How to Apply for ANSO scholarship: Requirements & Deadline

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If you are a science or technology student looking for a fully funded opportunity to study in one of the world’s most research-intensive countries, the ANSO Scholarship might be exactly what you have been searching for. This is not a small regional program. We are talking about up to 500 scholarships awarded every year, covering everything from tuition to accommodation to a monthly living stipend, all in China, one of the fastest-growing academic powerhouses in the world today.

In this article, we are going to break down everything you need to know about the ANSO Scholarship, who it is for, what it covers, the exact eligibility requirements, the application process, and some practical tips to help you put together a strong application. Whether you are applying for a master’s degree or a PhD, this guide has you covered.

What Is the ANSO Scholarship?

The ANSO Scholarship, now formally called the CAS-ANSO Scholarship, is an international scholarship program funded and administered by the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) in partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It was previously known as the ANSO Scholarship for Young Talents when it was first launched in 2019.

ANSO, which stands for the Alliance of International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions, is a non-profit, non-governmental international scientific organization founded in 2018. Its founding members include the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 36 other scientific institutions, universities, and international organizations from around the world. The organization was created with the mission of improving regional and global capacity in science and technology, and promoting broader international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

The CAS-ANSO Scholarship is one of ANSO’s flagship programs. Its primary goal is to train and cultivate young scientists from all over the world by giving them access to world-class research facilities and academic programs at leading Chinese institutions. Since its launch, hundreds of international students have benefited from this opportunity every year.

The scholarship has two main categories. The first is the Degree Program, which is what most applicants are interested in. The second is a Non-Degree Program for researchers and professionals. In this article, we will focus primarily on the Degree Program since it covers both master’s and PhD studies.

The ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship: A Special Sub-Category

In addition to the main CAS-ANSO Scholarship, there is also a very important sub-category that was officially launched in 2022. It is called the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship. This variant of the scholarship is specifically for PhD students from developing countries.

The ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship is funded through a tri-party agreement between ANSO, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), which operates under UNESCO. Up to 40 PhD students from developing countries are selected for this category every year. Among those, 10 scholarships are specifically prioritized for candidates engaged in climate-related research.

The TWAS/UNESCO sub-category also gives special, though not exclusive, consideration to two priority groups: students from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and women. If you are from a developing country and are passionate about scientific research, this particular category is something you should seriously explore alongside the main scholarship.

Host Institutions: Where Will You Study?

The ANSO Scholarship supports graduate studies at two primary institutions in China, both of which are globally recognized for research excellence. You can also be placed at CAS institutes across China, depending on your field of study.

University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)

The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) is one of China’s most prestigious universities. It was established in 1958 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and became the first institution to launch a graduate school in China, back in 1978. It is widely known as the “Cradle of Scientific Elites” and is a vital center for innovation in China.

USTC provides both undergraduate and postgraduate programs across its 34 schools. It also houses specialized research facilities including the Suzhou Institute, Shanghai Institute, Beijing Institute, Institute of Advanced Technology, and the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC.

In terms of global rankings, USTC is ranked 51st in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. In the Nature Index 2025, it ranks 2nd globally among leading research institutions. It has five disciplines ranked in the top 1 per thousand of the ESI International Ranking 2025, including Physics, Material Science, Chemistry, Engineering, and Computer Science. It also has 17 disciplines in the world’s top 50 of the ARWU Subject Rankings 2025, including Nano Science and Technology and Energy Science and Technology.

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)

The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) is the largest graduate education institution in China. Its predecessor was the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, established in 1978. Today, UCAS has about 70,000 ongoing students, including nearly 2,000 international students from around 100 countries.

UCAS is authorized to confer all master’s and doctoral degrees in the scientific disciplines and 90 percent of all degrees in the engineering disciplines. According to the Global University Ranking by Essential Science Indicator in September 2025, UCAS ranked number one in China and number ten worldwide. It also ranked 5th globally among leading research institutions in the Nature Index released in August 2025, and 54th globally in the U.S. News 2025-2026 Best Global Universities Rankings.

UCAS has established close ties with over 80 world-renowned universities and is a member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). It is also building overseas joint centers for education and research based on CAS overseas institutions, aimed at improving technological innovation capacity in Belt and Road countries.

CAS Institutes Around China

Beyond the two main universities, selected scholarship awardees may also be placed at various CAS institutes spread throughout China. CAS is the leading national research organization in China and includes over 100 research institutes covering fields from basic science to applied technology. Being placed at a CAS institute gives you access to cutting-edge laboratories, senior researchers, and highly specialized scientific environments.

What Does the ANSO Scholarship Cover?

The CAS-ANSO Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship. Here is a detailed breakdown of everything it covers:

1. Tuition Fees

The scholarship covers all tuition fees for the full duration of your master’s or PhD program. You do not need to pay anything for your academic studies at the host institution.

2. Accommodation

Scholarship recipients receive free accommodation at the host institution’s student facilities. This significantly reduces the overall cost of living in China, especially in major academic cities like Beijing and Hefei.

3. Monthly Stipend

Awardees receive a competitive monthly stipend to cover their daily living expenses. The stipend amounts are as follows: Master’s students receive 3,000 CNY per month. PhD students receive 6,000 CNY per month before passing their qualification test, and 7,000 CNY per month after passing the qualification test. These stipends are paid for up to 36 months for master’s awardees and up to 48 months for PhD awardees.

4. Medical Insurance

Comprehensive medical insurance is provided to all scholarship recipients throughout the duration of their studies in China.

5. Application Fee Waiver

Applicants for the ANSO Scholarship are exempt from paying any application fee. This makes it completely free to apply, removing a common barrier for students from developing countries.

