CUHK issues final call for fully funded PhD fellowship applications ahead of 1 December deadline
Prospective doctoral students have until 1 December 2026 to apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, with successful candidates at CUHK eligible for a funding package worth more than £175,174
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has issued a final call for prospective doctoral candidates to apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) before applications close on 1 December 2026. Through CUHK's enhanced HKPFS package, successful candidates will receive full tuition fee waivers, annual stipends, guaranteed on-campus lodging awards and conference travel allowances, with the overall package valued at more than £175,174.
CUHK is ranked 18th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 10th in Asia in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2026. The university said it has 20 subjects ranked in the global top 30 and six in the top 10, including education, gastroenterology and hepatology, nursing, computer science, arts and humanities, and artificial intelligence.
Applicants seeking HKPFS funding for the 2027-28 intake must first submit an initial application through the Research Grants Council (RGC) electronic portal to obtain an official HKPFS reference number. Candidates are encouraged to designate CUHK as their preferred institution to ensure priority nomination. The deadline for initial RGC applications is 12 noon Hong Kong Time (GMT+8) on 1 December 2026.
Applicants must then complete their doctoral application through the CUHK Graduate School postgraduate admission application portal, quoting their HKPFS reference number. The deadline for full applications to CUHK is 11.59pm Hong Kong Time (GMT+8) on 1 December 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews, with fellowship results expected between March and April 2027.
CUHK said PhD candidates nominated by the university for the HKPFS who are not selected by the RGC will receive admission to its regular PhD programme with a postgraduate studentship of up to £22,155 annually. These candidates may also be eligible for the CUHK Vice-Chancellor's PhD Scholarship of up to £7,715, subject to satisfactory academic performance. First-year research postgraduates from Belt and Road countries will automatically be considered for CUHK nomination to the HKSAR Government's Belt & Road Scholarship, under which awardees may have their full tuition fees covered.
Established in 1966, the CUHK Graduate School is marking its 60th anniversary this year. The university said it offers around 240 postgraduate programmes and is supported by more than 460 top 2 per cent global scientists, four State Key Laboratories and more than £244m in annual research funding. Further information on programmes, scholarships, eligibility criteria and application procedures is available via the CUHK Graduate School website.