The HKPFS is a two step application. Both steps close on 1 December 2026. The first one closes at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time. Miss it and you cannot start the second.
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is a competitive PhD scholarship in Hong Kong. The Research Grants Council (RGC) set it up in 2009. It plans to give 400 fellowships for 2027/28 across all participating universities. At Lingnan University an awardee gets HK$28700 a month at the 2026/27 rate. They also get a travel allowance of up to HK$14400 a year. From the 2027/28 intake Lingnan awardees also get a full tuition waiver and the LU Presidential PhD Scholarship top up.
Lingnan can only nominate applicants. The RGC makes the final choice. So the fellowship is never guaranteed. If you are not chosen Lingnan can still consider you for a PhD place with a Postgraduate Studentship.
Last Information Checked: 10 November 2026
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
| Scheme | Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/28 |
| Set up by | Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009 |
| University | Lingnan University |
| Fellowships | 400 for 2027/28 across all participating universities |
| Level | New full time PhD students |
| Open to | Applicants from any country |
| Monthly stipend | HK$28700 (2026/27 rate and reviewed each year) |
| Travel allowance | Up to HK$14400 a year |
| Length | Up to 3 years (a 4th year at Lingnan if the PhD normally takes 4 years) |
| Tuition | Full waiver for awardees from the 2027/28 intake |
| Application fee | HK$300 per programme at Lingnan |
| Language test | TOEFL or IELTS if your degree was not taught in English |
| Step 1 deadline | 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon HKT (RGC initial application) |
| Step 2 deadline | 1 December 2026 at 11:59 pm HKT (Lingnan full application) |
About the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
The RGC created the HKPFS to attract top students from around the world to PhD study in Hong Kong. Lingnan is one of the participating universities.
The RGC looks for students with outstanding academic results and exceptional research ability or potential. It also looks for strong communication and interpersonal skills and excellent leadership. Academic excellence matters most.
Shortlisted applicants go to one of two selection panels. One covers Sciences and Medicine and Engineering and Technology. The other covers Humanities and Social Sciences and Business Studies.
How the Two Steps Work
Step 1: the RGC initial application. You apply online through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System. You receive an HKPFS reference number. You need it for Step 2.
Step 2: the Lingnan full application. You apply through Lingnan’s online admission system. You quote your RGC reference number. You pay the application fee. You must choose the application type HK PhD Fellowship Scheme (2027-28). Lingnan says late applications will not be accepted.
You can apply for up to two programmes at one or two universities under the HKPFS. At Lingnan, the limit of two programmes covers both the HKPFS route and direct admission together.
Selection Process
- Lingnan assesses applicants for its PhD programmes. It nominates its strongest candidates for the fellowship.
- Universities interview applicants as part of the assessment.
- The RGC then sets up selection panels to judge the nominations from all universities.
- Applicants who are nominated but not awarded the fellowship can still be considered for a PhD place. The same is true for applicants not nominated. These places come with a Postgraduate Studentship.
Fellowship Benefits
- A monthly stipend of HK$28700 at the 2026/27 rate. That is HK$344400 a year.
- A conference and research travel allowance of up to HK$14400 a year
- Support for up to 3 years. If your PhD normally takes 4 years then Lingnan gives the same stipend and allowance in year 4.
LU Presidential PhD Scholarship for HKPFS awardees in the 2027/28 intake (on top of the core fellowship):
- HK$40000 a year for the whole normal study period of up to four years
- Full tuition fee waiver for the whole normal study period
- Eligibility to apply for an extra performance based scholarship of up to HK$60000 a year
- A guaranteed hostel place for three years
Other support at Lingnan:
- Competitive scholarships for overseas research visits of up to six months. They give HK$ 25,000 to HK$ 50,000 depending on the place and length of stay.
- Merit based scholarships open to research postgraduate students
What it adds up to: The stipend and travel allowance and Presidential award come to HK398800ayear.At Lingnan’s rate of US$ 1 to HK7.8, that is about US 51,100 a year. The tuition waiver is extra. This is my own calculation from the 2026/27 figures.
Also Read: Harvard’s Belfer Center Is Recruiting for 14 Fellowships in 2027-28
If You Do Not Win the Fellowship
Full time PhD students without the fellowship can normally get a Postgraduate Studentship. It supports daily living and tuition and other costs. The 2026/27 monthly rate is:
- HK$19280 before confirmation of candidature
- HK$19660 after confirmation of candidature
A regular PhD student can also get up to HK$ 25,000 for conferences and field trips over the whole study period. Fellowship awardees get the annual HK$ 14,400 allowance instead.
Teaching and Research Duties
Fellowship and studentship holders must do supervised teaching or research support work. This averages up to 12 hours a week and counts as part of your training.
Who Can Apply
- You are applying as a new full time PhD student.
- You can be from any country.
- You can show outstanding academic performance and strong research ability or potential.
- You can show strong communication and leadership skills.
- You meet the admission rules of your chosen Lingnan programme. Read them before you apply.
- If your degree was not taught in English you need a TOEFL or IELTS (or similar) report.
Required Documents
Upload these in the Lingnan online system.
- A full research proposal for each application
- A CV
- Graduation certificates and transcripts with full course and exam records. Add an English translation if needed.
- A TOEFL or IELTS report if your degree was not taught in English
- For degrees from Chinese Mainland: the CHSI online verification report
- Other relevant reports such as GMAT or professional certificates
HKPFS applicants must also upload:
- A brief research plan with your past research experience
- A vision statement
- A statement of your own international experience
Two confidential references are needed. Three are needed for the PhD in Business programme. At least one referee should be an academic. Ask for their consent first. Once you submit Lingnan sends them an email. They have 14 days to complete the online report.
If you are selected Lingnan asks your institution to send official transcripts directly. You also show your original documents and ID to the School of Graduate Studies. You do not need to upload ID copies or post documents.
How To Apply (Step By Step)
- Pick your PhD programme at Lingnan. You can pick two at most. Read its admission requirements.
- Prepare your documents. Write your research proposal and plan and vision statement yourself.
- Make the RGC initial application on the official HKPFS page before 12:00 noon HKT on 1 December 2026. Note your reference number.
- Open the Lingnan online admission system. Choose the type HK PhD Fellowship Scheme (2027-28).
- Enter your RGC reference number and upload your documents. Add your referees.
- Pay HK$300 per programme by Visa or MasterCard credit card or UnionPay online. An application is valid only after payment. Two programmes need two applications and two payments.
- Submit before 11:59 pm HKT on 1 December 2026. Keep the acknowledgement email.
