Application Guide for “China Studies Program (CSP)” Ph.D. Fellowships in 2025 at SYSU

In accordance with the enrollment information of 2024 "China Studies Program" (CSP)  Ph.D. Fellowships published by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and the actual conditions of SYSU, this guide is formulated as follows.

I. Introduction

Set up by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education, the CSP unites top universities and outstanding scholars in China to provide research opportunities and support for overseas young scholars in the field of China studies during their doctoral study. The program includes Ph.D. in China Fellowship and Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship. Ph.D. in China Fellowship supports outstanding foreign master's degree holders in pursuing doctoral degrees at Chinese universities. With relevance to the curriculum requirements of related majors at our university, such fellowship requires four years of full-time study and Chinese as the medium of instruction. Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship provides funds to outstanding foreign doctoral students (candidates) registered at foreign universities to come to China for study, joint research, or doctoral dissertation writing. The Fellowship lasts from one semester to one year.

II. Eligibility

Young sinologists who aspire to engage in China-related research in humanities and social sciences, who have solid academic foundations, and a targeted research topic or goal are welcomed to apply. They should also be able to conduct research in Chinese, have a global vision for academic pursuit, thoroughly understand international academic norms, and participate in international academic exchange and research.

1. Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens and in good health.

2. Language proficiency. 

(1) Applicants for the Ph.D. Fellowship program in China should have an HSK (Level V) certificate with 180 points or above. Priority is given to those with a higher level of proficiency in Chinese under the same conditions.

(2) Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should have an HSK (Level III) certificate with 180 points or above. Priority is given to those with a higher level of proficiency in Chinese under same conditions. 

(3) Applicants for the Ph.D. Fellowship program in China should have obtained a master's degree, or be fresh graduates.

(4) Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should be registered doctoral students at foreign universities.

(5) Applicants who have been awarded the Chinese Government Scholarship are not allowed to apply for this program.

III. Scholarship Coverage

The recipients for the CSP are provided financial support including tuition fees, living and research stipends, and international travel expenses. They will also receive professional guidance from mentors from Chinese and foreign universities and have in-depth interaction with Chinese and foreign scholars through participating in tailored forums, seminars, workshops and other academic activities offered by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation; After their graduation, they will be given priority in gaining support from other projects within the CSP. For more details for scholarships, please refer to the information released by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation:

http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/project?id=135

Guidance for 2025-2026 CSP Ph.D. Fellowships Enrollment (Chinese version):

http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/csp 

IV. Application Procedures

1. Online application for the CSP Ph.D. Fellowship program in China. Applicants should log onto http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/csp to register a personal account, fill in the application online: The Ph.D. Fellowships of "China Studies Program" 2025 or the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program of "China Studies Program" 2025 , upload relevant certification materials and submit the application form.

2. Online application for SYSU CSP Ph. D. Fellowships. Applicants are required to visit the SYSU Office of International Students' Affairs (http://iso.sysu.edu.cn). Please choose "APPLY ONLINE" accordingly, fill in relevant information (see Attachment 1) correctly and completely, and upload the application materials.

3. Scholarship review. SYSU will review applicants' qualifications and arrange for interviews. Those who have passed SYSU's review and interview will be reviewed and interviewed by a panel of experts from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, and the final lists of awardees will be decided by the center. Admission letters will be mailed to the awardees by SYSU.

V. Application Materials

1. The first page of a valid ordinary passport and a personal profile photo. The passport should not expire before December 1, 2025. Please renew the passport if needed. Applicants who are staying in China at the time of application should provide a scanned copy of their passport pages with the Chinese visa or residence permit page, and entry seal. Those who have acquired foreign nationality and were once residents of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan must submit a certificate of cancellation of household registration or a certificate of withdrawal of Chinese nationality, or submit an official document issued by the Chinese diplomatic representation and consular authorities certifying that they do not hold Chinese nationality.

