Chinese Government Youth of Excellence Scheme 2026

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The China Scholarship Council has launched the call for applications for the Youth of Excellence Scheme (YES China) 2026. The program is designed to cultivate global governance professionals with an international outlook, strong leadership skills, and multicultural experience. It is open to international professionals seeking to pursue a Master’s degree taught in English at a Chinese university. The application deadline is set for March 31, 2026 at 23:59 (GMT+8).

The YES China program is expected to award approximately 200 fully funded scholarships covering tuition and living expenses in China. Recipients will study for 12 months at a Chinese institution. Some programs follow a “1+1” structure: the first year consists of coursework and research in China, followed by a second year in the home country to complete the thesis before returning to China for the final defense.

About the YES China Scholarships

• LEVEL: Master’s degree (taught in English).
• DEADLINE: March 31, 2026 (23:59 GMT+8).
• FUNDING: Full scholarship covering tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance.
• NUMBER OF AWARDS: Approximately 200.
• LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: English.
• DURATION: 12 months (or “1+1” format for certain programs).
• HOST COUNTRY: China.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the YES China 2026 program, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Be a non-Chinese citizen under the age of 45, in good physical and mental health.
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and have at least three years of professional experience. Academic or professional experience relevant to the chosen program is considered an advantage.
3. Belong to one of the following four categories:
   • Civil servant at or above division director level.
   • Senior executive in an institution or enterprise.
   • Administrator of a university or research institute.
   • Individual with professional or internship experience in an international organization.
4. Obtain a pre-admission letter from a participating Chinese university. The letter must include personal details, the enrollment date, and the selected program, and must not indicate that financial assistance has already been granted.

Scholarship Benefits and Duration

The Youth of Excellence Scheme provides comprehensive financial support, including:

• Full tuition waiver.
• Free on-campus accommodation in a university residence or designated housing.
• Monthly stipend (3,000 RMB for master’s programs).
• Comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of the stay in China.

Most programs last 12 months. Programs structured under the “1+1” model require one year of study in China followed by a second year in the home country to prepare the thesis. The final thesis defense takes place in China.

Eligible Master’s Programs

The YES China 2026 program includes approximately 80 English-taught master’s programs offered by leading Chinese universities. Fields of study include public governance, international business, international relations, engineering, and social sciences.

The full list of eligible programs and participating universities is available in the official document below: Download the list of eligible programs (PDF).

Application Procedure

Step 1: Obtain Pre-Admission

Before applying for the YES China scholarship, applicants must identify an eligible program at a Chinese university and submit an admission application. The pre-admission letter must confirm acceptance into an English-taught master’s program and must not mention any financial support.

Step 2: Apply Online

Applicants must access the Chinese Government Scholarship portal (studyinchina.csc.edu.cn) and complete the online application before March 31, 2026 – 23:59 (GMT+8). During registration:

• Select Category A (Type A) as the scholarship type.
• Enter the agency code 1563.
• Choose “Youth of Excellence Scheme of China” as the program.

Applicants must upload:

• The pre-admission letter.
• The official medical form (“Foreigner Physical Examination Form”).
• A police clearance certificate issued within the past six months.
• An employment certificate or proof of at least three years of professional experience.
• Certified copies of diplomas and academic transcripts.
• A CV and a motivation letter outlining the applicant’s background and study project.

Step 3: Review and Selection

After submission, the China Scholarship Council conducts an initial document review followed by evaluation by an expert panel. Final results are published after these assessments, and selected candidates receive notification through the application platform.

Provisional Timeline

• Online application deadline: March 31, 2026, 23:59 (GMT+8).
• CSC preliminary review: April – May 2026 (estimated).
• Final selection notification: June – July 2026 (after CSC review).
• Program start in China: September 2026.

Further Information

For additional details, consult the official China Scholarship Council website ([www.campuschina.org](http://www.campuschina.org)) and the websites of participating universities (see the eligible programs list above). Applicants may also contact the universities directly or reach out to their local Chinese embassy.

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