I. Background Information
II. Eligibility
III. Application Process
IV. Fellowship Selection Process
V. Award of the HKPF
VI. Enquiries

I. Background

Q1. What is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship (HKPF) Scheme?

A1. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship (HKPF) Scheme is established in 2009 by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC). It aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD programmes in Hong Kong's institutions. The HKPF will call for applications on 8 September 2009.

Q2. What is the amount of the Fellowship?

A2. The Fellowship provides a monthly stipend of HK$20,000 (approximately US$ 2,600 monthly/ US$ 30,000 annually, subject to the regulations of graduate studies of individual institutions) and a conference and research related travel allowance of HK$10,000 (approximately US$ 1,300) per year for the awardees for a period of three years. 135 PhD Fellowships will be awarded for the 2010/11 academic year. For awardees who need more than three years to complete the PhD degree, additional support may be provided by the chosen institutions. For details, please contact the institutions concerned directly.

Q3. Which institutions in Hong Kong are supported by the HKPF Scheme?

A3. The HKPF supports the awardees to pursue their PhD studies at UGC-funded institutions in Hong Kong.

In the First Round of the HKPF selection, the following seven UGC-funded institutions will participate in the scheme:

City University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Baptist University
Lingnan University
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The University of Hong Kong

II. Eligibility

Q4. Am I eligible for the HKPF?

A4. Those who are seeking admission as new full time PhD students in UGC-funded institutions of Hong Kong, irrespective of their country of origin 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.

Q5. I am not sure whether I am eligible to apply for the PhD programmes in Hong Kong. How can I obtain such information?

A5. UGC-funded institutions are the organisations to determine the eligibility requirements of their PhD programmes. Interested parties should consult the institutions they intend to pursue their PhD studies in respect of their eligibility.

Q6. I am currently a PhD student. Am I eligible for applying the Fellowship?

A6. You are eligible for applying the Fellowship if you are going to apply for another institution seeking admission as a new full time PhD student. However, it is up to the Selection Panel to decide whether the previous PhD study experience should be discounted so as to ensure a level play field for those who do not have PhD background.

Q7. I have difficulties in obtaining transcripts/ certificates/ test results by the application deadline on 1 December 2009. Am I still eligible?

A7. We encourage students with excellent academic performance and good potential in research work to apply for the HKPF. Institutions may give conditional offer to candidates who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential in their areas of studies. Since the candidates of the HKPF are to be nominated by institutions, applicants should consult the institutions they intend to pursue their PhD studies directly in respect of their eligibility for admission to the related PhD programmes in case of doubt.

Q8. Do I need to attain a required score from IELTS/ GMAT/ TOEFL/GRE before applying for the HKPF?

A8. Since the UGC-funded institutions are the organisations to determine the admission requirements of their PhD programmes, whether applicants are required to submit results of any specific tests is subject to the requirements of individual institutions. Having said that, a good result obtained from an open examination which is widely recognised by international academic institutions will be very useful for institutions and Selection Panels of the Scheme to assess one's competence in intellectual ability.

III. Application Process

Q9. How can I apply for the HKPF?

A9. All applications for the HKPF must be submitted electronically via the HKPF On-line Application System (OAS).

Q10. Can I submit more than one application for the HKPF?

A10. In order to ensure consistency and fairness to all applicants, each applicant can only submit ONE application through the OAS.

Q11. Can I submit more than one research proposal in the same/different field(s) when applying for the HKPF?

A11. No. Each applicant is only allowed to submit ONE research proposal in the application.

Q12. May I print out the template of the On-line Application System (OAS) and fill it out manually, and then provide the supporting documents to the RGC instead of uploading them to the OAS myself?

A12. All applications should be made through the OAS. Applicants MUST read the Explanatory Notes for Completing Application Form carefully before proceeding with the application. The Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) may stop processing the application which does not comply with any of the requirements as set out in the Explanatory Notes.

Q13. I encountered a problem in uploading files through the On-line Application System. What should I do?

A13. Please refer to the Guidelines for File Submission via the On-line Application System for possible solutions to your problem.

Q14. How many institution and PhD programme I can choose for the application of HKPF?

A14. You may choose up to two programmes in total in one or two institutions with priority in your application.

Q15. Where can I get the information about the PhD admission of the institution that I have chosen?

A15. For details of PhD programmes and admission requirements of individual institutions, please refer to the following websites:

City University of Hong Kong
Introduction to PhD Programme & Entrance Requirements:

http://www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs/hkphd/index.htm

Hong Kong Baptist University
Introduction to PhD Programme:

http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~gs/hkpfs/
Entrance Requirements:
http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~gs/hkpfs/ent_req.html

Lingnan University

Introduction to PhD Programme:
http://www.ln.edu.hk/reg/info/phd/index.php
Admission Requirements:
http://www.ln.edu.hk/reg/info/phd/require.php

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Introduction to PhD Programme:
http://www2.cuhk.edu.hk/gss/hkphd/
Entry Requirements:
http://www2.cuhk.edu.hk/gss/entry.php

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Introduction to PhD Programme & Admission Requirements:
http://www.polyu.edu.hk/ro/hkphd-fellowship/

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Introduction to PhD Programme and Admission Requirements:
http://www.ust.hk/hkpfs/

The University of Hong Kong

Introduction to PhD Programme & Admission Requirements:
http://www.hku.hk/gradsch

Q16. If I have already submitted an application for the HKPF successfully, do I need to submit a separate application for the PhD admission with the institution(s) that I have chosen in the HKPF application?

