Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

About the Scheme

Established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong in 2009, the Scheme aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their full-time PhD studies in Hong Kong's institutions. 

SFT invites worldwide graduates with academic excellence, research potential, good communication skills and leadership abilities for their PhD studies. The normal study period is three years (for MPhil holder) or four years (for Master's degree holder or Bachelor's degree holder with First Class Honours). The Scheme will offer a maximum of four-year tuition scholarship, annual stipend, annual conference grant and cash award for awardees for a maximum period of four years.

Download booklet (to be updated)

Eligibility

Candidates seeking admission as full-time PhD students who would like to pursue their career in academic research and teaching in fashion and textiles, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, are most welcome.

Candidates should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

Annual Stipend & Allowance 

Successful HKPFS awardees of PolyU will receive for the entire normal study period:

• Annual Stipend: HK$344,400 (~US$44,154)

• Research Excellence Scholarship: in the form of a tuition fee waiver

• Annual Conference Grant: HK$14,400 (~US$1,846)

• Cash Award: HK$40,000 (~US$5,120) for the first year, and HK$20,000 (~US$2,560) per year from the second year to the end of the normal study period

• University Accommodation: a guaranteed place for 2 years

Nominated HKPFS candidates by PolyU to RGC will automatically be offered a PhD place with the PolyU Presidential PhD Fellowship Scheme (PPPFS) scholarship package.

Research Areas

SFT conducts a wide range of world-class research with high application value and research impact in fashion and textiles discipline:

Fashion & Textile Design

• Metallic Textile Design & Development
• Interactive Textile Design & Development
• Integration of Fashion Design & Wearable Electronics
• High Performance Sportswear
• Fashion Design Theory

Fashion Business

• Fashion & Textile Supply Chain
• Fashion Branding
• Consumer Behaviour
• Quality Management
• Planning & Scheduling Optimization
• Sustainability in Fashion

Apparel Technology

• Health Care Apparel Product Development
• Bra Fit, Comfort & Development
• Thermal & Wear Comfort Evaluation & Optimization
• Virtual Clothing Simulation & Animation
• Intelligent Fabric Defect Detection

Textile Technology

• New Fabric Structure Development
• Smart Materials & Textiles
• Textile-based Wearable Electronics
• Biomedical Textiles & Materials
• High Performance Sports Textiles
• Energy Harvesting & Storage

Textile Chemistry

• New Fiber Spinning & Development
• Non-contact Image-based Colour Measurements
• Bio-based Green Colourants
• Functional & Nano Fabric Surface Finishings
• Environmentally-friendly Colouration & Finishings
• New Nanomaterial Synthesis, Assemble & Simulation

Admission Requirements

Academic Qualification

English Language Requirements

The requirements for those who do not have a degree for which English was the language of instruction at a recognised university are:

• An overall score of at least 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module; OR
• A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 80 or above for the Internet-based test.

All English language test scores are considered valid for two years after the date of the test (upon submission of application).

Remarks: Only tests taken at a test centre and scores in one single attempt are accepted.

Key Attributes of HKPFS Candidates

In addition to meeting the admission requirements, HKPFS candidates should possess:

• excellent academic performance

• strong research ability and potential

• rich cultural diversity

• exceptional leadership ability

• devoted societal responsibility

• outstanding communication and interpersonal skills

Application Procedures

Step 1: Submission of Initial Application

• Submit one initial application to RGC HKPFS Application System by 1 December 2026, HKT 12:00 GMT +8 hours to obtain an HKPFS reference number

• put SFT programme  as your only choice or your 1st choice

Step 2: Submission of FULL Application to PolyU

• Submit full application(s)* to PolyU via https://rpgadmission.polyu.edu.hk by 1 December 2026, HKT 23:59 GMT +8 hours, select "2027/28 semester 1 (Sept 2027 Entry)" and quote your HKPFS reference number
• make sure identical programme choices in RGC and PolyU system
• settle an application fee (HKD500^#) for each application before the deadline
• nominate two appropriate academic referees who are familiar with your academic performance, achievements and research ability

^# Subject to review
* One full application for two research areas from the same PolyU department or two separate full applications for two programmes from two different PolyU departments

For detailed instruction, please click here

Application Deadlines

Initial application: 1 December 2026 12:00 noon Hong Kong time (GMT + 8 hours)
Full application: 1 December 2026 23:59 Hong Kong time (GMT + 8 hours)

Enquiries