Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)
A fully funded scheme run by Hong Kong's Research Grants Council that awards around 400 fellowships a year to outstanding international students pursuing a PhD at any of Hong Kong's eight UGC-funded universities, covering a generous monthly stipend and travel allowance for up to three years.
Quick Facts
Status
Applications OpenFunding
Fully FundedDeadline
Initial Application via HKPFSES: 1 December (12:00 noon Hong Kong Time) annually | Full PhD admission application: set separately by each host university, usually December-January
Country
Hong KongAbout the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) was established in 2009 by the Research Grants Council (RGC), the statutory body that allocates public research funding across Hong Kong's university sector. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and best-funded doctoral fellowships in Asia, designed explicitly to draw the world's strongest research candidates into Hong Kong's PhD programmes rather than to Hong Kong students specifically. There is no nationality restriction: applicants from any country, applying to any field, are eligible as long as they are seeking admission as a new full-time PhD student.
Unlike many national doctoral scholarships that route funding through a single institution, HKPFS money follows the student to whichever of Hong Kong's eight UGC-funded universities admits them - the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, and the Education University of Hong Kong. Applicants may nominate up to two research programmes across up to two of these universities in a single HKPFS application, which considerably raises the odds of landing an offer compared to scholarships tied to one school.
Selection is a two-stage process. Candidates first register through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES) to obtain an HKPFS reference number, then submit a full PhD admission application directly to their chosen university (or universities), quoting that reference number. Each university runs its own shortlisting and interviews before nominating finalists to the RGC's central selection panels, which are split by discipline - one panel for Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology, and one for Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies. Panels weigh academic excellence most heavily, followed by research ability, communication skills, and leadership potential.
The financial package is substantial: an annual stipend of HK$344,400 (around US$44,150) plus an annual conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 (around US$1,840), guaranteed for three years and renewable subject to satisfactory progress. Universities frequently supplement this with tuition waivers and additional funding for fellows who need more than three years to finish, and several universities (HKUST among them) also convert unsuccessful HKPFS applicants into university-funded postgraduate studentships automatically, so a strong application is rarely wasted.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
One of the highest-value PhD stipends in Asia, comparable to or exceeding many Western fully-funded doctoral packages
A single application can be nominated across two universities, improving admission chances
Hong Kong universities consistently rank among the world's top 100, with strong international research networks
English is the medium of instruction and research at all eight participating universities
Hong Kong's location gives fellows easy access to mainland China, wider Asia, and international conferences
No nationality restriction and no requirement to have any prior connection to Hong Kong
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China with its own legal, educational, and financial systems, distinct from mainland China. Its universities teach primarily in English, follow a Western-style credit and grading system, and are consistently ranked among the best in Asia and the world. As a compact, highly connected city with a large international community, Hong Kong is a popular base for research students who want strong academic infrastructure alongside easy travel across Asia.
Eligibility Requirements
6 requirements
Documents Checklist
7 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Step 1: Identify up to two PhD programmes (across up to two universities) and, ideally, contact potential supervisors in advance
Step 2: Register on the HKPFSES and submit the Initial Application by the 1 December deadline to receive an HKPFS reference number
Step 3: Submit a full PhD admission application to each chosen university, quoting the HKPFS reference number, by that university's own deadline
Step 4: Attend interviews or assessments arranged by the host university/universities
Step 5: Shortlisted candidates are nominated by universities to the RGC's discipline-specific selection panels
Step 6: Final results are announced with the PhD admission offer, typically between February and June
Application Timeline
1 September
Applications open
HKPFSES opens for Initial Applications
1 December
Initial Application deadline
12:00 noon Hong Kong Time, via HKPFSES
December-January
University admission deadlines
Varies by host university
February-March
Interviews
February-June
Results announced
Announced together with the PhD admission offer
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Contact your intended supervisor months before applying - many successful HKPFS candidates line up supervisor support first
Use the full allowance of two programme/university nominations rather than applying to only one
Tailor the research proposal to the specific strengths of each department you apply to
Request reference letters early since referees are often approached close to the December deadline
Track the HKPFSES deadline and each university's separate admission deadline independently - missing either disqualifies the application
If not selected for HKPFS, ask the university whether you'll automatically be considered for a university-funded postgraduate studentship
Important Links & Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions - click any to expand
Yes. HKPFS has no nationality restriction - any applicant worldwide seeking admission as a new full-time PhD student in Hong Kong may apply.
Fellows receive an annual stipend of HK$344,400 (about US$44,150) plus an annual research travel allowance of HK$14,400, guaranteed for up to three years.
Yes, a single HKPFS application allows nomination of up to two research programmes across up to two of Hong Kong's eight UGC-funded universities.
It is not formally required, but most successful applicants contact and secure interest from a potential supervisor before submitting their application.
Many host universities, including HKUST, automatically consider unsuccessful HKPFS applicants for university-funded postgraduate studentships instead.
Ready to Apply?
Head to the official portal and start your application today.
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Deadline: Initial Application via HKPFSES: 1 December (12:00 noon Hong Kong Time) annually | Full PhD admission application: set separately by each host university, usually December-January