Global China Fellows Program 2026‑2027
- Omran Aburayya
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you are a researcher or early‑career scholar with a strong interest in the global dimensions of China’s overseas engagement, then the opportunity to apply for the Global China Fellows Program (2026‑2027) at the Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center) of Boston University is now open. This flagship initiative of the Global China Initiative (GCI) equips pre‑ and post‑doctoral fellows with the research environment, mentorship and institutional platform to investigate China’s evolving global role in development, finance, environment and governance.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Host Institution: Boston University, Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center), under the Global China Initiative (GCI)
Appointment Level: Pre‑doctoral (PhD candidates who have passed comprehensive/qualifying exams and defended a dissertation proposal) and Post‑doctoral (PhD completed by approximately August 2026 for this cycle) academics.
Target Group: Scholars from all disciplinary backgrounds (natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, business) with strong research interest/expertise in China’s overseas economic activities and global institutional engagement.
Fields of Focus: The fellowship is structured around four core work‑streams:
Data Analysis for Transparency & Accountability (D.A.T.A.)
Forestry, Agriculture & Indigenous Rights (FAIR)
Energy & Climate
China and the International Financial Architecture (CHIFA)
Value & Coverage: Fellows receive a competitive stipend supporting fieldwork, conference travel and professional development. For international candidates, visa/immigration support is provided via BU’s International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) in coordination. Some mention of relocation expense eligibility for previous cycles.
Duration: Approximately one academic year (with full‑time in‑person engagement).
Application Deadline: December 19 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in October.
Start Date: The appointment corresponds to the 2026‑2027 academic year at BU, with fellows expected in‑person at Boston University for the term.
📚 Fellowship Overview
The Global China Fellows Program offers participants both structured and independent research opportunities. Fellows are paired with a BU faculty member, a GDP Center Senior Academic Researcher or a Non‑Resident Senior Fellow and work under one of the four defined research work‑streams (D.A.T.A.; FAIR; Energy & Climate; CHIFA).
The working arrangement involves approximately 20 hours per week contributing to existing GCI/GDP Center research projects plus about 20 hours per week dedicated to the fellow’s own independent project. At the end of the appointment year, each fellow is expected to produce at least one working paper.
In addition, the fellows become part of a broader community of early‑career scholars engaging with policy‑oriented research on China’s role in global affairs, thereby gaining exposure to mentorship, seminars, publications and policy‑dialogue opportunities.
🎁 Fellowship Benefits
Competitive stipend covering living costs, fieldwork, conference travel and professional development.
Access to BU’s faculty, GDP Center researchers and senior fellows—offering mentorship and network-building.
Opportunity to engage with policy‑oriented research bridging academia and real‑world global affairs (China’s overseas engagement, development finance, climate sustainability, etc.).
Full‑time in‑person presence at Boston University (enabling immersion and collaboration).
For international applicants: support through BU’s International Students & Scholars Office regarding visa classification, institutional approval to earn income from another institution, etc.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Required:
For Pre‑doctoral applicants: completion of comprehensive/qualifying exams, defense of dissertation proposal.
For Post‑doctoral applicants: PhD successfully defended by about August 2026.
Strong research interest or expertise in China’s overseas economic activities and engagement with international institutions.
Preferred / Additional:
Experience in regions such as Africa, Latin America or Southeast Asia.
Fluency in Chinese or another language relevant to priority regions.
Research experience in themes such as: energy access / renewable energy / decarbonization; biodiversity / Indigenous land rights / geolocation / mapping; international economic institutions / sovereign debt / global financial safety net / RMB internationalization.
Strong methodological skills, especially in quantitative methods or modelling (engineering, business, natural and social sciences are all welcome).
📝 Application Procedure
To apply:
Prepare and submit one PDF to the Global China Initiative Team at BU via email (gci@bu.edu) with the subject line: “<<LastName_FirstName>> GCI Fellow Application 2026‑2027.”
Required materials (all in one PDF):
Recent Curriculum Vitae (CV)
1–2 page Cover Letter describing academic training, research interests and experience.
1–2 page Working Paper Proposal: research question(s), methodology, research plan and significance.
Contact information for two references.
Submit by deadline: December 19 2025 at 11:59 PM EST (applications reviewed on rolling basis beginning in October; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted)
For international candidates: Ensure your sponsoring institution approves you earning income from another institution (particularly if you are on a J‑1 visa); BU’s ISSO will coordinate to evaluate the appropriate immigration classification.
👌🏻Tips for Applicants
Begin your application preparation early to craft a compelling working paper proposal that aligns your research interests with one of the four work‑streams and demonstrates clear methodology and significance.
Highlight quantitative/methodological skills (modelling, data analytics) where applicable, especially given the preferred emphasis on quantitative expertise.
If applicable, emphasise experience or interest in one of the priority geographies (Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia) and languages (e.g., Chinese) to strengthen your application.
Clearly articulate how your research can contribute to policy‑oriented outcomes on China’s overseas engagement, finance, sustainability or governance.
Ensure that all documents (CV, cover letter, proposal, references) are concise, cohesive and well‑formatted in one PDF.
For international applicants, check visa/immigration details early; secure institutional approval for external income if required.
Because review is on a rolling basis, consider submitting your application early rather than waiting until the deadline.
Use the opportunity of being based at BU’s GDP Center to network, participate in seminars and engage meaningfully with faculty and fellow researchers—highlight your eagerness to engage in collaboration.
✨ This fellowship offers a strong platform for early‑career researchers to engage in rigorous, policy‑relevant research on China’s global interactions, benefitting from mentorship, institutional resources and an international peer network. If you are keen to explore the intersections of China, development, climate, finance and global governance, this programme is well aligned.