HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme 2026/2027: Research Fellowship in Hong Kong with Daily Allowance and Travel Support

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Faculty of Social Sciences is inviting applications from eligible scholars and researchers affiliated with universities and comparable institutions in the Global South for its Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme 2026/2027. The programme provides an opportunity for academics to visit HKU, collaborate with faculty members, exchange research ideas, and develop international research partnerships.

The fellowship is designed to strengthen academic engagement between scholars from the Global South and the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences. Through collaborative research, academic seminars, lectures, student training, networking activities, and other knowledge-sharing opportunities, fellows are expected to contribute to a dynamic international research environment.

Selected fellows receive financial support that includes return economy-class airfare reimbursement of up to HK$10,000, a daily allowance of HK$1,500 inclusive of accommodation, and reimbursement of visa application fees. Visits are expected to last between one and three months, with the precise period arranged around the university’s fall or spring semester.

The scheme particularly welcomes applications from junior scholars and researchers who demonstrate strong research records, professional achievements, and the potential to establish longer-term collaborations with HKU academic departments, schools, centres, and hubs.

For the 2026/2027 second application round, the deadline is 22 November 2026, Hong Kong Time. Eligible applicants should begin identifying a suitable HKU academic associate and obtaining the required written consent well before submitting their applications.

1. Overview of the HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme

The HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme was established to promote international engagement and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas among scholars and researchers from the Global South.

Hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, the scheme provides fellows with an opportunity to visit the university and participate in academic activities alongside faculty members who share similar research interests.

The programme emphasizes collaboration rather than a visit focused solely on individual research. Fellows are expected to work with their designated Faculty Associate and/or other faculty members on collaborative research projects that lead to at least one co-authored publication within one year of completing the fellowship.

The scheme also encourages fellows to contribute to the wider academic community through seminars, lectures, training activities, networking events, and research discussions.

The principal objectives include:

• Promoting international academic engagement: Creating opportunities for scholars from the Global South to engage with the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences.
• Encouraging collaborative research: Supporting joint research activities between fellows and HKU faculty members.
• Strengthening academic networks: Developing professional relationships that may continue beyond the fellowship period.
• Facilitating knowledge exchange: Providing opportunities for scholars to share research findings, professional experiences, and disciplinary knowledge.
• Supporting academic development: Encouraging research collaboration, scholarly communication, and participation in academic activities.
• Generating research outputs: Requiring fellows to work towards at least one co-authored publication within one year after completing the visit.

Up to 10 fellows will be selected per academic year. Selection is based on applicants’ research records and professional achievements, with preference given to junior scholars and researchers who demonstrate the potential to develop longer-term collaborations with the host faculty.

2. Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support

Selected fellows receive a financial support package intended to help cover certain costs associated with visiting Hong Kong and participating in the fellowship.

The programme specifies three main components of support.

A. Return economy-class airfare reimbursement

Each awarded fellow may receive reimbursement for economy-class return air tickets of up to HK$10,000.

This support helps eligible fellows cover their return travel expenses associated with the fellowship visit.

The allowance is provided on a reimbursement basis. Applicants should therefore review the scheme’s procedures and confirm the required documentation, eligible expenses, and reimbursement arrangements before making travel bookings.

The stated maximum is HK$10,000; applicants should not assume that all travel costs will automatically be covered if their expenses exceed the permitted amount.

B. Daily allowance of HK$1,500

Each fellow receives a daily allowance of HK$1,500, inclusive of accommodation, for the duration of the fellowship period in Hong Kong.

The allowance is intended to contribute towards the fellow’s daily expenses during the visit, including accommodation.

The total amount received under this component depends on the approved duration of the fellowship. As the programme permits visits lasting between one and three months, applicants should carefully plan their expected expenses and confirm the applicable arrangements with the Faculty Office.

The supplied scheme information does not specify a fixed total allowance for every fellow, so applicants should not assume that all fellows receive the same overall amount regardless of the length of their visit.

