The Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute (GCNI) Graduate Fellowship offers full stipend support and mentorship to outstanding students at CUHK pursuing a PhD in neuroscience-related fields. This prestigious and highly selective fellowship aims to nurture the next generation of neuroscience leaders in neuroscience research.
Each GCNI Graduate Fellow will:
- Conduct PhD research under the supervision of a GCNI Core Faculty Member
- Receive individualized mentorship from an additional GCNI mentor
- Engage in advanced neuroscience training
- Be formally recognized as a GCNI Graduate Fellow on their CUHK academic transcript and receive a GCNI Graduate Fellowship Certificate upon graduation
- Receive stipend support for up to 4 years, which matches the level offered by the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)
Eligibility
- Open to entering full-time PhD applicants at CUHK (2026/2027).
- The applicant’s primary research supervisor must be a GCNI Core Faculty Member.
- The applicant is enrolled in a PhD program (Science/Medicine) under the Graduate Division (GD) of their supervisor’s home department (i.e. School of Life Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Medical Sciences [fields of Medicine & Therapeutics and Psychiatry], Pharmacy) and must meet all admission requirements stated by the CUHK Graduate School (details here).
Application Process
Step 1: Apply for the full-time PhD program(s) of the Graduate Division(s) to which the intended primary research supervisor(s) belong, on the Graduate School's homepage
Important: Please refer to the application deadlines for different Graduate Divisions here.
Step 2: Submit an online application form for the GCNI Graduate Fellowship.
The following information must be provided on the application:
- CUHK Graduate School Application Number
- Intended primary supervisor(s) (maximum 3 choices; must be GCNI Core Faculty Members)
- Most updated CV
- Personal statement, may include a research proposal
- Contact information
Application Deadline for 2026/2027 admission: 10 April, 2026
To be formally recognized as a GCNI Graduate Fellow, students must complete:
- Departmental PhD requirements – including candidacy and graduation criteria set by their home Graduate Division.
- GCNI Neuroscience Examination – a written examination testing core knowledge in neuroscience, should be passed within the first two years of study (maximum two attempts).
Each Fellow will be assigned a GCNI faculty mentor, distinct from their research supervisor, who will:
- Provide academic and personal guidance, and
- Support the Fellow in preparing for the neuroscience examination.
Successful Fellows who meet both requirements will receive a GCNI Graduate Fellow on their CUHK academic transcript and a GCNI Graduate Fellowship Certificate upon graduation
Stipend Support
The Fellowship offers 3-tiered stipend levels based on the Fellow’s progress:
| Stage of Study |
Conditions |
Monthly Stipend Level (as recommended by CUHK Graduate School) |
| Pre-candidacy |
Before passing departmental candidacy |
Postgraduate Studentship level 1 (PGS-1) |
| Post-candidacy |
Passed candidacy but not GCNI exam |
Postgraduate Studentship level 2 (PGS-2) |
| Full Fellow |
Passed both candidacy & GCNI exam |
Level matching the stipend offered by Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) |
Other Fellowships
If a Fellow is awarded another major fellowship (e.g. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme), GCNI will cease stipend support. However, the student may still receive GCNI mentorship, take the neuroscience examination, and earn the GCNI Graduate Fellow title upon graduation.
For further information regarding the fellowship, please contact us: gcni@cuhk.edu.hk
