Applications are now open for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28, one of the largest international PhD funding programmes in Asia.
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, commonly known as HKPFS, is administered by Hong Kong’s Research Grants Council (RGC) and is designed to attract outstanding students from around the world to pursue full-time PhD study at Hong Kong’s publicly funded universities.
For the 2027/28 academic year, 400 Hong Kong PhD Fellowships will be awarded. Successful applicants receive an annual stipend of HK$344,400 plus a HK$14,400 annual conference and research-related travel allowance, normally for up to three years.
Applications opened on September 1, 2026, and the deadline for the initial Hong Kong PhD Fellowship application is December 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.
Students searching for other active doctoral opportunities can also compare the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship with PhD scholarships still open in 2026.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28 Overview
| Detail | Official Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme |
| Abbreviation | HKPFS |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Degree level | PhD |
| Academic year | 2027/28 |
| Number of fellowships | 400 |
| Eligible applicants | International and local applicants |
| Annual stipend | HK$344,400 |
| Research/travel allowance | HK$14,400 per year |
| Standard funding period | Up to 3 years |
| Participating universities | 8 |
| Applications opened | September 1, 2026 |
| Initial application deadline | December 1, 2026, 12:00 noon HKT |
| University application deadline | December 1, 2026, 11:59 PM HKT for the current listed universities |
| Results | By May 2027 |
| Expected registration | July–September 2027 |
The 2027/28 application cycle is currently open. The Research Grants Council states that applicants should complete the initial application as early as possible because the full university applications must also be submitted separately.
What Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme was established by the Research Grants Council in 2009 to attract highly talented researchers from around the world to doctoral programmes at Hong Kong universities.
The fellowship is not restricted to a particular nationality or region. Applicants from anywhere in the world can apply if they are seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at one of the participating University Grants Committee-funded universities.
The selection process focuses primarily on academic excellence, but the RGC also considers:
- research ability and potential;
- communication and interpersonal skills; and
- leadership abilities.
Students comparing major research awards can also explore Scholarships Central’s fully funded scholarship guide for other international funding routes.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Funding and Benefits
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship provides substantial financial support for doctoral researchers.
Annual Stipend
Each fellowship recipient receives:
HK$344,400 per year
The RGC currently gives an approximate US-dollar equivalent of US$44,150 per year.
This stipend is intended to support the scholar during full-time doctoral study.
Conference and Research Travel Allowance
In addition to the main stipend, HKPFS recipients receive:
HK$14,400 per year
for conference attendance and research-related travel.
The RGC gives an approximate value of US$1,840 per year.
Funding Duration
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship is normally provided for:
up to three years
If a PhD programme requires more than three years to complete, additional financial support may be provided by the university concerned. Applicants should check the funding arrangements of their selected institution directly.
Does the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Cover Tuition Fees?
Applicants should be careful with claims that the HKPFS automatically covers every university expense.
The central RGC fellowship officially guarantees the annual stipend and annual conference/research travel allowance.
Tuition fees and additional university support can depend on the institution and the applicant’s status. The RGC separately notes that its government tuition-waiver scheme applies to eligible local research postgraduate students, while international applicants should check their chosen university for tuition and additional funding arrangements.
For this reason, applicants should review the financial package offered by their selected university rather than assuming that every HKPFS award includes identical tuition treatment.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
The basic HKPFS eligibility criteria are broader than many government scholarship programmes.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants can apply regardless of:
- nationality;
- country of origin;
- ethnic background; or
- previous work experience.
The key requirement is that the applicant is seeking admission as a new full-time PhD student at a participating UGC-funded university in Hong Kong.
Candidates should also demonstrate strong:
- academic performance;
- research ability or potential;
- communication skills;
- interpersonal skills; and
- leadership ability.
Do You Need Work Experience?
No general HKPFS work-experience requirement is imposed by the Research Grants Council.
Eligibility is open irrespective of prior work experience. Individual PhD programmes may still have their own admission expectations depending on the field.
Can Current PhD Students Apply?
Potentially, yes.
The RGC FAQ states that a current PhD student may apply if they are applying to another programme as a new full-time PhD student.
However, previous PhD study may be considered by the Selection Panel when assessing the applicant so that candidates are compared fairly.
Is There an Age Limit?
The central Hong Kong PhD Fellowship eligibility criteria do not state a general age limit.
Applicants must instead satisfy the admission requirements of the selected PhD programme and university.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Participating Universities
Eight UGC-funded universities participate in the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.
