Apply for a Fully Funded PhD Fellowship: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2026 | HK$340,800 per Year

If you want a PhD that pays you to think hard, travel to conferences, and live in one of Asia’s busiest research crossroads, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is one of the rare prizes that actually makes that possible. Launched by the Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009, HKPFS funds outstanding new full‑time PhD students at eight Hong Kong public universities. For the 2026/27 intake the scheme will award 400 fellowships — a substantial pool, but very competitive.

This guide walks you through what the fellowship covers, who stands the best chance, how reviewers assess applications, and concrete steps you can take (with real examples) to make your submission tight, persuasive, and impossible to ignore. Think of this as a mentor sitting beside you while you write the parts that matter most: your research proposal, personal statement, and referee outreach.

At a Glance

What This Fellowship Really Offers

HKPFS is not just a monthly stipend. The award creates breathing room that allows you to plan projects properly rather than chasing part-time work. The yearly stipend — about HK$28,400 a month — covers housing, transport, meals, and modest savings in Hong Kong. That matters. When your basic needs are met, you can take intellectual risks, try a new method, or spend a week in the field without panicking about rent.

The travel allowance is small in absolute terms but targeted. It’s intended to get you to conferences, workshops, and collaborative visits. Presenting at one international conference a year is realistic with that sum, and those appearances translate into citations, collaborators, and future job offers.

Beyond cash, you get access to well‑resourced labs, databases, and supervisory networks across eight different institutions. Hong Kong sits at the junction of East and West — English is widely used in academia, but you’ll be near major research centers in mainland China, Southeast Asia, and beyond. That regional connectivity speeds up fieldwork logistics, comparative projects, and multi‑site studies.

Finally, HKPFS has symbolic value on your CV. It signals international competitiveness and leadership potential. Past fellows have moved into tenure-track positions, industry research posts, and influential policy roles. The fellowship opens doors — but you still have to walk through them with excellent research.

Participating Universities (Pick Where You Fit)

The scheme covers the eight UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong:

• The University of Hong Kong (HKU) — broad strengths in medicine, law, humanities, and social sciences.
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) — strong in science, engineering, and business.
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) — comprehensive research across disciplines with a collegiate system.
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) — (see above).
• City University of Hong Kong (CityU) — applied research and professional programs.
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) — practical, industry-focused research areas.
• Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) — creative arts, communication, and selected sciences.
• Lingnan University — liberal arts emphasis with close faculty ties.
• The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) — focused on education and social sciences.

(Yes, HKUST appears only once on purpose above — but review each campus site for exact departmental strengths. You may apply to two programs across one or two universities; choose carefully.)

Who Should Apply

This fellowship is built to attract candidates who combine strong grades with clear research potential. Ideal applicants usually have an outstanding academic record (think GPA ≈ 3.7+/4.0 or equivalent, top decile in cohort), but grades aren’t everything. What convinces reviewers is evidence that you can carry a research project from question to conclusion.

If you’ve completed a research master’s thesis, contributed as a research assistant, authored or coauthored an article, or presented at conferences, you’re in a stronger position. But applicants without publications can still win if they show rigorous methods, a tight research plan, and strong recommenders who can vouch for their abilities.

Fit matters. The best candidates can point to specific faculty whose work aligns with their questions. If your project needs a marine lab, apply where such facilities exist. If you aim for comparative political analysis of Southeast Asia, show why a Hong Kong base makes logistical and intellectual sense.

Examples of competitive profiles:

• A student with a research master’s in environmental science, solid statistics skills, and a plan to study urban flood risk in Southeast Asian cities.
• A humanities candidate with a first-class bachelor’s, a well-structured archival research plan, and letters from advisors who supervised thesis work.
• An engineer with undergraduate and master’s project experience, evidence of coding/data analysis, and faculty contacts at an HKUST or PolyU lab.

If you’re early-career with only coursework but exceptional statements of purpose and strong referees who can attest to research potential, apply — but beef up your proposal and methods description.

