Application Guide for the 2023 “China Studies Program (CSP)” Ph.D. Fellowships , Sun Yat-sen University

Postdate：2022-12-21

In accordance with the enrollment information of 2023 "China Studies Program" (CSP) Ph.D. Fellowships published by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and the actual conditions of SYSU, this guide is formulated as follows.

I. Introduction

Set up by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education, the CSP unites top universities and outstanding scholars in China to provide research opportunities and support for overseas young scholars in the field of China studies during their doctoral study. The program includes Ph.D. in China Fellowship and Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship. Ph.D. in China Fellowship supports outstanding foreign master's degree holders in pursuing doctoral degrees at Chinese universities. With relevance to the curriculum requirements of related majors at our university, such fellowship requires four years of full-time study and Chinese as the medium of instruction. Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship provides funds to outstanding foreign doctoral students (candidates) registered at foreign universities to come to China for study, joint research, or doctoral dissertation writing. The Fellowship lasts from one semester to two years.

II. Eligibility

Young sinologists who aspire to engage in China-related research in humanities and social sciences, who have solid academic foundations, and a targeted research topic or goal are welcomed to apply. They should also be able to conduct research in Chinese, have a global vision for academic pursuit, thoroughly understand international academic norms, and participate in international academic exchange and research.

1. Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens and in good health.

2. Language proficiency.

(1) Applicants for the Ph.D. Fellowship program in China should have an HSK (Level V) certificate with 180 points or above. Priority is given to those with a higher level of proficiency in Chinese under the same conditions.

(2) Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should have an HSK (Level III) certificate with 180 points or above. Priority is given to those with a higher level of proficiency in Chinese under same conditions.

(3) Applicants for the Ph.D. Fellowship program in China should have obtained a master's degree, or be fresh graduates.

(4) Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should be registered doctoral students at foreign universities.

(5) Applicants who have been awarded the Chinese Government Scholarship are not allowed to apply for this program.

III. Scholarship Coverage

The recipients for the CSP are provided financial support including tuition fees, living and research stipends, and international travel expenses. They will also receive professional guidance from mentors from Chinese and foreign universities and have in-depth interaction with Chinese and foreign scholars through participating in tailored forums, seminars, workshops and other academic activities offered by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation; After their graduation, they will be given priority in gaining support from other projects within the CSP. For more details for scholarships, please refer to the information released by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation:

http://csp.chinese.cn

Guidance for 2023-2024 CSP Ph.D. Fellowships Enrollment (Chinese version):

http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/announcement?id=1312&page=1

IV. Application Procedures

1. Online application for the CSP Ph.D. Fellowship program in China. Applicants should log onto http://csp.chinese.cn to register a personal account, fill in the application online: The Ph.D. Fellowships of "China Studies Program" 2023 or the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program of "China Studies Program" 2023 , upload relevant certification materials and submit the application form.

2. Online application for SYSU CSP Ph. D. Fellowships. Applicants are required to visit the SYSU Office of International Students' Affairs (http://iso.sysu.edu.cn). Please choose "APPLY ONLINE" accordingly, fill in relevant information (see Attachment 1) correctly and completely, and upload the application materials (see the table in Article V). Application materials should be the original copies in Chinese/English. If the original copy of the following materials is written in non-Chinese/English, a notarized copy in Chinese/English is required.

3. Scholarship review. SYSU will review applicants' qualifications and arrange for interviews. Those who have passed SYSU's review and interview will be reviewed and interviewed by a panel of experts from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, and the final lists of awardees will be decided by the center. Admission letters will be mailed to the awardees by SYSU.

