Program guide

How to apply to Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/28

Government PhD fellowships for international and local students at eight Hong Kong universities, with a stipend and conference travel allowance for up to three years; 400 places for 2027/28.

Official page Listing details

Step by step

Check that you are eligibleThe published rules: Open to students; Open to new full-time PhD applicants regardless of origin; apply to up to two programmes.
Gather the materialsYou will need: Academic CV, Research proposal, Recommendation letters (drafts for your referees), Transcript.
Write the answersBuild the statement around one plan for the fellowship period and the evidence that you will carry it out.
Submit on the official pageApply through the official page (Hkpfses) before 1 December 2026, and keep the confirmation.
Follow upNote when results are due. If the organiser invites questions, ask once, briefly, after the date has passed.

Timeline

42 days before the deadlineAsk referees and order documentsAsk your referees, and order transcripts or score reports; these depend on other people's timelines.
By 3 November 2026Draft the statementDraft the statement around one clear plan, with evidence from your record.
By 21 November 2026Review and remindReview against the selection criteria; gently remind referees of the date.
By 29 November 2026Submit and keep the confirmationSubmit early and check that every reference shows as received.

At a glance

Organizer: Research Grants Council, Hong Kong
Timing: Apply by 1 December 2026
Cycle: Annual. Initial application in HKPFSES by Dec 1, 2026 12:00 noon HKT, then university applications by Dec 1, 2026 23:59 HKT.
Where: Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China · open to applicants worldwide
What you get: HK$344,400 a year stipend
Applied through: Hkpfses
Account: You need an account on the application system

Who can apply

Open to students
Open to new full-time PhD applicants regardless of origin; apply to up to two programmes.

Materials checklist

Academic CVUpload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.
Research proposalUpload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.
Recommendation letters (drafts for your referees)Upload yours, or let Onward Scout draft one from your profile for you to edit.
TranscriptOnly you can supply it: upload it once and it is attached wherever it is asked for.

Questions you will meet, answered honestly

What will you do during the fellowship?

A specific plan with milestones, tied to what the fellowship provides.

What is your long-term goal?

Honest and specific. It's fine if it is still forming, as long as the next step is clear.

What reviewers of fellowships look for

Build the statement around one plan for the fellowship period and the evidence that you will carry it out.
Ask referees early and send them your statement and the selection criteria, so their letters address the same points.
Check the eligibility window (years since degree, nationality, field) before investing time.

The full playbook for fellowships

How Onward Scout helps

This one is submitted on the organiser's own site, behind your login. Onward Scout prepares every answer and file in the form's order with one-tap copy, so submitting takes minutes; you mark it submitted when you're done.

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Let Onward Scout prepare your Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/28 application

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