Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/28 is a competitive doctoral opportunity for outstanding students from around the world who want to pursue full-time PhD studies at one of eight participating universities in Hong Kong.

The scheme is administered by the Research Grants Council (RGC) and was established in 2009 to attract high-achieving international researchers to Hong Kong. For the 2027/28 academic year, 400 PhD fellowships are available.

The initial application period opens on 1 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time and closes on 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time. Applicants must also submit the required full PhD application to their selected university before its university-specific deadline.

For students interested in doctoral research in science, medicine, engineering, technology, humanities, social sciences or business, HKPFS can provide an opportunity to study at a leading Hong Kong research university.

Opportunity Overview

Detail	Information
Host Country	Hong Kong
Program	Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)
Study Level	PhD / Doctoral
Eligible Applicants	Applicants from around the world
Participating Universities	8 universities
Fellowships Available	400 for 2027/28
Study Mode	Full-time PhD
Award Duration	Up to 3 years under the RGC fellowship
Application Opens	1 September 2026
Initial Application Deadline	1 December 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
University Application	Required separately
Application System	HKPFS Electronic System

The participating universities are 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, and The University of Hong Kong.

What Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme was established by the Research Grants Council in 2009. Its purpose is to attract high-quality PhD candidates from different parts of the world to pursue doctoral research in Hong Kong.

The fellowship is not limited to applicants from a particular nationality. The official RGC information states that candidates seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at the participating universities are eligible to apply irrespective of their country of origin, previous work experience or ethnic background.

However, being eligible to apply does not guarantee admission or selection. Candidates are assessed competitively, with academic performance and research potential being particularly important.

Benefits and Funding

The RGC’s current scheme information lists the following fellowship support:

• HK$344,400 annual stipend — approximately US$44,150.
• HK$14,400 annual conference and research-related travel allowance — approximately US$1,840.
• Fellowship support for up to three years.
• 400 fellowships are scheduled for the 2027/28 academic year.

For candidates who require more than three years to complete their PhD, additional support may be available from the university concerned. Applicants should therefore check the funding arrangements of their selected university.

Important: The RGC’s current main scheme page states the stipend and travel allowance figures specifically for the 2026/27 academic year, while confirming 400 fellowships for 2027/28. Applicants should check the latest 2027/28 guidance and university information for any updated funding details before submitting an application.

What Is Not Automatically Covered?

Applicants should not assume that every cost associated with studying in Hong Kong is separately covered by the RGC fellowship.

For example, the official scheme information does not state that the fellowship automatically provides a separate accommodation allowance or a separate airfare allowance. Any additional university support should be confirmed directly with the university.

Eligibility Requirements

The HKPFS is intended for candidates seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at one of the eight participating universities. Applicants may be from any country, subject to the admission requirements of their chosen university and PhD programme.

The RGC says applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities in:

• Academic performance
• Research ability or potential
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership abilities

University Admission Requirements

HKPFS eligibility and university admission are closely connected.

After submitting the initial HKPFS application, applicants must submit a full PhD application to their selected university or universities, using their HKPFS Reference Number. Each university and programme may have its own admission requirements.

Therefore, applicants should check requirements such as:

• Previous academic qualifications
• Research background
• Proposed research area
• English-language requirements, where applicable
• Academic documents
• References
• Research proposal or statement
• Programme-specific requirements

These requirements can vary between universities and PhD programmes, so there is no single universal academic or IELTS requirement for every HKPFS applicant.

Eligible Fields of Study

HKPFS supports doctoral research across a wide range of disciplines.

For the fellowship selection process, applications are reviewed through two broad Selection Panels:

Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology

This panel covers research areas related to science, medicine, engineering and technology.

Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies

This panel covers research areas in humanities, social sciences and business studies.

The exact PhD programmes available depend on the participating university. Applicants should therefore identify a suitable programme before submitting the HKPFS initial application.

Participating Universities

Applicants can select programmes at the following eight universities:

1. City University of Hong Kong
2. Hong Kong Baptist University
3. Lingnan University
4. The Chinese University of Hong Kong
5. The Education University of Hong Kong
6. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
7. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
8. The University of Hong Kong

Each institution provides its own information about available PhD programmes, admission criteria, research areas and application procedures.

Applicants can review the official participating-university information through the HKPFS Participating Universities page.

How Many Universities Can You Choose?

For the 2027/28 initial HKPFS application, an applicant can select up to two choices of university/department/programme, with priority indicated between the choices.

Applicants should carefully select programmes that match their academic background and proposed research interests.

Submitting an initial HKPFS application does not replace the university’s own PhD application.

Required Documents

The exact documents depend on the selected university and PhD programme. Applicants should prepare their academic and research materials early.

A practical preparation checklist may include:

• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Curriculum vitae or academic résumé
• Research proposal or research plan, where required
• Personal statement or statement of purpose, where required
• Academic or professional references
• Proof of identity or passport
• Evidence of English proficiency, if required by the university
• Other programme-specific documents

Practical advice: Do not wait until the HKPFS deadline to begin preparing university applications. Some universities require additional information or documents, and their admission requirements may differ.

How to Apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship

The HKPFS application process has two main stages.

Step 1: Submit the Initial HKPFS Application

Applicants first submit an initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES).

For 2027/28, the initial application opens on:

1 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time

The initial application deadline is:

1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.

Applicants can access the official HKPFS Electronic System to submit the initial application.