Required Application Materials

You’ll submit two related but separate sets of documents: the RGC initial application and one or more university PhD applications. Think of the RGC stage as getting a numbered ticket; the universities decide admission.

For the RGC initial application (submit by 1 December 2025, 12:00 noon HKT):

• Completed online HKPFS application form.
• Academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.
• Research plan or proposal (concise 2–3 pages; clarity beats length).
• Personal statement describing motivation and suitability.
• Two academic references (submitted directly by referees).
• English language test scores if required by your prior education.
• Publication list, if applicable.

For each university application (deadlines vary but many are also early December):

• University application form quoting your HKPFS Reference Number.
• Official transcripts and test scores.
• Detailed research proposal and personal statement tailored to the program.
• CV highlighting research, awards, and leadership.
• 2–3 recommendation letters.
• Writing sample for certain humanities/social science programs.
• GRE only if the department explicitly requests it.

Preparation advice: Draft your proposal first and use it across both submissions, adapting language to each university. Give referees one month lead time, plus polite reminders. Have a native or strong English speaker proofread the proposal and statements.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application (Actionable, Field-Proven)

Start early and treat this like a multi-stage campaign. Successful applicants typically spend 60–80 hours across 8–10 weeks preparing materials, contacting supervisors, and polishing drafts.

1. Map supervisor fit before you write. Read recent papers of potential advisors and reference them specifically in your statement — mention a method they use or a paper that influenced your question. A single line showing you did your homework separates you from applicants who spray generic praise.

2. Keep the proposal razor focused. Pick a question narrow enough for a 3–4 year PhD but with clear contributions. For example, instead of “study AI in healthcare,” propose “apply meta‑learning to reduce labeled-data needs for diabetic retinopathy screening in rural clinics.” That specificity demonstrates feasibility.

3. Write the proposal as a logical narrative with clear milestones. Start with a one-paragraph sting: the problem, why it matters, and the central question. Follow with methods, data sources, potential pitfalls, and a realistic timeline. Funders and panels dislike fuzzy aims.

4. Show you can complete the project. Include a short contingency plan: if dataset A is unavailable, you’ll use dataset B or a lab experiment. That reassures reviewers you’re pragmatic, not naive.

5. Collect targeted, substantive recommendation letters. A letter that describes your role in a yearlong project, specific technical strengths, and a particular instance of problem-solving carries far more weight than a generic academic endorsement from a famous name who doesn’t know you.

6. Demonstrate communication and leadership. Mention conference talks, workshop organization, mentoring, or evidence of effective collaboration. The panel evaluates these traits explicitly.

7. Contact faculty—but don’t over-email. A concise, tailored email that references a recent paper and asks if they are taking students can yield a useful reply. If a professor responds positively, name them in your university application; their informal support helps internal decisions.

8. Treat English as a competency. If your prior education wasn’t in English, aim for TOEFL iBT ≈ 100+ or IELTS ≈ 7.0 to be competitive. Scores alone don’t win awards, but weak language proficiency can derail otherwise stellar proposals.

9. Mind the two-step timing. Submit your RGC application early (aim for mid-November) so you have the reference number before any university deadlines. Systems glitch and time zones bite — submit early.

10. Get feedback from non-specialists. If a colleague from an adjacent field can’t summarize your proposal in a few sentences, rewrite for clarity. Panels include people from a range of specialties.

Taken together, those steps shift your application from “good” to “hard to reject.”

Application Timeline and Process (Work Backwards Smartly)

Start the year before your intended start date. Here’s a practical schedule:

• June–July: Decide target research area and scan faculty pages across the eight universities. Read 10–20 recent papers and note possible supervisors.
• July–August: Draft a focused research question and sketch methods. Reach out to 3–5 faculty with short, precise emails.
• September: Prepare drafts of your research proposal, CV, and personal statement. Ask your referees if they’ll provide a letter and supply them with your materials.
• October–mid November: Circulate full drafts to mentors, revise, and finalize. Schedule any required English tests with buffer time for retakes.
• Mid November: Submit RGC initial application to receive your HKPFS Reference Number (do not wait until the last day).
• Late November–1 December: Submit university applications quoting your reference number. Confirm referees submitted letters.
• December–February: Some departments run interviews; be ready to present or discuss your proposal on video.
• March–April: RGC panels finalize selections; universities complete admissions.
• May: Awards announced.
• May–Aug: Accept offer, apply for visa, arrange travel and housing.
• September: Start your PhD in Hong Kong.

