China ANSO Scholarship – International Students
The Alliance of National and International Science Organizations (ANSO) Scholarship is one of the most prestigious fully funded scholarships offered by China for international students who want to pursue Master’s and PhD degrees in science and technology fields. The scholarship aims to develop talented researchers and scientists from around the world and strengthen international scientific cooperation.
1. Introduction to the ANSO Scholarship
The ANSO Scholarship, also known as the ANSO Scholarship for Young Talents, was launched in 2019 to support global students in advanced research and postgraduate education in China.
It is sponsored mainly by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and coordinated by the ANSO Alliance, an international scientific organization founded in 2018 with universities and research institutes worldwide.
The scholarship aims to:
- Train young scientists and researchers
- Promote scientific cooperation among countries
- Support development in science, technology, and innovation
- Contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Every year hundreds of students from developing countries are selected to study in China through this program.
2. Host Universities
Students selected for the ANSO Scholarship study mainly at the following institutions:
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
- University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
These universities are among China’s top research institutions and are directly connected with the Chinese Academy of Sciences research network.
Students may also conduct research at various CAS institutes across China.
3. Number of Scholarships
Each year the ANSO Scholarship provides around 500 fully funded scholarships, including:
- 200 Master’s scholarships
- 300 PhD scholarships
This makes it one of the largest research scholarships available in China for international students.
4. Types of ANSO Scholarships
1. Degree Programs
This category supports students who want to pursue:
- Master’s Degree (3 years)
- PhD Degree (up to 4 years)
2. Non-Degree Programs
These programs allow international students to:
- Participate in research visits
- Attend summer schools
- Join short-term academic exchanges at Chinese institutions.
5. Scholarship Benefits
The ANSO Scholarship is fully funded, meaning students do not have to pay most educational costs.
Benefits include:
Tuition Fee
- Full tuition fee waiver
Monthly Stipend
- Master’s students: about 3,000 CNY per month
- PhD students: about 6,000–7,000 CNY per month
Additional Benefits
- Free health insurance
- Application fee waiver
- International travel allowance (flight to China)
- Visa and residence permit support
These benefits allow students to focus on their research without financial burden.
6. ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship
A special category of the ANSO scholarship is the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship.
It is organized with:
- The World Academy of Sciences
- UNESCO
Each year around 40 PhD students from developing countries receive this scholarship, especially those working on global challenges like climate change.
7. Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the ANSO Scholarship, applicants must meet several conditions:
- Must not hold Chinese citizenship
- Must have a strong academic record
- Must meet admission requirements of UCAS or USTC
- Must be proficient in English or Chinese
- Must meet age requirements (for PhD usually under about 35 years old)
- Cannot hold another scholarship simultaneously.
8. Required Documents
Applicants usually need to submit:
- Completed online application form
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Research proposal or study plan
- Two recommendation letters
- Passport copy
- Language proficiency proof
- CV (Curriculum Vitae)
These documents are submitted through the university’s online admission system.
Fields of Study
ANSO Scholarships mainly support science and technology programs, including:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Science
- Environmental Science
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Earth Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Agriculture
- Space Science
