HKSAR Government Subsidy 2026/27 (Semester 1 and Winter Break)

Individual Application

To encourage PolyU undergraduate full-time students to participate in various short-term non-local activities available, the HKSAR Government is offering financial support to eligible students undertaking eligible activities in 2026/27 (Semester 1 to Winter Break). Activities should be related to the discipline(s) of the degree being pursued. Please refer to GEO website HERE for details. 

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

Application Period: 1 - 30 November 2026

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

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

Eligibility

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, applications for the HKSAR Government Subsidy should be submitted through the funding application provided by GEO.

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 to 50% if the level of student finance assistance approved by SFO is lower than 50%. 

Non-means tested Schemes

Application Mechanism and Key Dates 

• Activity Period: Semester 1 to Winter Break (1 September to 10 January 2027)
• Application Period: 1 - 30 November 2026
• Result Announcement: Late January 2027
• Report Submission: 15 February 2027
• Fund Disbursement: by 31 March 2027

Guidelines and Rules

• 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 student withdraws from the approved activity at any time (before or during the activity), their eligibility to receive the Subsidy for that activity 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.

Points to Note

1. This form is for individual students applying for HKSAR Government Subsidy 2026/27 on individual activity only. If you are joining programme-related study tour, field trip or any other activity arranged by your academic unit (Faculty/School/Department), please check with your academic unit on whether a group application will be submitted to Global Engagement Office (GEO) by the activity coordinator.
2. Applicants should read the Subsidy description and key dates carefully before submitting an application. For details, please visit the GEO webpage HERE.
3. Applicants should complete the form and upload necessary documents as appropriate. Incomplete application with insufficient supporting documents will not be considered.
4. Successful applicants are required to submit full activity report and official transcript/certificate of completion to GEO by Report Submission Deadline. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of Subsidy approved.
5. The HKSAR Government Subsidy is managed by GEO. GEO reserves the right to change the guidelines stipulated from time to time without notice to applicants prior to the change.