Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28: Apply by 1 Dec

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is a fully funded PhD route run by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong. It is open to students of any nationality – including Indian students – who want to do a full-time PhD at one of eight Hong Kong universities, and it pays an annual stipend plus a research travel allowance for up to three years.

The scheme does not work like a normal scholarship form. You first register with the RGC’s own online system to get an HKPFS Reference Number, and only then do you apply for PhD admission to your chosen universities quoting that number. Applications for the 2027/28 academic year opened on 1 September 2026 and the initial application closes on 1 December 2026, so both steps have to be finished in the same window.

Table of Contents

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28

Quick facts2026-27

Scholarship from	Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, under the University Grants Committee. The scheme was established in 2009.
Study level	Full-time PhD (doctoral) study at eight participating Hong Kong universities. Fellowships run for up to three years, and the universities normally start their academic year in September.
Who can apply	Candidates seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at the participating universities. The RGC states that applicants are eligible irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background.
What is covered	An annual stipend of HK$344,400 (about US$44,150) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 (about US$1,840) a year, for up to three years. These are the current rates published by the RGC and are reviewed each year.
Number of awards	400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2027/28 academic year.
Last date to apply	1 December 2026 – the RGC initial application must be submitted by then to get an HKPFS Reference Number, and all eight universities also list 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time) as the deadline for the full admission application.
How to apply	Step 1: submit the Initial Application on the HKPFS Electronic System (HKPFSES) and get your HKPFS Reference Number. Step 2: apply for PhD admission to your chosen universities and quote that reference number.
Official website	cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs – RGC Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

Go to official website

What the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme covers

An annual stipend of HK$344,400, which works out to about US$44,150 a year at the rate quoted by the RGC.
A conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 a year (about US$1,840) for each awardee.
The award runs for up to three years of PhD study.
Awardees who need more than three years to finish the PhD may receive additional support from the university they join – the RGC directs applicants to the universities for details.
400 fellowships are offered in the 2027/28 round, and the RGC has awarded them every year since the scheme began in 2009.
Tuition fees and any top-up funding are set by each university, so read the HKPFS page of the university you are applying to before you budget.

Which universities take part in the HKPFS

The scheme is offered at eight universities in Hong Kong. The same fellowship amount applies whichever of them you choose:

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

You may choose up to two programmes or departments at one or two universities in your initial application. Each university runs its own admission process on top of the RGC application, so check the programme requirements, English language rules and documents on the university’s own page.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme eligibility

You must be applying as a new full-time PhD student at one of the eight participating universities.
There is no nationality restriction – the RGC lists applicants from any country of origin as eligible, and Indian students apply through exactly the same route.
You must show outstanding academic performance along with research ability and potential.
Communication and interpersonal skills and leadership abilities are part of the assessment – the RGC lists both among the selection criteria.
You must meet the admission requirements of the programme and university you choose, including any English language test and research proposal requirements.
Existing PhD students already registered at a Hong Kong university are not eligible – the fellowship is for new admissions only.

How to apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

Check the RGC HKPFS page and pick up to two programmes or departments at one or two of the eight universities.
Create your account and submit the Initial Application on the HKPFS Electronic System (HKPFSES). This is the only way to get an HKPFS Reference Number; the RGC says the system opens on 1 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time.
Note your HKPFS Reference Number as soon as the initial application is accepted.
Apply for PhD admission at each chosen university through that university’s own admission portal, quoting the HKPFS Reference Number in the application.
Upload the supporting documents the university asks for – transcripts, degree certificates, English test scores, research proposal and referee reports – before its deadline.
Because the university deadlines immediately follow the RGC deadline, the RGC advises submitting the initial application as early as possible rather than waiting for December.

Important dates for HKPFS 2027-28

Applications open	1 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
Initial application deadline (RGC)	1 December 2026 – the deadline to obtain an HKPFS Reference Number
University admission deadlines	1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time) for CityU, HKBU, Lingnan, CUHK, EdUHK, PolyU, HKUST and HKU
Academic year begins	September 2027 at the participating universities

How the HKPFS selection works

Shortlisted applications are reviewed by one of two selection panels, depending on the area of study: Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology, or Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies. The RGC states that academic excellence is the primary consideration, and that research ability and potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities are also taken into account.

Frequently asked questions about the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

What is the last date for HKPFS 2027-28?

The initial application on the RGC’s HKPFS Electronic System must be submitted by 1 December 2026, and all eight universities also list 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time) for the full PhD admission application.

Can Indian students apply for the HKPFS?

Yes. The RGC accepts candidates irrespective of their country of origin, so Indian students apply on the same terms as everyone else and compete for the same 400 fellowships.

How much does the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme pay?

HK$344,400 a year (about US$44,150) as an annual stipend, plus HK$14,400 a year (about US$1,840) as a conference and research-related travel allowance, for up to three years. The rates are published by the RGC and reviewed each year.

Do I have to apply to a university separately from the HKPFS?

Yes. The RGC application only gives you an HKPFS Reference Number. You then have to apply for PhD admission at your chosen universities and quote that number, before the universities’ own deadline.

How many programmes can I apply for under the HKPFS?

The RGC allows up to two programmes or departments, at one or two of the eight participating universities.

Does the fellowship pay my tuition fees?

The RGC fellowship pays the stipend and the travel allowance. Tuition fees are set by each university, so check the HKPFS page of the university you are applying to for its fee and top-up arrangements.

What is the last date to apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28?

The Initial Application to the Research Grants Council must be submitted by 1 December 2026 to obtain an HKPFS Reference Number, and the eight participating universities also list 1 December 2026 (11:59pm Hong Kong Time) for the full PhD admission application. Applications opened on 1 September 2026.

Is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme open to Indian students?

Yes. The RGC states that candidates are eligible irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, so Indian students apply on the same terms and compete for the same 400 fellowships in the 2027/28 round.

How much stipend does the HKPFS pay?

The fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$344,400 (about US$44,150) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 (about US$1,840) per year, for up to three years of PhD study.

How many PhD fellowships are awarded in 2027/28?

The Research Grants Council states that 400 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2027/28 academic year.

Do I need to apply to a Hong Kong university separately?

Yes. Step one is the initial application on the HKPFS Electronic System to get an HKPFS Reference Number. Step two is the full PhD admission application to your chosen universities, quoting that reference number, before each university’s deadline.

Which universities accept HKPFS applicants?

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, and The University of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027-28: HK$344,400 Stipend, Apply by 1 December