Zhengzhou University President Scholarship 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
If you are an ambitious researcher planning to pursue a doctoral degree and are exploring fully-funded international scholarships, the call for applications for the Zhengzhou University President Scholarship 2026 is an exceptional opportunity. Here's everything you need to know.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
Host institution: Zhengzhou University (ZZU)
Study level / Programme type: Full-time Doctoral/PhD programme (international applicants)
Target group: International (non-Chinese citizen) graduates with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) who are motivated to engage in high-quality doctoral research at ZZU.
Fields of Focus: All doctoral programmes offered by ZZU across its 24 schools (science, engineering, medicine, humanities, social sciences etc) taught in English or Chinese.
Value & coverage: Full tuition fee waiver; accommodation support (approx RMB 1,000/month) and a monthly living allowance (approx RMB 3,500/month) for the duration of the PhD.
Duration: Typically 3 to 4 years, depending on the doctoral programme.
Application deadline: For the March intake, applications are typically open from October to December of the previous year; for September intake, around March to June.
📚 Scholarship Overview
The Zhengzhou University President Scholarship is a flagship funding initiative by Zhengzhou University designed to attract outstanding international doctoral candidates to its campuses. According to official sources, the scholarship covers nearly all costs associated with doctoral study, allowing recipients to focus entirely on their research and academic growth.
ℹ️ Further Details
Before or at the start of the programme, the scholar may be required to secure a supervisor in the relevant school at ZZU. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a prospective supervisor and align on research topic, language of instruction and other details.
The medium of instruction may be either Chinese or English. Where Chinese is the language, HSK Level 5 (score over 210) is typically required; for English-taught programmes, IELTS or TOEFL or equivalent proficiency may be required.
Over the 3-4 year period, scholars conduct independent research, likely publish in peer-reviewed outlets, participate in departmental activities, and fulfil requirements of doctoral candidature (course work, candidacy exam, thesis/dissertation, defence). The scholarship is renewable annually contingent on satisfactory performance.
For detailed information of program and contact of supervisor, please visit the webpage of each school at http://international.zzu.edu.cn/en/article/detail?cid=53&pid=53&detail=63
💲 Benefits of the Scholarship
Financial coverage: Full tuition waiver, monthly stipend (≈ RMB 3,500), accommodation allowance (≈ RMB 1,000/month) or free campus housing.
Research-intensive environment: Access to the resources of a major Chinese research university, across multiple disciplines and opportunities for international collaboration.
Language flexibility: With programmes available in English or Chinese, the scholarship offers flexibility for international applicants.
Global exposure: Studying in China within a large international student community enhances cross-cultural and global research networks.
Professional and academic development: Doctoral study offers the opportunity to build a strong research track record (publications, conference participation) that supports future academic or professional research careers.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Key criteria applicants must meet include:
Must be a non-Chinese citizen and in good physical and mental health, with no criminal record.
Must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) and not be already registered as a PhD student at a Chinese university at the time of application.
For doctoral applicants: age generally under 40 years old (some sources state under 45) at time of application.
Language proficiency: for Chinese-taught programmes, HSK Level 5 (score ≥ 210) or readiness to enrol in a Chinese preparatory programme; for English-taught programmes, an IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent certificate may be required.
Applicants should demonstrate high academic achievement, strong research potential (publications are beneficial), and a well-prepared research proposal aligned with their doctoral topic.
📝 Application Procedure
Visit the official ZZU international students webpage and the scholarship page to check the latest intake, timeline and contact details.
Identify a prospective doctoral supervisor at ZZU in your research area, ideally contact them, discuss your research proposal and gain their agreement or support. (Although not always mandatory, this significantly strengthens your application.)
Complete the online application for ZZU’s international admissions portal selecting the “President Scholarship” funding option. Deadlines depend on intake (e.g., March or September).
Following submission and internal screening (supervisor endorsement → departmental evaluation → university review → scholarship committee approval) the outcome is announced online.
🗂️ Required Documents (typical list):
Copy of passport (valid for at least one year)
Degree certificates of bachelor and master (or current student certificate if still finishing master)
Full transcripts of bachelor and master studies
Research proposal (for PhD) — generally minimum ≈ 2,000 words, clearly outlining background, objectives, methodology, and career prospects.
Two academic reference letters from professors familiar with your academic achievements
Language proficiency certificate (HSK for Chinese programmes; IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent for English programmes)
Physical examination record & no-criminal-record certificate (both valid within 6 months)
List of publications, best academic work (for those with research experience)
Scholarship application form specific to ZZU (downloadable from the international admissions site)
Certified translations of any documents not in English or Chinese.
👌🏻 Additional Notes & Tips for Applicants
Although deadlines vary, aim to start your preparation well ahead of the intake you are targeting (e.g., for March 2026 intake, deadlines may fall between October-December 2025).
For English-taught programmes, although some posts state “no IELTS required,” it remains safest to include a recognised test if you have it, to strengthen your application.
Given that the scholarship is competitive, emphasise research potential (publications, engineering experience, data skills), the fit of your research topic with the supervisor’s work, and your motivation to engage in a global research environment.
Make sure your research proposal is well-referenced, methodologically robust and clearly articulates how your doctoral work will contribute to knowledge (or application) and how it aligns with ZZU’s strengths.
Verify language of instruction for your chosen doctoral programme with the potential supervisor: even if the programme is listed as “English or Chinese”, practical instruction may lean toward one language.
Prepare the medical and police-clearance documents ahead of time (they can take time to obtain and must be valid at the time of visa application).
Keep copies of all translations and certified documents; apply via the official portal and ensure the “President Scholarship” funding source is selected.