About this Program

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme is a fully-funded opportunity for students worldwide to study at leading universities in Hong Kong. The scheme is introduced by the Research Grants Council to attract the brightest minds to continue their PhD at Hong-Kong universities. The fellowships are open to anyone, regardless of their place of birth, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliations. The Hong Kong fellowships have no restrictions on the prior work experience of interested fellows.

The fellowship provides a platform for PhD students to interact with students from different cultures and explore the city's global connectivity, excellence, and quality lifestyle. Hong Kong's high-quality education offers an everlasting educational experience that benefits both personal and professional growth.

The highly competitive fellowship grants 400 scholarships to students from around the world based on their excellent academic records and interpersonal skills. Since 2009, numerous Hong Kong fellows have participated in groundbreaking research, making their names in various fields such as science, medical, engineering, humanities, and economics. The Hong Kong fellowships offer a chance for international PhD fellows to gain world-class experience in academic programs and research activities in Asia's World City.

Degree level

• PhD. 

Field of Study

• Sciences 
• Medicine 
• Engineering and Technology 
• Humanities 
• Social Sciences 
• Business Studies. 

List of Participating Universities

• Lingnan University 
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong
• City University of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Baptist University
• The University of Hong Kong
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. 

Eligible Countries and Participants

• Candidates must be new full-time PhD students.
• Candidates can be from any nationality around the globe.
• The candidates have to prove that their university education has been conducted in the English language. 
• In case, the candidate’s prior medium of education is not English, he/she has to provide English Proficiency Certificate.
• If the candidate is not a new PhD student, he/she can only apply for this fellowship if he/she may get admission to other new full-time PhD programs.
• The candidate must choose from the given list of 8 universities.

How to Apply

• The candidates have to apply separately for the university and this fellowship.
• The candidates have to apply first for the fellowship.
• To apply for the fellowship, the candidates have to complete the initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES).
• After the successful submission of the initial application, the candidates will receive a reference number.
• The candidates have to apply for chosen universities (Up to 2 universities and 2 programs depending on the priority) and the given reference number must have to be mentioned in the university application form.
• In case the candidates forget to mention HKPFSES reference number, their applications will be considered on a regular basis and will not be considered for this fellowship.
• Every university has a different submission deadline so in order to receive the reference number before the deadline so you have to fill the initial application as soon as possible to meet the university deadline.
• Applicants need to register in the application form: https://cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs/apply.html  
• follow its instructions to finish all the required application procedures. 
• Applicants must apply the system as requested within the application period.

Application Deadline 

• Application Deadline: 1 December 2024 (11:59 pm Hong Kong Time)

For more information, you could go to the Official Website.