HKMU Global Learning Award Scheme

The HKMU Global Learning Award Scheme (GLAS) aims to provide financial support to eligible students who participate in self-sourced global learning activities.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must be full-time Bachelor’s degree students, irrespective of year-1 entry or senior-year entry students at the time of application and throughout the duration of the supported global learning activity;
Applicants must have applied for an eligible activity during the current Academic Year;
Applicants must have achieved a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of not less than 2.5 in the Autumn Term of the current Academic Year. New students should have satisfactory academic results during secondary/ post-secondary education (including public examinations) if their CGPA is not available;
Applicants who have obtained “Fail” grade* (including but not limited to University’s Core Values Modules) or have been granted “deferment of an examination” in the assessment period will not be considered; and
Applicants must be committed to representing the University to promote the positive image of the University to others.

* Records of CGPA and grades would be based on the official transcript of studies generated by the University at the time of scholarship assessment.

What Types of Activities are Eligible?

The proposed global learning activities must NOT be organised or arranged by HKMU, i.e. self-sourced by the applicants.
An outbound activity comprising substantive teaching and learning elements to be held anywhere outside Hong Kong, service programmes as well as national/ regional/ international events and competitions are also accepted.
Normally, internships will not be considered as eligible activity of the award, except where they are SAO-recognised global internship programmes (see below).
All global learning activities with host organisations. The host organisations must be an established educational, professional or specialised institutions/ bodies either in Hong Kong or in the activity destinations.
SAO-recognised global internship programmes must last at least 4 weeks, or at least 3 days for all other eligible activities. In general, the duration of the activity should cover the period from the commencement date to the completion date of the official activity. Travelling time back and forth between Hong Kong and the activity destination should not be counted towards the duration of the activity.
The activity should be held within the current Academic Year, and normally they are organised between 1st December to 31st August.
- The first-round application will open in November and shall cover activities conducted from 1st December to 31st March.
- The second-round application will open in March and shall cover activities conducted from 1st April to 31st August.

Reference list: Eligible Global Learning Activities from Past Awardees

1. Istanbul Aydın University

Programme Name: Delightful Istanbul Summer School (LINK)

Destination: Istanbul, Turkey

2. King's College London

Programme Name: King's Summer Programme (LINK)

Destination: London, UK

3. University of British Columbia

Programme Name: Vancouver Summer Program (LINK)

Destination: Vancouver, Canada

4. University of Oxford

Programme Name: LMH Summer Programmes (LINK)

Destination: Oxford, UK

5. University of Vienna

Programme Name: Univie: Summer School – International and European Studies (LINK)

Destination: Vienna, Austria

6. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Programme Name: UW-Madison Summer Term (LINK)

Destination: Madison, USA

7. Yonsei University

Programme Name: Yonsei International Summer School (LINK)

Destination: Seoul, Korea

8. York University

Programme Name: Summer English Immersion Program (LINK)

Destination: York, Canada

9. Fudan University

Programme Name: Global Public Policy International Summer School (LINK)

Destination: Shanghai, China

10. New York University

Programme Name: New York University Master Scholar Summer Research Program (LINK)

Destination: New York, USA

Reference list: SAO-recognised Global Internship Programmes

1. Absolute Internship

Programme Webpage: https://absoluteinternship.com/programs/

Destination: Barcelona, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Paris, Seoul, Singapore, Stockholm and Tokyo

2. Bloom of Youth

Programme Webpage: http://thebloomofyouth.com/overseainternship.aspx

Destination: England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Australia, South Korea and Spain

3. FUSIA Communications, Inc.

Programme Webpage: https://www.fusia.net/index.php

Destination: New York City in USA

4. iEnrichment Limited

Programme Webpage: https://www.ienrichment.org/internship

Destination: Spain

5. Go Abroad USA Cultural Network

Programme Webpage: https://www.goabroadusa.com/swt/

Destination: USA

6. Next Step Connections

Programme Webpage: https://nextstepconnections.com/program-type/internship-program/

Destination: Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan

7. The Intern Group

Programme Webpage: https://theinterngroup.com/our-programs/in-person

Destination: Bangkok, Dublin, London, Madrid, Melbourne, New York and Tokyo

8. Wubuntu Limited

Programme Webpage: https://wubuntuafrica.com/internship-programme/

Destination: Cape Town in South Africa

9. Artbound Initiative

Programme Webpage: https://www.artboundinitiative.com/

Destination: New York, Austin, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Melbourne and Sydney

10. Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office

Programme Webpage: https://www.hketosin.gov.hk/internship.php

Destination: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries

Form and Level of Support

The awards shall be granted on a “first-come, first-served” basis, subject to the availability of funding.
The maximum value of the award is set according to the duration of the activity:
- HK$3,000 for activity last for 3 to 5 days
- HK$5,000 for activity last for 6 to 9 days
- HK$7,000 for activity last for 10 to 13 days
- HK$10,000 for activity last for 14 days or above
The award will cover up to 70% of the total expenses associated with participation in global learning activities, including programme fees, airfare, accommodation, and other necessary costs.
Applicants may receive additional funding support (such as subsidies, scholarships, or sponsorships) for the same activity. However, accounting for these other sources of funding, applicants must personally contribute at least 30% of the total cost (excluding activities held in Chinese Mainland).
The disbursement of award will only be made after the completion of the activity and submission of the proof of completion of the activity, self-reported financial summary and self-reflection report.

How to Apply?

Applicants should submit the online application together with supporting documents to the SAO during the application periods.
Supporting documents include details of the activity and proof of acceptance/ payment of the activity, e.g. activity leaflet/ brochure, offer letter and payment receipt etc.
Please read the “Guidance Notes” [GLAS (2025/26) Guide-e] before completing the online application.
First-round Application Deadline: 30 November 2025 (Sunday).
Second-round Application Deadline: 31 March 2026 (Tuesday).

Notification of Result

The result will be announced (via e-mail) by late January 2026 (for 1st-round application) and late May 2026 (for 2nd-round application).
Upon completion of the approved activity, awardees should submit the supporting documents within one month via the “HKMU online platform“.
Disbursement arrangement will be made via autopay within one month upon receiving the financial summary, reflection reports and proof of completion.

FAQ Section

Q1. Are final-year students eligible for the scheme?

Yes, full-time final-year undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the scheme. However, applicants who are not in their final year will be considered first.

Q2. Are past awardees eligible for the scheme?

Yes, past awardees are welcome to apply again. However, preference will be given to applicants who have never received the award before. Besides, past awardees are required to participate in a different self-sourced activity, another course within the same summer school programme is acceptable.

Q3. How can I know if my online application is successful?

After submitting your application via the online platform, you will receive an e-mail acknowledging the receipt of your application.

In late January 2026 (for 1st-round) and May 2026 (for 2nd-round), all applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) will be notified the results by e-mail.

Q4. If my proposed self-sourced activity is already supported by other funding (e.g. Type-B Reaching Out Award), can I still apply for this scheme?

Yes, applicants may receive additional funding support (such as subsidies, scholarships, or sponsorships) for the same activity, e.g., the Government Reaching Out Award (ROA-B) and Schemes for Subsidy on Exchange for Post-secondary Students (SSE). However, accounting for these other sources of funding, applicants must personally contribute at least 30% of the total cost (excluding activities held in Chinese Mainland). All funding received or to be received for the same activity must be fully disclosed in the application form.

Q5. Can I change the activity after submitting my application?

Once the application period is closed, changes to the proposed activity will not be allowed unless special approval was sought. If you have concerns about potential changes, you may indicate alternative choices (e.g., 2^nd or 3^rd preferences) for self-sourced activities during the application period.

Q6. When will the award disbursement be made? Can I receive any money before the commencement date of the approved activity?

The disbursement of award will only be made after the approved activity has been completed. Payment will be arranged within one month via autopay upon receiving a proof of completion of the approved activity, a self-reported financial summary and a self- reflection report.

Q7. What happens if I am unable to participate in the approved activity due to unforeseen circumstances?

No disbursement will be arranged. Besides, priority in future applications will be given to applicants who have not previously withdrawn from the scheme.

Q8. What should I submit after the completion of activity to receive funding support?

Upon completion of the approved activity, successful applicants should submit both

official proof of completion of the activity (e.g. academic transcript, certificate of completion and boarding pass),
a self-reported financial summary, and
a self-reflection report.

Q9. If the total expenses incurred during the approved activity are less than the approved amount, will my level of funding support be adjusted?

Yes, as the award will cover up to 70% of the total expenses associated with participation in global learning activities, you should declare your actual expenses in the self-reported financial summary. Your level of funding support will be adjusted accordingly.

Disclaimer: Hong Kong Metropolitan University reserves the right of final decision on selecting the above scholarship nominees or awardees. All information provided above will be reviewed periodically without further notice. If you have any queries about the information, please email us at sao_sch@hkmu.edu.hk.