They are:
- City University of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Lingnan University
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The Education University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- The University of Hong Kong
Applicants should not choose a university only because of its general ranking. For a research degree, the department, proposed supervisor, research environment and fit with the applicant’s proposed project are often more important.
How Many Universities Can You Choose?
Applicants may select a maximum of:
two PhD programmes in one or two universities.
The applicant must indicate the priority of the choices in the initial HKPFS application.
This is particularly important if more than one university later nominates the applicant.
The RGC states that if an applicant is nominated by two universities, it will process the nomination associated with the university the applicant ranked as the higher priority.
Fields of Study Available Under HKPFS
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme is not restricted to STEM subjects.
Shortlisted candidates are reviewed through two broad selection panels:
Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology
This panel covers research areas including science, engineering, technology, medicine and related disciplines.
Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies
The second panel covers humanities, social sciences, business and related research disciplines.
The actual PhD programmes available depend on the participating universities.
Is IELTS Required for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?
There is no single universal IELTS score set centrally by the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.
However, the RGC states that applicants coming from non-English-speaking universities are generally required to provide TOEFL or IELTS results to the university unless they can prove that English was the language of instruction for all courses.
An exemption can also apply where the proposed PhD programme itself is conducted in another language, such as Chinese.
Therefore, it would be misleading to describe the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship as a universal “scholarship without IELTS.”
The correct position is:
IELTS or TOEFL requirements depend on the applicant’s previous education and the admission requirements of the chosen university/programme.
Students looking specifically for alternative English-proof routes can compare this opportunity with Scholarships Central’s fully funded scholarships without IELTS for 2027.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Application Process
The HKPFS application is a two-stage process.
This is one of the most important parts of the application.
Step 1: Submit the Initial HKPFS Application
Applicants must first submit an initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES).
The initial application opened on:
September 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
and closes on:
December 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.
The RGC does not charge a fee for this initial HKPFS application. Universities may separately charge admission or processing fees.
Step 2: Receive Your HKPFS Reference Number
After the initial application is submitted, the system generates an HKPFS Reference Number.
Applicants must keep this number carefully.
It must be quoted when submitting the full PhD admission application to the selected university or universities.
If an applicant does not provide the HKPFS Reference Number to the university, the application may be processed only as a normal PhD application rather than an HKPFS application.
Step 3: Submit the Full PhD Application to the University
Submitting the initial HKPFS form is not enough.
Applicants must separately submit the full PhD admission application to each selected university.
The RGC explicitly states that an initial HKPFS application that is not followed by a full university application will be treated as void.
For the 2027/28 cycle, the listed full-application deadline for all eight participating universities is:
December 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Hong Kong Time.
This creates an important timing difference:
- HKPFS initial application closes at 12:00 noon
- university applications close at 11:59 PM
on the same date.
Applicants should therefore submit the HKPFS initial application well before December 1.
Can You Submit More Than One HKPFS Initial Application?
No.
Applicants are allowed to submit only one initial HKPFS application.
The RGC warns that if an applicant submits more than one initial application, all applications from that applicant may be disqualified.
Applicants can still choose up to two programmes within that single application.
Documents Required for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship
Applicants should distinguish between the initial HKPFS application and the full university PhD application.
Initial HKPFS Application
The RGC’s 2027/28 guidance states that the initial application contains sections covering:
- personal particulars;
- university and PhD programme choices;
- authorization and declaration; and
- source of information.
The initial form is completed online and, except where specifically indicated, must be completed in English.
Full University Application
Detailed supporting documents are handled by the participating universities.
Requirements can vary, but applicants may be asked for documents such as academic records, qualifications, English-language evidence and academic referee information according to their university’s admission rules.
The RGC specifically notes that referee details are not required at the initial HKPFS stage, but individual universities require referee information during the full PhD application.
Applicants should therefore check the exact document checklist of their selected university rather than using a generic scholarship checklist.
For comparison, Scholarships Central also has a detailed University of Sydney PhD documents and application guide explaining the kinds of documents commonly required for competitive research-degree applications.
New AI Disclosure Requirement for HKPFS 2027/28
Applicants should pay particular attention to the updated 2027/28 guidance concerning the use of artificial intelligence.
The RGC states that applicants are responsible for disclosing AI use where applicable and complying with the relevant university’s policies.
