Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme
The Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council supports mid-career academics in Hong Kong to conduct collaborative research and professional development at top overseas institutions.
Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Nomination deadline for Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme)
Funding Amounts: Up to HK$48,000/month for max 6 months; supplementary grant up to HK$80,000 for research/conference expenses; ~40 awards/year.
Summary: Supports mid-career academic staff at Hong Kong UGC-funded universities to undertake international research collaboration and professional development abroad.
Key Information: Nominations must be submitted by university Research Offices; individual applications are not accepted.
Description
The Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme (ORFS) is an initiative by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council to promote the internationalisation of UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. The scheme enables mid-career academic staff to engage in immersive research collaborations and professional development at overseas institutions, aiming to broaden the perspectives and global exposure of Hong Kong’s research community. ORFS is implemented as a pilot programme for three academic years (2026/27–2028/29), with a quota of approximately 40 fellowships per year. The fellowship is designed to complement existing sabbatical and mobility programmes, supporting recipients to work on research projects or undergo research-related professional development at international institutions.
