Call for Applications: HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme 2026

The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong has established the Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme to strengthen international academic collaboration and promote knowledge exchange between scholars from the Global South and the university’s academic community. The initiative is designed to enhance global research impact through cross-cultural engagement, interdisciplinary cooperation, and shared scholarly development.

The programme supports visiting fellows who engage in research collaboration, teaching activities, and academic exchange during their stay in Hong Kong. Applications for the 2026 cycle close on May 31, 2026 (Hong Kong Time).

Purpose and Vision of the Fellowship

The fellowship scheme is designed to foster meaningful academic partnerships between HKU and researchers from the Global South. It emphasizes the creation of long-term research collaborations and the advancement of globally relevant social sciences research.

The key objectives include:

• Promoting international research collaboration
• Enhancing academic exchange between Global South scholars and HKU faculty
• Supporting interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research initiatives
• Strengthening HKU’s global academic engagement

Fellows are expected to contribute to a vibrant intellectual environment through active participation in research and academic activities.

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to experienced academic professionals who meet the following requirements:

• Applicants must be professoriate staff affiliated with universities or comparable institutions
• Applicants must be based in countries classified under the Global South
• Preference may be given to early-career or junior scholars with strong research potential
• Applicants must demonstrate strong academic and professional achievements

Eligible candidates are expected to have established research profiles and a commitment to collaborative scholarship.

Fellowship Duration and Timing

The programme offers flexible visiting periods aligned with academic semesters.

• Duration: 1 to 3 months
• Fall Semester: September to January
• Spring Semester: February to June

This flexibility allows fellows to align their visit with ongoing research or teaching commitments.

Financial Support and Remuneration

Selected fellows receive a structured financial package designed to support travel and living expenses during their stay in Hong Kong.

The remuneration includes:

• Economy-class return airfare reimbursement of up to HK$10,000
• Daily per-diem allowance of HK$1,500, inclusive of accommodation

This support ensures that fellows can focus fully on research and academic collaboration during the fellowship period.

Academic Activities and Responsibilities

Fellows are expected to actively engage in the intellectual life of the Faculty of Social Sciences during their visit. The programme emphasizes collaboration, knowledge exchange, and academic contribution.

Core expectations include:

• Collaborating with HKU faculty members on joint research projects
• Producing at least one co-authored publication within one year after completion
• Participating in seminars, workshops, and academic networking events
• Delivering lectures or training sessions for students and faculty
• Engaging in interdisciplinary discussions and knowledge-sharing activities

Fellows are also required to submit a completion report within three months of concluding the visit, along with updates on research outputs and publications.

Application Process

The application process is structured to encourage meaningful academic partnerships before submission.

Key steps include:

• Applicants must first identify and contact a potential Faculty Associate at HKU
• The Faculty Associate must be an Assistant Professor or above within the Faculty
• Collaborative research alignment must be established prior to application submission
• Applications are submitted via the official online application system

The Faculty Associate plays a key role in supporting the fellowship visit and facilitating research collaboration.

Selection Process

Up to 10 fellows are selected each academic year. Selection is competitive and based on academic excellence and research potential.

Selection criteria include:

• Research record and academic achievements
• Quality and relevance of proposed collaboration
• Potential for long-term academic partnership
• Contribution to interdisciplinary and international research

Preference is often given to junior scholars who demonstrate strong potential for sustained collaboration.

Expected Outcomes

The fellowship is designed to produce measurable academic and institutional outcomes.

Expected results include:

• Joint research publications with HKU faculty
• Strengthened international academic networks
• Enhanced interdisciplinary research capacity
• Increased knowledge exchange between Global South institutions and HKU
• Long-term collaborative research partnerships

These outcomes contribute to HKU’s broader goal of advancing global social sciences research.

Academic Environment and Engagement

During their stay, fellows are integrated into the Faculty’s academic ecosystem. They gain access to university facilities, research networks, and academic events.

Fellows are encouraged to:

• Participate in departmental seminars and conferences
• Engage in student mentoring and training activities
• Contribute to research discussions and workshops
• Collaborate across disciplines within the Faculty

This environment is designed to maximize intellectual exchange and research productivity.

Conclusion

The HKU Social Sciences Global South Fellowship Scheme represents a strategic initiative to deepen global academic collaboration and strengthen research ties between Hong Kong and the Global South. By supporting visiting scholars in a structured and well-resourced academic environment, the programme fosters long-term partnerships, high-impact research, and meaningful cross-cultural exchange.

It provides an important platform for advancing social sciences research while reinforcing international academic cooperation at a global scale.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.