📅 Last Updated: 31 October 2026
HKPFS 2027/28 — Hong Kong PhD Fellowship HK$344,400/Year
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is one of the most generous PhD fellowships in Asia, and it’s open to students from any country. Set up in 2009 by Hong Kong’s Research Grants Council (RGC), it will award 400 PhD fellowships for the 2027/28 academic year at eight universities, including HKU, CUHK, HKUST, PolyU and CityU. Each fellow receives a stipend of HK$344,400 a year (2026/27 figure) plus a HK$14,400 a year conference and research travel allowance, for up to three years. The application has two linked steps: an HKPFS initial application due 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon HKT, and a PhD application to your chosen university quoting your HKPFS reference number. This guide explains both, compares the universities, and gives Pakistani applicants a realistic picture of what wins.
| 🏛️ Funder | Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong |
| 🎓 Scheme | Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), 2027/28 |
| 🔢 Awards | 400 PhD fellowships |
| 💰 Stipend | HK$344,400/year (2026/27 figure; about HK$28,700/month) |
| ✈️ Travel Allowance | HK$14,400/year for conferences and research travel |
| ⏳ Duration | Up to 3 years (universities may support longer programmes) |
| 🏫 Universities | CityU · HKBU · Lingnan · CUHK · EdUHK · PolyU · HKUST · HKU |
| 👥 Eligibility | New full-time PhD applicants, regardless of country of origin |
| 📅 HKPFS Deadline | 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon HKT (initial application) |
| 📅 University Deadline | 1 December 2026, 11:59pm HKT (as listed by the universities) |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistani Students Eligible | Yes. Open to all nationalities |
| 🔗 Official Site | HKPFS (Research Grants Council) |
About the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
The HKPFS was set up by the RGC in 2009 to attract outstanding students from around the world to do PhDs in Hong Kong. Fellows are selected by the participating universities and the RGC, based on academic excellence, research ability and potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership. Hong Kong’s universities rank among the best in Asia, and HKPFS fellows join well-funded research groups across science, engineering, medicine, business, social sciences and the humanities.
How it compares: HKPFS pays roughly HK$28,700 a month, considerably more than many Asian PhD awards. For example, the CSC scholarship pays RMB 3,500 a month for a PhD, and the VISTEC stipend is up to THB 20,000. In Asia, HKPFS sits alongside Singapore’s best fellowships in value, and it’s not limited by nationality, which makes it very competitive.
🏫 The Eight Participating Universities
| University | Known For |
|---|---|
| The University of Hong Kong (HKU) | Medicine, law, engineering, social sciences; Hong Kong’s oldest university |
| The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) | Medicine, business, engineering, science, humanities |
| The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) | Engineering, computer science, AI, business, science |
| The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) | Engineering, design, hospitality, health sciences, applied research |
| City University of Hong Kong (CityU) | Engineering, data science, business, creative media |
| Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) | Communication, Chinese medicine, arts, social sciences |
| Lingnan University | Liberal arts, social sciences, business |
| The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) | Education, psychology, language studies |
See also our PolyU postgraduate admissions guide.
💰 Fellowship Benefits
- ✅ Annual stipend: HK$344,400 (2026/27 figure; the 2027/28 rate may be revised)
- ✅ Conference and research travel allowance: HK$14,400 a year
- ✅ Up to 3 years of HKPFS support. Universities may provide extra support for students whose programmes take longer
- ✅ A PhD from a top-ranked Asian university with world-class labs and international faculty
- ✅ Many universities offer additional support to HKPFS awardees, such as tuition waivers or allowances (verify with each university)
In PKR: HK$344,400 is roughly PKR 1.2 crore a year (about PKR 10 lakh a month) (check the current rate). Hong Kong is expensive, especially rent, but the HKPFS stipend is designed to cover living costs comfortably, particularly in university housing.
📋 Eligibility
- New full-time PhD applicants seeking admission to one of the eight universities
- Any country of origin, any prior work experience, any ethnic background
- Must meet the admission requirements of the chosen university and programme, including English language requirements, which vary by university (verify on official website)
- Current PhD students at the participating universities generally aren’t eligible, as the scheme is for new PhD applicants (verify in the HKPFS Guidance Note)
🇵🇰 Pakistani students: eligible. HKPFS is extremely competitive, with thousands of applicants worldwide for 400 places. Successful profiles typically have a top CGPA (about 3.7 or higher out of 4.0), publications or strong research output (journal or conference papers), excellent recommendation letters, a clear research proposal, and ideally a supportive Hong Kong supervisor. Universities set their own English rules: some accept an English-medium degree, others ask for IELTS (often 6.5) or TOEFL. Check your target university before 1 December.