6. International Travel Allowance

The scholarship provides a one-time international travel allowance to cover the round-trip airfare from your home country to China. Note that this travel subsidy is not available for applicants who are already on-site in China at the time of application.

7. Visa and Residence Permit Allowance

Costs associated with applying for a Chinese study visa and obtaining a residence permit in China are reimbursed under the scholarship. This is a practical benefit that many scholarships overlook, and it is a real relief for students navigating the visa process for the first time.

It is worth noting that for the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship sub-category, items 1 through 4 above are funded by CAS, while items 5 and 6 (if applicable) are funded by TWAS/UNESCO. For all other CAS-ANSO Scholarship recipients, all items are covered by CAS.

Duration of the Scholarship

The duration of the scholarship depends on your level of study. For master’s degree students, the scholarship is awarded for a maximum of 36 months, which is three years. For PhD students, the scholarship is awarded for a maximum of 48 months, which is four years.

The scholarship is contingent on satisfactory academic performance. All awardees are required to complete centralized training in Chinese language and Chinese culture, finish all required academic credits, complete practical research, and submit their degree thesis at their host institution. If an awardee fails their annual assessments, the consequences include termination of the scholarship, discontinuity of their studies, or being provided only with a certificate of attendance rather than a formal degree.

Eligibility Requirements for the ANSO Scholarship

Before investing time in your application, make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria. Here is what the official call for applications requires:

Citizenship

You must not hold Chinese citizenship. The scholarship is exclusively for non-Chinese nationals. All nationalities from outside China are eligible, provided they meet the other requirements.

Language Proficiency

You must be proficient in either English or Chinese. This is an important requirement. Many programs at USTC and UCAS are offered in English, so English proficiency is typically sufficient. However, if your chosen program is in Chinese, you will need to demonstrate Chinese language proficiency.

Age Requirements

The scholarship has age limits based on your level of study. For master’s program applicants, you must have been born on or after January 1, 1996. For PhD program applicants, you must have been born on or after January 1, 1991. These age limits apply to the 2026 intake and are typically updated slightly each year, so always check the most current call for applications.

Current Students in China

If you are currently pursuing a master’s degree at any university or institution in China, you are not eligible for the master’s program of this scholarship. Similarly, if you are currently pursuing a doctoral degree in China, you are not eligible for the PhD program. However, a current master’s student in China is allowed to apply for the PhD program of the CAS-ANSO Scholarship.

No Simultaneous Applications

You are not allowed to apply for the CAS-ANSO Scholarship through both USTC and UCAS at the same time. You must choose one institution and apply through its specific admission portal. Applying to both will result in immediate disqualification from both applications.

No Other Commitments

During the period of the scholarship, awardees must not take up other full-time employment or assignments. The scholarship is meant to support full-time study and research, and holding other positions is not allowed.

Friendly to China

Applicants must hold a valid foreign passport and maintain a positive relationship with China, abiding by Chinese laws and university regulations throughout the duration of their studies.

How to Apply for the ANSO Scholarship 2026

The application process is conducted entirely online. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough to guide you through it:

Step 1: Choose Your Institution and Program

The first decision you need to make is whether you want to apply through USTC or UCAS. Each institution manages its own admissions. Browse the programs available at each university and identify the master’s or PhD program that best fits your academic background and research interests. Make this decision carefully because you cannot apply to both.

Step 2: Review Admission Requirements

Each institution has its own specific admission requirements for international students. For USTC applicants, review the Application Guideline for Graduate Applicants on the USTC international admissions website. For UCAS applicants, check the specific call for master’s or doctoral programs for international students on the UCAS website. These requirements include minimum academic qualifications, language test scores, and other documentation.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application Documents

Gather all the required documents based on the guidelines of your chosen institution. Generally, you will need your academic transcripts, degree certificates, a research proposal or statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, proof of language proficiency, and a copy of your passport. All documents must be in English or Chinese.

Step 4: Submit Your Application Through the Official Portal

Log in to the official online admission system of your chosen institution and complete the application form. When filling out the form, make sure to explicitly select “CAS-ANSO Scholarship” as the scholarship you are applying for. If you also want to be considered for the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship sub-category, check the additional box as instructed in the system. Do not forget this step, as it does not happen automatically.

For USTC: Apply through the USTC international student admission portal.

For UCAS: Apply through the UCAS online admission system for international students.

Alternatively, you can visit the official ANSO CAS-ANSO Scholarship page to access the full call for applications and find links to the admission portals.

Step 5: Ensure Your Referees Submit on Time

The deadline applies not only to your own application but also to your referees. Make sure the people writing your recommendation letters are aware of the deadline and submit their letters well before it. A late referee submission can disqualify your application even if everything else is submitted on time.

Step 6: Track Your Application

After submission, log in to your admission system account periodically to check the status of your application. Both USTC and UCAS will communicate updates through the portal and by email.

Application Deadline for 2026

The 2026 CAS-ANSO Scholarship opened for applications on October 15, 2025. The deadline for both applicants and referees is January 31, 2026 (Beijing Time). If you are reading this before that date, there is still time to apply. If you are reading after that date, the 2027 cycle is expected to open around October 2026, following the same annual pattern.

Please note that the exact opening and closing dates can vary slightly between USTC and UCAS. Always verify the specific dates on each institution’s official website before you begin your application.

About the Key Organizations Behind the Scholarship

Understanding the organizations behind a scholarship helps you write a more compelling motivation letter and demonstrates that you have genuinely researched the opportunity. Here is a brief overview of the key parties involved: