RGC Junior Research Fellow Scheme 2026/27
Call for Application/Nomination
15 Aug 2025 - 31 Oct 2025
Selection Stage
01 Nov 2025 - Apr 2026
Award Announcement
Apr 2026
Nomination for JRFS 2026/27
All UGC-funded universities are eligible to make nomination for the fellowship to support young research talents to conduct postdoctoral research on a full-time basis. Each university may nominate up to 15 candidates (JRFS nominees).
To qualify for the fellowship, the JRFS nominee must:
- obtain a legal right to work and reside in Hong Kong during the fellowship period;
- have obtained / been conferred a PhD degree or an equivalent qualification on or after 1 January 2022 (i.e. not more than three years before 2025), or will complete the requirement of a PhD degree or an equivalent qualification by 31 August 2026; and
- be supported by a UGC-funded university at which he / she wishes to hold the fellowship
The JRFS nominee should be a graduate in the relevant field of the research project(s) / activities to which he / she is to be assigned.
Candidates will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- record of academic excellence;
- research ability and track record to date;
- leadership experience;
- merit of the proposed research project(s) / activities;
- potential impact of the proposed research project(s) / activities; and
- university’s support.
The two selection panels are formed under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme and JRFS, i.e. Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies Selection Panel (H-Panel) and Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Technology Selection Panel (S-Panel). Panel members will undertake assessment of nominations and selection of awardees under the JRFS with respect to the two broad academic streams respectively.
Application/Nomination Deadline : 31 Oct 2025