Hong Kong Scholars Program
(Tentative Schedule for 2026 application*)
1st December 2025
The Secretariat announces the application of the 2026 Hong Kong Scholars Program (2026 HKSP) to academics in Hong Kong universities via e-mail message.
9th January 2026
Deadline for academics to submit the application form to the Secretariat of 2026 HKSP via a google form.
February 2026
The Secretariat uploads the lists of Hong Kong Supervisors on websites for information.
The Chinese Postdoctoral Council announces the Program and invites Mainland Ph.D. graduates to apply directly or through recommendations from his/her university or research institute.
April 2026
Deadline for Mainland Ph.D. graduates to apply to the Chinese Postdoctoral Council.
April - May 2026
The Chinese Postdoctoral Council forms the Assessment (or Expert) Committee to review and select Mainland candidates.
June - July 2026
The Secretariat provides a list of the selected Mainland candidates to Hong Kong Supervisors for matching.
Hong Kong Supervisors inform the Secretariat of their decisions.
July 2026
The Secretariat compiles the supervisors’ decisions and passes the information to the Academic Committee to consider and decide the final list of “Hong Kong Scholars”, then submit the list to the Chinese Postdoctoral Council.
August 2026
The Secretariat and The Chinese Postdoctoral Council announce a list of successful “Hong Kong Scholars”. Hong Kong Supervisors make arrangements with their respective universities to hire the Scholars as research associates or equivalents at a monthly salary of HK$18,300 for a fixed term of two years.
August- November 2026
The Scholars apply for visa upon receiving the appointment letter.
November - 2026
Hong Kong Supervisor informs the Secretariat when the Scholar arrives and starts his/her research work in Hong Kong.
*This is only tentative. If there is substantial change in the schedule, supervisors will be informed accordingly.