Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) Guide for International Applicants

What the HKPFS is

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is a fellowship programme administered by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong. It aims to attract outstanding students from around the world to pursue full-time PhD study at Hong Kong's publicly funded universities.

The scheme provides financial support to selected fellows for a set period of their PhD, and universities may add their own top-up support. Because the stipend, allowances, duration and the exact terms are set by the RGC and can change between rounds, confirm every current figure on the official HKPFS website before you rely on it.

The two-step application process

Applying to the HKPFS involves two separate steps that must both be completed. Missing either one means you are not considered.

• Step 1 — Submit an initial online HKPFS application through the RGC's HKPFS electronic system to obtain an HKPFS reference number.
• Step 2 — Use that reference number to make a full PhD application directly to your chosen university (and department/programme), following that university's own PhD admissions process and deadline.
• Both steps have their own deadlines; the HKPFS initial-application deadline typically falls before the university PhD-application deadlines.
• You may usually list a limited number of university choices — check the current rules and limits on the official HKPFS site.

Eligibility and what selectors look for

The HKPFS is open to prospective PhD students of any nationality, region or background who are seeking full-time PhD study in Hong Kong, subject to the RGC's stated eligibility for each round. It is aimed at applicants with strong academic ability and clear research potential.

Selection is highly competitive and considers factors such as your academic excellence, research ability and potential, and — where relevant — leadership qualities and communication skills. Because the precise eligibility criteria and selection dimensions are defined by the RGC and can be updated, read the current round's official eligibility and selection information carefully.

Approaching a prospective supervisor

A PhD is built around a research topic and a supervisor, so identifying a suitable prospective supervisor early strengthens your application. Explore departments and research groups at your target universities, read potential supervisors' recent work, and prepare a concise, tailored message that shows genuine fit with their research.

A good outreach note briefly introduces you, states your research interests and how they align with the supervisor's work, and mentions that you intend to apply through the HKPFS. Supervisors are not obliged to reply, and a positive response is not an offer — admission and the fellowship are decided through the formal process, not by informal agreement.

Deadlines, documents and honest expectations

Prepare your materials well ahead: academic transcripts, degree certificates, a research proposal or statement, references, English-proficiency evidence where required, and any programme-specific documents. Confirm the exact document list, English requirements and both the HKPFS and university deadlines on the official sources.

The HKPFS is a prestigious, limited award and no one can guarantee selection — treat any agent or service promising an HKPFS place or fellowship as a scam. Apply to programmes you would be happy to join even without the fellowship, and consider each university's own PhD scholarships as alternatives. If admitted, non-local students arrange a Hong Kong student visa through the Immigration Department (general information only, not immigration advice — verify on the official government source).