CAS‑ANSO Scholarship 2026‑2027 | Fully Funded Postgraduate in China
- Omran Aburayya
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
If you’re aiming to propel your career in science and research, here’s exciting news: the call is now open for the CAS‑ANSO Scholarship (Degree Program) 2026‑2027, inviting ambitious international students to pursue fully-funded postgraduate studies in China. This opportunity is ideal for outstanding candidates at the Master’s or PhD level who are ready to study in an environment of high-end research, international collaboration, and academic excellence.
🎓 CAS‑ANSO Scholarship Summary
Location: China
Host Institutions: The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and participating institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
Study Level: Postgraduate (Master’s and PhD) programmes.
Target Group: International students (non-Chinese citizens) from around the world, with particular priority in a sub-stream for developing countries, women researchers, and climate-related research via the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD stream.
Fields of Study: Although open broadly for postgraduate degrees, the scholarship aligns with scientific research and innovation in line with CAS/ANSO priorities. Fields include natural sciences, engineering, technology, environment, earth sciences and other research-intensive disciplines.
Value and Coverage:
Tuition fee waiver for full programme duration.
Monthly stipend: for PhD candidates ~ 6,000 or 7,000 CNY/month (depending on qualification test) up to 48 months; for Master’s ~ 3,000 CNY/month up to 36 months.
Health insurance, application fee waiver, visa/residence permit allowance, potential travel subsidy (for eligible applicants not already in China) and accommodation subsidy/on-campus housing.
Award Duration:
Master’s: up to ~ 36 months.
PhD: up to ~ 48 months.
Application Deadline: For the 2026-2027 cohort the call opened on 15 October 2025, and the application deadline is 31 January 2026 (Beijing Time) as indicated.
🌐 Scholarship Overview
The CAS-ANSO Scholarship is part of a global science initiative organised by the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO), a non-profit founded in 2018 by CAS and 36 other international institutions.
The Degree Program (which this scholarship falls under) supports annually 100–200 Master’s students and 300 PhD students to study at top Chinese research institutions.
Additionally, a special sub-category is the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship: up to 40 PhD students from developing countries annually, with special focus on climate-related research, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and women researchers.
Awardees are required to undergo centralised training in Chinese language, culture, and academic ethics alongside their degree coursework and research.
🎁 Benefits
Full tuition waiver for the entire Master’s/PhD programme.
Monthly stipend covering living costs
Monthly stipend: for PhD candidates ~ 6,000 or 7,000 CNY/month (depending on qualification test) up to 48 months; for Master’s ~ 3,000 CNY/month up to 36 months.
Health insurance and medical coverage.
Accommodation subsidy or on-campus housing support.
One-time travel subsidy (for those eligible) to China. Note: applicants who are already in China at time of application are not eligible for the travel subsidy.
Application fee waiver and visa/residence permit allowance.
Access to world-class research infrastructure, mentors, international network and the scientific ecosystem of CAS/ANSO.
The chance to join a global cohort of emerging scientists, particularly relevant for those interested in research, innovation and cooperation across the Belt & Road regions.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible you must:
Be a non-Chinese citizen (hold a valid foreign passport).
Meet the admission requirements of the host institution (USTC or UCAS) for international students.
Demonstrate proficiency in English or Chinese.
For Master’s programme applicants: born on or after 1 January 1996 (some older calls say 1995) depending on cohort; for PhD: born on or after 1 January 1991 (or 1990 in earlier versions) depending on cohort.
Not be currently enrolled in a Master’s (for applying Master’s) or PhD (for applying PhD) at any university in China. If you are, you will not be eligible and may be disqualified.
Not apply simultaneously to both USTC and UCAS under this scholarship (doing so leads to disqualification).
Be willing to abide by the host institution’s and CAS/ANSO’s regulations, undergo annual performance reviews, and complete required training (language/culture/ethics). Failure may lead to termination.
📝 Application Procedure
The application portal opens (for 2026 cohort: from 15 October 2025). Candidates must choose the scholarship type (CAS-ANSO) when applying through the university’s international student admission system (either USTC or UCAS).
For UCAS: Submit via the UCAS online portal (https://is.ucas.ac.cn/) under the 2026 “Master’s/Doctoral Degree Programs for International Students” call; the tuition fee is exempt for CAS-ANSO awardees.
For USTC: Follow the “Graduate Applicants to USTC” Application Guidelines and select “CAS-ANSO Scholarship” as the source of funding.
Ensure all required documents are uploaded and submitted by the deadline (31 January 2026 Beijing Time for this cohort). Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
🗂️ Typical Documents Required
Bachelor’s (for Master’s) or Master’s (for PhD) degree certificate. Or if not yet graduated, a pre-graduation certificate showing expected graduation date.
Official academic transcripts (undergraduate and/or graduate) showing GPA or equivalent.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) / résumé (including research experience, publications if any).
Research proposal (especially for PhD applicants) aligned with your discipline and potential supervisor’s work.
Statement of purpose / motivation letter.
Two or more recommendation letters (academic referees).
Proof of language proficiency (English or Chinese) or documentation of medium of instruction.
Valid passport copy (for non-Chinese citizens).
Passport-size photograph (white background).
Health/medical examination form (if required by host institution).
Additional documents specific to your chosen institution/program as stated in their call guidelines.
👌🏻 Additional tips:
Carefully read the “Call for Applications” for your chosen institution (USTC or UCAS) as there may be specific department-requirements or supervisor match procedures.
Ensure you apply only to one host institution under the CAS-ANSO Scholarship (don’t apply to both USTC and UCAS).
If eligible for the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD stream (for developing country applicants, climate-related research, women researchers), tick the relevant box in the application form when offered.
Prepare early: reach out to potential supervisors, identify research interests, align your proposal and persuade referees.
Keep track of deadlines and time zones (Beijing Time).
Ensure you meet the age limits and other eligibility criteria well in advance.
Consider that being “already in China” at the application time may disqualify you from certain subsidies (e.g., travel).
💫 Why You Should Apply
This scholarship is more than just funding — it offers a transformational research journey:
You will join a vibrant academic and research community at globally-renowned Chinese institutions such as USTC and UCAS, which are highly ranked in world university and research metrics.
You will access high-end research labs, infrastructure, and mentors, and engage in international cooperation – especially valuable if you aim for a research or academic career.
You’ll become part of a global network under the ANSO framework connecting young scientists from over 60 countries, which can boost your collaborations, publications and career trajectory.
Studying in China gives you exposure to a major international science and innovation hub, and cultural/linguistic experience that can differentiate you globally.
The scholarship’s full-funded nature (tuition waiver, stipend, travel, insurance) reduces financial stress and lets you focus on research and academic success.
🚀 Final Reminder
Applications for the CAS-ANSO Scholarship 2026 – 2027 cohort are now open (from 15 October 2025) and will close on 31 January 2026 (Beijing Time). Don’t miss this chance to elevate your academic journey in science, technology and innovation through one of the most prestigious fully-funded postgraduate programmes in China.
