Application Guide for ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship

Part I Introduction to the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship

In pursuit of deepening the understanding and friendship between the people of China and ASEAN countries, and in response to the call of the leaders of China and ASEAN countries to enhance cultural and educational exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN members, the Chinese government has funded the establishment of the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship(ACYLS), aiming to further reinforce the foundation of cultural exchanges between China and ASEAN countries and build a closer community of shared future.

Financed by the Chinese government through the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund, ACYLS is designed to support young professionals with work experience who come from ASEAN countries. Specifically, ACYLS offers financial support for citizens of ASEAN countries to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees or participate in short-term further education programs or short-term group-based research programs in China, and covers all expenses associated with students’ study or research in China, including tuition, accommodation, living expenses, travel expenses, lump-sum placement fees and comprehensive insurance premiums.

Part II Enrollment Guide for ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship Program

I. Intended Recipients, Duration, and Language of Instruction

Intended recipients: outstanding young people with work experience who come from ASEAN countries to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees or participate in short-term further education programs or short-term group-based research programs in China.

Duration: Different students are granted financial support for varying lengths of time, and it is mandatory for the supported students to complete their studies within the duration of support, as detailed in the following table:

Language of instruction:

Language of instruction: English. In principle, applicants should choose programs offered in English, and their English language proficiency must meet the requirements of the college and program of their choice.

II. Payment Methods

Within the duration of support by ACYLS, subsidies for living expenses will be given to students by their corresponding colleges on a monthly basis. Scholarship recipients who register at their respective colleges before the 15th day (including the 15th day) of the corresponding month will be provided with subsidies for full-month living expenses; those registering after the 15th day will receive subsidies for half a month's living expenses;  subsidies for graduates' living expenses will cover living expenses for half a month after the graduation date is determined by graduates' respective colleges; scholarship recipients who have left China due to personal reasons and remained outside China for more than 15 days within the scholarship program duration (except for legal holidays) will not receive any subsidies for their living expenses during their absence from China.

China Scholarship Council and relevant colleges carry out an annual assessment of the performance of scholarship recipients in order to determine their eligibility for continued scholarship support. Students who fail to satisfy the assessment criteria will be dismissed from the program or disqualified from the scholarship.

III. Application Channel and Time

Applicants should apply to the ACYLS national focal points for the scholarship within the specified time, and outstanding lecturers and faculty members from ASEAN elite universities may apply for the scholarship through the ASEAN University Network (AUN) or the AUN's thematic channels. The application period runs from early January to March. Please check with your home country's competent authorities for application deadlines.

IV. Application Requirements

1. Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens of ASEAN countries (including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam).

2. Applicants should be in good health both physically and mentally.

3. Applicants should be interested in China and Chinese culture.

4. Education and age:

● Applicants who intend to pursue a master's degree in China should have a bachelor's degree at least and be not older than 45 years of age;

● Applicants who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in China should have a master's degree at least and be not older than 45 years of age;

● Applicants who intend to pursue further education in China should have a bachelor's degree or above;

5. Applicants should have worked at any government department, public or private organization, university, think tank, or similar social institution for more than one year;

6. Applicants who have worked or studied in China, or have engaged in exchanges with China or in building or deepening China-ASEAN ties are preferred.

7. Applicants should be proficient in English (e.g., IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 or above)

8. Applicants should not receive other scholarships from the Chinese government at the same time.

9. Applicants should meet other admission requirements for relevant programs offered by the colleges of their choice.

V. Application Process

1. Applicants are required to log in to the "Chinese Government Scholarship Information System" (visit the website http://www.campuschina.org, then click “Scholarship Application for Students”), fill in the application information, submit the application materials, and submit the application online;

2. Applicants should prepare corresponding materials according to the "List of Application Materials", and submit paper materials to their home country's competent authorities or the secretariat of the ASEAN University Network within the specified time. The competent authorities of ASEAN countries and the secretariat of the ASEAN University Network will review the applicant's qualifications, and submit the list of recommended candidates to the Joint Committee in Jakarta. The final recommended candidates will be determined by the Joint Committee in Jakarta through review.

3. The China Scholarship Council only accepts the applications from the candidates recommended by the Joint Committee in Jakarta, and does not accept individual applications. The China Scholarship Council has the right to make necessary adjustments to applicants' intended colleges.

VI. Application Materials

Applicants should provide true, valid corresponding documents in accordance with the requirements of the "Chinese Government Scholarship Information System", and upload clear scanned copies of these documents onto the system. Application materials that do not meet the above requirements will affect the applicant's admission.

When an applicant submits the application to his/her home country's competent authorities, the applicant must provide the application materials in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Ministry of Education of the home country.