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Other Opportunities


HKSAR Government Subsidy

To encourage PolyU undergraduate students to participate in various short-term non-local activities available, the HKSAR Government is offering subsidies to eligible students undertaking eligible activities in 2025/26. Activities should be related to the discipline(s) of the degree being pursued. 

The following four schemes are exclusive to each other; students may only receive one of these subsidies at a time for each activity. Subsidy will be awarded to eligible students participating in eligible activities. 

Means-tested Schemes

  • Scheme for Subsidy on Exchange (“SSE”);
  • Scheme for Means-tested Subsidy on Exchange to “Belt and Road” Regions (“Means-tested SSEBR”); 

Non-means-tested Schemes

  • Non-means-tested Mainland Experience Scheme (“Non-means-tested MES); 
  • Scheme for Non-means-tested Subsidy on Exchange to “Belt and Road” Regions (“Non-means-tested SSEBR”). 

 

Eligibility

Undergraduate Full-time Student

Means-tested Schemes

Non-means-tested Schemes

SSE^

Means-tested SSEBR+^

Non-means-tested SSEBR+

Non-means-tested MES

Local Student with Student Financial Assistance*

Y

Y

Y

Y

Local Student without Student Financial Assistance*

N

N

Y

Y

Non-local Student

N

N

N

Y

Maximum Number of Applications throughout the Student’s Undergraduate Studies

1

1

2 (two different “Belt and Road” Regions)

1

* Recipient of grant under the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme – Publicly-funded Programmes by the Student Finance Office (SFO) of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA); OR your family member is a recipient of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA).

+ Participated in an eligible activity/programme in “Belt and Road” Regions (except in Mainland China, Taiwan and Macao).

^ Subject to the maximum amount of subsidy of HK$60,000 discounted by the latest level of student finance or the adjusted financial assistance level of 50%, whichever level is higher throughout their studies at the same level.

 

Eligible Activities

  • This Subsidy supports physical non-local learning activities only.
  • Fee-paying short-term programmes listed on Global Classroom and Exploring China or activities endorsed by academic units.
  • Programme-related study tours or field trips arranged by academic units. Endorsement from the academic unit is required.
  • International competition or conference that is reputable/influential in the field and is beneficial to students in terms of personal, academic and professional development. Endorsement from the academic unit is required.
  • This Subsidy is only applicable to the eligible activities listed above. For students participating in Student Exchange Programmes and Summer@OxBridge, applications for the HKSAR Government Schemes should be submitted through the funding application provided by GEO. 

HKSAR Government Subsidy

Destination

Required Duration of Activity (Excluding Traveling Time)

SSE

Anywhere outside Hong Kong

14 days or above

Means-tested SSEBR

Any “Belt and Road” Regions

5 days or above

Non-means-tested SSEBR

Any “Belt and Road” Regions

5 days or above

Non-means-tested MES

Mainland China

3 days or above


Subsidy Amount

Means-tested Schemes

The Subsidy amount is calculated by applying the approved level of student finance to the maximum level of subsidy based on the latest available application result from SFO. The financial assistance level to be adopted in the calculation of the amount of financial level will be adjusted upward to 50% if the level of student finance assistance approved by SFO is lower than 50%. 

Formula = (Destination + Duration) x Grant % (in HK$)

Destination

Subsidy Amount

+

Required Duration of Activity (Excluding Traveling Time)

Subsidy Amount

x

Financial Assistance Level

proportion (%) of Grant approved as advised by SFO

Asia (incl. Middle East)

3,000

5-13 days*

3,500

Africa

7,000

14-28 days

6,000

Oceania & Europe

8,000

29-90 days

10,000

North America

9,000

91-180 days

25,000

Central & South America, & Caribbean

15,000

Over 180 days

45,000

*Applicable to Means-tested SSEBR only.

 

Non-means-tested Schemes

Formula = (Destination + Duration) x Grant % (in HK$)

Destination

Subsidy Amount

+

Required Duration of Activity (Excluding Traveling Time)

Subsidy Amount

Asia (Incl. Middle East; Excl. Taiwan & Macao)

900

3-13 days*

1,050

5-13 days#

1,050

Africa

2,100

14-28 days

1,800

Oceania & Europe

2,400

29-90 days

3,000

Central & South America, & Caribbean

4,500

91-180 days

7,500

Over 180 days

13,500

*Applicable to Non-means-tested MES only.

#Applicable to Non-means-tested SSEBR only.

 

Application Details

Activity Happens in

Semester 1 and Winter Break

(1 September 2025 to 11 January 2026)

Semester 2 and Summer Break

(12 January to 30 August 2025)

Application Period

1 November - 30 November 2025

1 – 30 June 2026

Application Instruction

Individual Application

Students submit a complete application to GEO with proof of confirmed participation in the offshore learning activities.

Online application form (for activities that take place in Semester 1 and Winter Break)

 

Group Application

For a group of students participating in the same programme/activity, Academic Units (Faculty/School/Department) submit a complete application to GEO.

The online group application form (for activities that take place in Semester 1 and Winter Break) will be sent individually to academic units.

Result Announcement

15 January 2026

15 August 2026

GEO informs the assessment result to individual/academic units.

Report Submission

15 February 2026

15 September 2026
(activities take place in Semester 2 and Summer Term)

Individual Application

Students submit full activity reports and official transcripts/certificates of completion in electronic copy to GEO. A report submission link will be provided to successful applicants.

 

Group Application

Academic units submit activity reports to GEO for each group of students. The report template will be provided to successful applicants.

Fund Disbursement

by 31 March 2026

by 31 October 2026
(activities take place in
Semester 2 and Summer Term)

 

Guidelines and Rules

  • Only programme fee, registration fee, travel expenses and accommodation costs are eligible for the Subsidy.
  • Should the total cost of the activity fall below the approved amount, GEO reserves the right to adjust the pre-approved financial support as necessary.
  • Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria prior to approval for the Subsidy. 
  • If any student withdraws from the approved activity at any time (before or during the activity), their eligibility for the Subsidy will be forfeited. 
  • Subsidy is limited and may be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The final decision is subject to the review of the application and the necessary documents submitted by the specific deadline. 


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