The China Agricultural University (CAU), in collaboration with the China Scholarship Council (CSC), has announced the 2025 China Link Scholarship Program for international scholars. This fully funded short-term research and academic exchange program is aimed at fostering international cooperation and academic friendship between young scholars from China and other countries.
Program Overview
The CAU-China Link Scholarship Program is designed for international undergraduate, master’s, Ph.D. students, and faculty members seeking to engage in research or academic activities at Chinese institutions and it offers full funding, including tuition waivers, accommodation, insurance, and a generous monthly stipend.
The scholarship is open to two main categories of scholars:
- General Scholar: Open to current undergraduate and master’s students.
- Senior Scholar: Open to Ph.D. students and faculty members.
Successful candidates can undertake research in China for 1 to 12 months and must commence their study no later than August 31, 2026. The program offers the flexibility to conduct research in either Chinese or English, though candidates choosing Chinese as their language of instruction must possess a valid HSK Level-4 certificate.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected scholars will receive a comprehensive fully funded scholarship, covering:
- Tuition fee waiver
- Free on-campus accommodation
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Monthly stipend: CNY 3,000 for general scholars (MS), CNY 3,500 for senior scholars (PhD).
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Citizenship: Be a citizen of a country other than the People’s Republic of China.
- Health: Be in good physical and mental health.
- Age Limit:
- Under 45 years old for general scholars (undergraduate/master’s level)
- Under 50 years old for senior scholars (Ph.D. students/faculty members)
- University Affiliation: Must be currently enrolled as a full-time student or employed as full-time academic staff at a foreign university that has a partnership with CSC.
- Admission Confirmation: Must have received an admission notice or an invitation letter from a Chinese host university.
Apply: https://admissions.cau.edu.cn/art/2025/2/21/art_48608_1052912.html.
The last date to apply for the 2025 China Link Scholarship Program at China Agricultural University is May 31, 2025, for applicants planning to begin their research between July 2025 – January 2026. For those starting between February – August 2026, the deadline is December 31, 2025.