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Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong · Application cycle 2027/2028

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/2028

Applications open Fully funded?

About this scholarship

A fellowship for new full-time PhD students at eight universities in Hong Kong. It pays a yearly stipend and an allowance for conferences and research travel, for up to three years. There are 400 fellowships for the 2027/2028 intake, and it is open to all nationalities.

Funding type

Covers: a stipend of HK$344,400 a year and an allowance of HK$14,400 a year for conferences and research travel, for up to three years. The HKU, CUHK and PolyU pages say tuition fees are waived for the normal study period. Ask your university to be sure. These amounts are for 2026/27 and may change for 2027/28. If you need more than three years, your university may give extra support. Ask it directly.

Tuition fees
Covered
Living costs
Covered
Travel
Not specified
Insurance
Not specified

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities
All nationalities
Residence condition
No residence condition

Any nationality A new full-time PhD student at one of the eight universities Strong academic results, research ability, communication skills and leadership Each university sets its own PhD entry requirements, so check them You can choose up to two programmes, at one or two universities

Minimum grade
Not stated
Work experience asked for
Not stated
Return condition
Return condition not stated
How to apply
Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test required IELTS TOEFL iBT Waiver possible

If your degree is from a university that does not teach in English, send an IELTS or TOEFL result, unless you can show that all your courses were taught in English. Your university may ask for more than that.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

There are two steps. First, an initial online application on the HKPFS system, which gives you a reference number, by 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong time. Then your PhD application to each university by 1 December 2026, 11:59 pm Hong Kong time, with the reference number in it. You can send only one initial application, and you cannot change your university choices after the deadline. The initial application has no fee, but a university may charge its own. Results come out by May 2027, and winners are expected to register between July and September 2027.

Required documents

Initial application on the HKPFS system Your reference number Transcripts and certificates IELTS or TOEFL result, if needed Details of your academic referees (the university asks for them, not the initial application) Anything else your university asks for

Application steps

Choose a PhD programme at one of the eight universities and read its entry requirements. Send the initial application on the HKPFS system before 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong time, and choose one or two universities. Take your reference number and apply to each university before 1 December 2026, 11:59 pm. Upload your documents, your language result and your referees' details.

Requirement checklist

Initial application on the HKPFS system Required

Fill it in online to get your reference number. You can send only one.

PhD application to the university Required

Write your reference number in it. You can choose up to two programmes, at one or two universities.

Transcripts and certificates Required

Needed by the university deadline. If you cannot get them in time, ask the university.

Details of your academic referees Required

The initial application does not ask for them, but the university does.

IELTS or TOEFL result Conditional?

Not needed if all your courses were taught in English.

Scholarship contacts

FAQs on the HKPFS website: Contact form

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