Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-2028 in Hong Kong: Eligibility, Funding & How to Apply

• Last Updated: September 2026
• Deadline: 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time for the RGC initial application
• Award: HK$344,400 annual stipend + HK$14,400 annual conference/research travel allowance
• Study Level: New full-time PhD
• Eligibility: Applicants from all countries/regions may apply, subject to the admission requirements of their chosen university and programme
• Application: Research Grants Council (RGC) HKPFS Electronic System

Quick Facts

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28 is currently open. The Research Grants Council (RGC) opened applications on 1 September 2026 and will award 400 fellowships for the 2027/28 academic year.

The scheme is not tied to one university. Awardees study at one of eight UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong, and applicants can select up to two PhD programmes in one or two universities.

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Important Deadline Notice

Deadline: 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time for the HKPFS initial application.

There is a second step. After obtaining your HKPFS Reference Number, you must submit the full PhD admission application to your selected university or universities. The RGC currently lists 1 December 2026 at 11:59pm Hong Kong Time as the full-application deadline for all eight participating universities.

Do not wait until the final day. The RGC specifically advises applicants to submit the initial application early because university application deadlines follow closely.

Who Can Apply?

The basic HKPFS rule is straightforward: you must be seeking admission as a new full-time PhD student at a participating UGC-funded Hong Kong university. Applicants are eligible regardless of country of origin, prior work experience or ethnic background.

You may be eligible if:

• You are applying for a new full-time PhD place.
• Your chosen programme is offered by one of the eight participating universities.
• You meet the admission requirements of your chosen PhD programme.
• You can demonstrate strong academic performance.
• You have strong research ability or research potential.
• You can demonstrate communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities.

You are not eligible for the HKPFS award if:

• You are not applying as a new full-time PhD student.
• You fail to meet the admission requirements of your selected university or programme.
• You submit more than one HKPFS initial application. The RGC says multiple initial applications can result in all applications being disqualified.
• You submit the initial RGC application but fail to follow it with the required university application. The RGC states that an initial application without a corresponding university application is void.

The RGC does not publish one universal GPA, degree, language-score or age requirement for all HKPFS applicants. Those requirements are determined by the individual universities and PhD programmes.

For applicants from non-English-speaking universities, the RGC says TOEFL or IELTS results are generally required in university PhD applications unless the applicant can prove that English was the language of instruction for all courses; exceptions may apply to programmes conducted in a non-English medium.

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What Does the Scholarship Cover?

For 2027/28, the RGC states that each awardee receives an annual stipend of HK$344,400 plus HK$14,400 per year for conference and research-related travel for up to three years. That is HK$358,800 per year, or HK$1,076,400 over three years if the published annual amounts remain applicable throughout the full award period.

The official scheme description does not present HKPFS as a blanket tuition-and-accommodation package for every university. Students should therefore check the financial package attached to their specific university and programme rather than assuming every fee is automatically covered. Some universities provide additional support; for example, HKU has announced extra Presidential PhD Scholarship benefits for its 2027/28 HKPFS holders.

For that reason, calling the scheme simply “fully funded” can be misleading unless the specific university package covers the student’s remaining costs.

Who Should Apply?

HKPFS is a strong target for applicants with a high-quality academic record and a credible research direction, especially those who can show evidence of research potential rather than relying only on grades.

Your application should also demonstrate the four areas explicitly identified by the RGC: academic excellence, research ability/potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership.

Students should prioritize HKPFS if they have identified a suitable supervisor/research environment and can meet the exact PhD admission rules of one or two participating universities. It is less suitable as a speculative application made without first checking programme eligibility.

Required Documents

The RGC’s initial application is mainly an online information form. It asks for personal details, university/programme choices, proposed research field, research keywords and declarations.

For the full university application, requirements vary. A practical checklist is:

• Academic transcript(s)
• Degree/graduation certificate(s)
• CV or résumé
• Research proposal or research statement
• English-language test result, if required
• Referee/recommendation reports
• Passport or identity document
• Additional programme-specific documents

For example, EdUHK’s 2027/28 application instructions list academic transcripts, graduation certificates, English proficiency results, a research proposal, a research plan and vision statement, publications where applicable, and two referees’ reports. HKBU similarly requires degree certificates/transcripts and English test results, with other supporting documents depending on the applicant.

Important: do not treat this list as a universal document list for all eight universities. Always follow the document checklist of the exact PhD programme you select.

How to Apply

1. Choose your PhD programme

Review the participating universities and identify programmes that match your academic background and research interests. You may choose up to two programmes in total, in one or two universities.

2. Check the university’s admission rules

Before submitting anything, verify degree requirements, English requirements, research-area fit, supporting documents and any programme-specific conditions. The RGC does not replace the university admission process.

3. Prepare your research direction

Define your proposed PhD field and research topic. The RGC initial form asks for the proposed research field and English keywords describing your proposed research.