Step 2: Obtain Your HKPFS Reference Number

After submitting the initial application, applicants receive an HKPFS Reference Number.

Keep this information safely because it is needed when submitting the full application to the selected university or universities.

Step 3: Submit the Full University Application

Applicants must then submit their full PhD admission application directly to the selected university or universities and quote the HKPFS Reference Number.

The RGC specifically warns applicants to pay attention to university deadlines because they may follow closely after the HKPFS initial application deadline.

Step 4: Complete the University Admission Process

The university assesses the full PhD application according to its own admission requirements.

Only applications nominated by the participating universities proceed to the RGC’s fellowship competition.

Application Deadline

For the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28, the initial application deadline is:

1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (GMT+8).

The current RGC application page lists 1 December 2026 at 11:59 pm Hong Kong Time as the full application deadline for each of the eight participating universities.

Because university application procedures can change, applicants should verify the deadline on the relevant university’s graduate-school page before submitting.

Important Tips for Applicants

1. Start before the deadline

Do not treat 1 December as the date to begin preparing. A research proposal, references and university application can require significant preparation.

2. Choose your research area carefully

Your proposed research should be relevant to the PhD programme and aligned with the research interests available at the university.

3. Check university requirements separately

HKPFS does not create one identical admission standard for all eight universities. Check the exact requirements of your chosen programme.

4. Prepare a strong research proposal

For a competitive PhD fellowship, applicants should clearly explain their research problem, objectives, methodology and expected contribution where a research proposal is required.

5. Keep your HKPFS Reference Number

You need the reference number when following up with your selected university.

6. Submit only one initial HKPFS application

The official application system states that applicants may submit only one initial application. Multiple initial applications can result in disqualification.

7. Check AI-use requirements

The 2027/28 application system includes declarations concerning AI-generated content, research integrity and responsible research practices. Applicants remain responsible for the accuracy, originality and integrity of their submitted work.

Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Fully Funded?

The HKPFS provides substantial financial support, including an annual stipend and conference/research-related travel allowance.

However, applicants should avoid assuming that every possible cost is automatically covered. Accommodation, additional study costs and support beyond the RGC fellowship period can depend on the university.

For this reason, it is safer to describe HKPFS as a high-value PhD fellowship with substantial financial support rather than assuming that every applicant will receive every possible expense fully covered.

Can International Students Apply?

Yes. The official RGC information states that candidates are eligible irrespective of their country of origin, previous work experience or ethnic background, provided they are seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at the participating universities.

International applicants must still satisfy the admission requirements of their selected university and PhD programme.

Can Afghan Students Apply?

The HKPFS does not exclude applicants based on country of origin according to the official eligibility information. Therefore, Afghan applicants can apply if they meet the relevant PhD admission requirements and other programme conditions.

Applicants from Afghanistan should also check passport, visa, document verification, English-language and university-specific requirements directly with their chosen institution.

Is IELTS Required?

There is no single IELTS requirement stated by the RGC for every HKPFS applicant.

English-language requirements can depend on the selected university and PhD programme. Applicants should therefore check the official admission requirements of each programme before assuming that IELTS is either required or waived.

How Competitive Is the Fellowship?

HKPFS is highly competitive because it targets outstanding doctoral candidates and offers a limited number of fellowships.

The RGC’s selection process considers:

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

A strong academic record alone may therefore not be sufficient. Applicants should also present a convincing research direction and demonstrate why their proposed PhD study is a good fit for the selected programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?

It is a doctoral fellowship established by Hong Kong’s Research Grants Council to attract outstanding PhD students from around the world to participating Hong Kong universities.

How many HKPFS fellowships are available for 2027/28?

The RGC states that 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded for the 2027/28 academic year.

What is the HKPFS 2027/28 deadline?

The initial HKPFS application deadline is 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (GMT+8).

Can I apply to more than one university?

Yes. The initial application allows applicants to make up to two university/department/programme choices with priority indicated.

Do I need to apply separately to the university?

Yes. After submitting the initial HKPFS application, applicants must submit the full PhD admission application to their selected university or universities before the relevant university deadline.

Can international students apply?

Yes. The official eligibility information states that candidates can apply irrespective of country of origin, subject to the relevant PhD admission requirements.

Is the HKPFS available for master’s students?

No. The scheme is designed for new full-time PhD students.

Where can I submit the initial application?

The initial application is submitted through the official HKPFS Electronic System.

Final Thoughts

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28 is an important opportunity for high-achieving international students seeking doctoral study in Hong Kong. It provides substantial financial support and access to eight participating research universities.

The most important point for applicants is that the process involves both the RGC initial application and a full university PhD application. Applicants should therefore begin preparing their academic documents, research proposal and university choices well before the December deadline.

For other scholarship opportunities, students can also explore the Global Scholarships Hub homepage and the latest scholarship opportunities.

Official Application

Applicants should use the official HKPFS Electronic System for the initial application.

The official HKPFS application procedure page also explains the two-stage process and provides links to the participating universities.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

• Research Grants Council – Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme — official scheme overview, eligibility, fellowship information and selection criteria.
• Official HKPFS Application Procedure — official application steps and university deadlines.
• HKPFS Electronic System – 2027/28 Initial Application — official application portal and 2027/28 opening and closing dates.
• Participating Universities — official list of the eight participating universities and university application information.
• HKPFS 2027/28 News Update — official announcement confirming the 2027/28 application period.