Croucher Scholarships for Doctoral Study 2026 – Full Tuition + USD38,850 Stipend

Scholarship Description

The Croucher Scholarships for Doctoral Study is a prestigious, fully funded scholarship programme offered by the Croucher Foundation, an independent private foundation dedicated to promoting the standard of the natural sciences, technology, and medicine in Hong Kong. The programme supports promising young scientists from Hong Kong who wish to pursue a PhD at a top international university outside Hong Kong.

The Croucher Foundation offers a variety of funding programmes for promising young Hong Kong scientists, and the Doctoral Study Scholarships are among the most sought-after. The scholarship allows recipients to devote themselves to full-time study or research in the natural sciences, medicine, or technology, leading to a PhD degree. As a Croucher Scholar, you join a prestigious network of researchers and benefit from comprehensive financial support designed to remove barriers and allow you to focus entirely on your research.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is tenable at a top international university outside Hong Kong. Scholars may choose to study at any accredited university abroad. Additionally, if you select the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford as your host institution, you will simultaneously be considered for the Croucher Cambridge International Scholarship or the Oxford-Croucher Scholarship, respectively.

Scholarship Deadline

The application deadline for the 2027/28 academic year (2026 cycle) is 15 November 2026. Applications must be submitted by this date, and all supporting documents should also be submitted by the deadline.

Note: The Croucher Foundation hosts a Q&A webinar for prospective applicants. The 2026 session is scheduled for 8:00pm HKT on 9 October 2026, where you can hear firsthand experiences from Croucher scholars.

Host Institution

Croucher Foundation – An independent private foundation dedicated to promoting the standard of the natural sciences, technology, and medicine in Hong Kong. The foundation offers a variety of funding programmes for promising young Hong Kong scientists. The scholarship is tenable at leading international universities outside Hong Kong, including the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: PhD / Doctoral degree.

Eligible Fields: The scholarship is available for full-time study or research in natural sciences, medicine, or technology leading to a PhD degree. This includes disciplines such as:

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Medicine and Medical Sciences
• Physics
• and related fields

Non-Eligible Fields: Non-technical degrees, including management, arts, or humanities, are not funded by the Croucher Foundation.

Target Group

The scholarship is open to permanent residents of Hong Kong who wish to pursue a PhD at a university outside Hong Kong. Applicants should have either gained First-Class Honours (or equivalent) in their first degree or expect to have a higher degree (for example, an MSc or MPhil degree) before the start of their proposed studies. Final-year undergraduates are also welcome to apply, but any offer of an award will be conditional on gaining First-Class Honours before the start of the proposed studies.

The programme targets promising young scientists who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to research in the natural sciences, technology, or medicine.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: Scholarships may be held for up to and including the third year of your PhD programme. Not all scholars receive three years of support. If you start the scholarship from the second year of your PhD study, you will receive two years of support. If your scholarship starts from the third year of your PhD studies, you will receive one year of support.

Scholarship benefits include:

• Annual maintenance allowance – USD38,850 per annum.
• Tuition and college fees – Payment of your tuition fees and college fees where applicable.
• Airfare – One-way premium economy class airfare at both the beginning and end of your tenure.
• Arrival allowance – A one-off arrival allowance of USD1,000 to cover the costs of arriving in a new country during your first year of tenure.
• Academic development allowance – Up to USD2,000 per annum to attend conferences, workshops, or courses during the tenure of your award.
• Medical insurance allowance – Up to USD2,000 per annum to cover medical insurance costs or health surcharge.
• Family allowance – Where applicable, up to USD16,000 per annum for your first child and up to USD6,800 per annum for every additional child who lives with you during the entire duration of the award.
• Commencement award – USD9,700 towards the end of your doctoral studies to cover the cost of thesis preparation and travel expenses for you and your family to attend your graduation ceremony.
• Croucher Symposium airfare – Round-trip premium economy airfare to support your attendance at the Croucher Symposium during your award tenure.
• Science education allowance – An allowance to support well-designed activities and projects in schools and the wider community.

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria for 2026:

• Residency: Must be a permanent resident of Hong Kong.
• Academic Qualification: Must have gained First-Class Honours (or equivalent) in your first degree, or expect to have a higher degree (e.g., MSc or MPhil) before the start of your proposed studies.
• Enrollment: Must be pursuing, or intend to pursue, full-time study or research in natural sciences, medicine, or technology outside Hong Kong, leading to a PhD degree.
• Final-Year Students: Final-year undergraduates are welcome to apply, but any offer of an award will be conditional on gaining First-Class Honours before the start of the proposed studies.
• Research Proposal: Must submit a research proposal (maximum 6 pages) describing your research plan and its significance.
• Publications: You may upload up to three first- or second-authored publications, if available.

Application Procedure

1. Review eligibility – Confirm you are a permanent resident of Hong Kong and meet the academic requirements (First-Class Honours or a higher degree).
2. Prepare your research proposal – Write a research plan (maximum 6 pages) describing your proposed research and how it will result in a significant contribution to your field.
3. Gather supporting documents – Prepare your academic transcripts, degree certificates, and up to three first- or second-authored publications (if available). A curriculum vitae is not required.
4. Register and complete the online application – Submit your application through the Croucher Foundation's online portal by the deadline of 15 November 2026.
5. Submit a separate university application – You must also submit a separate application for admission directly to your chosen university (e.g., University of Cambridge or University of Oxford).
6. Await notification – Outcomes are typically announced in Spring 2027. Successful applicants will be notified directly.

Important notes: The research proposal should be no more than six pages in total when uploaded. You are invited to upload up to three first- or second-authored publications, if available. For accepted but unpublished work, you may also provide details. The Croucher Foundation does not require a separate curriculum vitae. If you are applying to Cambridge or Oxford, you will simultaneously be considered for the Croucher Cambridge International Scholarship or the Oxford-Croucher Scholarship.

Official Website & Application Link

Croucher Scholarships for Doctoral Study – Official Page

Croucher Foundation Funding Page: https://croucher.org.hk/en/funding