Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2017-18

Q1. What is Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
Established in 2009 by the Research Grants Council (RGC), the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD programmes in Hong Kong's universities.

Q2. What is the amount of award under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?
The Fellowship provides each awardee with an annual stipend of HK$240,000 (approximately US$ 30,000) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$10,000 (approximately US$ 1,300) per year for a period of up to three years. More than 230 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2017/18 academic year. 

Q3. Which universities are supported by the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
The HKPFS supports the awardees to pursue their PhD studies at the following eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities in Hong Kong:
- 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

Q4. Am I eligible for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?
Those who are seeking admission as new full-time PhD students in UGC-funded universities of Hong Kong, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply. Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

Q5. I am not sure whether I am eligible to apply for the PhD programmes in Hong Kong. How can I obtain such information?
UGC-funded universities determine the eligibility requirements of their respective PhD programmes. Interested parties should consult individual universities on eligibility.

Q6. I am currently a PhD student. Am I eligible to apply for the Fellowship?
You are eligible to apply for the Fellowship if you apply for another PhD programmes as a new full-time PhD student. However, it is up to the Selection Panel to decide whether the previous PhD study experience should be discounted so as to ensure a level play field for those who do not have any PhD background.

Q7. I have difficulties in obtaining transcripts/ certificates/ test results by the application deadline of the university I selected. Am I still eligible?
We encourage students with excellent academic performance and good potential in research work to apply for the HKPFS. Universities may give conditional offer to candidates who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential in their areas of studies. Since the candidates of the HKPFS are to be nominated by universities, applicants should consult the universities at which they intend to pursue their PhD studies directly in respect of their eligibility for admission to the PhD programmes concerned.