Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009, aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD studies in Hong Kong’s universities.
New applicants to full-time PhD programmes at government-funded universities in Hong Kong, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, are eligible to apply. Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability/potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
The Fellowship provides awardees with a monthly stipend of HK$28,700 (~US$3,680) and a conference and research related travel allowance of HK$14,400 (~US$1,850) per year for a maximum of three years. For Fellowship awardees who are admitted to a 4-year PhD programme, CityUHK will provide a monthly studentship at the same level as the RGC Fellowship for their fourth year of study.
In addition to the monthly stipend offered by the Scheme, each awardee of CityUHK (around HK$108,000/~USD13,800) will receive an entrance scholarship which covers students’ full-time tuition fees and university student hall accommodation expenses in their first year of research studies.
Why Pursue Your HKPFS with CityUHK's College of Biomedicine (CBM)?
- CityUHK identifies solutions to critical global challenges by extending the frontiers of knowledge both within and beyond existing research paradigms.
- CBM furthers fundamental knowledge and develops ground-breaking interdisciplinary solutions in life and health sciences.
- CBM integrates research strengths across Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, and Neuroscience.
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Entrance Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to PhD studies at CityUHK should satisfy the following minimum entrance requirements:
- hold a higher degree by research (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
- hold a taught Master's degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
- hold a Bachelor's degree with first class honours (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university.
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants from non-English speaking universities are required to attach their TOEFL or IELTS score results with their PhD applications, unless they can provide proof that English is the language of instruction for all courses that qualify them for entrance to their proposed PhD programmes. TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the test date and must be valid at the time of submission of application to CityUHK.
Application Procedures and Deadlines
2027/28 HKPFS application period starts on 1 September 2026 and ends on 1 December 2026.
For 2027/28 HKPFS admission, applicants should:
- Step 1: Submit an initial application at HKPFS Electronic System by 1 December 2026 12:00 noon (GMT +8 hours) and obtain an HKPFS Reference Number.
- Step 2: Submit a complete application at CityUHK's Online Admission System with HKPFS Reference Number by 1 December 2026 11:59 PM (GMT +8 hours).