RGC Research Fellow Scheme (RFS)
Limited submission
RGC Research Fellow Scheme (RFS) supports mid-career researchers across disciplines with research resources and teaching relief to advance research and develop Hong Kong's next generation of research talent.
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Funder: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Due Dates: September 18, 2026 (Call for nominations) | November 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (Nomination deadline) | Late May/early June 2027 (Interviews) | July 2027 (Award announcement)
Funding Amounts: Approximately HK$5.6 million per award over 60 months; normally 10 RFS awards annually
Summary: RFS supports mid-career researchers across all disciplines with research funding and teaching relief to advance research and nurture Hong Kong research talent.
Key Information: Nominations must be submitted by a UGC-funded university, normally for tenured/substantiated Associate Professors.
Description
The RGC Research Fellow Scheme (RFS), run by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, provides sustained support for outstanding mid-career researchers at Associate Professor rank at UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. It combines research resources with relief from teaching and administrative duties, enabling academics to dedicate time to research and development while training the next generation of local research talent. All academic disciplines are covered, and awardees receive the title “RGC Research Fellow.”
The scheme welcomes new projects and existing initiatives that take distinctly new directions or markedly expand their scope, with clearly defined novelty. It emphasizes research capability, leadership, feasible planning, knowledge transfer and research impact. Mentoring experience and clear plans to develop research postgraduate students and junior researchers, including postdoctoral fellows, are important considerations.
