China-ASEAN Young Leaders Scholarship Application Guide

Part One: Introduction

To promote understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and ASEAN countries, respond to their leaders’ calls for closer people-to-people exchanges and stronger educational cooperation, and reinforce this pillar of China-ASEAN relations in building a closer community with a shared future, the Chinese Government established the China-ASEAN Young Leaders Scholarship.

It is designed specifically for young professionals from ASEAN member states with work experience. Funding is provided by the Chinese Government through the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund.

It supports ASEAN citizens in pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, short-term study and short-term group training in China, fully funding relevant study or training expenses.

Part Two: Admissions Prospectus

I. Categories, Duration and Language

Categories: Outstanding young people from ASEAN member states with work experience, pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees, short-term study or short-term group training in China.

Duration: Funding corresponds to the category below. Recipients must complete study within the funded period.

Category	Study duration	Scholarship duration
Master’s	2-3 academic years	2-3 academic years
Doctoral	3-4 academic years	3-4 academic years
Visiting students	5-6 months	5-6 months

Language: English. In principle, applicants must choose English-taught programs and meet the university’s and program’s English requirements.

II. Coverage and Annual Review

Full scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, living allowance, international travel, a one-time settlement allowance and comprehensive insurance.

Annual review: CSC and admitting universities assess recipients’ performance annually to determine continued eligibility. Students failing review will be expelled or lose scholarship eligibility.

III. Routes and Dates

Apply within the prescribed period to the scholarship’s national focal point, the ACYLS national focal point. Outstanding lecturers and staff from leading ASEAN universities may apply through the ASEAN University Network (AUN) Secretariat. Applications generally run from early January to March; consult the national focal point for the exact deadline.

IV. Eligibility

1. Non-Chinese citizens of ASEAN member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
2. Good physical and mental health.
3. Interest in and a favorable attitude toward China and Chinese culture.
4. Qualifications and age:
   • Master’s: bachelor’s degree, no older than 45.
   • Doctoral: master’s degree, no older than 45.
   • Visiting study: bachelor’s degree or above.
5. At least one year of experience in a government department, public or private organization, university, think tank or similar social institution.
6. Priority for experience working or studying in China, China-related exchanges or China-ASEAN relations.
7. Proficient English, for example IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 or above.
8. No simultaneous receipt of other Chinese Government scholarships.
9. Fulfillment of other admission requirements of the intended program.

V. Procedure

1. Access the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System through , click its icon, complete the information, upload documents and submit online.
2. Prepare materials according to the checklist and submit paper documents to the national focal point or AUN Secretariat within the prescribed period. These bodies review qualifications and submit nominated candidates to the Joint Committee in Jakarta, which assesses and determines final nominees.
3. CSC accepts only applications recommended by the Joint Committee in Jakarta, not individual applications. CSC may adjust university choices where necessary.

VI. Documents

Provide authentic, valid documents as required by the scholarship information system and upload clear scans. Failure to meet these requirements affects admission results.

When applying to the national focal point or AUN Secretariat, follow its document requirements.

VII. Institutions and Programs

The scholarship currently operates at 33 Chinese institutions, listed below. Choose 1-3 preferences from the designated institutions. CSC arranges admission based on preferred institutions and programs.

VIII. Admission and Notification

1. CSC forwards approved applications to preferred institutions for admission. It may adjust institutions or programs according to scholarship requirements, institutional capacity, program duration and applicant qualifications. Universities determine admission results.
2. CSC notifies candidates of scholarship results by July 31. The admitting university issues the Admission Notice and Confirmation Form for Study in China, JW201.
3. In principle, recipients may not request changes to the admitting university, program or duration stated in the Admission Notice after arrival.
4. Those unable to arrive within the admission period do not retain scholarship eligibility.

Ensure Current Contact Details in the information system are accurate, complete and valid.

IX. Changes to Institution, Program or Duration

In principle, no changes are permitted after arrival. Special cases require an application to CSC and approval by the Joint Committee in Jakarta.

X. Admission Timeline

Period	Action
Early January-March	Consult the home education ministry’s dispatching authority, complete online application and submit documents.
March-April	National education authorities submit nominees and materials to the Joint Committee in Jakarta for review.
May-June	CSC arranges admission at participating institutions.
End of July	After confirmation by the Joint Committee in Jakarta, CSC notifies candidates and sends admission materials.
August	Recipients receive documents and arrange travel to China.
September	Recipients register at the university.

