Hong Kong Launches Fully Funded PhD Fellowship Scheme for 2026-2027

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2026-2027 offers fully funded opportunities for international students to pursue doctoral research at leading universities in Hong Kong. The program is designed to attract academically talented, motivated, and exceptional students worldwide, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, or academic background. The fellowship prioritizes candidates who demonstrate extraordinary academic excellence, research potential, leadership qualities, and strong communication skills.

Under this scheme, students can conduct research in a wide range of fields, including physical sciences, medicine and biology, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and business studies. Host universities for the fellowship include The University of Hong Kong (HKU), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), City University of Hong Kong (CityU), Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Lingnan University (LU), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), and The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). A total of 400 fellowships will be awarded for the 2026-2027 academic session.

The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support, including an annual stipend of HK$340,800 (approximately US$43,690) for up to three years, a travel allowance of HK$14,200 (approximately US$1,820) per year for conferences and research-related activities, and additional support if the PhD extends beyond three years. The program also allows students to pursue research at top universities in Hong Kong without bearing tuition or research costs, offering an international platform to collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Eligibility for the HKPFS requires applicants to be new, full-time PhD students. Candidates must meet the English-language medium requirement for previous studies and satisfy any additional requirements set by the host university. Leadership, research potential, and communication skills are essential for selection. Applicants can apply to two universities under the fellowship, submitting their initial application through the HKPFS electronic system to receive a reference number, which must then be included in the university application form.

The application process begins with the initial submission to the Research Grants Council starting September 1, 2025, followed by submission to the chosen universities. The final deadline for all host universities is December 1, 2025. This fully funded fellowship provides international students an exceptional opportunity to pursue doctoral research in Hong Kong, gain exposure to world-class academic environments, and develop leadership and research skills in a global context.