The guidance specifically refers to AI use in areas such as:
- generating or refining research ideas;
- literature review and information retrieval;
- language editing;
- citation management; and
- data analysis.
Applicants remain responsible for checking the accuracy, originality and academic integrity of submitted material.
This means applicants should not assume that using an AI tool for editing or research assistance is something that can simply be left undeclared.
They should follow the disclosure rules of the institution receiving the application.
HKPFS Selection Criteria
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship is highly competitive.
The RGC identifies four principal assessment areas:
- Academic excellence
- Research ability and potential
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Leadership abilities
Academic excellence is the primary consideration.
Individual universities may also interview applicants before nominating selected candidates to the Research Grants Council.
How Competitive Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?
Competition is substantial.
For the 2026/27 round, the RGC reported:
- 10,037 applicants
- applicants from 115 countries and regions
- 13,265 full university applications
- 667 applicants nominated
- 400 fellowship recipients
Those figures show why simply meeting basic admission requirements is not enough.
Successful candidates generally need a strong academic record and a compelling research profile.
Students interested in similarly competitive doctoral programmes can also compare the HKPFS with the KAUST Graduate Scholarships 2027 and the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Deadline 2027
The most important deadline is:
December 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
for the initial HKPFS application.
The current RGC application page lists:
| Stage | Deadline |
|---|---|
| HKPFS applications open | September 1, 2026, 12:00 noon HKT |
| Initial HKPFS application | December 1, 2026, 12:00 noon HKT |
| Full university applications | December 1, 2026, 11:59 PM HKT |
| HKPFS results | By May 2027 |
| Normal registration | July–September 2027 |
A successful candidate normally registers at the selected university between July and September 2027. In justified cases, registration may be deferred, subject to approval, to no later than January 31, 2028.
What Happens If You Do Not Win the HKPFS?
Not receiving the fellowship does not automatically mean rejection from the PhD programme.
The RGC states that participating universities may still:
- admit the applicant to the PhD programme; and
- offer a regular postgraduate studentship or another form of university funding.
This is an important reason to submit a strong university admission application even if the primary goal is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship
Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship 2027 open?
Yes. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28 opened on September 1, 2026.
What is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship deadline?
The initial HKPFS application deadline is December 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.
How many Hong Kong PhD Fellowships are available?
The RGC will award 400 fellowships for the 2027/28 academic year.
How much is the HKPFS stipend?
The fellowship provides HK$344,400 per year plus a HK$14,400 annual conference and research-related travel allowance.
Can international students apply?
Yes. Applicants from around the world can apply as long as they are seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at participating Hong Kong universities.
Is IELTS required for HKPFS?
Applicants from non-English-speaking universities generally need IELTS or TOEFL unless they can provide acceptable proof that English was the language of instruction, subject to the selected university’s requirements.
Is there an application fee?
The RGC does not charge an HKPFS application fee. Participating universities may separately charge application or processing fees.
Can I choose two Hong Kong universities?
Yes. Applicants can select up to two PhD programmes at one or two universities.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
The central HKPFS rules do not impose one universal supervisor rule across all eight universities. Supervisor and departmental requirements depend on the selected PhD programme, so applicants should check the relevant university’s admission instructions.
When will HKPFS 2027 results be announced?
The RGC states that results for the 2027/28 Hong Kong PhD Fellowship will be announced by May 2027.
Can I apply if I am already doing a PhD?
A current PhD student can potentially apply if they are seeking admission to another programme as a new full-time PhD student, although previous doctoral study may be considered during assessment.
How to Apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship
Applicants should follow this order:
- Research the eight participating universities.
- Identify one or two suitable PhD programmes.
- Check each programme’s admission and English-language requirements.
- Submit the initial HKPFS application through HKPFSES.
- Save the HKPFS Reference Number.
- Apply separately to the chosen university or universities.
- Enter the HKPFS Reference Number in the university application.
- Submit all required university documents before the deadline.
- Prepare for a possible university interview.
- Monitor email for further communication and results.
Applicants looking for other opportunities with live deadlines can also use Scholarships Central’s Scholarships Still Open 2026 hub.
Official Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Application Links
Applicants should use the official Research Grants Council sources for final submission and verification.
Official Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme page
HKPFS 2027/28 application portal
Official HKPFS application instructions
Official participating universities list
Applications for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28 close on December 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time, so applicants should complete the initial HKPFS form well before the deadline and leave enough time for the separate university admission application.