Sub-degree, Undergraduate, Postgraduate (Master's and PhD)Full tuition fees (Belt and Road Scholarship); HK$80,000 per year (SOP for degre Verified active

HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (QESS)

Last verified 12 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund offers multiple scholarship schemes for outstanding local and non-local students pursuing higher education in Hong Kong. The Belt and Road Scholarship covers full tuition fees for eligible international students, including research postgraduates. Other scholarships within the fund provide substantial financial support for academic excellence and non-academic t

Provider: HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (QESS)
Host country: Hong Kong
Deadline: varies / see official page

Official source Track this application

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: Open to non-local students, including those from designated Belt and Road countries (which may include African nations) and other international students, pursuing full-time publicly-funded programmes at degree, sub-degree, or research postgraduate levels in Hong Kong. Specific eligibility criteria vary by scholarship type within the fund (e.g., academic excellence, leadership, non-academic talents, or special educational needs). Africans applying via the Belt and Road scholarship should check if their country is covered.
Funding: Full tuition fees (Belt and Road Scholarship); HK$80,000 per year (SOP for degre
Study level: Sub-degree, Undergraduate, Postgraduate (Master's and PhD)
Deadline: varies / see official page

Key eligibility criteria

Open to non-local students, including those from designated Belt and Road countries (which may include African nations) and other international students, pursuing full-time publicly-funded programmes at degree, sub-degree, or research postgraduate levels in Hong Kong. Specific eligibility criteria vary by scholarship type within the fund (e.g., academic excellence, leadership, non-academic talents, or special educational needs). Africans applying via the Belt and Road scholarship should check if their country is covered.

Recorded funding information

Full tuition fees (Belt and Road Scholarship); HK$80,000 per year (SOP for degre

About the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (QESS) (2026)

## Introduction to the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government Scholarship Fund, established in 2008 with a significant endowment, aims to attract outstanding local and non-local students to pursue full-time publicly-funded programmes in Hong Kong. The fund has received several injections, expanding its reach and diversifying the types of scholarships offered to include students at sub-degree, degree, and postgraduate levels. Managed by the Education Bureau, the scholarships are disbursed through ten institutions offering publicly-funded programmes, including the eight University Grants Committee-funded institutions, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the Vocational Training Council. ## Scholarship Types and Funding The HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund encompasses several distinct scholarship schemes, each tailored to specific student profiles and offering varying levels of support: * **Belt and Road Scholarship:** This highly attractive scholarship targets students from designated and other Belt and Road countries. It covers **full tuition fees** for the normal duration of full-time publicly-funded undergraduate and research postgraduate programmes. This scholarship is particularly relevant for African students whose countries fall within the broad Belt and Road initiative. * **Scholarships for Outstanding Performance (SOP):** Established to recognize academic brilliance, SOP awards HK$80,000 per year to non-local students pursuing full-time publicly-funded degree or above level programmes. Non-local students in sub-degree programmes can receive between HK$20,000 to HK$30,000 annually. These scholarships are renewable annually based on satisfactory academic performance. * **Talent Development Scholarship (TDS):** Designed to acknowledge students with exceptional talents beyond academics, TDS awards HK$10,000 to local and non-local students in full-time publicly-funded sub-degree or above level programmes. Eligible areas include sports and games, music and performing arts, culture, arts and design, or innovation, science, and technology. * **Reaching Out Award (ROA):** This award of HK$10,000 supports meritorious local and non-local students in full-time publicly-funded sub-degree or above level programmes to participate in enriching overseas experiences such as learning programmes, internships, service endeavors, or international competitions. * **Endeavour Merit Award (EMA):** With an award of HK$15,000, EMA recognizes and supports post-secondary students with special educational needs (SEN) who demonstrate excellence in academic and other areas. ## Eligibility and Selection Criteria While specific criteria vary slightly across the different scholarships, general considerations for all applicants include: * **Academic excellence:** A strong academic record is a primary requirement for most scholarships, particularly the Scholarships for Outstanding Performance and the Belt and Road Scholarship. * **Contribution to the institution/society:** Demonstrated involvement and positive impact within academic or community settings are valued. * **Leadership and communication skills:** The ability to lead and articulate ideas effectively is often a key selection factor. * **Commitment to the Hong Kong community:** A genuine interest in contributing to Hong Kong is considered beneficial. For the Belt and Road Scholarship, applicants must be non-local students from eligible Belt and Road countries. It is crucial for prospective African applicants to confirm if their country is included in the designated or broader "Other Countries" categories. ## Application Process Prospective applicants do not apply directly to the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund. Instead, the scholarships are administered by the ten participating institutions offering full-time publicly-funded programmes at sub-degree or above levels. Students should apply for admission to their chosen programme at one of these institutions and then enquire directly with the institution's admissions or scholarship office regarding the application procedures for these specific scholarships. Further information and links to participating institutions can be found on the Study in Hong Kong website. ## Further Information For detailed information on the Belt and Road Scholarship, please visit [https://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/hong-kong-education/scholarships.php](https://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/hong-kong-education/scholarships.php). For general enquiries regarding the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund, contact the Education Bureau via email at hkgsf@edb.gov.hk. Students are strongly encouraged to visit the official websites of the individual institutions for institution-specific application guidelines and deadlines.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

Full tuition fees (Belt and Road Scholarship); HK$80,000 per year (SOP for degre

HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (QESS) eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Open to non-local students, including those from designated Belt and Road countries (which may include African nations) and other international students, pursuing full-time publicly-funded programmes at degree, sub-degree, or research postgraduate levels in Hong Kong. Specific eligibility criteria vary by scholarship type within the fund (e.g., academic excellence, leadership, non-academic talents, or special educational needs). Africans applying via the Belt and Road scholarship should check if their country is covered.

HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (QESS) document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (QESS) 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/postsecondary/local-higher-edu/publicly-funded-programmes/scholarship.html to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: Open to non-local students, including those from designated Belt and Road countries (which may include African nations) and other international students, pursuing full-time publicly-funded programmes at degree, sub-degree, or research postgraduate levels in Hong Kong. Specific eligibility criteria vary by scholarship type within the fund (e.g., academic excellence, leadership, non-academic talents, or special educational needs). Africans applying via the Belt and Road scholarship should check if their country is covered.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: varies / see official page. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (QESS) deadline & application timeline

Provider deadline information: varies / see official page. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
varies / see official page
Provider deadline information: varies / see official page. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

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Last checked 5/12/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (QESS)?+

Open to non-local students, including those from designated Belt and Road countries (which may include African nations) and other international students, pursuing full-time publicly-funded programmes at degree, sub-degree, or research postgraduate levels in Hong Kong. Specific eligibility criteria vary by scholarship type within the fund (e.g., academic excellence, leadership, non-academic talents, or special educational needs). Africans applying via the Belt and Road scholarship should check if their country is covered.

What funding does the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (QESS) offer?+

Listed funding: Full tuition fees (Belt and Road Scholarship); HK$80,000 per year (SOP for degre. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: varies / see official page. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/postsecondary/local-higher-edu/publicly-funded-programmes/scholarship.html to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Open to non-local students, including those from designated Belt and Road countries (which may include African nations) and other international students, pursuing full-time publicly-funded programmes at degree, sub-degree, or research postgraduate levels in Hong Kong. Specific eligibility criteria vary by scholarship type within the fund (e.g., academic excellence, leadership, non-academic talents, or special educational needs). Africans applying via the Belt and Road scholarship should check if their country is covered.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: varies / see official page. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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