Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

Established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong in 2009, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD studies in Hong Kong\'s universities.

Benefits
In the 2026/27 academic year, the Fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$344,400 (approximately US$44,150) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 (approximately US$1,840) per year for each awardee for a period up to three years. 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2026/27 academic year*. For awardees who need more than three years to complete the PhD degree, additional support may be provided by the chosen universities. For details, please contact the universities concerned directly.

Requirements
Applicants must seek new full-time PhD admission at a participating university and meet that university and programme\'s academic and admission requirements. The RGC initial application records personal details, proposed university, department or programme choices, proposed research field and research keywords. Applicants can list up to two university, department or programme choices.

How to apply
Submit one initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System between 2026-09-01 at 12:00 noon and 2026-12-01 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong time. Obtain the HKPFS reference number and then submit a full PhD application to each selected university, quoting that reference number, before the university\'s own deadline. An RGC initial application without the corresponding university application is void.