2. Diploma, certificates and verification reports of master's degree and bachelor's degree. Applicants for The Ph.D. Fellowships program in China should provide degree certificates of bachelor's and master's studies. Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should provide proof of enrollment in a doctoral program. Applicants who have graduated from universities in Chinese mainland should submit the Record of Electronic Registration of Academic Certificates of the Ministry of Education and Online Verification Report of Chinese Higher Education Degree for Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the website of Chinese Higher Education Student Information (https://www.chsi.com.cn). Applicants who have graduated from universities outside the Chinese mainland should submit Verification of Foreign Academic Degrees of master's and bachelor's degrees from the website of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges. Fresh graduates can submit a pre-graduation certificate issued by their institution. Applicants who do not submit their certificate of master's degree will have their admission canceled. 

3. Complete transcripts of undergraduate and graduate studies. Transcripts should be issued and stamped by the academic affair department or relevant student administration department of the applicants'  university and they should include the transcripts of their master's degree and bachelor's degree. Applicants who are in the last year of their graduate program can submit their latest transcript issued by their university during the application process and resubmit a complete transcript when they receive one. Those who do not submit a complete transcript of undergraduate and graduate studies before coming to SYSU will have their admission canceled. 

4. Chinese proficiency certificate. Applicants for The Ph.D. Fellowships program in China should submit a certificate of Chinese language proficiency (HSK level V) with a score higher than 180. Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should submit a certificate of Chinese language proficiency (HSK level III) with a score higher than 180. 

5. Recommendation Letter. Two recommendation letters from experts in the related fields, written in Chinese or English (see Attachment 2 with their signatures, title information, and contact information of the recommenders). 

6. Research Proposal. Applicants for The Ph.D. Fellowships program in China should provide a research plan during their doctoral study. Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should provide a plan for studying in China. (see Attachment 3 Relevant major or research background/Reasons for applying for the project/Postgraduate study and research plan/Career goal after graduation, etc.) 

7. Research publications. Master's thesis abstract and other research publications. Applicants for the Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship program should provide the abstract of the doctoral dissertation. 

8. Physical examination and blood test results. Applicants shall submit scanned copies of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, chest X-ray, ECG, and laboratory test reports for specific items, all stamped by the issuing hospital and within six months prior to the date of submission (template provided in Attachment 4). 

9. Certificate of Non-Criminal Record. Please consult local relevant authorities for issuing a stamped version of official and valid documents. 

10. Application form for fellowship program. Application Form for the Ph.D. Fellowship/Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship in China Program. 

11. Supporting documents. Award certificates or proof of experience. 

12. Commitment letter. Please carefully read the commitment letter (see Attachment 5). Sign it at the signature place, scan and upload it. 

13. Application information form. The application information form will be automatically generated after the applicant submit the application at “http://apply.sysu.edu.cn”. Please sign it at the signature place, scan and upload it.

Note: Application documents shall be original and in either Chinese or English. For documents in other languages, both the original documents and their notarized Chinese or English translations shall be provided. Translations must be authenticated by either the Hague Apostille Convention or a Chinese embassy or consulate. Applicants shall ensure the accuracy of the email address, WeChat account number, and contact phone number entered in the application system. Notification regarding supplementary materials will be issued via the application system(https://apply.sysu.edu.cn). Failure to submit the scanned copies of supplementary materials, translations, or translation notarized certificates in a timely manner, submission of materials that do not meet the requirements, or incorrect contact information may result in an unsuccessful application, for which the applicant shall assume full responsibility.

VI. Application Deadline

February 28th, 2025

VII. Others

1. Admitted students must complete the registration procedures with a study visa according to the registration date required by SYSU. Those who have failed to register on time or pass the reexamination of admission qualification will be deprived of their scholarship.

2. Admitted students are required to participate in the annual scholarship review according to regulations. Those who have failed the annual review will be suspended or disqualified from the scholarship.

VIII. Contact Information

1. Chinese Studies Office of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation

Tel: 86（10）58595771

Email: wangxinsheng@hanban.org

Website: http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/csp

Address: 129 Deshengmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China, 100088.

2. Office of International Students' Affairs, Admissions Office of Education administration, Sun Yat-sen University

Program Information Website: http://iso.sysu.edu.cn

Application Website: https://apply.sysu.edu.cn

Email：admissions@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Enquiry Tel: 0086（20）84110819

Supervision Department Tel: 0086（20）84115582

Address: 135 Xingangxi Road, Guangzhou, P.R.China

Office of International Students' Affairs, Sun Yat-sen University 

Zip code: 510275