The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has solidified its position as the premier destination for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), welcoming more than 1,000 fellowship recipients since the scheme's inception in 2009. These elite students, originating from over 50 countries and regions, represent more than a quarter of all HKPFS awardees to date, underscoring the university's global appeal and research excellence.
In the 2026/27 academic year, which began this September, HKUST admitted over 100 new HKPFS recipients. Over the next three years, these doctoral students will receive a combined total exceeding HK$112 million in fellowships and research allowances from the HKSAR Government. This milestone not only highlights HKUST's world-class research capabilities but also affirms its pivotal role in attracting international research talent, supporting Hong Kong's development into a global hub for high-caliber talent, and advancing the city as an international center for post-secondary education, innovation, and technology.
Since the first intake of doctoral students in the 2010/11 academic year, HKUST has enrolled more than 1,000 fellowship recipients over the past 17 years. Notably, the university secured the highest number of HKPFS awardees among Hong Kong's universities for 14 of those academic years. Following the HKSAR Government's announcement in the 2025-26 Budget to increase the annual scheme quota to 400, HKUST has welcomed more than 100 recipients in both the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years. Each recipient is granted three years of financial support provided by the Research Grants Council (RGC), including an annual stipend and research-related allowance worth around HK$358,800 per year.
Deeply encouraged by these achievements, Prof. Nancy Ip, President of HKUST, stated: "For 35 years, HKUST has been driven by a commitment not only to advance knowledge, but to generate knowledge that creates meaningful impact. We believe transformative discoveries begin with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to explore the unknown. By fostering a vibrant environment for research, learning, and innovation, we empower our faculty and students to push boundaries and turn ideas into solutions that benefit society. Over the past 17 years, more than a thousand outstanding students from around the world have chosen HKUST for their postgraduate research journey, enriching our community with diverse perspectives and reflecting the global recognition of our research excellence. Looking ahead, we will continue to attract talent from across the globe, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and support young scholars to tackle the world's most pressing challenges through research and innovation for the benefit of Hong Kong, our nation, and the world."
Beyond the support provided under the HKPFS, HKUST offers a comprehensive package to its recipients, including a full tuition waiver for four years, research and academic development funding, and guaranteed first-year accommodation. The university also provides a range of scholarships and support schemes for other full-time research postgraduate students, such as the Postgraduate Studentship, which offers annual support of over HK$220,000, and the Global Research Award, which facilitates overseas research and academic exchange. Additionally, the 'HKUST RedBird PhD Award' grants recipients a HK$40,000 recruitment award in their first year, followed by an annual HK$20,000 Academic Excellence Award in subsequent years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
The research domains of the HKPFS recipients at HKUST span frontier areas, including artificial intelligence and future computing, biomedical sciences, materials science and future energy, business management and fintech, and sustainability and green technology. Throughout their PhD journey, they engage in cutting-edge research, strengthening their capabilities through scholarly publications, teaching assignments, and international collaborations. Prof. Bert Shi, Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, remarked: "HKUST's diverse pool of HKPFS recipients comes from more than 50 countries and regions, bringing talent from around the world together with home-grown graduates. These young doctoral students unite with seasoned faculty to form a vibrant, international scholarly community. Upon graduation, our doctoral graduates enjoy exceptional career prospects, many joining world-renowned universities and research institutes, while others embark on entrepreneurial paths, transforming research into innovative solutions that benefit society."
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, established by the RGC in 2009, aims to attract outstanding students worldwide with exceptional academic achievements and research potential. With 400 fellowships offered in the 2026/27 academic year, the scheme continues to play a crucial role in enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness as a knowledge hub.
