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$60,000 discounted by the latest level of student finance or the adjusted financial assistance level of 50%, whichever level is higher throughout their studies at the same level.
Eligible Activities
- This Subsidy supports physical non-local learning activities only.
- Fee-paying short-term programmes listed on Global Classroom and Exploring China or activities endorsed by academic units.
- Programme-related study tours or field trips arranged by academic units. Endorsement from the academic unit is required.
- International competition or conference that is reputable/influential in the field and is beneficial to students in terms of personal, academic and professional development. Endorsement from the academic unit is required.
- This Subsidy is only applicable to the eligible activities listed above. For students participating in Student Exchange Programmes and Summer@OxBridge, applications for the HKSAR Government Schemes should be submitted through the funding application provided by GEO.
|
HKSAR Government Subsidy |
Destination |
Required Duration of Activity (Excluding Traveling Time) |
|
SSE |
Anywhere outside Hong Kong |
14 days or above |
|
Means-tested SSEBR |
5 days or above |
|
|
Non-means-tested SSEBR |
5 days or above |
|
|
Non-means-tested MES |
Mainland China |
3 days or above |
Subsidy Amount
Means-tested Schemes
The Subsidy amount is calculated by applying the approved level of student finance to the maximum level of subsidy based on the latest available application result from SFO. The financial assistance level to be adopted in the calculation of the amount of financial level will be adjusted upward to 50% if the level of student finance assistance approved by SFO is lower than 50%.
|
Formula = (Destination + Duration) x Grant % (in HK$) |
||||||
|
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 |
|
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. |
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|
Fund Disbursement |
by 31 March 2026 |
by 31 October 2026 |
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.
