Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship program. This scholarship opportunity arises from a collaboration between the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS/UNESCO), aiming to foster scientific development in emerging nations. Under this initiative, up to 40 talented students and researchers from developing countries will be granted full sponsorship to pursue doctoral studies in China for a duration of up to four years.
The CAS-ANSO Scholarship, initially launched in 2019 under the name ANSO Scholarship for Young Talents, focuses on nurturing promising young scientists globally. It offers two distinct pathways: the degree program and the non-degree program. The degree track annually supports between 100 and 200 Master’s students along with around 300 PhD candidates, facilitating their advanced education at prestigious Chinese institutions such as the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), and various CAS research institutes nationwide.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following eligibility standards to qualify for the scholarship:
- Applicants must not hold Chinese nationality.
- They should be citizens of developing nations as defined under the Developing Countries in the South | TWAS) classification.
- Competency in either English or Chinese language is required.
- For PhD applicants, the candidate must have been born on or after 1 January 1991.
- Applicants must fulfill the international admission requirements stipulated by USTC or UCAS.
- Recipients of this scholarship are expected to dedicate themselves fully to their studies and should not engage in other professional assignments during the scholarship tenure.
- Individuals currently enrolled in any doctoral program at a Chinese university or institute are ineligible for this PhD scholarship. Any violation of this rule may result in disqualification and notification to the current academic institution.
- Applicants may apply to either USTC or UCAS but are prohibited from submitting applications to both universities simultaneously for the ANSO Scholarship, as doing so will lead to disqualification.
How to Apply
The application window for the 2025/2026 ANSO Scholarship opens on 15 October 2025, although exact dates may vary slightly between USTC and UCAS. Prospective applicants should verify specific timelines on the respective university websites. The final deadline for submission by both applicants and referees is 31 January 2026 (Beijing Time).
1. Required Application Documents
- Those applying to USTC should consult the (here) for detailed graduate application guidelines.
- Applicants targeting UCAS must review the doctoral program announcement for international students available (here).
2. Submission Process
Applicants must submit their materials through the official admission portals of USTC or UCAS prior to the deadline. During application, candidates should select “the CAS-ANSO Scholarship” option. Furthermore, to be considered for the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship, applicants need to check the relevant box indicated within the system.
Note: When applying, candidates must select both “Young Talents” and then the “ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO Scholarship” options to ensure proper consideration.
For comprehensive details and updates, please Visit the Official Webpage of the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship.
