The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has solidified its position as the top destination for elite research talent in Hong Kong, having welcomed over 1,000 recipients of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) since the scheme's inception in 2009. This milestone, announced on September 3, 2026, highlights HKUST's leading role in attracting high-caliber scholars from around the world and its contribution to Hong Kong's ambition of becoming an international hub for post-secondary education, innovation, and technology.
According to the university, the 1,000-plus fellowship recipients come from more than 50 countries and regions, accounting for over a quarter of all HKPFS awardees to date. This places HKUST ahead of other University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities in Hong Kong. In the 2026/27 academic year, which began this September, HKUST enrolled over 100 new HKPFS recipients. Over the next three years, these doctoral students will receive a combined total of more than HK$112 million in fellowships and research allowances from the HKSAR Government.
The achievement underscores HKUST's world-class research capabilities and its commitment to nurturing talent, according to the university. Prof. Nancy Ip, President of HKUST, emphasized the university's dedication to advancing knowledge that creates meaningful impact. “For 35 years, HKUST has been driven by a commitment not only to advance knowledge, but to generate knowledge that creates meaningful impact,” she said. “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.”
The scheme, established by the Research Grants Council (RGC), provides each recipient with an annual stipend and research-related allowance worth around HK$358,800 per year for three years. In the 2025-26 Budget, the HKSAR Government increased the annual quota to 400 fellowships, enabling HKUST to welcome more than 100 recipients in both the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years. Since the first intake in 2010/11, HKUST has secured the highest number of HKPFS awardees among Hong Kong's universities for 14 academic years.
Beyond the financial support from the government, 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. The university also provides additional 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 for overseas research exchanges. 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.
The research domains of the HKPFS recipients at HKUST span frontier areas including artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences, materials science, fintech, and sustainability. Prof. Bert Shi, Dean of the HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, noted that the diverse backgrounds of these students create a vibrant scholarly community. “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 graduates,” he said. “Upon graduation, many join world-renowned universities and research institutes, while others embark on entrepreneurial paths, transforming their research into innovative solutions that benefit society.”
This milestone is significant not only for HKUST but also for Hong Kong's development. By attracting top-tier research talent, the university supports the city's goal of becoming a global hub for high-caliber talent and an international center for innovation and technology. The influx of elite scholars enhances Hong Kong's research capacity, potentially leading to breakthroughs that address pressing global challenges.
