Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
Established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong in 2009, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD studies in Hong Kong's universities.
Eligibility
Candidates who are seeking admission as new full time PhD students in the following eight universities, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply.
Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
Fellowship Award
The Fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$322,800 (approximately US$41,400) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$13,500 (approximately US$1,730) per year for each awardee for a period up to three years. 300 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2021/22 academic year. For awardees who need more than three years to complete the PhD degree, additional support may be provided by the chosen universities. For details, please contact the universities concerned directly.
Testimonial
Carolyn Cohen, PhD student at HKU-Pasteur
After completing an undergraduate degree in microbiology and immunology, I applied for a Research Assistant position at the HKU-Pasteur Research Pole in the team of Dr. Sophie Valkenburg. As immunology is a very fast-changing field, I was wishing to explore new and up-to-date techniques.
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I was mostly attracted by the opportunity of pursuing research in immunology regarding the human side of the pathogen. HKU-Pasteur is an ideal place to conduct such research, with the possibility of working with human clinical samples thanks to its strong network of associated hospitals. I have decided to stay at the lab after a year for my postgraduate studies and obtained a Hong Kong PhD fellowship.
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My thesis is focused on the pandemic immune responses. I am interested in exploring the differences between immune responses to pandemics such as influenzas, to which most immune systems are used to, and immune responses to new viruses in naïve immune systems. Thanks to the expertise of HKU-Pasteur in coronaviruses, I have had the opportunity to adapt my topic to the new pandemic and to be involved in the current global effort. This is both challenging and very exciting! Overall, I like doing research at the lab because it is an inspiring and supportive work environment with friendly people and an amazing sea view!
