The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is inviting academics from the Global South, including all of Africa, to apply for its Global South Fellowship Scheme. Selected fellows spend one to three months at HKU as visiting scholars. The scheme covers return airfare, a daily allowance of HK$1,500 including accommodation, and visa fees.
The current call (the second round of 2026/27, for visits starting March 2027 or later) closes on 22 November 2026, Hong Kong time. You need an HKU faculty member to agree to host you before you apply, so start now.
At a Glance
| Host | Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Hong Kong |
| Who can apply | Assistant professors and above at universities or similar institutions in the Global South |
| Duration | 1–3 months |
| Funding | Return airfare (up to HK$10,000), HK$1,500 a day including accommodation, and the visa fee |
| Places | Up to 10 fellows a year |
| Deadline | 22 November 2026 (results by end of December 2026) |
About the Scheme
The fellowship aims to build inclusive academic partnerships between HKU and scholars from the Global South, exchange ideas, and bring more diverse perspectives into social science research. Fellows work with an HKU Faculty Associate who shares their research interests.
HKU uses UNESCO’s definition of the Global South: Africa; Asia and the Pacific (excluding Israel, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand); the Arab region; and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Benefits
- Economy-class return airfare, reimbursed up to HK$10,000 (about US$1,280)
- A per diem of HK$1,500 a day (about US$190), including accommodation, for the whole fellowship
- Visa application fee reimbursed
- Collaboration with HKU social scientists and access to a top-ranked Asian university
Any other costs are your responsibility. US dollar figures are approximate.
Eligibility
- You hold a professoriate post (Assistant Professor or above) at a university or comparable institution in the Global South. In many African universities, that means Lecturer I or Senior Lecturer and above, so check how your rank compares.
- You have a strong research record and professional achievements.
- You have the written consent of an HKU Faculty Associate (Assistant Professor or above in HKU’s Faculty of Social Sciences).
- Junior scholars are given preference.
Visit Periods
- Spring semester: February to June
- Fall semester: September to January
This round is for visits starting in March 2027 or later.
Documents Required
- The online application form, covering your research expertise, achievements and planned visit activities
- Your CV
- Written consent from your HKU Faculty Associate. Your application is incomplete without it.
How to Apply
- Find a Faculty Associate. Browse HKU’s Faculty of Social Sciences staff for someone with similar research interests.
- Email them with the subject line “HKU FoSS Global South Fellowship Scheme”, attaching an outline of your research proposal and your CV.
- Get their written consent to act as your Faculty Associate.
- Submit the online application form before 22 November 2026 (Hong Kong time). Late or incomplete applications won’t be considered.
Official HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship page
Questions: [email protected]
Tips for African Academics
- Contact several potential associates in case some are unavailable. Explain clearly how your work fits theirs.
- Propose concrete outputs, such as a co-authored paper, a seminar, a grant application or a joint workshop.
- Link Africa and Asia. Topics such as China–Africa relations, urbanisation, migration, health and digital economies fit well.
- Plan for the visa. Most African nationals need a visa for Hong Kong, and the fee is reimbursed.
