I. Application
- Aged 35 or below
- Undergraduates, Postgraduates (Master / PhD), PhD Graduates in Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, Mathematical Sciences or other closely related subjects may apply for the Hong Kong Laureate Forum. Young scientists with the above-mentioned qualifications who are not affiliated to universities or institutions may also apply.
Open application for the 2023 Forum was closed.
Please select the recognised academic level at the time of application. Applicants may amend the academic level should there be changes after they have submitted their applications. Furthermore, the final 200 young scientists selected by the Scientific Review Panel will be asked by the HKLF Secretariat for updating their academic levels when closer to the Forum.
The Forum will be conducted in English and we will only accept application in English. Applicants whose supporting documents are not in English will be required to provide translated English version of their documents. Please upload the certified copies in original language as well as the translated English versions.
Open application for the 2023 Forum was closed.
The 200 young scientists will be selected by a two-tier Scientific Review Panel which is formed by a group of local and non-local academics. The first tier, being the Scientific Review Committees, under the three disciplines namely Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences will review all valid applications. Each application will be reviewed by at least two members of the relevant Committee. The Scientific Review Board (i.e. second tier of the Panel), will then select the final 200 young scientists to join the Forum.
For the composition of the Scientific Review Panel, please click HERE.
II. Before the Hong Kong Laureate Forum
1. Documentation to confirm participation in the Forum (For the Forum's Check-in Day and collection of participants' personalised kit-set)
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Download the HKLF mobile app and log in with designated user credentials to be provided by the HKLF Secretariat; OR present a participation confirmation email (with QR code) to be issued by the HKLF Secretariat.
2. Identification Document (Passport / Hong Kong Identity Card)
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For passport holders, please ensure the passport has at least six months of validity beyond the last day of travel in Hong Kong.
3. Other travel document(s) for participants not holding Hong Kong Identity Card
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In-bound participants are strongly advised to check if they are required to apply for a visa / an entry permit to travel to Hong Kong upon receiving the Forum acceptance notification, and to proceed with visa application / entry permit (if required) at least three months before the Forum as the application process may take a while.
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Visa / entry permit requirement - Please visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department website for details.
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If a visa / an entry permit is required, the HKLF Secretariat will, upon request, provide a Forum invitation letter as a supporting document, based on information, such as full name, identification document and its number, submitted by participants (collected during young scientist application or to be updated by participants when closer to the Forum).
4. Health declaration document for inbound participants (if any)
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Document(s) that requested by the HKSAR Government at the time on entering Hong Kong. The HKLF Secretariat will update specific requirement(s) on entering Hong Kong when closer to the Forum, if applicable.
5. Clothing
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Dress Code - The general attire is smart casual. However, different clothing may be appropriate at social functions and dinners (e.g., cocktail attire OR cultural / national / regional costume that represents participants' own countries / regions to be worn at the Forum's Gala Dinner). Participants may refer to our programme details for preparation.
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Weather in Hong Kong - Hong Kong's climate is sub-tropical, tending towards temperate for nearly half the year. During November and December there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperature. Many people regard these as the best months of the year for visiting Hong Kong. The temperature in November is usually around 19-24 Degrees Celsius. For up-to-date weather information, please visit the Hong Kong Observatory website.
6. Currency
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The currency in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), which is pegged to the US dollar at an approximate rate of HK$7.80 to US$1. However, the exchange rate may fluctuate slightly. For more information on Hong Kong currency, please visit the Hong Kong Monetary Authority website.
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Bank notes are issued in denominations of HK$1000, HK$500, HK$100, HK$50, HK$20 and HK$10, while coins are also in use. Currency can be changed at airport, banks, hotels or money-changers.
7. Credit Card
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For non-Hong Kong residing participants, they are advised to check with their home country / regional banks in advance to see if their credit cards can be used in Hong Kong and if there are any additional charges applied when using the cards.
8. Health-related items
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Personal first-aid item(s) and / or medicine(s).
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Personal medical and vaccination record(s), if any, which might be useful in case medical consultation is required when staying in Hong Kong.
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Document(s) with details of personal insurance policy issued in home country / region, if applicable.
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In-bound participants are strongly advised to purchase their own travel / medical insurance before departing for Hong Kong.
9. Electrical accessory and necessity
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A voltage adapter may be required for personal electronic device(s). The standard electrical voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. The majority of electrical outlets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged UK-style plug.
10. Pre-paid SIM card
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Free WiFi services are available in many places in Hong Kong, including the Forum's main venue - Hong Kong Science Park, however, limitations and conditions may apply. Visit Wi-Fi.HK for hotspot locations and details.
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For stable internet connection, it is recommended to purchase a pre-paid Hong Kong Data SIM card at own home country / region or from outlets of mobile network service operators / convenience stores in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Permanent Resident
Travel support is applicable to Hong Kong permanent residents studying / working
outside Hong Kong and do not require hotel accommodation provided by the HKLF Secretariat.
The support will be a round-trip transportation cost subject to terms and conditions, such
as financial ceiling.
Non-Hong Kong Permanent Resident
Non-Hong Kong permanent residents studying / working outside Hong Kong are required to
arrange a round-trip travel (both to and from Hong Kong) at their own expense. If any
participants have financial difficulty travelling to Hong Kong, they should seek travel
funding from their affiliated institutions and / or organisations. If their applications for
financial support for their travel are rejected with written and trackable reason(s), they
may apply for travel support from the HKLF Secretariat. The travel support is at the sole
discretion of the HKLF Secretariat.
