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 fellows since the scheme's inception in 2009. This milestone, announced on September 3, 2026, highlights HKUST's pivotal role in attracting international research talent and advancing Hong Kong's status as a global hub for post-secondary education and innovation.
According to the university, these elite students, hailing from more than 50 countries and regions, account for over a quarter of all HKPFS recipients to date. In the 2026/27 academic year alone, HKUST has admitted over 100 new fellows, 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 achievement underscores HKUST's world-class research capabilities and its commitment to nurturing talent.
Since the first intake of doctoral students in the 2010/11 academic year, HKUST has consistently secured the highest number of HKPFS awardees among Hong Kong's universities for 14 of the past 17 years. Following the government's increase of the annual scheme quota to 400 in the 2025-26 Budget, 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 from the Research Grants Council (RGC), including an annual stipend and research-related allowance worth around HK$358,800 per year.
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. 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."
Beyond the HKPFS support, HKUST offers a comprehensive package to its fellows, including a full tuition waiver for four years, research and academic development funding, and guaranteed first-year accommodation. The university also provides additional scholarships and support schemes for other research postgraduate students, such as the Postgraduate Studentship, which offers annual support of over HK$220,000, and the Global Research Award for overseas research and academic exchanges. 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 subsequently, subject to satisfactory performance.
The research domains of HKPFS recipients at HKUST span frontier areas, including artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences, materials science, fintech, and sustainability. Throughout their doctoral journey, they engage in cutting-edge research, strengthen their capabilities through publications and teaching, and participate in international academic exchanges. Prof. Bert Shi, Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, noted, "HKUST's diverse pool of HKPFS recipients brings talent from around the world together with home-grown graduates, forming a vibrant, international, and dynamic scholarly community." He added that graduates enjoy exceptional career prospects, with many joining world-renowned institutions or launching startups that benefit society.
The HKPFS, established by the RGC in 2009, aims to attract outstanding students with exceptional academic achievements and research potential. For the 2026/27 academic year, the scheme offers 400 fellowships, and HKUST's continued success in securing these awards reaffirms its role in supporting Hong Kong's development as an international center for innovation and technology.
