Notice on the 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship–Short-term Research Exchange Program (China Link) for International Students

To accelerate the development of China as a major global center for education and to further extend the core role of the Chinese Government Scholarship in attracting high-level international talents, the China Scholarship Council (CSC) has launched the application process for the 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship Short-term Research Exchange Program (China Link). In accordance with the program admission guidelines (see Attachment 1) and in light of the Sun Yat-sen University’s operational needs, the following implementation notice is hereby issued.

I. Eligibility and Funding Plan

1. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens in good physical and mental health.

2. General Scholar (applicable to undergraduate and master’s levels) must be under 45 years of age; Senior Scholar (applicable to doctoral level) must be under 50 years of age.

3. During the application and participation period, the applicant must be a full-time student currently enrolled at CSC partner institutions abroad. The list of eligible institutions is provided in Attachment 2.

4. Duration of Funding: 1-12 months. The start date for research in China must be no later than 31 August, 2027.

5. Language of Instruction: Chinese or English.

6. Fields of Study: Applicants must apply to majors listed in the 2026 Sun Yat-sen University Short-term Research Program Catalogue for International Students (see Attachment 3、4).

II. Funding Coverage

Scholarship recipients will receive full scholarship support during their stay in China, including: tuition waiver, on-campus accommodation fee waiver, , comprehensive medical insurance. In addition, a monthly living allowance will be provided according to the Chinese Government Scholarship standards as follows:

General Scholar: RMB 3,000 per month

Senior Scholar: RMB 3,500 per month

Final funding policies and standards shall be subject to the official announcement of the China Scholarship Council.

III. Application Procedures

1. Invitation or Recommendation by Schools/Departments

After conducting a comprehensive review of the applicants (including the applicants’ attitude toward China, academic performance, research capability, language proficiency, health condition, criminal record status), the school/department shall determine the list of nominees and issue an official departmental recommendation letter.

2. CSC Online Application

Applicants must complete the online application through the Study in China application system of CSC at http://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn, select Program Type B, choose student category “General Scholar” or “Senior Scholar”, and fill in the application information (The Agency Number of Sun Yat-sen University is 10558).

3. Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) Online Application

For applicants planning to study in China, the deadlines of application submission for different semesters are as follows: 

       1 May, 2026 (for applicants planning to study in China in summer or autumn 2026)

       1 December, 2026 (for applicants planning to study in China in spring or summer 2027)

Before the deadlines, applicants must register and submit materials through the website of Office of International Students’ Affairs of SYSU at http://iso.sysu.edu.cn, select “Chinese Government Scholarship Short-term Research Exchange Program”, and submit the following materials:

        (1) Chinese Government Scholarship Application Form

Please complete the application through the “Study in China” system of CSC (https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn), download the application form, sign the final page, and upload the scanned copy to SYSU’s application system.

(2) Clear scanned copy of a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity) and personal photo.

(3) Highest degree certificate; if not applicable, please upload a certificate of current enrollment issued by the home institution.

(4) Academic transcripts of the highest degree; if not applicable, please upload a certificate of current enrollment issued by the home institution.

(5) Plan of Study and Research, written in Chinese or English with a minimum 500 Chinese characters or 1,000 English words.

(6) Foreigner Physical Examination Form (required for applicants studying in China for 6 months or longer). Applicants staying less than 6 months may upload a personal health declaration.

(7) Certificate of Non Criminal Record. Applicants studying in China for 6 months or longer must provide a certificate issued by the relevant authority in their current country of residence. Applicants staying less than 6 months may upload a personal declaration of no criminal record.

(8) Recommendation Letter issued by the host school/department at SYSU.

(9) Language proficiency certificate (optional).

(10) Other supplementary materials (optional).

4. University Review

The Office of International Students’ Affairs of International Cooperation and Exchange will conduct eligibility verification and nominate recommended candidates to the CSC.

        5.CSC Evaluation

The China Scholarship Council will review the candidates recommended by the University and notify the University of the final funding results.

6. Issuance of Admission Documents

Based on the CSC evaluation results, the Office of International Students Affairs of International Cooperation and Exchange will issue official admission letters to successful candidates.

IV. Additional Notes

When recommending candidates, schools/departments must confirm the following information with the applicant and clearly state it in the recommendation letter: applicant’s home institution, academic level, number of funded months, expected number of days in China, and language of instruction.

        V. Contact Information

The Office of International Students’ Affairs of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange 

Inquiry Tel: 0086(20)84110819

        Email: admissions@mail.sysu.edu.cn