4. Submit the HKPFS initial application

Complete the HKPFS Electronic System between 1 September 2026 and 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time. You receive an HKPFS Reference Number after submission.

5. Save your reference number

Keep the reference number and associated login details. You must quote the HKPFS Reference Number in your university PhD application.

6. Submit your full university application

Apply separately to the university or universities selected in your initial application and include your HKPFS Reference Number. Follow the university’s own document, fee and programme instructions.

7. Check every application for consistency

Your RGC information and university applications should be complete, accurate and consistent. The RGC says the information is cross-checked during processing.

8. Prepare for the university interview

Individual universities conduct interviews as part of the HKPFS assessment process. Be prepared to explain your research interests, academic background and suitability for the programme.

9. Monitor the result

The RGC says HKPFS 2027/28 results will be announced by May 2027. Successful candidates normally register with their university between July and September 2027.

Official Application: HKPFS Electronic System – Initial Application

How to Write a Strong Application

The four published selection criteria should drive your application: academic excellence, research ability and potential, communication/interpersonal skills, and leadership. Academic excellence is the prime consideration, but the other three areas are also explicitly assessed.

For the research component, do more than state a broad topic. Explain the problem you want to investigate, why it matters, what gap you intend to address and how your proposed research fits the programme.

Weak: “I want to research artificial intelligence because it is important.”

Stronger: “My proposed research will examine how explainable AI methods can improve the reliability of medical image classification, focusing on model interpretability and error analysis.”

The second version gives the committee something concrete to evaluate.

Common Mistakes

1. Submitting only the RGC form
The initial application is not the complete process. You must also submit the full PhD application to the selected university or universities.

2. Missing the noon deadline
The RGC deadline is 12:00 noon, not midnight, on 1 December 2026. This is different from the universities’ listed 11:59pm full-application deadline.

3. Submitting two initial applications
Only one HKPFS initial application is permitted. Multiple submissions can lead to disqualification.

4. Forgetting the HKPFS Reference Number
If the reference number is not presented in the university application, the university may process the application as a regular PhD application rather than an HKPFS application.

5. Assuming one GPA or IELTS rule applies everywhere
Universities and individual PhD programmes set their own admission conditions. Check the exact programme instead of relying on a general scholarship website.

6. Assuming the scholarship automatically pays every university cost
The RGC’s scheme-wide award description specifies the stipend and research/conference travel allowance. Additional tuition, accommodation or other support can depend on the university.

Important Dates

The RGC currently lists the same 1 December 2026 date for full applications at City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, CUHK, EdUHK, PolyU, HKUST and HKU.

FAQ

Can international students apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?

Yes. The RGC states that applicants may apply regardless of country of origin, prior work experience or ethnic background, provided they are seeking admission as new full-time PhD students and meet the relevant university’s admission requirements.

Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme fully funded?

The RGC officially specifies a HK$344,400 annual stipend and HK$14,400 annual conference/research travel allowance for up to three years. It does not state a universal tuition, accommodation and insurance package for all eight universities, so students must check their chosen university’s additional funding arrangements.

What is the deadline for HKPFS 2027/28?

The RGC initial application deadline is 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time. Full university applications are currently listed until 1 December 2026 at 11:59pm Hong Kong Time, so applicants should complete both stages early.

What GPA is required?

There is no single HKPFS-wide GPA cutoff published by the RGC. Each participating university and PhD programme determines its own admission requirements, so the correct GPA requirement depends on the programme you choose.

Can current PhD students apply?

A current PhD student may apply when seeking admission to another PhD programme as a new full-time PhD student. The Selection Panel may consider previous PhD experience when assessing the application.

How many universities can I choose?

You can choose up to two PhD programmes in total, either within one university or across two universities, with a priority order. If two universities nominate you, the RGC processes the nomination associated with your first-choice university.

Are interviews required?

Individual universities conduct interviews as part of the HKPFS selection process. Interview arrangements can vary, so applicants should monitor communications from the universities they selected.

What happens if I do not win the fellowship?

Not receiving HKPFS does not automatically mean rejection from the university. The RGC states that universities may still admit qualified applicants through regular PhD admission and may offer postgraduate studentships or other funding.

Final Verdict

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-2028 in Hong Kong is a strong option for applicants with excellent academics and convincing research potential. Its biggest advantages are the HK$344,400 annual stipend, HK$14,400 annual research/conference travel allowance and 400 available fellowships for 2027/28.

The biggest application restriction is procedural: you must apply as a new full-time PhD student, submit only one RGC initial application, and then complete the separate university application correctly. The most important action is to complete the RGC application before 12:00 noon on 1 December 2026 Hong Kong Time and avoid leaving the university application until the last moment.

Official Source

• Research Grants Council – Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme: Official HKPFS Scheme Page
• HKPFS How to Apply: Official Application Instructions
• HKPFS Initial Application System: Official Electronic Application Portal
• Official contact: HKPF@ugc.edu.hk. University-specific PhD admission questions should be directed to the relevant university.