Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)

The Research Grants Council (RGC) established this prestigious scheme to attract global academic talent to Hong Kong's universities. 

For the 2026-27 intake at CUHK, the HKPFS package offers substantial financial support totalling up to HK$1.79 million (~US$230,000)2. Explore more details here.


 

CUHK Vice-Chancellor's PhD Scholarship Scheme

This exceptional scholarship provides:

  • An award of HK$80,000 (approx. US$10,260), distributed as HK$40,000 in the first year and HK$20,000 each in the second and third years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
  • Annual studentships of HK$229,200 (approx. US$29,400) throughout the normative study period.
  • A Conference and Research-related Travel Allowance totalling HK$30,000 (approx. US$3,840) for the duration of the normative study period.

This prestigious scholarship targets the most brilliant candidates seeking full-time PhD admission at CUHK. Elite research recipients demonstrate outstanding academic and/or research achievements, intellectual curiosity paired with creativity, and potential for academic/professional leadership. Qualifying criteria may include a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent, academic/research awards, impactful publications, strong reference letters highlighting research potential, or a PhD offer from a top-tier university for the intake of the same academic year (as ranked by THE World, QS World, ARWU, or relevant subject rankings).

Candidates applying to CUHK's full-time PhD programmes through the Online Application System by the specified deadlines are automatically considered for this scholarship. No separate application is required.


 

Belt & Road Scholarship (Research Postgraduate)

  • Offered by the HKSAR government for outstanding first-year students from Belt and Road countries to pursue full-time research postgraduate programmes in Hong Kong. Visit The Belt and Road Portal for a list of Belt and Road countries.
  • It covers full tuition fees and is tenable for the normative study period. The scholarships would be renewed annually subject to satisfactory academic performance of the awardees.
  • Please refer to the website of the Education Bureau of HKSAR Government for details.


 

Postgraduate Studentships (MPhil and PhD)

  • Available to qualified full-time research postgraduate students
  • Annual studentship for 2025-26 is HK$229,200 (approx. US$29,400). Payable during the normative period of study.
  • Studentship results are announced together with admission offers 

 

 

Financial Support and Funding


Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate Students

  • Starting from the 2018-19 academic year, the Government fully waives tuition fees for all eligible local1 full-time research postgraduate (RPg) students in UGC-funded programmes throughout their normative study period
  • For complete details and application procedures, please visit University Grants Committee (UGC).
     


 

Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies 

Established by the UGC in 2025/26, the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies (FTSS) provides scholarships for local students to pursue designated taught postgraduate programmes in areas of strategic priority for the development of Hong Kong. The awardees will pay a minimum tuition fee of HK$47,000 for the programme, and the difference will be subsidised by the scholarship subject to a cap of HK$100,000 per student for the entire programme. 

Visit Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies for more information.


 

Research Postgraduate Student Grant for Overseas Academic Activities

  • Full-time Research Doctoral Student: Maximum HK$30,000 in total during the normative period of study.
  • Full-time Research Master’s Student: Maximum HK$10,000 in total during the normative period of study.


 

Tertiary Student Finance Scheme – Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS) 

  • Administered by the Student Finance Office of the Hong Kong Government.
  • For full-time local1 students taking up exclusively UGC-funded or publicly-funded programmes.
  • Visit the Scheme's webpage for more information. 


 

CUHK Convocation Postgraduate Admission Scholarships

  • The CUHK Convocation has set up two scholarships of HK$10,000 each to award outstanding non-local students1 to pursue taught postgraduate studies.
  • There will be one award each for non-local students1 admitted3 to full-time and part-time taught postgraduate programmes with effect from the 2022-23 intake.


 

Other Scholarships and Awards

The University offers a number of scholarships, prizes and awards to recognise students' outstanding academic and non-academic performance. Other exchange scholarships, university bursaries and loans are also available. Please visit the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid's Website for details.

More scholarships and funding are available to postgraduate students, including the PhD International Mobility for Partnerships and Collaborations Award, Young Scholars Thesis Award, CUHK Convocation Postgraduate Admissions Scholarships. More information is available on the websites of the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and the Office of Academic Links.


 

Continuing Education Fund

Please refer to details at the following site: https://spcep.cuhk.edu.hk/cef/. 


 

Notes:

1. According to the Education Bureau, students are considered as non-local students if they hold the following documents issued by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR:

  • Student visa/entry permit; or
  • Visa/entry permit under the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates; or
  • Dependant visa/entry permit (for students aged 18 or above at time of issue).

2. During the student's normative study period

3. Only applicants who have received and accepted the offer, and completed the deposit payment will be considered for the Scheme.