Funding Opportunities

This fellowship consists of the following three categories:

• “Understanding China” Visiting Scholar to China

• “Understanding China” Short-term visit

• “Understanding China” Credit Course by Chinese Scholar

CATEGORY 1: Visiting Scholar to China

Fellowship Description

Understanding China Fellowship aims to support assistant professors or above from foreign universities and academic institutes to undertake joint research in top Chinese universities. Excellent postdoctoral fellows are also welcome to apply.

Applicants shall be non-Chinese citizens.

Duration

From two weeks to six months.

Application materials(Chinese or English)

• Application Form
• Passport information (Photo page)
• An invitation letter from the host university (see Appendix 4)
• Two academic recommendation letters
• A recommendation letter from a local Confucius Institute or the local Chinese Embassy/Consulate will be a plus.

How to apply

• Log in to ccsp.chinese.cn, download and fill in the application form, sign and scan as a PDF file; scan the photo page of passport, invitation letter, and recommendation letters as PDF files.
• Combine all the above into one PDF file, name as “CCSP-Understanding China Fellowship-Your name”, and send it to ccsp@hanban.org (cc to huangmei@hanban.org).
• Prepare the following paper documents: application form (in duplicate, both signed and dated), Passport information (one photocopy), the invitation letter (original) and recommendation letters (original).

Please don’t submit other materials such as articles, journals, books, DVD/CDs, etc.

Post the required paper documents to:

Understanding China Fellowship-Visiting Scholar,

Division of Sinology and China Studies, Confucius Institute Headquarters (HANBAN).

129 Deshengmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China, 100088

Review and Announcement

The Confucius China Studies Program Expert Panel will review the applications.

A typical review cycle takes around 3 months. Please kindly make arrangements for your visit plan. If you have any inquiries or concerns, please feel free to consult by email or phone call during the period of review.

The review results will be announced by email.

Funding

• 10000 RMB per month;
• Round-trip international airfare (economy class, to be reimbursed against actual cost);
• Personal accident insurance during the visit term in China (we will buy for you. Reimbursement is not applicable)

Contact Information

Ms Mei HUANG, huangmei@hanban.org

Fax: +86-10-5859 5762

Division of Sinology and China Studies,

Confucius Institute Headquarters (HANBAN)

CATEGORY 2: Short-term visit

Purpose

The “Understanding China” Short-term Visit program serves to support senior officials from government, education and culture, non-governmental organizations and business.

Duration

From two weeks to two months.

Application materials

• Achievements and rewards;
• A statement of purpose for the visit;
• Passport information;
• Priority is given to applicants who obtain a letter of recommendation from local Confucius Institutes, or the Chinese Embassy (Consulate) in your country.

How to apply

Applicants shall log in on ccsp.chinese.cn, download and fill in the application form, sign it before scanning it and sending it to ccsp@hanban.org, and then post the application forms and other supporting documents required (both Chinese and English versions) in one packet to the Confucius Institute Headquarters.

Assessment

Applicants will have a correspondence review from the expert panel of the Confucius China Studies Program.

Funding

• Accommodation and travel expenses in China
• Round-trip international airfare (economy class, to be reimbursed against actual cost)
• Life insurance during the visit term in China (we will buy for you). Reimbursement is not applicable.

Schedule

After passing a correspondence review from our expert panel, the admitted applicants will receive “Notice of Funding” from the Confucius Institute Headquarters.

Contact Information

Mr WANG Duoli, wangduoli@hanban.org

Fax: 010-5859 5762

Division of Sinology and China Studies,

Confucius Institute Headquarters (HANBAN)

CATEGORY 3: Credit Course by Chinese Scholar

Program Description

This program aims to support Chinese scholars to teach non-language credit courses in foreign universities, and give lectures and host cultural salons in local and neighbouring Confucius Institutes. The scholars can also carry out joint research with local scholars when available.

Requirements

• The scholar shall be a professor or associate professor in a Chinese university.
• The credit course shall be in the field of humanities and social sciences, related to China studies. For credit courses of Chinese art, traditional Chinese medicine, martial art, etc., please consult with the contact officer (see below) in advance.
• The credit course can be taught by a Chinese scholar, or co-taught by a Chinese scholar and local scholar(s). Please explain in the application form.
• The course duration can be short-term (within 1 month), mid-term (1-6 months) and long-term (6 months above, up to 1-2years).

How to apply

• Log in to Chinese.cn, download and fill in the application form, sign and scan as a PDF file, name as “CCSP-Understanding China Credit Course-university’s name”.

• Post the paper documents to:

Understanding China Fellowship-Credit Course,

Division of Sinology and China Studies,

Confucius Institute Headquarters (HANBAN).

129 Deshengmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China, 100088

And email to ccsp@hanban.org (cc to huangmei@hanban.org).

