The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has established itself as the leading destination for recipients of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) among Hong Kong's University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities. Since the Research Grants Council (RGC) launched the scheme in 2009, HKUST has admitted over 1,000 fellowship recipients from more than 50 countries and regions, accounting for over a quarter of all HKPFS awardees to date. This milestone reinforces HKUST's position as a global magnet for top-tier research talent and its pivotal role in supporting Hong Kong's development as an international hub for high-caliber talent and innovation.
In the 2026/27 academic year, which began in September, HKUST welcomed over 100 new HKPFS recipients. These doctoral students 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 achievement highlights HKUST's world-class research capabilities and its commitment to nurturing talent, while also affirming its contribution to Hong Kong's ambition to become 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 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 receives three years of financial support from the RGC, including an annual stipend and research-related allowance worth around HK$358,800 per year.
Prof. Nancy Ip, President of HKUST, expressed her deep encouragement at these 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. 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." She added, "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 HKPFS recipients, including a full tuition waiver for four years, research and academic development funding, and guaranteed first-year accommodation. This enables students to fully dedicate themselves to research and expand their international academic networks. 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 supports overseas research and academic exchange activities. Additionally, HKUST has established the "HKUST RedBird PhD Award" to provide further financial recognition for academic excellence.
The research domains of the HKPFS recipients admitted to HKUST span frontier areas including artificial intelligence and future computing, biomedical sciences, materials science and future energy, innovation for business management and fintech, as well as sustainability and green technology. Throughout their PhD journey, these students engage in cutting-edge research while strengthening their capabilities through scholarly publications, teaching assignments, and international academic exchanges. This rigorous training builds a solid foundation for their future careers in academia, research institutions, the innovation and technology industry, or entrepreneurial ventures.
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 undergraduate and master's graduates, some of whom discovered their passion for research early on through HKUST's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, while others chose to pursue advanced studies here after being inspired by cutting-edge research projects led by HKUST faculty. Together, these young doctoral students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds unite with seasoned faculty members to form a vibrant, international, and dynamic scholarly community."
Upon graduation, HKUST doctoral graduates enjoy exceptional career prospects. Many join world-renowned universities and research institutes, while others embark on entrepreneurial paths, transforming their research into innovative solutions that benefit society. Several startups founded by graduates have secured robust backing from the government, investors, and industry partners, flourishing across various sectors to unlock long-term value for society.
Established by the RGC in 2009, the HKPFS aims to attract outstanding students from around the world with exceptional academic achievements and strong research potential to pursue research postgraduate studies at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. Recipients are selected through a highly competitive process based on 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 high-caliber research talent.