Submit at least 48 hours before official deadlines to avoid last-minute internet problems.

What Makes an Application Stand Out (Evaluation Criteria)

RGC panels explicitly weigh four criteria: academic excellence (the primary factor), research ability/potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership. That means the best applications tell a cohesive story across all materials.

Academic excellence is visible in transcripts, awards, and publications. Research potential is visible in a clear, feasible plan and documented research experience. Communication skills appear in crisp writing, presentations, and letters that show you can explain complex ideas. Leadership gets shown through mentoring, organizing, or running projects.

A standout application typically contains:

• Strong, specific referees who can attest to research maturity.
• A proposal with a tight question, clear methods, and possible outcomes.
• Evidence of productive prior research (data collected, code written, analyses done).
• Demonstrated adaptability — international experience or cross-cultural research helps.
• Clear match with department resources and potential supervisors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (And How to Fix Them)

1. Generic applications: If your materials could apply to any school, revise them. Tailor the proposal and statement to each program and cite specific faculty or facilities.

2. Overambitious scope: Don’t propose ten years of work. Break your plan into achievable milestones and show what can realistically be completed in three years.

3. Weak referees: Avoid letters from people who can’t comment on your research. Choose recommenders who supervised your projects and can discuss specifics.

4. Procrastination around two-step deadlines: Remember RGC and university submissions are separate. Submit the RGC form early to secure your reference number.

5. Ignoring language polish: Poorly written English creates doubt. Hire an editor or ask a mentor to proofread.

6. Forgetting contingency plans: Address what you’ll do if a dataset, lab access, or field site becomes unavailable.

Fix these early and you dramatically improve your odds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply if I already have a PhD? A: No. HKPFS is for candidates seeking admission as new full-time PhD students.

Q: Do I need a master’s degree? A: Not always. Many programs accept outstanding candidates with a bachelor’s degree, especially in sciences and engineering. A research master’s strengthens social sciences and humanities applications.

Q: Can I apply to two universities? A: Yes. You may apply to up to two programs across one or two universities. Customize each application.

Q: Will RGC fund more than three years? A: HKPFS covers up to three years. If your program needs more time, host universities often provide additional support through assistantships or institutional funding.

Q: Are interviews required? A: Some departments interview shortlisted applicants. Prepare to discuss methods and motivation for 30–45 minutes.

Q: Can I bring family? A: Yes, you can sponsor dependants, but budget constraints mean supporting a family on the stipend alone will be tight.

Q: What’s the acceptance rate? A: Historically competitive—roughly 5–8% overall. It varies by field and year.

Q: Can I reapply if not successful? A: Yes. Many successful fellows applied multiple times after strengthening their CV or refining proposals.

Next Steps — How to Apply

Ready to take action? Follow these concrete steps:

1. Read the official program details at the RGC HKPFS page and download the leaflet. Familiarize yourself with eligibility and submission formats: https://cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs/index.html

2. Identify 2–4 departments and potential supervisors across the eight universities. Read recent publications and note why your project fits.

3. Draft a concise research proposal (2–3 pages), a strong personal statement, and an updated CV. Get at least two rounds of feedback from mentors.

4. Secure two academic referees who can write detailed letters. Provide them with your CV, proposal, and examples of your work.

5. Submit the RGC initial application by mid-November to obtain your HKPFS Reference Number, then complete university applications quoting that number before their deadlines.

If you want, send me your research summary (one paragraph) and I’ll help tighten it into a crisp opening for your proposal. Apply early, plan deliberately, and let the funding let you do your best thinking.

Good luck — this fellowship can change the trajectory of your academic career if you approach it with focus and care. Ready to apply? Visit the official HKPFS page: https://cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs/index.html