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.
Eight research degree-awarding universities take part in the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme:
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2022/23 is open for application from 1 September 2021 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time. The deadline for initial applications is 1 December 2021 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.
Eligible Nationalities: All Nationalities
Candidates who are seeking admission as new full time PhD students in the following eight universities, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply.
Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
Eligible candidates should first make an Initial Application online through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES) to obtain an HKPFS Reference Number by 1 December 2021 at Hong Kong Time 12:00:00 before submitting applications for PhD admission to their desired universities.
Applicants may choose up to two programmes / departments at one or two universities for PhD study under HKPFS 2022/23. They should comply with the admission requirements of their selected universities and programmes.
As the deadlines for applications to some of the universities may immediately follow that of the Initial Application, candidates should submit initial applications as early as possible to ensure that they have sufficient time to submit applications to universities.
Open for applications: 1 September 2021 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
Guidance Note for completing the Initial Application (in PDF format)
HKPFS Electronic System – Initial Application
After completing an initial application, applicants should submit full applications for their selected PhD programmes to the proposed universities quoting their HKPFS Reference Number before the universities’ respective deadlines. As regards programme information, requirements for PhD admission, application methods, regulations and policy of individual universities, please refer to individual universities and PhD programmes for information
Application Deadline: before 1 December 2021
Hong Kong Baptist University
Application Deadline: 1 December 2021 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
Lingnan University
Application Deadline: 2 December 2021 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Application Deadline: 1 December 2021 (5:00pm Hong Kong Time)
The Education University of Hong Kong
Application Deadline : 1 December 2021
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Application Deadline: 1 December 2021 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Application Deadline: 1 December 2021 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
The University of Hong Kong
Application Deadline: 1 December, 2021 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time)
The Fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$322,800 (approximately US$41,400) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$13,500 (approximately US$1,730) per year for each awardee for a period up to three years. 300 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2022/23 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.
* Universities in Hong Kong normally start their academic year in September.
Shortlisted applications, subject to their areas of studies, will be reviewed by one of the following two Selection Panels comprising experts in the relevant board areas:
While candidates’ academic excellence is of primary consideration, the Selection Panels will take into account factors as follows: