Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)

China Link Scholarship Program

Program Introduction

In order to deepen the academic friendship and mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign young generation, and to build a platform for the international exchanges and cooperation of young talents, China Scholarship Council (CSC) has established in 2023 the China Link Scholarship Program for international students and faculties hoping to engage in academic and research activities in China. This scholarship program will continue to be implemented in 2026.

Program Scheme

1. Funding Categories:

    - General scholar: applicable to current undergraduates or master students

    - Senior scholar: applicable to current Ph.D. students or faculties

2. Duration of staying in China: 1 to 12 months, decided by DHU. Starting day of study at DHU should be no later than August 31, 2027

3. Instruction Language: English or Chinese, depending on the program provided by Donghua University.

4. Study/Research Fields: all disciplines other than Chinese language study.

5. Funding: Full scholarship during one’s stay in China: a waiver of tuition fee, medical insurance fee, and on-campus dorm fee. Monthly stipend: CNY3,000-general scholars; CNY3,500-senior scholars.

Eligibility

1. Be a citizen of a country other than the People’s Republic of China and be in good health, both mentally and physically.

2. Be enrolled as a full-time student or employed as a full-time academic staff at CSC’s foreign partner universities (Foreign University List.pdf) at the time of application and throughout their proposed stay in China.

3. Be under 45 years of age when applying for general scholars. Be under 50 years of age when applying for senior scholars.

Initial Step

1. Confirm that the home university where you're studying at or working at now is on the list of CSC’s foreign partner universities (Foreign University List.pdf) ; 

2. Contact DHU professors or research groups on your own for the permission of your short-term research at DHU.

3. Contact your home university to issue the official enrollment/registration certificate for full-time study (for enrolled students), or the Certificate of Employment (for academic staff) from the relevant responsible office/department; Meanwhile, prepare the required application materials listed below.

Application to DHU and CSC 

    ---- At least 3 months before your intended starting time of study in China:

1. Contact International Education Center (IEC) of Donghua University (DHU) via iec@dhu.edu.cn, submitting the scanned copy of your passport, enrollment/registration certificate or Certificate of Employment, your CV, permission of DHU professors or research groups, with the email subject “2026 CGS China Link - Your Full Name”. Then, wait for the reply from IEC for the formal application to DHU, including the submission of the following listed application materials.

2. Wait for the University's academic review result. If pass the review, IEC will issue a Pre-admission Letter and guide the applicant how to submit the online application at CSC's system. 

3. CSC will decide whether to grant the scholarship to the applicant or not. This result will be announced to DHU professors or research groups as well as the applicant through IEC.

Required Application Materials

I.  All uploaded electronic documents must be scanned pieces of the original. Except for the ID photo, colored scan in PDF format of the documents is recommended.

II.  Original documents not in the language of Chinese or English must be translated into Chinese or English, then be notarized, and uploaded together with the original ones.

-- Mandatory:

1. Passport (and visa) Page: A clear copy of your valid passport with your name, photo, date of birth, place of birth, date of issue and date of expiry. The passport should have at least 6-month validity. All visa pages are required if you have been to or if you are currently in China.

2. Certificate of Enrollment/Employment: official enrollment/registration certificate for full-time study (for enrolled students), or the Certificate of Employment (for academic staff) from the responsible office/department of your home university; 

3. Transcripts (for students only): transcripts of all grades/semesters one has already completed. A description of grading scales along with the transcript sheets is required to be submitted.

4. Research Proposal: written in the teaching language of the program you apply for, no less than 800 words. It should clearly elaborate on what you plan to research during this program, why it is worth researching, and how you will conduct the research. Specific content includes research topic, objectives, background, literature review, current research status, methodology, expected outcomes, references, etc.

5. Study Plan: Written in the teaching language of the program you apply for, no less than 500 words. It should outline your study plan for this program, including how you will utilize time and resources to achieve academic and future career goals. Specific content includes academic background and research interests, learning objectives, research preparation and progression plan, future career planning, and specifically explains why you chose China, DHU, and this specific program.

6. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Written in the teaching language specified for DHU's applied program, this document shall cover personal information, self-assessment, hobbies and interests, strengths and advantages, as well as contact details. Additionally, it is required to include your educational background (starting from high school), work or internship experiences, and other relevant experiences or achievements that can demonstrate your competence.

7. Foreigner Physical Examination Form and relevant check result pages:  

· Applicants planning to stay in China for more than 6 months must take the physical examination from a local hospital that covers all of the items listed in the form (downloaded from https://english.dhu.edu.cn/brochures/list.htm) within 6 months prior to the online application submission to DHU. The form should be filled in by a physician completely, with signature, stamp and date. Incomplete form or form without the applicant's photograph, a sealed photograph of the applicant, an official stamp of the hospital, or signature of physician is considered as invalid. The detailed test reports are required to be attached.

· Applicants staying in China less than 6 months could upload a personal health statement instead.

8. Non-criminal records report:

· Applicants planning to stay in China for more than 6 months must submit a photocopy of the non-criminal records report issued by the public authority at current residency, which must be issued within 6 months prior to the online application submission to DHU.

· Applicants staying in China less than 6 months could upload a non-criminal records statement instead.

-- Optional:

1. Papers or Articles Published

2. Language Proficiency Certificate

3. Other Supporting Documents