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 enrolled more than 1,000 fellows since the scheme's inception in 2009. This milestone, announced on September 3, 2026, highlights the university's success in attracting elite research talent from over 50 countries and regions, accounting for more than a quarter of all HKPFS awardees to date. The achievement reinforces HKUST's world-class research capabilities and its pivotal role in supporting Hong Kong's development as a global hub for high-caliber talent.
In the 2026/27 academic year, HKUST welcomed over 100 new HKPFS recipients, who will receive a combined total of more than HK$112 million in fellowships and research allowances from the HKSAR Government over the next three years. This follows the government's decision in the 2025-26 Budget to increase the annual scheme quota to 400, allowing HKUST to admit more than 100 fellows in both the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years. Since the first intake of doctoral students in the 2010/11 academic year, HKUST has secured the highest number of HKPFS awardees among Hong Kong's universities for 14 of those years, demonstrating its consistent appeal to top-tier international students.
Prof. Nancy Ip, President of HKUST, expressed pride in the university's achievements, stating, "For 35 years, HKUST has been driven by a commitment not only to advance knowledge, but to generate knowledge that creates meaningful impact. 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." She emphasized the university's ongoing dedication to attracting global talent, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting young scholars in tackling pressing challenges through research and innovation.
Beyond the HKPFS support, HKUST offers a comprehensive package to fellowship recipients, including full tuition waivers for four years, research and academic development funding, and guaranteed first-year accommodation. The university also provides various scholarships and support schemes for other research postgraduate students, such as the Postgraduate Studentship with annual support exceeding HK$220,000, and the Global Research Award for overseas research activities. Additionally, the "HKUST RedBird PhD Award" offers a HK$40,000 recruitment award in the first year and an annual HK$20,000 Academic Excellence Award thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance.
The research interests of HKPFS recipients at HKUST span frontier areas, including artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences, materials science, fintech, and sustainability. These doctoral students engage in cutting-edge research, develop teaching skills, and participate in international academic exchanges, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship. Prof. Bert Shi, Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, noted that the diverse pool of fellows, combined with home-grown graduates, creates a vibrant and dynamic scholarly community. He added that upon graduation, many doctoral graduates join world-renowned institutions or launch startups that benefit society, with several startups securing strong backing from government and industry.
The HKPFS, established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009, aims to attract outstanding students with exceptional academic achievements and research potential to pursue doctoral studies at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. The scheme's competitive selection process evaluates academic performance, research capability, communication skills, and leadership abilities. For the 2026/27 academic year, the scheme offers 400 fellowships, underscoring Hong Kong's commitment to nurturing research talent and advancing its position as an international center for post-secondary education and innovation.
