Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)
Prestigious fully funded PhD fellowship for outstanding students worldwide to pursue research degrees at any of the eight UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
PhD
Destination
Hong Kong
Funding
HK$28,700/month stipend + HK$14,400/year conference and research travel allowance for up to 3 years (4 years at HKU for 4-year PhD programmes). At HKU: additional Presidential PhD Scholarship adds HK$40,000 cash Year 1, HK$20,000/yr thereafter, full composition fee waiver (~HK$49,500/yr), guaranteed Year 1 hall place.
Eligible applicants
New PhD applicants worldwide; exceptional academic performance and research potential required
Photo: Diliff, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is offered by Research Grants Council / UGC Hong Kong for PhD study in Hong Kong. Confirm the current cycle on the official page before applying.
What this scholarship covers
Monthly stipend (HK$28,700/month)
Included
Annual conference and travel allowance (HK$14,400)
Included
University-specific top-up awards (vary by institution)
May be included
HK$28,700/month stipend + HK$14,400/year conference and research travel allowance for up to 3 years (4 years at HKU for 4-year PhD programmes). At HKU: additional Presidential PhD Scholarship adds HK$40,000 cash Year 1, HK$20,000/yr thereafter, full composition fee waiver (~HK$49,500/yr), guaranteed Year 1 hall place. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Based on the provider’s published information
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
Conditional
Scholarship scope
Organization scholarship
Last eligibility check
October 12, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Applicant group: International.
- International eligibility
- Open to international applicants.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordCompetitive
- Must be a new applicant to a full-time PhD programme at a UGC-funded institution in Hong Kong. Selection based on outstanding academic performance, research ability/potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
- Academic competitivenessCompetitive
- Highly competitive — approximately 300–400 fellowships per year for applicants worldwide.
Language requirements
- English languageRequired
- English proficiency required (programmes conducted in English)
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- Hong Kong
Official eligibility summary
Open to: New PhD applicants worldwide; exceptional academic performance and research potential required. Research Grants Council / UGC Hong Kong also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
Applicant profile
- New PhD applicants worldwide; exceptional academic performance and research potential required
Study route
- PhD study in Hong Kong
Current-cycle criteria
- Open to: New PhD applicants worldwide; exceptional academic performance and research potential required. Research Grants Council / UGC Hong Kong also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
- RGC online application form (HKPFS Electronic System)
- University application form
- Academic transcripts
- Research proposal
- Letters of recommendation
- English proficiency evidence
How to apply
- 1
Step 1: Submit initial online application to RGC via HKPFS Electronic System by December 1, 2026 (12:00 noon HKT) — select up to 2 universities/programmes
- 2
Step 2: Submit full application to chosen university (e.g. HKU Online Application System) by December 1, 2026, quoting HKPFS Reference Number
Application timeline
Application cycle
Annual; 2027/28 intake: initial RGC application September 1 – December 1, 2026. University applications also due by December 1, 2026 (deadlines vary by institution).
The listed deadline is December 1, 2026. Confirm it on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
Research Grants Council / UGC Hong Kong
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 12, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
The listed deadline is December 1, 2026. Confirm that it remains current on the official provider page.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.