C. Visa application fee reimbursement

The financial package also includes reimbursement of the visa application fee.

Applicants who require a visa to enter Hong Kong should review the relevant visa requirements and confirm the reimbursement process with the university.

The information provided does not specify individual visa eligibility or guarantee that every applicant will be granted the necessary travel authorization.

D. Other costs are the fellow’s responsibility

The fellowship does not state that every expense associated with the visit will be covered.

The university expressly notes that all other costs associated with the visit must be covered by the fellow’s personal funds and/or other funding sources secured by the fellow.

Applicants are expected to carefully consider their financial arrangements before accepting the fellowship.

Before applying, prospective fellows should consider:

• Whether the daily allowance will be sufficient for their planned accommodation and living expenses.
• Whether their expected airfare falls within the reimbursement limit.
• Whether they have additional funding available for expenses not covered by the scheme.
• Whether they can meet any upfront costs associated with travel and accommodation.
• Whether their home institution can provide financial or administrative support, if needed.

The fellowship provides meaningful travel and living-cost assistance, but the published terms should not be interpreted as an assurance that the entire visit will be fully funded.

3. Who Can Apply for the HKU Global South Fellowship?

The scheme is intended for academics and researchers who currently hold an eligible professoriate position at a university or comparable institution in the Global South.

Applicants must meet the stated eligibility requirement before submitting their applications.

Current professoriate appointment

Applicants should currently be professoriate staff affiliated with a university or comparable institution in the Global South.

The scheme identifies eligible academic ranks as:

• Assistant Professor.
• Associate Professor.
• Professor.

The university’s description uses the term “Assistant Professor or above.” Applicants whose institutions use different academic titles should confirm with HKU whether their current appointment is considered equivalent to the required professoriate rank.

The supplied eligibility information does not establish that doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers without an eligible professoriate appointment, independent researchers, or professionals outside universities and comparable institutions qualify automatically. Such applicants should seek clarification from the Faculty Office before proceeding.

Research record and professional achievements

Applicants are selected based on their research records and professional achievements.

A competitive application should therefore clearly demonstrate the applicant’s scholarly work, research experience, professional contributions, and suitability for collaborative research with HKU faculty members.

The supplied programme information does not specify a minimum number of publications, a required citation count, or a mandatory academic qualification beyond the stated professoriate appointment. Applicants should consult the official scheme procedures for any additional application requirements.

Preference for junior scholars and researchers

The programme gives preference to junior scholars and researchers who show potential to commit to longer-term collaborations with the host departments, schools, centres, or hubs.

This preference does not mean that all applicants must be junior academics. The published description indicates that selection also considers research records and professional achievements.

Applicants should explain how the proposed fellowship could contribute to sustained research collaboration with HKU and how the relationship might continue after the visit.

4. Research Areas and Academic Collaboration

The HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme is intended to facilitate research collaboration between visiting scholars and academic staff in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The supplied information does not provide a single fixed list of eligible research disciplines. Instead, applicants must identify a Faculty Associate whose research interests align with their own and develop a potential collaboration.

The suitability of an application will therefore depend partly on the fit between the applicant’s research interests, the proposed project, and the expertise of the prospective Faculty Associate.

Applicants should consider whether their research can benefit from collaboration with an HKU academic and whether the visit will create opportunities for meaningful academic exchange.

Potential collaboration plans should clearly explain:

• The research topic or problem the applicant intends to investigate.
• The relevance of the topic to the applicant’s existing research.
• The expertise or resources that the HKU Faculty Associate could contribute.
• The research activities planned during the visit.
• The anticipated contribution to the relevant academic field.
• The proposed pathway towards at least one co-authored publication within one year after the fellowship.
• The potential for continued collaboration beyond the fellowship period.

These points are useful for planning a proposal, but applicants should check the official procedures for the specific format and content required in the application.

