The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has officially opened applications for its prestigious USTC Fellowship for Doctoral Programs, a fully and partially funded PhD scholarship opportunity for the 2026–2027 academic cohort, available for applications until 31 January 2026. This fellowship targets high-achieving international students seeking advanced doctoral training at one of China’s leading research universities under a structured, merit-based funding system.
This article explains what the USTC Fellowship is, who it is for, what financial support it offers, eligibility requirements, and key application deadlines, helping international applicants make an informed decision before applying.
About the USTC Fellowship for Doctoral Programs
The USTC Fellowship is a competitive doctoral funding scheme offered by the University of Science and Technology of China, designed to attract outstanding international PhD candidates. The fellowship is awarded in three funding levels, with final placement determined by USTC after a comprehensive academic evaluation. Applicants may apply for one or all fellowship levels simultaneously, but can only receive one scholarship award.
Scholarship Offerings Explained
The USTC Fellowship for doctoral programs is structured into three funding tiers:
1# Level A – CAS-ANSO Scholarship: Funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this is the most competitive award and includes:
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- Full tuition waiver
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Monthly stipend of up to RMB 7,000
2# Level B – Chinese Government Scholarship / USTC Funding: Funded by the Ministry of Education or USTC, this level includes:
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- Full tuition waiver
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Monthly stipend of RMB 3,500
- Accommodation subsidy
3# Level C – USTC Fellowship: Funded by USTC and includes:
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- Full tuition waiver
- Opportunity to apply for Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant subsidies after enrollment.
Eligibility Checks for International Applicants
To be eligible for the USTC Fellowship for Doctoral Programs, applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid passport and be in good physical and mental health. Candidates applying for the doctoral program must possess a master’s degree or an equivalent qualification recognized in China; applicants who are in the final year of their master’s studies are required to submit a pre-graduation certificate confirming that they will complete their degree by July 2026.
Age requirements apply based on the fellowship level: applicants for USTC Fellowship Level A must be under 35 years of age by 1 September 2026, while applicants for Level B or Level C must be under 40 years of age by the same date. Language proficiency is mandatory, with applicants to Chinese-taught programs required to have passed HSK Level 4 or above, unless exempted due to prior education in Chinese, and applicants to English-taught programs required to provide valid proof of English proficiency such as IELTS or TOEFL, except for native English speakers.
In addition, applicants must meet all admission requirements set by USTC for international doctoral students and must not undertake any other employment or assignments during the scholarship period. Applicants who are currently pursuing a doctoral degree at any institution in China are not eligible for USTC Fellowship Level A, and those applying for Level A may not apply simultaneously for the CAS-ANSO Scholarship at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, as only one supervisor from one institution may be selected.
Apply: https://ic.ustc.edu.cn/en/v7info.php?Nav_x=15
Application Timeline and Deadline
The application window for the USTC Fellowship for Doctoral Programs (2026–2027 intake) will close on 31 January 2026.