Lingnan University in Hong Kong is inviting applications for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027–28, one of the world’s most generous PhD awards. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of HK$28,700 (about US$3,680) and up to HK$14,400 a year for conferences and research travel. For 2027/28, Lingnan adds a full tuition waiver, an extra HK$40,000 a year and guaranteed accommodation through its Presidential PhD Scholarship.
Deadline: 1 December 2026. RGC registration closes at 12:00 noon Hong Kong time (5:00 a.m. WAT, 6:00 a.m. CAT/SAST, 7:00 a.m. EAT), and the Lingnan application closes at 23:59 HKT the same day.
Key Details
- Scheme: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), run by Hong Kong’s Research Grants Council (RGC)
- University: Lingnan University, Hong Kong
- Level: PhD (intake 2027/28)
- Open to: outstanding students from any country
- Two-step application: RGC portal, then Lingnan’s own system
- Deadline: 1 December 2026
Benefits
HKPFS Fellowship (2026–27 rates, reviewed yearly):
- monthly stipend of HK$28,700 (about US$3,680)
- conference and research travel allowance of up to HK$14,400 a year
- normally for 3 years; Lingnan funds a 4th year at the same level for 4-year PhD programmes
Plus the LU Presidential PhD Scholarship (2027/28 HKPFS awardees at Lingnan):
- HK$40,000 a year for up to four years
- full tuition fee waiver
- a chance to apply for a performance-based scholarship of up to HK$60,000 a year
- a guaranteed hostel place for three years
Not selected for the fellowship? You may still be offered a PhD place with a Postgraduate Studentship (HK$19,280 a month in 2026–27 before confirmation of candidature), plus funding for conferences, field trips and overseas research visits.
Eligibility
- open to applicants of all nationalities
- seeking admission to a full-time PhD programme at Lingnan University
- outstanding academic record, research ability and communication and leadership skills (HKPFS is very competitive)
- meet Lingnan’s admission requirements for your chosen PhD programme, including English requirements
Lingnan is a liberal arts university, strong in social sciences, humanities, business and data science. Check that your research fits a department there.
How to Apply
- Register with the RGC: create an account on the HKPFS RGC admission system by 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon HKT. You’ll get an HKPFS reference number.
- Apply to Lingnan: submit a full PhD application through Lingnan’s online system by 1 December 2026, 23:59 HKT, quoting your RGC reference number. Details are on the official Lingnan HKPFS page.
- Prepare your documents: research proposal, CV, transcripts, English test results, and referees’ details. Personal statements and research plans count for a lot.
- Selection: Lingnan selects and nominates its strongest applicants; the RGC panel makes final fellowship decisions.
Tips
- Contact a potential supervisor at Lingnan before applying; a supportive supervisor greatly helps your nomination.
- Submit the RGC registration early. The noon HKT cut-off is very early in the morning in Africa.
- Your research proposal should be focused, original and clearly linked to the department’s strengths.
- Highlight publications, conference papers, awards and leadership in your CV.