5. Mandatory Step: Identify an HKU Faculty Associate Before Applying

One of the most important requirements of the fellowship is that applicants must identify and approach a suitable academic staff member in the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences before submitting an application.

This is a prerequisite, not an optional networking activity.

Who can serve as a Faculty Associate?

The prospective Faculty Associate must be an academic staff member in the HKU Faculty of Social Sciences at the rank of Assistant Professor or above.

The person should have research interests similar to those of the applicant and be willing to explore potential partnership and collaborative research opportunities.

The Faculty Associate will serve as the applicant’s academic contact during the fellowship visit.

How to identify a suitable Faculty Associate

HKU provides a reference list of faculty members interested in hosting fellows. The list includes their research areas, expertise, and specific topics of interest.

Applicants should use this resource to identify academics whose research aligns with their own interests.

A good match should be based on substantive research overlap rather than simply the seniority or general reputation of a potential host.

For example, an applicant researching education policy, social inequality, governance, or another social science topic should look for a faculty member whose expertise and current research are relevant to the proposed project. These are illustrative examples; the actual match must be established from the university’s faculty information and the applicant’s research interests.

Contacting the prospective Faculty Associate

Applicants should approach the potential Faculty Associate before submitting their application to discuss the proposed research and possible collaboration.

The university encourages applicants to use the following email subject line when making contact:

HKU FoSS Global South Fellowship Scheme

The initial message should briefly introduce the applicant’s current academic position, research interests, relevant achievements, and proposed area of collaboration.

Applicants should also explain why the potential Faculty Associate’s expertise is relevant to the proposed research and how the visit could support a longer-term academic relationship.

Written consent is compulsory

Applicants must obtain the Faculty Associate’s written consent before applying and include that consent as part of their application.

The university explicitly states that applications without confirmation of the Faculty Associate’s consent will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

This makes early communication particularly important. Applicants should not wait until the application deadline to begin looking for a host academic.

6. Duration and Timing of the Fellowship Visit

The fellowship visit should last between one and three months.

Visits may take place during either of the university’s two main semesters.

Fall semester

The fall semester period specified by the scheme is September to January.

For the 2026/2027 second round, applications are being invited in October 2026 for visits starting from March 2027 or later. Applicants in this round should therefore plan according to the specific timing of the current call rather than assume that all semester periods are available immediately.

Spring semester

The spring semester period specified by the scheme is February to June.

For the current second round, the call is intended for visits beginning in March 2027 or later.

Applicants should discuss the proposed visit period with their Faculty Associate and ensure that the planned research activities can be completed within the approved duration.

Planning the visit

A one-to-three-month visit requires careful preparation. Applicants should develop a realistic plan that fits the available time and supports the fellowship’s collaborative research objectives.

A proposed visit plan could include:

1. Initial meetings with the Faculty Associate and relevant academic staff.
2. Joint planning of the collaborative research project.
3. Research discussions, data analysis, or other agreed scholarly activities.
4. Participation in relevant academic seminars, lectures, or networking events.
5. Sharing or training activities with undergraduate or postgraduate students, where appropriate.
6. Preparation of a publication plan and agreement on potential co-authored outputs.
7. Final discussions about continuing the collaboration after the visit.

These activities should be tailored to the actual research project and agreed with the host faculty. They are suggested planning components, not a prescribed timetable issued by HKU.

7. Expected Activities and Responsibilities of Fellows

Selected fellows are expected to participate actively in the academic life of the Faculty of Social Sciences during their visits.

The fellowship is structured around research collaboration and knowledge exchange. Successful applicants should therefore be prepared to contribute to both their collaborative project and wider academic activities.

A. Collaborative research

Fellows are expected to engage in collaborative research projects with their Faculty Associate and/or other faculty members.

The programme emphasizes research that produces a tangible scholarly output.

Specifically, fellows are expected to work towards at least one co-authored publication within one year after completing the fellowship.

Applicants should discuss the proposed publication with their Faculty Associate before the visit and develop a realistic plan for producing the research output.