V. Application Materials

No.	Materials	Requirements
1	The first page of a valid ordinary passport and a personal profile photo	The passport should not expire before December 1, 2023. Please renew the passport if needed. Applicants who are staying in China at the time of application should provide a scanned copy of their passport pages with the Chinese visa or residence permit page, and entry seal. Those who have acquired foreign nationality and were once residents of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan must submit a certificate of cancellation of household registration or a certificate of withdrawal of Chinese nationality, or submit an official document issued by the Chinese diplomatic representation and consular authorities certifying that they do not hold Chinese nationality.
2	Diploma, certificates and verification reports of master’s degree and bachelor’s degree	Applicants for The Ph.D. Fellowships program in China should provide degree certificates of bachelor’s and master’s studies. Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should provide proof of enrollment in a doctoral program. Applicants who have graduated from universities in Chinese mainland should submit the Record of Electronic Registration of Academic Certificates of the Ministry of Education and Online Verification Report of Chinese Higher Education Degree for Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from the website of Chinese Higher Education Student Information (https://www.chsi.com.cn). Applicants who have graduated from universities outside the Chinese mainland should submit Verification of Foreign Academic Degrees of master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the website of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges. Fresh graduates can submit a pre-graduation certificate issued by their institution. Applicants who do not submit their certificate of master’s degree will have their admission canceled.
3	Complete transcripts of undergraduate and graduate studies	Transcripts should be issued and stamped by the academic affair department or relevant student administration department of the applicants’ university and they should include the transcripts of their master’s degree and bachelor’s degree. Applicants who are in the last year of their graduate program can submit their latest transcript issued by their university during the application process and resubmit a complete transcript when they receive one. Those who do not submit a complete transcript of undergraduate and graduate studies before coming to SYSU will have their admission canceled.
4	Chinese proficiency certificate	Applicants for The Ph.D. Fellowships program in China should submit a certificate of Chinese language proficiency (HSK level V) with a score higher than 180 . Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should submit a certificate of Chinese language proficiency (HSK level III) with a score higher than 180.
5	Recommendation letter	Two recommendation letters from experts in the related fields, written in Chinese or English (see Attachment 2 with their signatures, title information, and contact information of the recommenders).
6	Research Proposal	Applicants for The Ph.D. Fellowships program in China should provide a research plan during their doctoral study. Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should provide a plan for studying in China. (see Attachment 3 Relevant major or research background/Reasons for applying for the project/Postgraduate study and research plan/Career goal after graduation, etc.)
7	Research publications	Master’s thesis abstract and other research publications. Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should provide the abstract of the doctoral dissertation.
8	Physical examination report and blood test results	Please refer to Annex 2 for the items of physical examination, which should be filled out in Chinese or English and stamped with the hospital’s official seal. The valid period of the physical examination is six months: : From 1^st Sep 2022 to 28^th Feb 2023. Please see Attachment 4.
9	Certificate of Non-Criminal Record	Please consult local relevant authorities for issuing a stamped version of official and valid documents.
10	Application form for fellowship program	Application Form for the Ph.D. Fellowship/Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship in China Program.
11	Supporting documents	Award certificates or proof of experience.
12	Commitment letter	Please carefully read the commitment letter (see Attachment 5). Sign it at the signature place, scan and upload it.
13	Application information form	The application information form will be automatically generated after the applicant submit the application at “http://apply.sysu.edu.cn”. Please sign it at the signature place, scan and upload it.

Note: Application documents must be original ones in Chinese or English. If the documents are in other languages, the original documents and notarized Chinese or English translation of the documents must be attached. Please make sure that the applicant's email address, WeChat number and contact phone number filled in on the system are accurate. We will send a notice of supplementary documents by email (emails will be sent by admissions@mail.sysu.edu.cn). Applicants are responsible for unsuccessful applications caused by failure to submit supplementary documents in time, notarized certificates not meeting the requirements or incorrect contact information.

VI. Application Deadline

February 28th, 2023

VII. Others

1. Admitted students must complete the registration procedures with a study visa according to the registration date required by SYSU. Those who have failed to register on time or pass the reexamination of admission qualification will be deprived of their scholarship.

2. Admitted students are required to participate in the annual scholarship review according to regulations. Those who have failed the annual review will be suspended or disqualified from the scholarship.

VIII. Contact Information

1. Chinese Studies Office of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation

Tel: 86（10）58595771

Email: wangxinsheng@hanban.org

Website: http://ccsp.chinese.cn/

Address: 129 Deshengmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China, 100088.

2. Office of International Students' Affairs, Admissions Office of Education administration, Sun Yat-sen University

Program Information Website: http://iso.sysu.edu.cn

Application Website: https://apply.sysu.edu.cn

Email：admissions@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Enquiry Tel: 0086（20）84110819

Supervision Department Tel: 0086（20）84115582

Address: Office of International Students' Affairs, Admissions Office, Academic Affairs Department,

Sun Yat-sen University 135 Xingangxi Road, Guangzhou, P.R.China

Zip code: 510275

Attachment(s)

Attachment 1.List of Supervisors of Sun Yat-sen University for China Studies Program 2023.pdf Attachment 2. Letter of Recommendation.docx Attachment 3. Plan of Study and Research in China.docx Attachment 4. Foreigner Physical Examination Form.pdf Attachment 5. Letter of Commitment.pdf