Thinking about a PhD at HKUST (the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)? The RedBird PhD Award Program is one of the university’s merit awards aimed at outstanding international research candidates. This guide explains what the RedBird award is, who’s eligible, benefits, how to apply, selection factors, practical tips to strengthen your application, and life-in-Hong-Kong considerations for international students.
Quick snapshot (at a glance)
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What: Merit award for international PhD candidates offered by HKUST (commonly referred to as the RedBird PhD Award). fytgs.hkust.edu.hk+1
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Main monetary components: Recruitment Award of HK$40,000 in the first year; Academic Excellence Award of HK$20,000/year in subsequent years (subject to performance). Many sources tie this award to tuition-waiver benefits in year one.
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Typical extra PhD support at HKUST: doctoral stipend, tuition waivers (varies by student type), travel/conference allowances, and accommodation support — depending on the funding package you secure (e.g., standard HKUST PhD support or Hong Kong PhD Fellowship combined with university awards).
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Who it’s for: International (non-local) PhD applicants with outstanding academic records and research potential.
1. What exactly is the RedBird PhD Award?
The RedBird PhD Award is a merit-based recognition and recruitment incentive that HKUST offers to excellent international PhD candidates. There are two named components commonly described in HKUST material:
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Recruitment Award — a one-off (or first-year) award (commonly listed as HK$40,000) for newly admitted PhD students.
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Academic Excellence Award — a renewable annual supplement (commonly listed as HK$20,000/year) awarded in later years depending on academic performance.
These awards are intended to reward research excellence and to help recruit top international talent to HKUST’s PhD programs.
2. Who is eligible?
Eligibility language on HKUST pages and linked scholarship portals clearly frames the RedBird Award as aimed at international PhD candidates (i.e., those who are not local/HKSAR government–subsidized PhD students). Exact eligibility can depend on the program and whether you already hold other awards (some local students receive government tuition waivers instead). In short:
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Primary target: newly admitted international PhD students to HKUST research programs.
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You normally need: a relevant undergraduate/masters degree, strong academic transcript, and research experience/fit with a HKUST supervisor (standard PhD admission requirements apply). Check the specific department’s research-degree admissions page for program-level requirements.
3. What are the benefits (money & non-money)?
Benefits often listed in HKUST materials and scholarship aggregators include:
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HK$40,000 Recruitment Award for new PhD students (first year).
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Academic Excellence Award HK$20,000/year in subsequent years, conditional on good progress/performance.
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Tuition fee waiver for the first year (for international recipients this is often explicitly called out; local students may get tuition waivers through different mechanisms).
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PhD stipend and other supports: successful PhD candidates at HKUST typically receive an annual stipend (figures vary by year/program and whether a student also holds competitive fellowships like the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship), conference travel allowances, and sometimes on-campus accommodation for early years. (Amounts and eligibility differ across funding schemes — check your program’s page.)
Important: the RedBird award is typically part of a broader set of PhD funding arrangements (tuition waivers, stipends, travel grants). Always check the current HKUST department/faculty page for the program you’re applying to for the precise package offered in that admission cycle.
4. Application process — how to get considered
The RedBird award is usually handled within the HKUST PhD admissions process rather than as a separate external application. Steps generally include:
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Identify an HKUST PhD program and potential supervisors. Browse department research pages and faculty profiles; reach out to potential supervisors with a tailored research statement and CV.
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Submit a formal online PhD application to HKUST by the relevant deadline for your program. Many departments have specific intake rounds (and some fast-track options have had earlier internal deadlines in past cycles). The RedBird award is often awarded to the best applicants among successful admits.
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Provide strong supporting materials: academic transcripts, research statements, publications (if any), two or three academic references, GRE (if required), and proof of English proficiency (if applicable).
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Selection & offer: outstanding applicants who are admitted may be flagged for the RedBird Award as part of their offer letter or a follow-up notification from the faculty/scholarship office.
Tip: If you are an international applicant, explicitly note your international status when prompted in the application (the award is targeted at international candidates). But you do NOT usually submit a separate “RedBird” form — selection is internal to HKUST admissions/funding committees.
5. Selection criteria — what the committee looks for
The RedBird award is merit-based. Selection criteria commonly emphasized:
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Academic excellence: transcripts, grades, honours, and any prize-winning performances.
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Research potential & fit: quality of research proposal, alignment with supervisor expertise, evidence of independent research (e.g., publications, conference presentations).
