Research Student Attachment Programme – Outgoing

Apply for RSAP Now

Guidelines

Leaflet

Online Application System
Forms for Successful Applicants

RSAP 2025/26 2nd Round

(for attachment commencing during 15 July 2026 - 14 April 2027)

Introduction

Research Student Attachment Programme - Outgoing (RSAP-Outgoing) provides PolyU PhD students with an opportunity to pursue research attachment at international institutions to foster collaborative research, and enhance students’ international networking and global vision. Two rounds of applications are invited each year.

Application conditions

• Applications for an attachment to a university or a top research institute outside the applicant’s home country are eligible. However, an exception applies to applications for attachment to Zhejiang University, which are funded by the Zhejiang University Special Funding Scheme (ZJUSFS) operated within RSAP. 
• The duration of attachment is from a minimum of three months to a maximum of one year. ( For students from Dual PhD Degree Programme/Joint PhD Supervision Programmes Leading to a PolyU Degree (Dual/Joint PhD students) and Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) awardees, please refer to the specific duration requirements detailed in Eligibility Section below.)

 

Eligibility

• Current PhD students with good academic standing are eligible for application.
• The applicant and host supervisor should have common research interests to ensure high-quality supervision.
• Students whose PhD registration is not confirmed may be given a conditional offer to undertake the attachment programme. If they cannot have their PhD registration confirmed before the latest commencement date of the attachment programme, the conditional offer will lapse automatically.
• Dual/Joint PhD students are eligible to apply for an attachment of up to six months. The attachment must be conducted within their study period at PolyU. Students must obtain consent from both supervisors as well as the partner institution before application.
• HKPFS awardees are eligible to apply for an attachment of no less than 85 days. Students are reminded to note the residence requirement set out in the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, which specifies “If an awardee stays outside Hong Kong for academic/research activity for an aggregate period exceeding 90 consecutive days, or an aggregate of 183 days, the stipend will be suspended immediately unless prior approval by the Research Grants Council (RGC) has been given upon provision of strong justification by the affiliated university”, and obtain prior approval from the RGC where applicable. Students should submit a request separately to gs.matters@polyu.edu.hk at least 2 months prior to the planned departure date.
• Students may receive financial support from either RSAP or the International Collaborative Research Fellowship (ICRF) only once during their study period. 

 

Period of attachment

• The period of attachment will be counted within the normal study period of the student. The completion date of the attachment programme must not exceed the student’s normal period of study.
• Students should take visa processing time into consideration when proposing the commencement date of the attachment.

 

Financial support

• Successful applicants will be offered a subsistence allowance of HK$250 per day. The maximum allowance is capped at HK$45,000, i.e., the amount for a maximum of 180 days.
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, PolyU students from the Faculty of Business, the Faculty of Construction and Environment, and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management who attach to Zhejiang University are entitled to a monthly allowance of RMB7,500 with a cap of RMB45,000 per trip under the Zhejiang University Special Funding Scheme (ZJUSFS).
• Successful applicants will be offered a flat rate travel allowance of HK$10,000 to cover travel expenses, including a round-trip transportation to/from the host institution and ticket-related taxes, fees and levies.
• Any visiting period before the issue date of the offer letter is not eligible for retroactive financial support.
• Successful applicants will continue to receive stipends and pay tuition fees as required by PolyU, if applicable.
• Students are responsible for any tuition and other fees specified by the host university. Students are advised to consult the host supervisor prior to submitting their application. 
• Successful applicants will receive an offer letter from the GS detailing the application result, period of attachment and the approved financial support. Students must commence their attachment within nine months of the date of the notice. Failing that, the approved allowance will be withdrawn automatically.

 

Application procedures and timeline

• Applicants should seek the consent of the proposed host supervisor prior to application. Application can be made via the online submission system. Required submission documents include:
• An invitation letter on the host unit’s official letterhead, specifying the full name of the PhD student, the name of the host supervisor, and the attachment period;
• The latest assessment results downloaded from eStudent;
• A brief resume of the applicant with a list of representative publications; and
• A brief resume of the host supervisor (up to 5 pages) with a list of representative publications.
• For applications for attachment to a research institute, applicants should provide evidence, e.g., webpage, to support that the host is a top research institute in the respective discipline.
• Timeline:

Date	Event
16 March 2026	Call for applications
4 May 2026 (23:59 HKT)	Application deadline
8 May 2026	Supervisor endorsement deadline
15 May 2026	DoRPgS assessment deadline
June 2026	GS application selection and approval
15 July 2026	GS notification of results

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact the Graduate School by email at gs.attachment@polyu.edu.hk.