The supplied information does not specify a particular journal, publication type, or requirement that the paper be published in a particular outlet. Applicants should clarify the relevant expectations with the Faculty Office and their Faculty Associate.

B. Academic exchange and networking

Fellows are encouraged to participate actively in academic exchange activities organized by their host department, school, centre, or hub.

These activities may include:

• Participating in academic networking events.
• Attending academic lectures and seminars.
• Delivering lectures or seminars.
• Conducting knowledge-sharing or training sessions for undergraduate students.
• Conducting knowledge-sharing or training sessions for postgraduate students.
• Participating in intra-fellow exchange sessions.
• Engaging with faculty members and other visiting researchers.

These activities create opportunities to share expertise, discuss research approaches, and build relationships across academic contexts.

C. Completion report

Fellows must submit a completion report to the Faculty Office within three months after the fellowship visit ends.

The report is required for monitoring and auditing purposes.

Fellows should maintain appropriate records of their activities and research progress during the visit so that they can prepare the report accurately and on time.

D. Publication updates

Fellows must also share publication information with the Faculty Office in a timely manner.

Since the scheme expects at least one co-authored publication within one year of completing the fellowship, fellows should keep the Faculty Office informed about relevant research outputs in accordance with the university’s requirements.

Applicants should understand that accepting the fellowship involves responsibilities that continue after the visit has concluded.

8. Application Process for the HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship

Applications must be submitted through the university’s online application form by the stated deadline.

The university warns that late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Although the supplied webpage extract does not reproduce the complete application form or all required documents, it establishes several essential steps that applicants should complete before submission.

Step 1: Confirm eligibility

Check that you currently hold an eligible professoriate appointment at a university or comparable institution in the Global South.

Review the official scheme procedures for any additional eligibility requirements and documentation.

Step 2: Identify a suitable Faculty Associate

Consult the HKU reference list of faculty members interested in hosting fellows. Identify an academic whose research interests align with your proposed project.

Step 3: Contact the potential Faculty Associate

Send a professional email introducing your research interests, academic background, and proposed collaboration.

Use the suggested subject line: “HKU FoSS Global South Fellowship Scheme”.

Step 4: Discuss the research collaboration

Explore whether the proposed project is suitable for the fellowship and how the visit could support joint research and longer-term collaboration.

Discuss the proposed visit duration, likely activities, and potential co-authored publication.

Step 5: Obtain written consent

Secure the prospective Faculty Associate’s written consent and prepare to include it in your application.

Do not submit an application without the required consent, as the university states that such applications are incomplete and will not be processed.

Step 6: Review the application procedures

Consult the official scheme details, procedures, and FAQs to confirm the complete list of application requirements.

The university’s FAQ section addresses topics including identifying a Faculty Associate, types of collaborative research that are prioritized, application content, expected outputs, visa requirements, accommodation, allowance arrangements, and access to university facilities.

Step 7: Submit before the deadline

Complete the online application and submit it before 22 November 2026, Hong Kong Time.

Check that all required information and supporting documents are included. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Start Your Application HERE

9. Application Timeline for 2026/2027 and Future Rounds

The university normally invites applications twice each year.

Current second round: 2026/2027

The published schedule for the second round is:

Application stage	Timeline
Call for applications	October 2026
Application deadline	22 November 2026, Hong Kong Time
Result announcement	By the end of December 2026
Eligible visit start	March 2027 or later

Applicants should follow the current round’s schedule and check the official website for any updates.

Indicative timeline for subsequent rounds

The university also provides an indicative timeline for future application rounds.

Semester	Recommended visit start	Call opens	Deadline	Results announced
Fall	Late September or later	March	End of April	By the end of June
Spring	Late February or later	August	End of September	By the end of November

These dates are described as indicative. Applicants planning for a future round should confirm the actual dates and eligibility conditions in the relevant official call when it becomes available.

