Applications for the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme are open from now until December 31, the Education Bureau announced today.

Eligible Hong Kong students who intend to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies at world-renowned universities outside the city from the 2025-26 academic year can apply.

The bureau said the scheme targets the most outstanding Hong Kong students and seeks to cultivate a cadre of brilliant young achievers with a sense of social responsibility and national identity, as well as an affection for Hong Kong and an international perspective, who will return home after receiving a world-class education to enrich the city’s talent pool and competitiveness in the long run.

Selection will be based on academic achievements and other attributes such as leadership qualities and potential. as well as students’ contributions and commitment to society.

Awardees will receive a non-means-tested scholarship to cover their tuition fees, capped at $300,000 per annum. In addition, those who pass the means test will receive a bursary of up to $200,000 per annum to cover living and study-related expenses.

They will also receive a series of support and mentorship services from the Government and other sectors of the community.

Awardees are required to complete their study programmes and undertake to return to Hong Kong upon graduation to work for at least two years or a period equivalent to the duration of the scholarship received, whichever is longer.

Applications can be submitted online. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend interviews from April 2025 after receiving unconditional offers from their chosen programmes.