The application for the CAS-ANSO Master’s and PhD Scholarship in China for the year 2026 is now open. ANSO stands for the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations.
The alliance offers500 fully funded scholarships in China, including200 scholarships for Master’s degreesand300 scholarships for PhD degreesannually to study at theUniversity of Science and Technology of China (USTC), theUniversity of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), orinstitutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)across China. The CAS-ANSO Scholarship coversall expenses for the entire duration of study. Applicants from all over the world are eligible to apply.
What is the ANSO-CAN Scholarship?
The ANSO-CAN Scholarship is offered by the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and several leading Chinese universities. This scholarship aims to support outstanding international students who seek to pursue Master’s or PhD degrees in science and technology fields. It provides students with the opportunity to learn and gain knowledge in a rich and advanced academic environment.
The scholarship is divided intodegree programsandnon-degree programs. The degree category supports100 to 200 Master’s studentsand300 PhD studentsannually to study at:
University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
Institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) across China
In 2022, a sub-category was launched: theANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship.
Up to40 PhD studentsare selected annually from developing countries.
10 scholarshipsare dedicated to climate-related research.
Priority (non-exclusive) is given to:
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Women
What is USTC?
The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) is one of the leading universities in China and Asia. It is renowned for its advanced programs in science and technology and is considered one of the top educational institutions in the region.
What is UCAS?
The University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) is a research university located in Beijing, China. It is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and is known for its focus on higher education and advanced scientific research.
CAS-ANSO Scholarship Details
Host Country:China
Host Institutions:
University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
Institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) across China
Funding Organizations:
CAS:Main sponsor of all CAS-ANSO scholarships
TWAS and UNESCO:Provide partial funding for the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship
Level of Study:Master’s and PhD programs
Number of Fully Funded Scholarships:
100 to 200 scholarships for Master’s students
300 scholarships for PhD students
Application Opening Date:October 15, 2025
(The exact dates may vary slightly for USTC and UCAS; please refer to their websites for details.)
Application Deadline:January 31, 2026
Benefits of the CAS-ANSO Scholarship
Full tuition waiver
Monthly stipend:
6,000 to 7,000 CNY/month for PhD students(up to 48 months)
3,000 CNY/month for Master’s students(up to 36 months)
Health insurance
Application fee waiver
International travel subsidy from the student’s home country to China
Visa and residence permit fee coverage
Note:
You arenot allowed to apply for the ANSO Scholarship at both USTC and UCAS simultaneously, otherwise you will be disqualified.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the scholarship, applicants must meet certain requirements to ensure they are qualified to receive the necessary financial and academic support. Key requirements include:
Nationality:Applicants mustnotbe Chinese citizens, as the scholarship is intended only for international students.
Age:Master’s applicants must beunder 30 years old, and PhD applicants must beunder 35 years old.
Academic qualifications:Applicants must hold a recognized previous degree, and academic excellence is usually emphasized.
Language:Proficiency inEnglish or Chineseis required, as study programs are offered in one of these two languages.
University requirements:Applicants must meet the specific admission requirements of USTC and UCAS.
Required Documents
Copy of passport (valid for at least one year)
Research proposal (minimum 800 words)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Two recommendation letters from professors, including phone numbers and email addresses
Foreigner Physical Examination Form
Copy of HSK certificate or other proof of Chinese proficiency (for Chinese-taught programs)
Valid IELTS or TOEFL score report or proof of English proficiency if English is not the native language (for English-taught programs)
Copy of degree certificate
If the degree has not yet been obtained, submit a pre-graduation certificate with the expected graduation date
Academic transcripts for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
Official documents proving student status
Working applicants must submit official employment documents
Available Fields
The scholarship focuses on supporting students in advanced scientific and technological fields. Available disciplines include:
Environmental Sciences:such as environmental studies and renewable energy technology
Natural Sciences:physics, chemistry, biology
Technology and Engineering:electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering
Medical Sciences:biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences
Study Requirements
All scholarship recipients are required to:
Complete centralized training inChinese language and culture
Complete the requiredacademic credits
Conductpractical research
Prepare athesisat USTC/UCAS colleges or CAS institutes
Students must comply with Chinese laws and USTC/UCAS regulations.
In case of failure in the annual evaluation
The student may face:
Termination of the scholarship
Discontinuation of studies
Receiving only acertificate of attendancewithout an academic degree
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through theUSTC or UCAS admission systembefore the deadline.
When applying:
You mustselect “CAS-ANSO Scholarship”
If you wish to be considered for theANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship, you mustcheck the designated boxin the application system.
Application Links: