Summer Research Programme 2023

One-to-one mentorship with an eminent professor
Successful applicants will be supervised by an eminent professor in HKU to plan and carry out a research project. The Programme office will help participants match with mentors based on participants’ given priorities.

Scholarship for participants
A scholarship of HK$10,000¹ will be awarded to each participant of the Programme upon successful completion of the Programme.  

Financial support 
Financial support of airfare up to HK$5,000¹, and university accommodation up to HK$5,000¹ will be provided on a reimbursement basis.

Prizes and awards for top performers
Prizes and awards will be available for top performers in the Programme.  The details will be announced in due course. 

Possible conditional offer for a HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 
Selected students with outstanding performance may be awarded a conditional offer for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship.  The HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship is the most prestigious entrance scholarship to attract top students from around the world to pursue full-time PhD studies at HKU. The scholarship package includes up to HK$420,900 (US$53,960) in the first year, and up to HK$400,900 (US$51,390) in each of the subsequent years during the normative study period.  Click here for the details regarding the scholarship.

¹ The amount may be adjusted pending approval of budget.

Target participants
Outstanding undergraduate students in year 3 and year 4 with excellent CGPA; or students in Master’s degree programmes with excellent Bachelor’s degrees from top universities, who are interested to pursue a PhD at HKU.

Selection criteria
- Outstanding academic performance
- Strong interest in research postgraduate studies
- Previous research experience Interest in interdisciplinary studies
- High English proficiency
- Mature and independent

Please click here to complete the online application form.

Required Information 

- Individual research work with guidance from the mentor
- Peer Seminars: Project Plans and Summary Presentations
- Research skills courses and seminars
- Teambuilding workshops
- Programme completion ceremony 

(Programme details to be followed)

Q1.    Can I apply for Summer Research Programme if I am just a Year 2 UG student?
A1:    If you are an outstanding student with excellent academic achievement, or you have ample research experience, you may still submit your application for the summer research programme for the Faculties to consider.  Though senior UG students might have higher priority to be selected.

Q2.    I will have my exam and cannot come to Hong Kong till mid-/late June, can I still apply /eligible for the programme?
A2:    If you are selected for the programme, you may apply to attend the Programme via online mode as an exceptional arrangement until you can physically come to Hong Kong.  It is expected that students should arrive Hong Kong in person in week 4 the latest. 

Q3.    I haven’t taken the English Language proficiency test, am I eligible to apply for the summer research programme?
A3:    You may still apply for the summer research programme if you have not yet taken the English Language proficiency test, although that would be one of the considerations when selecting candidates for the programme.  

Q4.    I realised that I have submitted wrong information in the form by mistake, what should I do?
A4:    Please send in the request for amending submitted information via email: gradsch@hku.hk. 

Q5.    I have submitted the application and uploaded the required documents, but I haven’t paid the application fee.  What should I do?
A5:    Your application will not be processed if you have not paid the application fee.  Please proceed to settle the payment and send an email to grdsch@hku.hk specifying your full name, registered email address and the receipt number.

Q6.    My official transcript will not be ready before the application deadline.  What should I do?
A6:    Please submit the latest transcript available for the application.  

Q7.    Can I submit supplementary information after submission of information?
A7:    Please arrange all your documents and supplementary information all in one pdf file, and send it to gradsch@hku.hk.  The latest submission of documents will replace the previous set of documents.  

Q8.    Will there be selection interviews for the programme?
A8:    It depends on different faculties.  You will be contacted by the proposed faculty via your registered email address should there be any interviews be held during February 2023. 

Admitted students are advised to submit the visa application, if needed, as soon as you receive a confirmation email from Graduate School. Please click here for more details about student visa application. For inquiries, please contact here.

Students are also reminded to pay attention to any special arrangements due to COVID. For most updated information by the HKSAR Government, please visit https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html.

The Summer Research Programme 2023 is funded by the University of Hong Kong Foundation for Educational Development and Research.