A16. Since the HKPF application is also regarded as a formal application for PhD admission to the chosen institutions, you are NOT required to submit separate application(s) for PhD admission to the relevant institution(s). For such reason, you are required to fully comply with the registration procedures of your selected institutions except the application deadline, which should strictly follow the stipulated deadline of the HKPF scheme.

Q17. Do I need to pay for an application fee for the HKPF?

A17. No application fee is required for the HKPF application. Having said that, the HKPF application is also regarded as a formal application for PhD admission to the chosen institution(s), you are required to pay a non-refundable application fee to the institution(s) that you have chosen. If you select two institutions as first and second choices, the application fees should be paid separately to both institutions.

The levels of application fees of individual institutions are appended below:

Q18: If I have problem in paying application fee to my chosen institution, and have enquiry as regards the information stated in the homepage of that institution, what should I do?

A18: No application fee is required to apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship. The RGC does NOT have any involvement in the payment of application fee for PhD admission which is solely business between applicants and respective institutions. Furthermore, the RGC is not liable for any information or services which may appear on any websites linked to the homepage of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. Should applicants encounter problem arising from application fee payment, or have any enquiry on particular institutions, they should contact the relevant institutions directly.

Q19. Is there a definite time frame for my account in the On-line Application System if my application is pending for submission?

A19. Applicants must submit their applications, as well as upload the required documents, through the OAS before the deadline for HKPF application on 1 December 2009, 23:59 hrs (Hong Kong time).

Q20. Can I make any change to the information in the application form after the application is submitted?

A20. NO CHANGE to information, including typos and mistakenly entered information, is allowed after submission of application. However, update on personal particulars after submission is permitted. If you have a genuine need to update your personal particulars in Part A of the submitted application, please report to the RGC via e-mail at HKPF@ugc.edu.hk before 1 December 2009. If the update occurs after the aforesaid deadline, please report to the chosen institution(s) for follow-up. Please quote the reference number in the e-mail when making such request.

Q21. When is the deadline for the application of the HKPF?

A21. The deadline for the application of the HKPF, so as the close of the OAS, is 23:59 hrs on 1 December 2009 (Hong Kong time).

IV. Fellowship Selection Process

Q22. How are the HKPF awardees selected?

A22. Individual institutions may conduct interview with applicants where necessary. Shortlisted applications, subject to their areas of studies, will be reviewed by one of the two HKPF Selection Panels with experts in the relevant broad areas - one for science, medicine, engineering and technology and another one for humanities, social science and business studies.

V. Award of the HKPF

Q23. When will the result of the HKPF be announced?

A23. The result of the HKPF will be announced by March 2010.

Q24. If I am not awarded the fellowship, does it mean that my application for the PhD admission with the related institution will also be turned down?

A24. No. Institutions may also admit candidates not selected for the Fellowship Scheme and offer them with postgraduate studentship of the institutions if they are considered to be qualified.

Q25. When should I register with the Institution?

A25. Successful candidates of the HKPF are normally required to admit to the respective institutions in September / October 2010. Recipients of the awards may delay the registration latest to 31 January 2011, with well justified reasons, and subject to the approval from the Research Grants Council.

Q26. How can I apply for a student visa/ an entry permit?

A26. Please refer to the "Guidebook for Entry for Study in Hong Kong" issued by the Immigration Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id996.htm#top for detailed requirements for the application for student visa/entry permit.

VI. Enquiries

Q27. What can I do if I have more questions?

A27. For enquiries about the HKPF scheme, please address your questions to HKPF@ugc.edu.hk.

For enquiries about the PhD programmes and admission requirements, please contact the respective institutions directly. The contacts of each institution are as follows:

	City University of Hong Kong Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies, 5/F., Cheng Yick Chi Building, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong	Telephone number: (852) 3442 9076 Fax number: (852) 3442 0332 Email: sgfellow@cityu.edu.hk
	Hong Kong Baptist University Office of Graduate School, Level 7, Fong Shu Chuen Library, Ho Sin Hang Campus, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong	Telephone number: (852) 3411 5127 Fax number: (852) 3411 5133 Email: rpgs@hkbu.edu.hk
	Lingnan University Registry, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong	Telephone number: (852) 2616 8750 Fax number: (852) 2572 5178 or (852) 2463 9104 Email: rpgadm@LN.edu.hk
	The Chinese University of Hong Kong Graduate School, Room G01, G/F, Academic Building No.1, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong	Telephone number: (852) 2609 8976 Fax number: (852) 2603 5779 Email: gradschool@cuhk.edu.hk
	The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Research Office, Room M501, Li Ka Shing Tower, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong	Telephone number: (852) 3400 3635 Fax number: (852) 2355 7651 Email: roro@polyu.edu.hk
	The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Postgraduate Admissions Team Admissions, Registration and Records Office Room 1381, Academic Building The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong	Telephone number: (852) 2623 1120 Fax number: (852) 2358 2463 Email: hkpfs@ust.hk
	The University of Hong Kong Graduate School, Room P403, Graduate House, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong	Telephone number: (852) 2857 3470 Fax number: (852) 2857 3543 Email: gradsch@hku.hk