students seeking international research experience, financial support, and the chance to study at a leading institute in Hong Kong.
Fellowship Coverage
Selected fellows will receive the following support for up to 3 years:
- An Annual stipend of HK$344,400
- An allowance of HK$14,400 per year for conferences and research-related work
- Additional support for students who require more than 3 years to complete their PhD.
Who can Apply?
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme is open to all nationalities
- No previous work experience required
- Applicants seeking admission as new full-time PhD students
- Demonstrate strong academic performance
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrate leadership abilities
Research Areas
The fellowship covers a wide range of academic disciplines including:
Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies and related fields.
Participating Hong Kong Universities:
The following 8 Hong Kong universities are participating in this fellowship scheme:
- City University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- The University of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Lingnan University
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The Education University of Hong Kong
Students can apply for up to two PhD programmes at one or two universities in their initial application.
Don’t Miss out:
How to Apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
The application process for the fellowship consists of two important steps:
Step 1: Submit an initial application
Interested candidates need to first submit an initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System. Once you have successfully submitted the application, you will receive an HKPFS Reference Number.
Step 2: Apply to the Participating institute
Once you have received a reference number. You can now submit an application for the full PhD degree directly to the participating institute. You can refer to individual universities and programs here: Participating institutes
Application Deadline: December 1st, 2026
APPLY FOR HONG KONG PHD FELLOWSHIP SCHEME
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