📅 Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
About the Scholarship
Applications are now open for the 2026 ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship.
Under a tripartite agreement between the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS/UNESCO), up to 40 outstanding students and scholars from developing countries will be sponsored to pursue fully funded doctoral degrees in China for up to four years.
The CAS-ANSO Scholarship (formerly known as the ANSO Scholarship for Young Talents) was launched in 2019 with the aim of training and nurturing young scientists from around the world.
The programme offers two categories — Degree Programs and Non-Degree Programs — supporting:
100–200 Master’s students, and
300 PhD students annually.
Successful candidates pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), or various CAS institutes across China.
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Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Not hold Chinese citizenship.
Be nationals of eligible developing countries in the Global South (See list here).
Be proficient in English or Chinese.
For PhD applicants: be born on or after 1 January 1991 (inclusive).
Meet the admission criteria for international students of USTC or UCAS.
Not hold other concurrent assignments or scholarships during the period of this award.
📌 Applicants currently pursuing a PhD in any university or institution in China are not eligible for this scholarship.
⚠️ Candidates are not allowed to apply to both USTC and UCAS simultaneously. Doing so will result in disqualification.
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Application Timeline and Procedure
🗓️ Application Opens: 15 October 2025
🗓️ Deadline for Applicants and Referees: 31 January 2026 (Beijing Time)
Step 1: Prepare Application Materials
For USTC applicants, refer to the Application Guideline for Graduate Applicants to USTC.
For UCAS applicants, refer to the Call for Doctoral Programs for International Students.
Step 2: Submit Application Online
Apply through the USTC/UCAS Admission System before the deadline.
Select “CAS-ANSO Scholarship” in your application.
To be considered for the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship, ensure you also check the box as instructed in the application portal.
Choose “Young Talents” and “ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO Scholarship” when applying.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful candidates will receive:
Full tuition waiver
Monthly stipend for living expenses
Health insurance coverage
On-campus accommodation
Research and travel grants (as applicable)
Host Institutions
University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
Institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Duration
📘 Up to 4 years (Full-time PhD programme)
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete their applications via the USTC or UCAS admission systems before the deadline.
🔗 For More Information:Visit the Official Webpage of the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship 2026.
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