The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has solidified its position as the leading destination for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) recipients, having welcomed over 1,000 fellowship holders since the scheme's inception in 2009. According to the university, these elite students, hailing from more than 50 countries and regions, represent over a quarter of all HKPFS recipients to date, the highest number among Hong Kong's University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities.
In the 2026/27 academic year, which began in September, HKUST admitted over 100 new HKPFS recipients. Over the next three years, these doctoral students will receive a combined total of more than HK$112 million in fellowships and research allowances from the HKSAR Government. This milestone underscores HKUST's world-class research capabilities and its commitment to nurturing talent, while affirming its pivotal role in attracting international research talent and supporting Hong Kong's development into a global hub for high-caliber talent and 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 consistently attracted the highest number of HKPFS awardees among local universities, achieving this feat for 14 of the past 17 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), which includes an annual stipend and research-related allowance worth around HK$358,800 per year.
Prof. Nancy Ip, President of HKUST, said, "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 enables students to undertake overseas research and academic exchanges. Additionally, the "HKUST RedBird PhD Award" provides a HK$40,000 recruitment award in the first year and 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 and translational medicine, materials science and future energy, innovation for business management and fintech, as well as sustainability and green technology. Throughout their PhD journey, they will engage in cutting-edge research while strengthening their research capabilities and teaching skills through scholarly publications, teaching assignments, and international academic exchanges.
Prof. Bert Shi, Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, noted, "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 members to form a vibrant, international, and dynamic scholarly community. Upon graduation, many join world-renowned universities and research institutes, while others embark on entrepreneurial paths, transforming their research into innovative solutions. Several startups have secured robust backing from the government, investors, and industry partners, flourishing to unlock long-term value for society."
Established by the RGC in 2009, the HKPFS aims to attract outstanding students worldwide with exceptional academic achievements and research potential to pursue research postgraduate studies at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. For the 2026/27 academic year, the scheme offers 400 fellowships, reflecting the government's commitment to bolstering the city's research capacity and global competitiveness.