Review and Announcement

The CI Headquarters and the Confucius China Studies Program (CCSP) Expert Panel will review the applications. A typical review cycle takes around 3 months. Please feel free to consult by email or phone call during the period of review. The result will be announced by email.

Considering that scholars who expect to work overseas for one semester or above need to make arrangements in advance, all application materials must be submitted to the Headquarters at least 9 months before the course’s beginning date, the earlier the better. For example, if the course will begin on September 1st of 2018, please make sure to apply before November 30, 2017.

Contact Information

Ms HUANG Mei, huangmei@hanban.org

Fax: +86-10-5859 5762

Division of Sinology and China Studies,

Confucius Institute Headquarters (HANBAN)

For more information, please visit CCSP website

Purpose

1) Support outstanding youths who have been awarded at least a Bachelor’s Degree and hold a certain position in the field of politics, economics, finance, law, education, culture, arts, and media to visit China;

2) There are two ways in applying for the grant: (1) a plan will be made by the Headquarters and published at due time through www.hanban.org and ccsp.chinese.cn, applicants can apply accordingly; (2) applicants can make their own visit plan and submit it to the Headquarters;

3) Support senior undergraduates or graduates holding a position in students’ associations at foreign universities to visit China.

Duration

From two weeks to six months.

Eligibility

• Non-Chinese citizen;
• Normally under the age of 40;
• Being interested in public affairs, and aspired to make positive contributions to the exchange and collaboration between China and other countries.

Application materials

• Application form;
• A letter of recommendation from the current employer and two from other referees;
• A statement of purpose for the visit;
• Priority is given to applicants who obtain a letter of recommendation from local Confucius Institutes, or the Chinese Embassy (Consulate) in your country.

How to apply

Applicants shall log in on ccsp.chinese.cn, download and fill in the application form, sign it before scanning it and sending it to ccsp@hanban.org, and then post the application forms and other supporting documents required (both Chinese and English versions) in one packet to the Confucius Institute Headquarters.

Assessment Process

Applicants will have a correspondence review from the expert panel of the Confucius China Studies Program.

Funding

• Accommodation and travel expenses in China;
• Round-trip international airfare (economy class, to be reimbursed against actual cost);
• Life insurance during the visit term in China (we will buy for you. Reimbursement is not applicable. )

For more information, please visit the CCSP website.

Purpose and Eligibility

Publication Grant supports foreign scholars to publish or translate relevant monographs, doctoral dissertations, or founding relevant academic journals on Sinology and/or China Studies.

The leading applicant must be non-Chinese citizen, and the book will be published in other countries and areas than P.R.China.

Application materials

• A brief description of the nature and scope of the publication project and its importance to the field;
• At least a 30-pages sample in Chinese;
• A budget;
• Letters of recommendation from at least 2 referees in the area of the proposal;
• Publisher contract or letter of intent from foreign publishers with a specified timeline for completion of the project.

How to apply

Applicants shall log in on ccsp.chinese.cn, download and fill in the application form, sign it before scanning it and sending it to ccsp@hanban.org, and then post the application forms and other supporting documents required (both Chinese and English versions) in one packet to the Confucius Institute Headquarters.

Funding

The grant covers expenses for editing, translation, publication, circulation and advertising. The exact expenses will be approved according to the application.

For more information, please visit the CCSP website.

Purpose

The International Conference Grant is aimed at supporting Confucius Institutes, universities, research institutes, and scholars to hold or attend international academic conferences on Sinology and/or China Studies.

How to apply

Applicants shall log in onccsp.chinese.cn, download and fill in the application form, sign it before scanning it and sending it to ccsp@hanban.org, and then post the application forms and other supporting documents required (both Chinese and English versions) in one packet to the Confucius Institute Headquarters.

• Sponsors of conference shall submit application documents, including the theme, scale, and budget of the conference.
• Participators of conference shall submit invitation of sponsors, outline for speech as well as budgets for accommodation, transportation, and registration fees for the conference.

Assessment Process

The application will be examined and reviewed by the expert panel of the Confucius China Studies Program.

Funding

• The accommodation and travel expenses of conference speakers;
• Registration fees;
• Publication fees of conference proceedings.

For more information, please visit the CCSP website.

Purpose

Support foreign students to pursue full-time Ph.D. degrees in the humanities and social sciences at Chinese universities.

Eligibility

• Non-Chinese citizen;
• HSK test score level 5 is required, and priority is given to applicants with higher level of proficiency in Chinese under same conditions;

Application materials

• Recognized transcripts of undergraduate and graduate studies, diplomas and copies of all the documents above in Chinese;
• HSK transcript;
• Abstract of master’s thesis and other academic publications;
• A doctoral research statement;
• Two letters of recommendation from scholars in related field;
• Priority is given to applicants who obtain a letter of recommendation from Confucius Institutes.

