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Opportunities, PhD/post doctoral, Scholarships

HKU PRESIDENTIAL PHD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

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LOCATION: Hong Kong

In order to attract top candidates from around the world to pursue full-time PhD studies at HKU, the HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme (HKU-PS Programme) offers the most prestigious scholarship package, namely, the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship, to selected outstanding full-time PhD students.

ELIGIBILITY:

HKU Presidential PhD Scholars will receive strong academic and training support from the University, e.g. individualised advisory service, training in teaching and opportunities to interact with leading scholars. A group of distinguished Faculty members will also give advice, provide additional mentorship and training opportunities, and oversee the academic career paths.

The HKU Presidential PhD Scholars shall be the brightest candidates who are passionate about research applying for the full-time PhD programme at HKU.

All applicants applying for the full-time PhD programme will be considered for the HKU-PS Programme. In view of the intense competition, applicants applying for the HKU-PS Programme during the Main Round (1 September – 1 December) are strongly encouraged to apply also for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend an interview.

BENEFIT:

Each HKU Presidential PhD Scholar will receive a package of up to around HK$445,800 (US$57,150) in the first year, and up to around HK$428,300 (US$54,920) in each of the subsequent years during the normative study period. The package includes:

Cash Award to support research and living expenses
HK$40,000 in Year 1; HK$20,000 per year in the remaining normative study period

Waiver of composition fees for the whole normative study period (i.e. HK$49,500 per year)

Postgraduate Scholarship of HK$28,700 per month

Conference and Research-related Travel Allowance of HK$14,400 per year

Financial support to selected outstanding students for an additional year of study beyond the normative study period to reward their outstanding research output and progress

A guaranteed hall place in Year 1, with possibility of renewal

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bachelor's, master's, Opportunities, Scholarships

MASTERCARD FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT UC BERKELEY

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Application Deadline: December 1, 2026 (application deadlines vary)

LOCATION: USA

The Center for African Studies(link is external) and the Mastercard Foundation(link is external) are engaged in a ten-year partnership to support 201 master’s degree students from African countries who are academically talented and committed to transformative change on the continent. The Program recruits widely across Africa and encourages applications particularly from women, people with disabilities, and those who are refugees or displaced.

ELIGIBILITY:

The main eligibility criteria are:

Being a citizen of an African country: This includes Africans who have been forcibly displaced or have refugee status within the African continent. Those with dual citizenship, asylee, refugee or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK or EU are not eligible.

Having academic talent: All prospective Scholars must first be admitted to a UC Berkeley master’s degree program to be considered for the Scholarship. An important criteria for admission to the University is demonstrated academic excellence.

Demonstrating leadership potential: The Program seeks those committed to developing the skills and mindsets associated with transformative leadership, i.e, that which engages others in an ethical manner to generate positive and lasting change.

Experienced significant barriers to accessing higher education: This Scholarship is designed for those extremely talented individuals who might have faced barriers to quality higher education, including social, financial, personal, practical or health related.

Having demonstrated the commitment to give back to your community, country, or continent: They are looking for well-rounded students who are engaged in activities beyond the classroom. Some may be directly related to your field of study, but this may also include other issues (social, economic, and political) that you are working on and passionate about. Applicants should elaborate on their achievements both in their application to UC Berkeley and then later in the application for the Scholars Program.

Having expressed the desire and intention to return to your home country after completing your studies and post-graduation training: We are looking for students who are engaged with and passionate about issues affecting their communities and who will take advantage of their education at UC Berkeley to better equip themselves with the knowledge and training to address these issues upon return. While important work can be done from abroad, the intention of the Program is to enable Scholars to return home after forming valuable professional connections through internships, academic training, and job placements. 

Other considerations:

All other things being equal, we will give priority to candidates who:

Did their undergraduate degree at an African university.

Do not already have a postgraduate degree (i.e., master’s or doctorate).

Have not already benefited from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Every year the mix of candidates varies. There are always more well-qualified and deserving candidates than there are spaces in the Scholars Program at UC Berkeley.

Send questions on eligiblity to mcfs.programinfo@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail).

BENEFIT:

Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive a comprehensive scholarship equivalent to the costs associated with earning a master’s degree, which includes travel, tuition, Berkeley student fees, visa and SEVIS fees, housing, food, living expenses, and cohort signature programs which will focus on leadership and entrepreneurship.

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