The RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme (JRFS, formerly known as RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme) aims at providing promising local and non-local postdoctoral researchers at UGC-funded universities with support at a pivotal time in their very early career, as well as supporting their transition, as applicable, in taking up Assistant Professor (Asst P) or Research Assistant Professor (RAP) positions at UGC-funded universities during the fellowship period, so as to nurture and expand a pool of research talents with a view to propelling research and development in Hong Kong and fostering a research culture.

The JRFS provides support to 60 awardees for a period of 24 months in terms of full-time appointment as a postdoctoral fellow (PdF) at a UGC-funded university, with an optional extension as PdF for up to 12 months upon request, in each round of the yearly exercise. For each JRFS awardee appointed as PdF, the supporting university will receive an annual stipend^* for the awardee’s basic salary as well as an inclusive conference and research-related travel allowance. For each JRFS awardee who has successfully completed the postdoctoral stage and has become Asst P or RAP at a UGC-funded university during the fellowship, where applicable, the supporting university will receive, instead of annual stipend, research support funding^{^} until completion of the 24-month fellowship period.

^* The prevailing annual stipend is around HK$420,000 (inclusive of the travel allowance at around HK$13,300). The amount of the annual stipend will be adjusted after every 12 months during the fellowship period with reference to the Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI) and related factors, and supporting universities will be informed of the updated rate in April / May every year.

^{^} This funding is at HK$140,000 per annum, and will be calculated pro-rata by month as applicable. Adjustment to the annual rate will be subject to periodic review and agreement by the RGC.

All UGC-funded universities are eligible to make nomination for the fellowship in support of full-time employment of PdF for research project(s) / activities. Each university may nominate up to 15 PdF candidates (JRFS nominees).

To qualify for the fellowship, the JRFS nominee must:

1. obtain a legal right to work and reside in Hong Kong during the fellowship period;
2. have obtained / been conferred a PhD degree or an equivalent qualification on or after 1 January 2021 (i.e. not more than three years before 2024), or will complete the requirement of a PhD degree or an equivalent qualification by 31 August 2025; and
3. be supported by a UGC-funded university at which he / she wishes to hold the fellowship.

JRFS encompasses all academic disciplines grouped into two broad academic streams: (i) Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies; and (ii) Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology.

Candidates will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. record of academic excellence;
2. research ability and track record to date;
3. leadership experience;
4. merit of the proposed research project(s) /activities;
5. potential impact of the proposed research project(s); and
6. university’s support.

The two selection panels formed under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, i.e. Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies Selection Panel (H-Panel) and Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology Selection Panel (S-Panel), will undertake assessment of nominations and selection of awardees under the JRFS with respect to the two broad academic streams respectively.

Nominees and supporting universities are advised to read the nomination details as set out in the operation guide and the call letter before completing and duly signing the nomination forms. Supporting universities are advised to conduct interview assessment of the nominees. Nomination forms must be submitted by universities. The nomination deadline for the JRFS (2025/26) is 31 October 2024 (Thursday). Nominations must be submitted to the UGC Secretariat by 5:00 p.m. on that day.

Please click here for the call letter from the RGC Secretary to the Heads of UGC-funded universities inviting nominations.

To download the nomination forms, please click here.