Chapter 1: General Provisions
Article 1: In accordance with the principles of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, this initiative aims to accelerate the development of becoming a leading country in education, science and technology, talent. It supports the realization of Chinese modernization by providing essential human resources and establishes a platform for cross-cultural exchange to foster a human community with a shared future.
Chapter 2: Selection Methods
Article 2: The selection for national scholarship-funded overseas study programs will adhere to the principles of openness, fairness, and impartiality. The selection process is divided into two main categories: Individual Self-Application Projects (referred to as Individual Projects) and Program-Based Projects. Individual Projects are open to the public and allow eligible Chinese citizens to apply. The selection procedure follows a process of “individual application, unit recommendation, expert evaluation, and merit-based selection.” Program-Based Projects, however, are administered by domestic institutions, with a selection process that involves “initial project approval (contract signing) followed by personnel selection.” These projects prioritize support for collaborations between domestic institutions and international agencies, with the domestic institutions independently handling personnel selection and management.
Chapter 3: Categories of Selection
Article 3: Key Categories and Duration of Support
1) Senior Research Scholars: 3 to 6 months.
2) Visiting Scholars: 3 to 12 months.
3) Postdoctoral Researchers: 6 to 24 months.
4) Candidates for Doctorate: Generally 36 to 48 months.
5) Jointly Trained PhD Students: 6 to 24 months.
6) Candidates for Master’s Degree: Generally 12 to 24 months.
7) Jointly Trained Master’s Students: 3 to 12 months.
8) Undergraduate Students: Generally 36 to 60 months, subject to specific project regulations.
9) Undergraduate Exchange Students: 3 to 12 months.
Jointly trained PhD and Master’s students, as well as undergraduate exchange students, must be dispatched during their academic studies and are required to return to China to defend their degrees upon completing their overseas studies. In the event that they have already completed the corresponding degree programs in China prior to or during their funding period, they must promptly initiate procedures to terminate their national scholarship-funded overseas study status.
Article 4: Duration of Study and Funding
The duration of study abroad is typically determined based on the academic requirements of the host institution, the applicant’s submission, and the study/training period outlined in the foreign acceptance letter or invitation.
The funding duration is generally determined based on several factors, including the study period, the applicant’s submission, the foreign institution’s admission letter (or invitation letter), the maximum funding duration specified by the program, and expert review recommendations. In most instances, the study period and the funding duration will align, although in some cases, the study period may exceed the funding duration. The final determination will be made in accordance with the official admission documentation.
The funding duration requested by the individual should not exceed the study period specified by the foreign institution or the maximum funding duration outlined by the relevant program. If the requested funding duration is shorter than the study period as defined by the foreign institution, the funding will typically be granted for the period specified in the applicant’s request, provided it does not exceed the maximum funding duration set by the program.
Chapter 4: Funding Details
Article 5: The funding typically includes international airfare of one round-trip and a scholarship for the duration of the study period. The scholarship is designed to cover essential living and academic expenses while abroad, including living expenses, registration fees, medical insurance, books and materials, bench fees, and visa extension costs. Depending on the project, additional tuition support may be available. Specific funding arrangements, as well as amounts and standards, will be detailed in the official acceptance documents.
Chapter 5: Eligibility Requirements
Article 6: Basic Requirements for Applicants
1) Applicants must support the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, demonstrate patriotism, possess strong moral character, and comply with laws and regulations. They should embody a sense of responsibility toward serving the country, society, and people, as well as uphold a principled worldview, outlook on life, and values.
2) Applicants should possess a solid academic foundation and the potential for future development, adhere to scholarly ethics, follow academic standards, and have demonstrated excellence in their work and studies. They must also exhibit a strong commitment to returning to China to contribute to national development.
3) Applicants must be citizens of the People’s Republic of China and must not hold permanent residence in any foreign country. Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
4) Applicants must be in good physical and mental health.
5) Applicants must meet the foreign language requirements set by the National Scholarship Fund and the specific language requirements of the host country and institution.
6) Applicants must also meet any additional program-specific criteria.
Article 7: Applications WILL NOT be accepted from the Following Individuals:
1) Those who have already been awarded full scholarships by foreign governments.
2) Those who have already been granted qualifications for national public-funded overseas study and are still within the validity period.
3) Those who have applied for a national public-funded overseas study program but have not yet received the admission decision.
