Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates: November 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (2027/28 university nominations)
Funding Amounts: Up to HK$48,000 monthly for six months, plus up to HK$80,000 for research and conference expenses
Summary: Supports mid-career academics at UGC-funded universities undertaking overseas research collaboration and research-related professional development.
Key Information: Fellows must complete one year of service at a UGC-funded university after returning from overseas visits.
Description
The Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme (ORFS) is a University Grants Committee (UGC) / Research Grants Council (RGC) initiative promoting the internationalisation of UGC-funded universities. It supports mid-career academics visiting overseas institutional laboratories, research units and clinical settings for research projects or research-related professional development. The aim is to broaden Hong Kong researchers’ international perspectives, deepen their exposure to developments elsewhere and increase the visibility of Hong Kong universities.
The scheme draws on universities’ sabbatical leave or similar arrangements and complements their mobility programmes. It covers humanities, social sciences and business studies, alongside science, medicine, engineering and technology. The pilot runs for three academic years, from 2026/27 through 2028/29, with a maximum of 40 fellowship places each year.
