RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme
The RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme funds outstanding postdoctoral researchers in all disciplines at Hong Kong’s UGC-funded universities to foster research excellence and support transition to junior faculty roles.
Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Nomination deadline for JRFS)
Funding Amounts: HK$425,000/year stipend (incl. HK$13,500 travel allowance) for 2 years (option to extend to 3 years); HK$140,000/year research support if promoted to junior faculty during fellowship.
Summary: Supports early-career postdoctoral researchers at UGC-funded Hong Kong universities in all disciplines to nurture next-generation research talent.
Key Information: Only UGC-funded universities can nominate; PhD must be obtained on or after 1 Jan 2022 or completed by 31 Aug 2026.
Description
The RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme (JRFS) is an annual program supporting promising local and non-local postdoctoral researchers at Hong Kong's UGC-funded universities. Its goal is to nurture early-career researchers and facilitate their transition to junior academic positions such as Assistant Professor or Research Assistant Professor. The scheme covers all academic disciplines, grouped into Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies, and Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology. Awardees receive a competitive stipend for full-time postdoctoral research, with additional support available if they transition to a junior faculty role during the fellowship.