Part Three: Participating Institutions

No.	Institution	City
1	Peking University	Beijing
2	Tsinghua University	Beijing
3	Renmin University of China	Beijing
4	Beijing Normal University	Beijing
5	China Agricultural University	Beijing
6	Beijing Foreign Studies University	Beijing
7	Beijing Language and Culture University	Beijing
8	University of Science and Technology Beijing	Beijing
9	Beijing Jiaotong University	Beijing
10	Communication University of China	Beijing
11	Central University of Finance and Economics	Beijing
12	University of International Business and Economics	Beijing
13	Nankai University	Tianjin
14	Tianjin University	Tianjin
15	Fudan University	Shanghai
16	Shanghai Jiao Tong University	Shanghai
17	Tongji University	Shanghai
18	East China University of Science and Technology	Shanghai
19	Shanghai University of Finance and Economics	Shanghai
20	Nanjing University	Nanjing
21	Zhejiang University	Hangzhou
22	Xiamen University	Xiamen
23	Wuhan University	Wuhan
24	Huazhong University of Science and Technology	Wuhan
25	Hunan University	Changsha
26	Sichuan University	Chengdu
27	Beihang University	Beijing
28	Beijing Institute of Technology	Beijing
29	China Foreign Affairs University	Beijing
30	Shanghai University	Shanghai
31	Guangxi University	Nanning
32	Guizhou University	Guiyang
33	Yunnan University	Kunming

Part Four: Document Checklist

1. Chinese Government Scholarship Application Form in Chinese or English.
2. Notarized highest qualification; other languages require notarized Chinese or English translations.
3. Transcripts, with notarized Chinese or English translations for other languages.
4. Study or research plan for China, at least 500 words for visiting students and 800 for postgraduates, in Chinese or English.
5. Master’s, doctoral and visiting-study applicants need two recommendations: one professional recommendation from an employer or organization and one academic recommendation, in Chinese or English.
6. Applicants under 18 need legal documents for a legal guardian in China.
7. English proficiency evidence: IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 80 or above, or equivalent results in other internationally recognized English tests.
8. Applicants studying in China for more than 6 months need a scan of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, retaining the original. The form is uniformly printed by Chinese health and quarantine authorities, with a template attached, and must be completed in English. Complete all listed examinations. Missing items, an absent photograph or cross-photo seal, or absent physician and hospital signatures and seals invalidate it. Results are valid for 6 months; schedule accordingly.
9. CV covering personal background and education and employment since high school; upload under Other Supporting Materials.

Part Five: Scholarship Information System Instructions

Step 1: Visit Study in China and click the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System icon.

Study in China website: http://www.campuschina.org

Step 2: Program Category and Agency Number are required fields. Select Type A and Agency Number 0025.

The system automatically displays the receiving authority corresponding to the number. Program Category and Agency Number must correspond; incorrect entries prevent the receiving authority from obtaining the online application.

Step 3: Complete all fields using the list on the left and upload supplementary documents. Ensure accuracy, authenticity and validity.

Discipline Category and Major correspond: only after choosing the correct category can applicants choose its majors. If unsure, download the Major Reference Table from Help.

Step 4: Check every field and supplementary document carefully before submitting.

Step 5: Before acceptance, a submitted application can be amended using Withdraw and Edit Application. After editing, resubmit; otherwise it cannot be processed.

Step 6: Click Print Application to download the form.

Step 7: Submit materials as required by the national scholarship focal point.

Firefox or IE 11 is recommended. When using IE, disable Compatibility View.

Complete all application information in Chinese or English.

Part Six: Before and After Arrival

I. Visa for China

Scholarship candidates must present copies of the Admission Notice and Confirmation Form for Study in China (JW201), the original Foreigner Physical Examination Form and a valid ordinary passport to a Chinese embassy, consulate-general or other overseas visa authority to obtain a study visa. Study exceeding six months requires X1; study shorter than six months may use X2. Those arriving with other passport or visa types, or without required documents, will not be registered by the university or able to obtain residence procedures.

All visa application costs are the student’s responsibility.

II. Registration, Health Verification and Residence Permit

1. Registration

Recipients must bring the Admission Notice, JW201 confirmation and physical examination form and report to the designated university on the entry date in the notice. Those unable to arrive on time must request leave directly from the university. Late arrival without approval is treated as voluntary abandonment of student status and automatically cancels scholarship eligibility.

2. Health Verification and Residence Permit

Health verification: Recipients studying for more than six months must take their passport, Admission Notice, physical examination form, blood test results and related documents to the local health and quarantine authority. An unsatisfactory form requires a new examination. Refusal or discovery of a disease barred from entry by Chinese law results in departure within a prescribed period.

Residence permit: Within the period specified by visa authorities, recipients must present their passport, Admission Notice, JW201, valid health verification and compliant photographs to the local public security authority to apply for residence permission.

III. International Travel Funding

1. Master’s and doctoral students receive international travel for their first journey to China and return after graduation, plus one round-trip home visit at the end of each funded academic year except the graduating year. Buy economy-class tickets personally under relevant rules and submit original receipts to the university for reimbursement.
2. Visiting students receive one round-trip international journey. Buy economy-class tickets personally under relevant rules and submit original receipts for university reimbursement.
3. Participants in short-term groups receive one round-trip international journey, with economy-class tickets purchased centrally by the host university.