Applications are now open for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026, a prestigious fully funded international fellowship jointly offered by UNESCO and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Officially known as the UNESCO/China Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme, this opportunity supports outstanding students and researchers from developing regions to study or conduct research at top Chinese universities.
A total of 27 fellowships are available for Master’s, PhD, and research programs. Successful applicants will begin their academic or research journey in September 2026. There is no application fee, and candidates from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Arab States are encouraged to apply.
UNESCO China Fellowship 2026 – Overview
- Host Country: China
- Degree Levels: Master’s, PhD, Research
- Number of Fellowships: 27
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Program Start Date: September 2026
- Application Deadline: 23 January 2026
Financial Benefits
The UNESCO China Fellowship 2026 provides comprehensive financial support, including:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Monthly living allowance
- Free on-campus accommodation
- Medical insurance
- International round-trip airfare
- Additional monthly stipend
This makes it one of the most generous fully funded fellowship programs available in China.
Duration of the Fellowship
- Research Program: 1 year
- Master’s Degree: 2 years
- PhD Program: Up to 5 years
Available Fields of Study
Applicants can choose from a wide range of academic and research fields offered by participating Chinese universities.
To view the full list of approved disciplines, candidates should visit the official China Scholarship Council (CSC) website.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Open to applicants from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and Arab States
- General Scholars:
- Must hold at least a high school diploma
- Must be under 45 years of age
- Senior Scholars:
- Must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent academic position
- Must be under 50 years of age
- Master’s Applicants:
- Must possess a Bachelor’s degree
- Must be under 35 years old
- Doctoral Applicants:
- Must hold a Master’s degree
- Must be under 40 years old
- English language proficiency is required
Eligible Countries
Africa
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Togo, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Asia and the Pacific
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cook Islands, DPR Korea, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, Palau, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam.
Arab States
Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen.
Latin America & the Caribbean
Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Venezuela.
Europe
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine.
How to Apply for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026
- Carefully read the official application guidelines.
- Contact the National Commission for UNESCO in your home country for nomination procedures.
- Complete and submit the online application.
- Submit the required documents to your National UNESCO Commission.
VISIT THE OFFICIAL UNESCO CHINA FELLOWSHIP WEBSITE.
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