10. Important Financial and Practical Considerations Before Applying

Although the fellowship provides travel and daily allowance support, prospective applicants should assess the practical requirements of spending one to three months in Hong Kong.

Prepare a realistic budget

The daily allowance of HK$1,500 includes accommodation. Applicants should estimate likely expenses for their planned visit and determine whether additional funds will be needed.

The scheme explicitly requires fellows to cover all other costs through personal funds or other funding sources.

Confirm reimbursement procedures

Both return airfare support and visa application fee support are provided on a reimbursement basis.

Applicants should check the university’s procedures for eligible expenses, required receipts, payment timelines, and any documentation needed to obtain reimbursement.

Review visa requirements

Visa requirements may differ depending on the applicant’s circumstances and nationality. Applicants should review the university’s relevant guidance and official Hong Kong immigration requirements before arranging travel.

The availability of visa fee reimbursement does not itself guarantee visa approval.

Plan accommodation and university access

The scheme’s FAQ section includes questions about accommodation support and access to university facilities. Applicants should review these details and seek clarification where necessary.

Agree on research expectations in advance

Because fellows are expected to collaborate with HKU faculty members and work towards a co-authored publication, applicants should establish a clear understanding of the research plan, responsibilities, and expected outputs with their Faculty Associate.

Early planning can help ensure that the short visit contributes to a meaningful research partnership.

11. Why the HKU Global South Fellowship May Be Valuable for Junior Scholars

The scheme may be particularly relevant to junior scholars and researchers seeking to expand their academic networks and develop international research collaborations.

Its structure provides an opportunity to work directly with a host academic, participate in the intellectual life of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and pursue a collaborative research output.

Potential professional benefits include:

• Developing research relationships with academics at an international university.
• Exploring new approaches to a research question through academic exchange.
• Sharing research findings and professional experiences with a wider scholarly community.
• Participating in seminars, lectures, networking activities, and student learning sessions.
• Developing a co-authored publication with an HKU academic or other faculty members.
• Establishing a foundation for longer-term collaboration after the visit.

These benefits depend on the applicant’s research fit, the quality of the collaboration, and the work undertaken during and after the fellowship.

The scheme is not simply an opportunity to travel to Hong Kong. It requires a clear academic purpose, active participation, and a commitment to collaborative research.

12. Official Contact and Further Information

Applicants should consult the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Social Sciences for the complete scheme details, procedures, reference list of potential Faculty Associates, application form, and FAQs.

Host institution: The University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Social Sciences

Programme: Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme

Email enquiries: fossres@hku.hk

Application deadline: 22 November 2026, Hong Kong Time

Before submitting, applicants should confirm the current application requirements and ensure they have obtained written consent from an eligible Faculty Associate.

Visit HERE to learn more about the HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme 2026/2027.

Conclusion

The HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme 2026/2027 offers eligible academics from the Global South an opportunity to conduct collaborative research, exchange knowledge, participate in academic activities, and develop international research partnerships at the University of Hong Kong.

Selected fellows receive return economy-class airfare reimbursement of up to HK$10,000, a daily allowance of HK$1,500 inclusive of accommodation, and reimbursement of visa application fees. Visits last between one and three months and take place within the university’s designated semester periods.

The fellowship is particularly relevant to junior scholars and researchers with strong research records who want to develop longer-term collaborations with HKU faculty members. Successful fellows are expected to contribute actively to academic exchange, submit a completion report within three months after their visit, and work towards at least one co-authored publication within one year of completing the fellowship.

A critical requirement is obtaining written consent from an eligible HKU Faculty Associate before applying. Applicants should identify a suitable academic, discuss their research plans, prepare all required documentation, and carefully consider the financial arrangements for their visit.

The application deadline for the 2026/2027 second round is 22 November 2026, Hong Kong Time, with results expected by the end of December 2026. Eligible scholars interested in strengthening their international research collaboration should consult the official HKU Faculty of Social Sciences information and submit a complete application before the deadline.

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