✅ Apply if you…
- Have an outstanding academic record and research output
- Have identified a Hong Kong supervisor who supports your application
- Can submit the HKPFS initial application before noon on 1 December
- Meet your chosen university’s English requirement
- Want a well-paid, research-intensive PhD in Asia
❌ Rethink if you…
- Are already a PhD student at one of the 8 universities
- Have average grades and no research output
- Can’t prepare a research proposal and recommendations by 1 December
- Need a part-time PhD (HKPFS is for full-time study)
- Haven’t checked your target university’s own deadline and English rules
📄 What You’ll Need (typical)
- HKPFS initial application on the HKPFS electronic system, which gives you your HKPFS reference number
- A university PhD application (one for each university you apply to), quoting the reference number
- A research proposal aligned with your chosen supervisor or group
- CV with publications, awards and research experience
- Transcripts and degree certificates
- Recommendation letters (usually 2–3, uploaded by referees)
- English test results (IELTS or TOEFL) or proof of an English-medium degree, as the university requires
- Personal statement describing research interests, leadership and communication skills
HEC note for Pakistani applicants: prepare clear scans of HEC-attested degrees and transcripts with your university’s grading scale. Ask referees early, because letters often need to be in by the university deadline. The HKPFS Guidance Note on the official site lists the exact fields for the initial application.
🪜 Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Choose 1–2 target universities and programmes, and check each one’s admission requirements, English rules and deadline.
- Contact potential supervisors (October–November) with your CV and a one-page research idea. Supervisor support strongly influences nominations.
- Submit the HKPFS initial application on the HKPFS electronic system before 12:00 noon HKT on 1 December 2026, ideally by mid-November. You’ll receive an HKPFS reference number.
- Submit the full PhD application to each chosen university, quoting your HKPFS reference number, before that university’s deadline (listed as 1 December 2026, 11:59pm HKT).
- Make sure your referees submit their letters on time.
- Shortlisting and interviews by the universities (often online).
- Results are announced by the RGC and universities in spring (verify on official website).
The HKPFS site warns that some university deadlines may fall right after the initial application deadline, so submit the initial application early.
📅 Important Dates
| Milestone | Date (Hong Kong Time) |
|---|---|
| HKPFS applications open | 1 September 2026, 12:00 noon |
| HKPFS initial application deadline | 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon (09:00 PKT) |
| University PhD application deadline | 1 December 2026, 11:59pm (as listed) |
| Interviews | December 2026 – February 2027 (varies by university) |
| Results | About spring 2027 (verify on official website) |
| PhD start | 2027/28 academic year |
🌍 Why Apply
HKPFS combines a high stipend, top universities, English-medium research environments and Hong Kong’s position as a gateway between China and the world. Fellows publish in leading journals, join international networks, and often go on to postdocs in Europe, the US, Singapore and China, or to industry in finance, tech and biomedicine.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pakistani students apply for HKPFS 2027/28?
Yes. HKPFS is open to new full-time PhD applicants regardless of country of origin. You must also meet your chosen Hong Kong university’s admission and English requirements.
How much is the HKPFS stipend?
HK$344,400 a year (2026/27 figure), about HK$28,700 a month, plus a HK$14,400 annual conference and research travel allowance, for up to three years.
What is the HKPFS deadline for 2027/28?
The HKPFS initial application must be submitted by 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong time. University PhD applications are listed as due on 1 December 2026 at 11:59pm HKT. Check your university’s exact deadline.
What is the HKPFS reference number?
It’s the number you receive after submitting the HKPFS initial application on the electronic system. You must quote it in your PhD application to each university, otherwise you won’t be considered for HKPFS.
Can I apply to more than one university?
You can submit PhD applications to more than one participating university, quoting your HKPFS reference number in each, subject to the rules in the HKPFS Guidance Note (verify on official website).
Do I need IELTS?
English requirements are set by each university. Some accept a degree taught in English, while others require IELTS (often 6.5) or TOEFL. Check your target university’s PhD admission page.
🔗 Official Sources
📊 Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/28 |
| Awards | 400 |
| Stipend | HK$344,400/year (2026/27) |
| Travel Allowance | HK$14,400/year |
| Duration | Up to 3 years |
| Universities | HKU, CUHK, HKUST, PolyU, CityU, HKBU, Lingnan, EdUHK |
| Deadlines | HKPFS: 1 December 2026, 12:00 HKT · University: 1 December 2026, 11:59pm HKT |
| Pakistani Students | Eligible |
Explore more on Gradualin: Scholarships, Jobs & Internships, Events & Conferences, and Guidelines & Resources.
Stay updated with the latest scholarships, jobs, and opportunities at Gradualin.com — your trusted guide to studying abroad for free.
