2026 Application Guidelines for the “China Studies Program” (CSP) Ph.D. Fellowships at Sun Yat-sen University

       Based on the recruitment plan for the “China Studies Program” Ph.D. Fellowships of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education (hereinafter referred to as “CLEC”) and in accordance with the actual situation at Sun Yat-sen University (hereinafter referred to as “SYSU”), these application guidelines for the scholarship program are hereby formulated.

I. Overview of the Scholarship
        The “China Studies Program” is established by CLEC in collaboration with China’s top universities and outstanding scholars. It aims to provide young overseas scholars who are studying China-related topics with opportunities and support for doctoral research in China. The program offers two Ph.D. fellowships: Joint Research Ph. D. Fellowship and Ph.D. Fellowship in China, and welcomes eligible young scholars around the world to apply.
        1. Joint Research Ph. D. Fellowship: This fellowship supports outstanding doctoral students enrolled at foreign universities to study, conduct joint research, and write their dissertations in China. The duration is generally from one semester to two academic years.
        2. Ph.D. Fellowship in China: This fellowship supports outstanding foreign master’s degree holders to pursue a doctoral degree at a Chinese university. The duration is generally three to four years, depending on the university’s academic requirements.

II. Eligibility
        Applicants should be committed to research in humanities and social sciences related to China, possess a solid academic foundation, have a relatively well-defined research topic or objective, and be able to conduct research in Chinese. The specific requirements are as follows:
        1. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens who hold a valid foreign passport
        2. Applicants must be in good physical and mental health and meet the physical examination requirements for obtaining a student visa or residence permit for study in China.
        3. Applicants for the Study-in-China Doctoral Degree Program must have obtained a master’s degree or be current master’s graduates. Applicants for the Sino-Foreign Joint Doctoral Training Program must be officially enrolled doctoral students at a recognized foreign university.
        4. Applicants must demonstrate friendliness toward China, diligence in their studies, excellent academic performance, good moral character, and compliance with laws and regulations. They must have no record of school disciplinary violations, security penalties, or criminal offenses.

III. Scholarship Coverage
        Scholarship coverage: Tuition, living expenses, international travel. The fellowship may also provide priority opportunities for additional research funding.
        Academic Resources: Access to academic training at one of China’s top 18 universities; participation in customized forums, seminars, and workshops; professional guidance from different mentors from Chinese and foreign universities; and opportunities for in-depth exchanges and interactions with scholars from around the world.
        Future Development: Graduates from this program will have priority access to other “China Studies Program” support, such as publication of doctoral dissertations and translations, conducting research in China, and attending international academic conferences.
        The specific funding details are subject to the final announcement by CLEC at the following link: https://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/csp.

IV. Programs Offered
        For the list of programs open to admission under SYSU’s 2026 “China Studies Program” Ph.D. Fellowships, please refer to Appendix 1. 
        The final list of eligible programs is subject to approval by the CLEC. Applications for disciplines outside the approved scope will be considered invalid.

V. Application Deadline
        February 28, 2026 

VI. Application and Admission Procedures
        Step 1: Submit Your Application on the CLEC website
        Applicants must register on the CLEC “Application Online” system at http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/csp; select either the 2026 Joint Research Ph. D. Fellowship or the 2026 Ph.D. Fellowship in China of the “China Studies Program”; complete the required information, and upload necessary documents. 
        After submitting the application online, print the “China Studies Program” Ph.D. Fellowships Application Form and sign it by hand.
        Step 2: Complete and Submit the Online Application to SYSU
        Applicants should access the Sun Yat-sen University International Student Application System (hereinafter referred to as the “Application System”) at: http://apply.sysu.edu.cn
        Applicants should complete the following procedures:
        (1) Register an account in the Application System.
        (2) Log in and click “Online Application”. Select “China studies Program” Ph.D. Fellowships.
        (3) Submit the required application materials (see Section VII of these guidelines for details).
        Step 3: Upload Signed Documents
        Applicants should download the automatically generated Application Information Form from the Application System (including the “Letter of Commitment”, and the “Proof of Financial Support by Applicant” or “Proof of Financial Guarantee”), print the document, sign it by hand, and upload the signed version to the system.
        Step 4: Pay the Application Fee Online
        The application fee is RMB 400. Once paid, the fee is non-refundable. Applications submitted without payment of the application fee will be considered invalid.
        Step 5: Qualification Review and Interview
        SYSU will review the submitted application documents, and qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. 
        The interview will assess the applicant’s overall competence and language proficiency. The interview schedule and format will be notified through the Application System or via email.
        Step 6: Check the Preliminary Admission Results
        SYSU will determine the preliminary admission list based on a comprehensive evaluation. Applicants can log in to the Application System to check their preliminary admission results 15 days after the interview.
        Step 7: Confirmation of Fellowship Eligibility
        For applicants who have obtained pre-admission of “China Studies Program” from SYSU, the final admission decision is subject to the results of the review conducted by the CLEC. 
        Admission notices for fellowship recipients will be issued on a rolling basis, and applicants may log in to the Application System to download them.