4) Those who have previously received national public-funded overseas study qualifications but voluntarily relinquished them without prior approval from the China Scholarship Council (CSC), and whose qualifications have expired within the last two years.
5) Those who have previously benefited from national public-funded overseas study support and have not yet completed two years of service in China upon returning. Special provisions apply for certain programs in accordance with relevant regulations.
Chapter 6: Major Programs
Article 8: Key Individual Projects include: National public-funded senior research scholars, visiting scholars, and postdoctoral programs; graduate programs for building high-level universities under national public funding; internship programs with international organizations (including programs for faculty from universities abroad); government exchange scholarship programs; foreign collaboration projects; talent support plans for non-general foreign languages and faculty development within international regional issue research and high-level foreign language talent training initiatives.
Article 9: Key Program-Based Programs include: international cooperation and innovation talent cultivation projects, special talent programs for the western regions, local and university cooperation programs (including overseas training for outstanding young faculty members), industry collaboration programs, international organization talent reserve programs, artistic talent cultivation initiatives, rural revitalization talent programs, country and regional research talent plans within international regional issue research and high-level foreign language talent cultivation projects.
Article 10: For details on program scale, eligibility, selection methods, and timelines, please consult the specific program guidelines (or implementation details).
Chapter 7: Application and Admission Process
Article 11: Applicants must submit their materials according to the procedures, deadlines, and requirements outlined for the specific program and are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all materials submitted.
Article 12: The recommending institution, based on individual applications, will conduct its selection process in alignment with its overall talent development strategy. The institution must review all application materials and reserves the right to return applications that are inaccurate, inconsistent, or fail to meet requirements. Furthermore, the institution must ensure a thorough evaluation of the applicant’s political views, academic conduct, and ethical standards, providing an assessment of these factors in the recommendation section of the application form. The recommending institution should also clearly inform applicants of the conditions and expectations for submitting applications for national public-funded overseas study.
Article 13: Eligible applicants must apply following the established procedures. CSC will organize a review based on program criteria and announce the results. Applicants can view their admission status through the National State-Sponsored Study Abroad Management Information Platform (https://sa.csc.edu.cn).
Chapter 8: Dispatch and Management
Article 14: CSC shall oversee the funding of accepted individuals in accordance with the applicable national regulations governing public-funded overseas study programs. The recommending institutions bear the primary responsibility for managing the dispatch, study, and post-return roles of their respective overseas students, ensuring proper oversight throughout the entire process.
Article 15: Individuals selected for funding must be dispatched within the validity period of their funding eligibility. Failure to do so will result in the automatic cancellation of their funding qualification.
Article 16: The management of overseas students operates under a “contract-based dispatch and breach-of-contract compensation” system. Prior to departure, overseas students must sign the Subsidized Study Abroad Agreement and complete the necessary dispatch procedures with both their recommending institution and CSC. Upon arrival in the host country, students are required to register with the National Public-Funded Overseas Study Management Information Platform and follow the registration procedures outlined by the Chinese embassy or consulate, confirming the commencement date of their funding.
Article 17: During their overseas study period, students are expected to fully comply with the laws and regulations of the host country, adhere to the provisions of the National Scholarship Fund, and abide by the terms outlined in the Subsidized Study Abroad Agreement. They must complete their study plans as outlined and accept guidance and oversight from their host institution, recommending institution, and the Chinese embassy or consulate, all while meeting the criteria for scholarship eligibility.
Article 18: Upon completion of their studies, overseas students are obligated to return to China within the specified time to fulfill their service obligations. They must register their return on the National Public-Funded Overseas Study Management Information Platform within three months of their return. Undergraduate exchange students are exempt from return service obligations.
Article 19: Overseas students are encouraged to explicitly acknowledge CSC when publishing any research, projects, or academic papers funded by the scholarship.
Chapter 9: Supplementary Provisions
Article 20: This guide is applicable to the 2025 national public-funded overseas study selection process. For specific projects with additional regulations, those provisions shall be followed.
Article 21: During the selection and admission process, or while receiving funding through national public-funded overseas study, applicants or funded individuals found to be in violation of this guide, or those who violate national laws and are subject to criminal prosecution, engage in actions that significantly harm public order or morals, or breach academic integrity, may face penalties including the rejection of their application, cancellation of qualifications, termination of funding, or demands for repayment, once the violation is verified.
Article 22: The interpretation of this guide rests with CSC.
