Hong Kong PhD Fellowship 2027/28 for Pakistani Students: Apply by 1 December

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/28 is open, and Pakistani students can apply. It is run by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong and funds a full-time PhD at one of eight Hong Kong universities. The initial application closes on 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong time, which is 9:00 am in Pakistan.

This guide covers who can apply, what the fellowship pays, and the two-step process that catches many applicants out. Everything below is taken from the RGC's official HKPFS pages.

Global Career Hub has no link to the RGC or any Hong Kong university. Applying for HKPFS is done only through the RGC's HKPFS Electronic System and the universities' own admission portals.

HKPFS 2027/28 at a glance

Point	Details
Offered by	Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong
Level	Full-time PhD, starting in the 2027/28 academic year (usually September)
Initial application deadline	1 December 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong time (9:00 am PKT)
University application deadline	1 December 2026, 11:59 pm Hong Kong time (8:59 pm PKT) at all eight universities
Who can apply	New full-time PhD applicants of any nationality, including Pakistan
Funding	HK$344,400 a year stipend (about US$44,150) plus HK$14,400 a year travel allowance, for up to 3 years (2026/27 rates)
Number of awards	400 fellowships for 2027/28

Who can apply

The RGC says HKPFS is open to candidates seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at the participating universities, "irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background". There is no country quota, so a Pakistani applicant competes on the same terms as everyone else.

The eight participating universities are:

• 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

You must also meet the admission rules of the PhD programme you choose, such as the degree, English test and research proposal it asks for. Those differ by university and department, so read the programme page itself.

What the fellowship pays

For the 2026/27 academic year, the RGC lists:

• An annual stipend of HK$344,400 (about US$44,150)
• A conference and research travel allowance of HK$14,400 (about US$1,840) a year
• Support for up to three years. If your PhD takes longer, your university may give extra support; ask it directly.

The RGC quotes the 2026/27 rate on its page. Treat it as a guide for 2027/28 and check your offer letter for the exact figure.

How the selection works

Shortlisted applications go to one of two selection panels: Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology, or Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies. The panels look at:

• Academic excellence (the main factor)
• Research ability and potential
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership abilities

Publications, a clear research proposal and strong references from people who know your research help with the second point. Leadership can come from student societies, teaching, community work or leading a project team.

How to apply: two steps, same day

This is where people lose the scholarship. HKPFS is not one form.

Step 1: Initial application to the RGC

Submit the initial application on the HKPFS Electronic System (HKPFSES). It opened on 1 September 2026. When you submit, you get an HKPFS Reference Number. The deadline is 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong time. In Pakistan that is 9:00 am on 1 December, not midnight.

You can choose up to two programmes or departments, at one or two universities.

Step 2: Full application to the university

Then apply for PhD admission at each university you chose, quoting your HKPFS Reference Number. All eight list 1 December 2026, 11:59 pm Hong Kong time (8:59 pm PKT) as their HKPFS deadline. That leaves very little time after the RGC step, so the RGC tells candidates to file the initial application as early as possible.

A practical plan: get your reference number in November, then spend the remaining time on the university forms, transcripts, test scores and referees.

Common mistakes

• Reading the deadline in Pakistan time. Noon in Hong Kong is 9:00 am in Pakistan.
• Applying to the university without a reference number. Without it, you may be treated as an ordinary PhD applicant, not an HKPFS candidate.
• Choosing more than two programmes. The limit is two.
• Leaving referees until the last week. University forms usually need referee reports by the same deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Can Pakistani students apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?

Yes. HKPFS is open to applicants of any country who are seeking admission as new full-time PhD students at the eight participating universities.

Do I need a master's degree?

The RGC does not set one. Each university and programme sets its own entry rules, and some accept strong bachelor's graduates straight into a PhD. Check the programme page.

Is there an application fee?

Universities may charge their own admission application fee. Check the university portal before you pay, and pay only on the university's own site.

Are there other options if I miss HKPFS?

Yes. Look at the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), the Commonwealth Scholarship, HEC's US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD, and our official scholarship map. Before you apply anywhere, read how to spot scholarship scams.

Official links

• HKPFS overview, eligibility and award (RGC): cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs
• How to apply and university deadlines (RGC): cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs/apply.html

Last checked: 27 October 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the RGC site before you submit.