Hong Kong has become a major hub for higher education and research. For international students, one of the most attractive opportunities is to obtain a fully funded fellowship that covers tuition, stipend, research costs, travel, and other allowances. In this article, we will explore the leading fellowships, how they work, their benefits, eligibility, and tips for applying.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)
The flagship program among fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong for international students is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), offered by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong.
What Are the Key Features?
- Full funding
Stipend, travel & conference allowance, and usually tuition waiver.
- Stipend amounts
For example, in 2026/27 the stipend is HK$340,800/year (≈ USD 43,700) plus a travel/conference related allowance of HK$14,200/year.
- Duration
Up to three years for most PhD programs. In some cases, for 4-year PhD programs, the funding may extend (or extra support from universities).
- Participating institutions
All eight UGC‑funded universities in Hong Kong:
- The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)
- City University of Hong Kong (CityU)
- Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
- Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
- Lingnan University
Why It Stands Out Among Fully Funded Fellowships?
- Generous stipend / financial support allows focus on research without needing other jobs.
- Covers travel for conferences and research, a big plus for international students.
- Open to all nationalities, subject only to academic merit and research potential.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
- Must be a new full‑time PhD applicant at one of the participating universities.
- Strong academic record; first-class honours (or equivalent), or outstanding grades.
- Good research potential, communication/interpersonal skills, leadership.
- Application deadlines typically around 1 December each year.
Postdoctoral & Other Research Fellowships
While the HKPFS is primarily for PhD‑level students, there are post‑doctoral fellowships and research fellowships also available for international scholars in Hong Kong. Two examples:
HKU Presidential Post‑doctoral Fellowship
This fellowship at the University of Hong Kong is designed to attract outstanding recent PhD graduates (or those close to finishing) to conduct frontier research. It offers a stipend, accommodation or housing allowance, research / conference grants, and other benefits.
Hong Kong Scholars Programme & RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme
Some universities such as PolyU, mention positions / salaries for postdoc fellows under government schemes. Although wording varies, many of these are highly competitive and offer full funding for the appointment period. These are also among the best fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong for international students who have completed the PhD stage and are looking to do high‑level research.
Other Fellowships / University Scholarships
In addition to government‑run fellowships, some universities and faculties have internal or external fellowships, merit scholarships, or full scholarships that may be similar in effect to fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong for international students. Some examples:
- University merit scholarships for master’s degree programmes though fully funded master’s fellowships are less common than PhD in Hong Kong.
- Some programmes advertised under Fully Funded Scholarship Program for postgraduate programmes in universities like HKBU. These may also include full tuition waiver plus living allowances. However, details vary and competition is steep.
What Are the Practical Tips to Apply?
Because fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong for international students are very competitive, here are strategies to improve your chances:
- Start early
Identify deadline dates (HKPFS usually December 1) well in advance so you can prepare transcripts, recommendation letters, research proposal.
- Strong research proposal
Even for PhD fellowships, your proposal must show clarity, originality, and feasibility.
- Align with Hong Kong universities’ strengths
If your research area matches the strengths (labs, faculty, research output) of the universities you apply to, you will have a better chance.
- Good academic record
High grades, relevant previous research or publications, good recommendation letters.
- Contact potential supervisors
Especially for postdoc or specific projects, demonstrating you already have a potential supervisor or collaborators helps.
- Prepare for costs & lifestyle
Even when the fellowship is fully funded, Hong Kong is relatively expensive (housing, cost of living). Know what the stipend covers and what you might need additional support for.
What Are the Challenges & Considerations?
While the availability of fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong for international students is excellent, there are some challenges to be aware of:
- Competition is intense
Hundreds of applicants each year vie for the HKPFS and other fellowships.
- Limited offerings for master’s programmes
Fully funded opportunities are much more common for PhD and postdoc levels; for master’s and undergraduate levels, you might find partial scholarships or merit scholarships instead.
- Living costs & language / cultural adaptation
While the funding helps, adjusting to Hong Kong’s cost of living and culture is something to plan for.
- Visa and residency issues
International students need proper visa status; fellowships may require you to comply with immigration rules.
Why Choose Hong Kong?
Hong Kong’s universities offer globally ranked education, strong research infrastructure, proximity to both East and West, and abundant collaboration opportunities. For international students seeking high quality fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong, the city is an excellent setting because:
- Many universities are highly ranked globally in engineering, business, science, humanities.
- Strong funding from government bodies like the Research Grants Council.
- Opportunities to engage in international research, joint projects, conferences, etc.
Hence, if you are an international student aiming for fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong, the primary one to target is HKPFS. It also ticks almost all boxes: stipend, travel allowance, tuition waiver, and high quality supervision across many disciplines. If you are at the postdoc level, look into university or government schemes such as HKU‑PPF or RGC Postdoctoral Fellowships. In any case, preparation, research alignment, strong academics, and timely applications are the keys to success.
Other than Fully Funded Fellowships in Hong Kong 2026, you can also explore 10 Best and Highest Paying Careers in Hong Kong
FAQs
What does “fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong for international students” mean in practice?
It usually means that the fellowship covers tuition fees, provides a stipend (for living expenses), includes travel or conference allowances, and sometimes extra support such as for materials, housing. Essentially, you should not need to pay out‑of‑pocket for core academic costs during the fellowship period.
Are there fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong for master’s programmes?
Such fellowships exist, but they are much rarer compared to PhD‑level fellowships. Most fully funded opportunities are for PhD or postdoctoral work. If you are targeting master’s level, you may need to look for university scholarships or external grants, or partially funded fellowships.
Can any international student apply to the major fellowship (HKPFS)?
Yes. Fully funded fellowships in Hong Kong for international students like HKPFS are open to applicants from all nationalities, provided they meet the eligibility criteria (strong academic record, research potential, etc.).
How much is the stipend and is it sufficient to live in Hong Kong?
The stipend under HKPFS is around HK$330,000‑HK$340,800/year (≈ USD 40,000‑45,000) plus allowances for conference and research travel. Whether it’s sufficient depends on lifestyle, housing choices, and whether you live on or off campus. Hong Kong has high cost of living, so even with full funding, budgeting is important.