Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28 | Fully Funded PhD

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28 is now open for applications, offering an excellent opportunity for talented students from around the world to pursue a fully funded PhD at leading universities in Hong Kong. Established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009, the fellowship aims to attract outstanding international researchers and provide them with a strong academic and research environment.

For the 2027/28 academic year, the scheme will award 400 PhD fellowships to successful candidates. Fellows will receive financial support including an annual stipend of HK$344,400, along with a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 per year for up to three years.

Applications for the 2027/28 intake opened on September 1, 2026, while the initial application deadline is December 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (GMT+8).

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, commonly known as HKPFS, is a prestigious doctoral fellowship programme designed for outstanding students who want to undertake full-time PhD research in Hong Kong.

The scheme supports doctoral candidates across a wide range of academic disciplines. Successful fellows can study at participating universities and become part of Hong Kong's internationally recognized research community.

The fellowship is particularly suitable for candidates with strong academic records, research potential and a clear interest in pursuing advanced doctoral studies.

Fellowship Details

Programme Details	Information
Fellowship Name	Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28
Host Country	Hong Kong
Degree Level	PhD
Funding Type	Fully Funded
Organizer	Research Grants Council (RGC)
Number of Fellowships	400
Annual Stipend	HK$344,400
Travel Allowance	HK$14,400 per year
Funding Duration	Up to 3 years
Application Opens	September 1, 2026
Application Deadline	December 1, 2026
Application Mode	Online

The official RGC information confirms that 400 fellowships will be awarded for the 2027/28 academic year.

Benefits of Hong Kong PhD Fellowship

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28 provides substantial financial assistance to selected candidates, helping them focus on their doctoral research without the usual financial pressure associated with studying abroad.

The major benefits include:

• Annual stipend of HK$344,400.

• Conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 per year.

• Fellowship support for up to three years.

• Opportunity to pursue a PhD at leading Hong Kong universities.

• Access to an internationally connected research environment.

• Opportunities to attend conferences and undertake research-related travel.

• Additional support may be provided by the selected university if the PhD requires more than three years to complete.

For 4-year PhD programmes, individual universities may provide support during the additional year according to their own arrangements. For example, the University of Hong Kong states that HKPFS awardees admitted to its four-year PhD programmes can receive the same support in the fourth year.

Participating Universities

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme provides opportunities at Hong Kong's major UGC-funded universities.

Participating institutions include:

• The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

• City University of Hong Kong

• Hong Kong Baptist University

• Lingnan University

• The Education University of Hong Kong

These universities offer doctoral programmes across a wide variety of research areas and disciplines.

Fields of Study

Applicants can explore PhD opportunities in numerous academic and research fields depending on the programmes offered by participating universities.

Potential areas include:

• Computer Science and Information Technology

• Engineering

• Business and Economics

• Medicine and Health Sciences

• Natural Sciences

• Social Sciences

• Humanities

• Education

• Environmental Studies

• Arts and related disciplines

Candidates should identify a suitable research area and review the individual university's PhD programmes before submitting their application.

Eligibility Criteria

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme is intended for students who want to begin full-time PhD studies at participating universities in Hong Kong.

Applicants are generally assessed on factors such as:

• Academic performance.

• Research ability and potential.

• Communication and interpersonal skills.

• Leadership qualities.

• Research proposal or proposed area of study.

• Overall suitability for the selected PhD programme.

The scheme is highly competitive, so applicants should demonstrate strong academic preparation and explain clearly how their proposed research fits their academic and career goals.

Applicants should also check the admission requirements of their chosen university because university-specific requirements can apply in addition to the fellowship requirements.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare their academic and research documents before beginning the application.

Common application materials may include:

• Academic transcripts.

• Degree certificates or proof of expected graduation.

• Curriculum vitae (CV).

• Research proposal or statement of research interest.

• Personal statement.

• Recommendation letters.

• Proof of English-language proficiency, where required.

• Other documents requested by the selected university.

Applicants should carefully check each university's requirements because document requirements and admission procedures may differ.

Application Process

The application process begins with the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme's initial application.

Candidates should first identify suitable PhD programmes and participating universities that match their research interests. They then need to register for an HKPFS Reference Number through the official fellowship system and submit the initial fellowship application before the deadline.

After obtaining the reference number, applicants must follow the relevant university's admission procedure and submit the required PhD application materials.

Because university application deadlines and requirements can differ, applicants should not wait until the HKPFS deadline to begin preparing their university applications.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Deadline 2027

The application period for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28 opened on September 1, 2026.

The initial application deadline is:

December 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (GMT+8).

Applicants should submit their initial fellowship application before the deadline and then complete the relevant university admission process according to the requirements of their chosen institution.

Why Apply for HKPFS 2027-28?

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme offers more than financial assistance. It gives doctoral researchers the opportunity to study in a highly international academic environment and work with researchers at leading universities.

The annual stipend can help cover living expenses, while the dedicated travel allowance supports participation in conferences and research-related activities. The fellowship can therefore be valuable for students who want to develop their academic profile, expand their research network and gain international experience.

For international students, including applicants from Pakistan, the programme provides an attractive pathway to pursue advanced research in Hong Kong with significant financial support.

Final Thoughts

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28 is a major opportunity for talented international students seeking fully funded doctoral study in Hong Kong. With 400 fellowships, a substantial annual stipend and research-related travel support, the programme offers strong financial and academic benefits to successful candidates.

Students interested in applying should begin researching suitable universities and PhD programmes early. A strong academic record, clear research direction, relevant experience and well-prepared application materials can help candidates present a competitive application.

The application deadline is December 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time, so eligible candidates should start preparing their applications well before the closing date.

Apply Now: Visit the official Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme website and review the latest fellowship and university admission requirements before submitting your application. Apply Now