VII. Application Materials
        1. A valid ordinary passport and a personal profile photo
        Applicants’ passports must remain valid until at least December 1, 2026. Please renew your passport if necessary. Applicants currently residing in the Chinese mainland should provide a scanned copy of their valid Chinese visa or residence permit page, as well as the entry stamp page/s.
        For applicants who were originally citizens of the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region, or the Taiwan, and later acquired foreign nationality, the following documents must be additionally provided:
        (1) Proof of the cancellation of household registration, or proof of renunciation of Chinese nationality; or
        (2) An official certificate issued by a Chinese diplomatic or consular mission certifying that the applicant does not hold Chinese nationality.

        2. Degree certificates, diplomas, and verfication reports.
        (1) Applicants who graduated from institutions within China must submit the following documents from the Chinese Higher Education Student Information Network via its official website link: https://www.chsi.com.cn
        a. Electronic Registration and Verification Form of Higher Education Qualification Certificate issued by the Ministry of Education for both the master’s and bachelor’s degrees.
        b. Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate for both the master’s and bachelor’s degrees.
        (2) Applicants who graduated from institutions outside the Chinese mainland must submit the Foreign Academic Degree and Qualification Verification Report for both the master’s and bachelor’s degrees issued by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) via its official website: https://www.cscse.edu.cn.
        (3) For current-year graduates, a pre-graduation certificate issued by the applicant’s school may be submitted during the application process. However, if they fail to provide the degree certificate of master’s degree before enrollment, their admission offer will be considered invalid.

        3. Complete academic transcripts
        Transcripts from both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees must be issued and stamped by the academic affairs office or the relevant student administration department of the applicant’s institution.
        For current-year graduates, the most recent transcript issued by their school may be submitted during the application process. However, if they fail to provide the complete bachelor’s and master’s transcripts before enrollment, their admission offer will be considered invalid.
        4. Proof of language proficiency
        Applicants must submit a valid HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) certificate with a minimum score of 180 at Level 5 or above. 
        Applicants for the Joint Research Ph. D. Fellowship must submit a valid HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) certificate with a minimum score of 180 at Level 3 or above. 
        5. Two academic recommendation letters (see Appendix 2)
        For applicants to master’s and doctoral degree programs, their referees of the recommendation letters must be professors, associate professors, or experts with equivalent professional or technical titles in the applicant’s field of study.
        The content of the recommendation letters should focus on the applicant’s objectives for studying in China, the cooperation between the Chinese host institution or Chinese supervisor and the overseas supervisor, or existing inter-university exchange arrangements, as well as an evaluation of the applicant’s overall abilities and future development. The letters must be written in either Chinese or English.
        6. Plan of study and research in China (see Appendix 3)
        Applicants are required to submit a Plan of Study and Research in China, with a main text of approximately 6,000 words, and including, but not limited to, the applicant’s academic and professional background, research achievements, doctoral research plan, and post-graduation career plans. 
        7. Physical examination report and test results (see Appendix 4)
        Applicants must submit the Foreigner Physical Examination Form along with scanned copies of the original reports for a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), and laboratory tests for specified items . All documents must bear the official seal of the hospital and must be issued within the past six months.
        Applicants currently residing in the Chinese mainland who hold a valid Foreigner Residence Permit or Permanent Residence ID Card for Foreigners may submit either of these documents in place of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form.
        8. Certificate of Non-Criminal Record
        Applicants must submit a valid Certificate of No Criminal Record issued by the local public security authority, generally dated within six months prior to the application submission date.
        9. Scholarship application form
        In accordance with the requirements of the CLEC, applicants should complete the application form online at:
        https://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/csp
        Once completed, print the form, sign on the final page, scan the signed form, and upload it to the system as required.
        10. Supplementary supporting documents
        Applicants may submit certificates of awards or documents verifying relevant experience to support their application.
        Note: All application materials must be original documents in Chinese or English. For documents in other languages, a notarized Chinese or English translation must be provided.

VIII. Supervision
        1. Responsibility for Submitted Materials: Applicants are responsible for the authenticity of all materials they submit. In accordance with Chinese national regulations and SYSU’s rules, any applicant found to have submitted falsified materials will have their admission, enrollment, and student status revoked, and the matter will be reported to the relevant authorities.
        2. Registration: Admitted students must complete registration on the date and at the location specified in the Admission Letter. Early registration is not permitted. Failure to register on time without prior approval will be considered a withdrawal of admission, and scholarship recipients will also lose their scholarship eligibility.
        3. Post-Admission Physical Examination and Eligibility Review: SYSU will conduct a physical examination and review of admission eligibility for all enrolled students in accordance with regulations and requirements of the Ministry of Education of China. Students who fail to meet the admission requirements or are found to have submitted falsified materials will have their admission and enrollment revoked, and scholarship recipients will also lose their scholarship eligibility.

IX. Contact Information
        1. Office of China Studies of Center for Language Education and Cooperation
        Phone: +86 (10) 5859 5771
        Email: wangxinsheng@hanban.org
        Application Website: http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/csp 
        Address: No. 129 Deshengmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100088, China
        2. Office of International Students’ Affairs, Sun Yat-sen University 
        Office Website: http://iso.sysu.edu.cn
        Online Application Website: 
        https://apply.sysu.edu.cn/login
        Email: admissions@mail.sysu.edu.cn
        Inquiry Tel: 0086(20)84110819
        Supervision Department Tel: 0086(20)84115582
        Address: Office of International Students’ Affairs, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Road, Guangzhou, P.R.China
        Zip code: 510275