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Recommendations: strong academic referees who can speak to your research ability and potential to complete a PhD.
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Communication & motivation: clarity and feasibility of the proposed research, and how it contributes to the department’s research strengths.
HKUST may also consider competition from other funding schemes (e.g., Hong Kong PhD Fellowship) and allocate awards to maximize the university’s recruitment objectives.
6. Timing & deadlines
Deadlines vary by department and intake. Historically, HKUST has offered rolling and round-based PhD admissions with occasional “fast-track” deadlines and summer intake windows; RedBird award deadlines align with the PhD admissions deadlines for the year in question. HKUST pages and admissions flyers are your authoritative source for a given admission cycle. Always confirm on the department admission page or the Fok Ying Tung Graduate School pages.
7. Practical tips to strengthen your RedBird application
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Tailor your research proposal to a specific HKUST group or supervisor — show clear novelty, methods, and feasibility.
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Contact potential supervisors early — a supportive supervisor who is enthusiastic about your project can be decisive. Provide a crisp 1-page research pitch and a CV.
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Get strong academic references — ask referees who can judge research potential, not just coursework performance.
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Show evidence of research productivity (publications, conference talks, research projects) or, if not available, strong masters thesis or independent project work.
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Polish your statement of purpose — clear motivation, fit with HKUST, and how the RedBird/PhD at HKUST will help you achieve concrete outcomes.
8. If you receive the award — next steps & obligations
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Read the offer carefully. The award will be specified in your offer letter or a funding notification; it will detail the cash award, tuition waiver terms (first year), and any performance requirements for continued academic excellence awards. f
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Understand reporting/progress requirements. Annual progress review results typically affect eligibility for renewable awards (like the HK$20,000 Academic Excellence Award).
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Combine funding strategically. If you also receive other funding (e.g., Hong Kong PhD Fellowship), ask the graduate school how these packages interact. Different awards sometimes stack, sometimes do not — university practice determines the final package.
9. Living & studying in Hong Kong — practical notes for international PhD students
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Cost of living: Hong Kong is relatively expensive. Scholarships that include stipends and housing support (or travel allowances) help, but plan a realistic budget for food, transport, and possible family support if applicable. (HKUST pages often list accommodation guarantees for early years for admitted postgraduate research students.)
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Visa & immigration: admitted international students will need a student visa (entry permit) from the Hong Kong Immigration Department; HKUST’s admissions office typically supports the visa documentation process. Check HKUST International Student Services for step-by-step guidance.
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Healthcare & insurance: international students should review university health services and recommended insurance plans.
10. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the RedBird award open to local/Hong Kong students?
A: The RedBird program is primarily described as for international PhD candidates; local students often receive tuition waivers through HKSAR government schemes and may be covered by different support packages. Confirm on the specific department page.
Q: Is the HK$40,000 award renewable?
A: The HK$40,000 is typically a recruitment/first-year award. The HK$20,000 Academic Excellence Award is the component commonly described as renewable subject to performance. Exact renewal rules are described in awarding letters or on the graduate school pages.
Q: Can I hold both the RedBird award and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?
A: Many students combine university awards with external/territorial fellowships, but stacking rules vary. If you are awarded both, consult HKUST’s graduate school about how allowances and tuition waivers will be handled.
Q: Where can I find the official, up-to-date details?
A: HKUST’s Fok Ying Tung Graduate School and the department-specific PhD admissions pages are the authoritative sources. See HKUST scholarship & admissions pages for current figures and deadlines.
11. Useful links & references
(These are the authoritative pages where the RedBird award and related PhD funding information appear — check them for the latest numbers, deadlines and program-specific rules.)
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HKUST — RedBird PhD Award Program (Fok Ying Tung Graduate School / Scholarships & Fees pages).
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HKUST — Department pages summarizing RedBird awards (e.g., School of Science / Physics / ENVR program pages).
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Scholarship aggregator summaries (helpful for quick overviews, but always confirm with HKUST official pages).
Final tips — checklist before you submit
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Identify 1–2 potential HKUST supervisors and email a targeted research pitch.
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Prepare a polished research proposal and SOP focused on fit and impact.
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Secure strong academic references who can evaluate your research potential.
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Confirm deadlines on the specific HKUST department page (not all departments follow the same dates).
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After admission, read the offer letter closely for award terms and consult the graduate school on any clarifications. fytgs.hkust.edu.hk
