The Royal Geographic Society - Hong Kong Research Grant

Hong Kong Research Grant (RGS-IBG)

You will receive a one-off grant of about 2,900 EUR (£2,500) to fund fieldwork and data collection for your PhD research in the Greater China region (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). The Royal Geographical Society (in association with the IBG) awards one grant each year, supported by its Hong Kong branch. The grant covers a single research trip or a phase of data collection, but does not constitute a monthly living allowance. Comparative studies are welcome.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a PhD student.
• University: You are enrolled at a British university.
• Field: Your project is a geographical research study in the Greater China region (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan).
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. The only requirement is that your university must be based in the United Kingdom.
• Funding gap (preference): You will be given priority if you have not yet secured full funding for fieldwork from a research council, your university or any other source.
• First-timers (preference): Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously studied or conducted research in the Greater China region.

How to apply

Please submit the application form for the RGS-IBG funding programme, together with a one-page CV, by email by 23 November. In section 1 of the form, please state that you are applying for the Hong Kong Research Grant. Two referees, including your supervisor, must submit a reference form by email by the same deadline. An external panel of experts will assess the applications, and you will receive feedback on the outcome by mid-March.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is very specific: you must hold a PhD obtained in the UK and be carrying out a geographical research project focusing on Greater China; consequently, the pool of eligible applicants is small, and only one fellowship is awarded each year. If you clearly meet this criterion, your prospects are good, particularly if you lack full funding for fieldwork or have not yet carried out any research in the region. A well-planned, feasible project with a clear budget will stand out particularly well to the assessors.