About Bonham Tree Scholarship
Quota & Amount
First Installment
£ 2,000
Second Installment
£ 1,000
A maximum of 4 awardees will be selected by the "Bonham Tree Scholarship Selection Committee". Each awardee will receive a £3,000 scholarship, which will be awarded in two installments:
Purpose & Background
A practical plan for preserving Hong Kong's culture, including personal insights on scientific research, education, political and economic development, or cultural development; a deep commitment to democratic values.
Undergraduate students
Full-time bachelor’s degree in the UK for 2026 - 27 academic year, including those in a foundation year.
- Or -
Postgraduate students
Master's degrees in the UK for 2026 - 27 academic year, for at least 12 months of study.
Continuing students
Continuing students are required to submit proof of university results with a GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 GPA Scale) or equivalent.
New postgraduate students
An undergraduate honours degree of at least second class, or overseas equivalent.
Please feel free to email us to clarify any alternative systems.
Selection Process
There are primary shortlisting and final selection stages. A maximum of 3 undergraduate and 1 postgraduate awardees will be selected and all applicants will be notified by email of the results.
1. Primary Shortlisting
At most 8 applicants will be selected for the final interview. Students are required to submit an English proposal in no more than 1,000 words on how to preserve and promote Hong Kong's culture when upholding the value of democracy.
3. Awardees
Up to 3 undergraduate and 1 postgraduate awardees will be selected from the shortlisted candidates who completed the final selection. After the result is announced, the awardees will receive the first instalment of the scholarship to start their proposed project.
The awardees will attend 3 Mentor Seminars and Reading Club sessions, and report project progress before receiving the second installment of the scholarship. They are required to attend a face-to-face gathering in London to catch up with their peers and the panel members. This is to ensure their access to appropriate guidance and prudent use of the scholarship monies.
The awardees may be invited to produce a response speech and a personal photo one week ahead the result announcement. The above materials will be published on the this website and social media. The Fund will allow for alternatives should an awardee has any issues / concerns with the arrangement.
2. Final Selection
The shortlisted applicants will participate in a half to full day in-person event. Rundown and interview arrangement will be sent to the successful candidates by email in one week prior to the final selection, which will be held on 5th or 6th December 2026.
Scholarship Alumni Network
Awardees who successfully complete their projects will be invited to join the Scholarship Alumni Network. We believe that completing a project is not the end of a scholarship awardee’s identity, but the beginning of continuity and heritage.
The Scholarship Alumni Network aims to provide fertile ground for the ongoing growth of scholars’ initiatives, building a network that connects industry leaders, experienced mentors, and emerging talents to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and together, carry forward the Hong Kong identity and universal values.
Previous Selection Committee
Featured below are some of our judges across different cohorts, as the composition varies each year.
Prof. Ching-kiu Chan
A cultural studies scholar, who formerly served as the Head of the Department of Cultural Studies at Lingnan University, an elected member of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council representing the Arts Criticism sector, and a core member of the Scholars’ Alliance for Academic Freedom.
Ms Clara Cheung
Former Happy Valley District Councillor of Hong Kong, now an active art curator in the UK, assisting in organizing several exhibitions related to Hong Kong issues.
Ms. Loretta Lau
A Hong Kong artist, curator, and cultural practitioner based in Europe, and the founder and director of NGO DEI. Through performance art, curatorial projects, and cultural advocacy, her work explores Hong Kong culture, diaspora communities and human rights.
Dr. Yeung
Former university vice-president in Hong Kong, actively working to create a more equitable academic system in Hong Kong's higher education sector, with a deep understanding of the industry's history.
Amy Siu
Faculty member teaching computer science at a German university of applied sciences, as well as active participant in civil society in the Hongkonger diaspora in Europe.
Dr. Benson Wong
Former higher education electoral representative and former convener of Progressive Scholars Group in Hong Kong, who previously taught in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Baptist University. After relocating to the UK, Dr. Benson Wong has been actively involved in civic society activities.