Confucius China Studies Program Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship

The Confucius China Studies Program Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship provides generous funding and support for qualified students who wish to pursue their Ph.D. research in China.

Funding awards range from six months to two years. Students from a wide range of academic areas focusing on China are encouraged to apply.

This program provides substantial funding for Ph.D. dissertation research in China, and for the continuation of Chinese language study, from six months to up to two years. Award recipients are expected to further develop and improve their Chinese language skills for the duration of their grant.

Scholarship eligibility

Students cannot be citizens of the People’s Republic of China, and must be enrolled in a doctoral program. Undergraduates, students in terminal Master’s programs, and post-doctoral students are not eligible. This award is open to both U.S. and international (non-Chinese) students. Applicants enrolled in U.S. institutions must apply for this award through IIE. Applications from U.S.-based students not submitted through IIE will not be considered for the fellowship.

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in a doctoral program at a U.S. Institution  
• Pursuing research in the arts, education, humanities, and social sciences with a focus on China
• Have a minimum HSK test score level 3 
• Are not a citizen of the People's Republic of China
• Will not be recipients of other Chinese government scholarship funding
• Will not have spent a significant amount of time in the People's Republic of China during the years of their secondary education 

Areas of focus

The areas of research eligible for this funding are wide ranging. Students may pursue research in Language, Literature and the Arts, History, Philosophy, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Education, International Relations and Cross Cultural Studies, and Confucius Institute development and management. 

Scholarship value

Recipients will receive generous support during their time in China. The award package will include the following:

• 80,000 RMB annual living stipend
• 20,000 RMB annual research stipend
• Insurance
• Financial support for a research visit to China by their home university advisor
• Host university tuition
• Reimbursement for the cost of roundtrip, economy class airfare 

Currently, there are 15 participating universities in China. With the exception of Peking University (PKU), the online application for this award constitutes the university application. When applying, you will be asked to indicate your top two choices. Your application for this fellowship will then be sent to the university of your first choice for consideration. Students applying to PKU will be given separate instructions on the application process and requirements. 

Participating Institutions

• Beijing Foreign Studies University
• Beijing Language and Culture University
• Beijing Normal University
• East China Normal University
• Fudan University
• Jilin University
• Nanjing University 
• Nankai University
• Peking University
• Renmin University of China 
• Shandong University
• Sichuan University
• Sun Yat-sen University 
• Wuhan University
• Xiamen University

Application deadline is January 29, 2015.

For further details and application please visit the Confucius China Studies Program Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship page.