How to apply

Applicants shall submit the online application at ccsp.chinese.cn, and then post the application forms and other supporting documents to the Confucius Institute Headquarters.

Assessment Process

The Confucius China Studies Program Expert Committee will review the application materials and conduct video interview.

Funding

• Lodging and living stipend;
• Research fund;
• Round-trip international airfare;
• Tuition;
• Other support provided by the host Chinese university;
• Expenses for life and medical insurances in China.
• Group activities and cultural experience.

For more information, please visit the CCSP website.

Purpose

Support doctoral students (candidates) registered with foreign universities to come to China for study, research and writing of their doctoral dissertations.

Duration

From six months to two years.

Eligibility

• Non-Chinese citizen;
• HSK test score level 3 is required, and priority is given to applicants with higher level of proficiency in Chinese under same conditions;
• Applicants who are currently participating in Chinese Government Scholarship are not eligible to apply for this Program.

Application materials

• Ph.D. Study Certificate;
• Two letters of recommendation from scholars in related field;
• HSK transcript;
• Abstract of master's thesis or other academic publications;
• Abstract of doctoral dissertation;
• A research plan for the study in China;
• Priority is given to applicants who obtain a letter of recommendation from local Confucius Institutes.

How to apply

The applicant shall submit the online application, and then post the application form and other supporting documents to the Confucius Institute Headquarters.

Assessment Process

The Confucius China Studies Program Expert Committee will review the application materials and conduct video interview.

Funding

• Lodging and living stipend;
• Research fund;
• Round-trip international airfare;
• Tuition;
• Other support provided by the host Chinese university
• Expenses for the foreign supervisor’s visit or research in China
• Expenses for life and medical insurances in China
• Group activities and cultural experience

For more information, please visit the CCSP website.

Purpose

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) is a Chinese non-profit organization that provides support for international academic exchange with China. CSC provides both funding for Chinese citizens and residents to study abroad, and for foreign students and scholars to study in China. The agency predominantly provides scholarships to individuals, including in batches allocated to specific foreign universities. CSC’s 2016 data shows that over 30 British universities have worked with the CSC as partners.

CSC-Lancaster University joint-funded PhD scholarships were approved by LU and the CSC in January 2021. They are for outstanding Chinese students to take full time PhD study at LU. Up to 5 scholarships will be supported per year, where applicants meet the requirements of both the CSC and LU. Applications are welcomed in all disciplinary areas.

Eligibility

• The scholarships will be awarded to citizens and permanent residents of the People's Republic of China at the time of application that are accepted for admission on a full-time basis for a postgraduate PhD degree programme at Lancaster University.
• Candidates should not be currently working outside China at the time of application, and successful candidates must agree to return to China for a period of two years upon completion of their research degree at Lancaster University.
• Candidates currently studying outside China are eligible to apply. Mainland Chinese Lancaster graduates/Masters students are therefore eligible for the scheme. Applicants from Hong Kong or Taiwan are not eligible.
• Existing 1st year PhD students from China are eligible.
• Applications are welcomed in all disciplinary areas, however, priority will be given to the following subjects: Environmental Sciences, Math and Statistics, Engineering (especially electronic engineering) , Computing and Communications, Accounting & Finance, Economics, Business & Management

Application and selection process

1. Candidates should directly apply for admission to LU before the application deadline set by LU. Outstanding candidates will be determined by LU using its own internal process and criteria. All applications are reviewed and decided by Department/Faculty/School funding panel.
2. In the event that outstanding applicants are received, LU will nominate principal candidates for the CSC-LU Scholarship according to its internal review results and provide CSC with a shortlist before the opening of the CSC application process (normally between March and April each year). In the meantime, LU will notify each nominated candidate to complete their applications to CSC. The CSC application usually starts in early March and closes in the end of March (subject to change every year). Nominations need to be made before the CSC deadline. In the first year, LU’s nomination will be made based on “first come, first serve” principle.
3. Nominated candidates should complete the CSC application as required. Application guidance will be published on the CSC official website http://www.csc.edu.cn.
4. CSC will evaluate the nominated candidates according to CSC requirements and priorities, and provide LU with a final list of scholarship recipients and inform the successful candidates.

Funding model

CSC will provide each scholarship recipient with a living stipend (incl. medical insurance) as prescribed from time to time by the Chinese Government and an international roundtrip airfare of economy class between China and the UK.

LU will provide each scholarship recipient with a tuition fee and bench fee (if any applied) waiver for the standard duration of a full-time MPhil/PhD programme up to 48 months, including a writing-up period. Candidates need to secure this tuition waive offer from research projects/grants or faculties/schools/departments who are interested in participating in this program. Please contact the respective director of postgraduate studies regarding your faculty’s policy.