The HKLF Secretariat will approach young scientists directly on support details and /
or application procedures when closer to the Forum.
Special Airfares from Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific, the home carrier of Hong Kong, offers participants of the Forum an
exclusive opportunity to
enjoy great savings on flights to Hong Kong.
Book online via the Cathay
Pacific's MICE online offer page or contact its Global Contact
Centres and quote the MICE Event Code for the Hong Kong Laureate Forum to enjoy
special
fares.
Cathay Pacific is one of the world's top airlines offering scheduled passenger and
cargo services to over 200 destinations* worldwide. As Hong Kong's home carrier, Cathay
Pacific provides vital links for trade and investment as well as leisure travel. Through
premium products and services, Cathay Pacific connects you to Hong Kong and the world.
*include codeshare services
Non-Hong Kong residents (exclude those with Hong Kong's permanent identity and will receive travel support from the HKLF) will be arranged with single hotel accommodation (including breakfast) during Forum period. Any additional cost for extras and hotel incidentals, such as telephone calls, mini-bar, pay-TV / video and so forth, will be at the participants' own expense.
The HKLF Secretariat will approach concerned young scientists directly on accommodation arrangement in due course.
Those arriving before the Forum's Check-in Day (a day before the Forum begins) or leaving after the last day of the Forum should make their own accommodation arrangement for the non-inclusive date(s). Inclusive date for the 2023 Forum: 12-18 November (six-night accommodation).
If any non-Hong Kong residing participants plan to arrange accommodation on their own, they are required to inform the HKLF Secretariat at the earliest. Please note that the HKLF Secretariat will not reimburse any expense for self-arranged accommodation.
Hotel to be arranged by the HKLF Secretariat:
Regal
Riverside Hotel
34-36 Tai Chung Kiu Road, Shatin, Hong Kong
All participants joining the Forum's official programmes and activities within the Forum period will be covered by Group Personal Accident Insurance.
Non-Hong Kong residing participants are strongly recommended to purchase travel insurance on their own prior to departure from their own home country / region to protect themselves against unexpected situation(s) when travelling to and from Hong Kong and during the stay in Hong Kong.
Participants may bring their family members / partners / friends to Hong Kong at their own cost. Please note that all accompanying persons will not be able to attend any of the Forum's programmes or activities. Also, any cost incurred by accompanying persons will not be covered by the HKLF. While accompanying persons are welcome to share participants' own hotel accommodation, the participants are required (and it is their own obligation) to check with the hotel in advance for capability, arrangement and additional charges, for example, for breakfast and extra bed, etc.
The HKLF Secretariat is committed to ensure that all personal data provided and submitted through application form / young scientist registration / the HKLF mobile app / any other form of request for information (as the case may be) are handled in accordance with the relevant principles and requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance under Legislation Publication Ordinance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
Please refer to the Personal Information Collection Statement and Privacy Policy Statement of the HKLF for details.
III. During the Hong Kong Laureate Forum
Meals and snacks will be arranged free of charge during the Forum's programmes and activities. Participants may refer to our programme details.
The HKLF Secretariat will collect special dietary request(s) from individual participants through the HKLF mobile app and try to accommodate as far as possible.
Free WiFi services are available in many places in Hong Kong, including the Forum's main venue - Hong Kong Science Park, however, limitations and conditions may apply. Visit Wi-Fi.HK for hotspot locations and details.
For stable internet connection, it is recommended to purchase a pre-paid Hong Kong Data SIM card at own home country / region or from outlets of mobile network service operators / convenience stores in Hong Kong.
Whilst phone calls can be made through various mobile apps when WiFi or internet data is available, for participants staying in the hotel arranged by the HKLF, telephone call services are available in hotel rooms, however, charges may apply. Please check with the hotel for details. Any incidental charges incurred during the stay in the hotel will be at participants' own expense.
Shuttle bus service will be arranged by the HKLF Secretariat as follows:
✓ From hotel to official venues
✓ From official venues to hotel (and 1-2 railway stations)
✓ Travelling between Forum's official programmes and activities
Details will be available when closer to the Forum.
If participants plan to tour around Hong Kong on their own beyond the Forum period, they may refer to the following Hong Kong public transport operators' websites:
✓ Franchised Buses
Octopus card is a reusable contactless stored value smart card for making electronic payments. It is widely used in public transport and retail shops including most convenience stores, supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, etc. in Hong Kong.
Find out more about Octopus Card at HERE
Please visit Hong Kong Tourism Board website.
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In case of an emergency at the venues during the Forum's official programmes and activities, participants are advised to contact the HKLF staff immediately.
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If participants have an emergency at the hotel arranged by the HKLF Secretariat, please call hotel's 24-hour guest service hotline.
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If participants have an emergency at any other situations, they are advised to call the Hong Kong Emergency Number (999) for help, and also to contact the HKLF Secretariat as soon as the situation allows.
IV. After the Hong Kong Laureate Forum
Participants can make use of the HKLF mobile app to stay connected with the other Forum participants through its customised "Messenger" and "Discussion Board" functions, and receive the latest Forum-related information.
Extracts of presentation contents and speakers' information during the Forum will be uploaded to the HKLF mobile app.
Participants are encouraged to follow the Hong Kong Laureate Forum on:
Website: https://hklaureateforum.org/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HKLaureateForum
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HKLaureateForum
Weibo: https://weibo.com/hklaureateforum
With the HKLF mobile app, participants can easily stay in touch with the other Forum participants, as well as continue to share and exchange views on any scientific topics.
