HKUST Tops Hong Kong Universities with More Than 1,000 HKPFS Recipients

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has reaffirmed its status as a global magnet for top-tier research talent, 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, positions HKUST as the leading destination for HKPFS awardees among Hong Kong's University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, with its fellows comprising more than a quarter of all recipients to date.

In the 2026/27 academic year, HKUST has admitted over 100 new HKPFS recipients, who will collectively receive 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 pivotal role in supporting Hong Kong's development into an international hub for high-caliber talent and innovation.

Since the first intake of doctoral students in the 2010/11 academic year, HKUST has consistently attracted top scholars from over 50 countries and regions. The university secured the highest number of HKPFS awardees among Hong Kong's universities for 14 of the past 17 academic 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 receives an annual stipend and research allowance of approximately HK$358,800 from the Research Grants Council (RGC).

Prof. Nancy Ip, President of HKUST, expressed deep encouragement at these achievements: "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 HKPFS support, HKUST offers a comprehensive package to its fellows, 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 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 and academic exchanges. Additionally, 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 thereafter, 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 PhD journey, they engage in cutting-edge research and gain teaching experience, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship. Prof. Bert Shi, Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, highlighted the diversity of the fellows, who come from over 50 countries and regions, uniting with local graduates to form a vibrant scholarly community. He noted that doctoral graduates enjoy exceptional career prospects, many joining world-renowned institutions or launching startups that benefit society.

Established by the RGC in 2009, the HKPFS aims to attract outstanding students worldwide to pursue research postgraduate studies at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. The scheme's competitive selection process evaluates academic performance, research potential, and leadership qualities. For the 2026/27 academic year, 400 fellowships are available, and HKUST's continued success in attracting these scholars underscores its role in advancing Hong Kong as an international center for post-secondary education, innovation, and technology.