The Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO) was established in 2018 in order to strengthen global scientific and technological cooperation. It was founded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and other 36 leading scientific institutions, universities, and international organizations. The CAS-ANSO Scholarship, launched in 2019, supports outstanding young scholars worldwide to pursue postgraduate studies in China at University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), and other CAS institutes.

The ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship was introduced in 2022 as a special category of the degree program which offers scholarships for PhD students from developing countries, however the special consideration is given to applicants from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and women. The program is primarily funded by CAS, with additional support from TWAS and UNESCO.

SCHOLARSHIP COVERAGE

The CAS-ANSO Scholarship generally provides comprehensive financial support for international students. 

1.    Tuition Fee Coverage
The scholarship covers full tuition fee for the duration of study. 

2.    Accommodation
Students usually receive:

• Free on campus university accommodation.
• Accommodation subsidy for student who lives off-campus. 

3.    Monthly Stipend (Living Allowance)
Scholarship recipients receive monthly stipends that vary by academic level for the duration of the study. 

• Master’s students/ General scholars: CNY 3,000 per month 
• PhD/Doctoral students: CNY (6,000 or 7000) per month 

4.    Medical Insurance
The scholarship includes comprehensive medical insurance for international students studying in China. 

5.    Application Fee Waiver
The application fee is fully waived for all successful scholarship applicants.

6.    International Travel Allowance
The air ticket cost from awardee’s home country to China will be reimbursed (one trip per awarded candidate).

7.    One Time Visa/ Residence Permit Allowance 
Scholarship awarded candidates will have one time visa fee waiver as well as one time residence permit allowance will be provided. 

NOTE: For ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship awardees, the above item 1 to item 6 will be sponsored by CAS; item 7, if eligible, will be sponsored by TWAS/UNESCO based on its financial arrangement. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Although requirements vary by university and program, applicants generally must meet the following requirements.
1.    Be a citizen of a country other than the People Republic of China and in good health both mentally and physically as well as no any criminal record.
2.    Applicants must have a strong academic background and scientific & innovative abilities.
3.    Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the university of preference in terms of academic ability, research competency, and among others. 
4.    Fulfill language requirements for English taught or Chinese taught programs. 

• Applicants for Chinese-taught programs must submit valid HSK reports in accordance with the corresponding Chinese proficiency requirements.
• Applicants for English-taught programs shall provide English language proficiency certificates according to the universities’ requirements, like IELTS or TOFEL report. 
• Those who meet one of the following conditions are exempt from proving their linguistic competence:

a)    Applicants whose first language or the official language of the country is Chinese or English.

b)    Applicants who have taken a degree program taught in Chinese or English (most of the universities) 

5.    Eligible applicants should meet the admission criteria for international students of USTC/UCAS
6.    Eligible applicants should NOT take up other assignments during the period of his/her scholarship.
7.    If you are currently pursuing a master’s degree or doctoral degree at any university/institution in China, you are NOT eligible for this scholarship. 
8.    Typical age limits include:

• Master’s applicants: 30 years old.
• PhD applicants: 35 years old.

NOTE: You are NOT allowed to apply for the CAS-ANSO Scholarship in both USTC and UCAS simultaneously, otherwise you will be disqualified from admission.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR MASTER & PHD APPLICATION (CAS – ANSO SCHOLARSHIP) 

1.    Application Form for preferred university and Chinese government scholarship.
2.    Passport Copy: Applicants are required to submit a clear scanned copy of the information page of their ordinary passports. If the validity period of the currently held passport is less than 12 months (calculated from the expected start date of study), please renew the passport and use it to complete the scholarship application. An applicant who fails to apply for a passport due to objective reasons may submit valid documentation or documentary evidence that carries information about the full English name, gender, nationality and date of birth of the applicant upon the approval of the application receiving agency;
3.    Recently take digital passport size photo. 
4.    Academic Certificates: Degree Certificate (from the undergraduate program onwards). If the applicant is a final year student of the current degree period, please provide the pre-graduate certificate. Doctoral applicants must submit both bachelor's and master's certificates. Text in languages other than Chinese and English must be attached with notarized Chinese or English translations.
5.    Academic transcripts (from the undergraduate program onwards). Copies of academic records from the first to last semester during the undergraduate, graduate (if any), and doctoral programs (if any) shall be provided. These transcripts shall be issued and sealed by the attending university's academic affairs office, graduate school, or student management department. They can be in Chinese or English, but must be attached with notarized English translations if they are in foreign languages other than English.
6.    Study and Research Plan or Research Proposal: A study plan written in Chinese or English shall contain more than 2,000 characters or words. Please specify the previous research background, research achievements, prospective research field, research plan, etc. The proposal of a doctoral student shall be signed by the applicant's potential supervisor.
7.    Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors. (The content shall describe the applicant's study objectives, comprehensive abilities, and evaluation of future development).
8.    Physical Examination Record for Foreigners (valid within six months). The physical examination must cover all the items listed in the examination form. Incomplete records or those without the attending physician's signature, the hospital's official stamp, or a sealed photograph of the applicant are invalid.
9.    Non-criminal record report. An applicant shall submit a valid Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (or Police Clearance Certificate) issued by the local public security (such as the police station), usually issued within six months prior to the submission date of the application.
10.    Language qualification certificates. Applicants for master's, doctoral, general scholar, and senior scholar programs taught in Chinese must submit a valid HSK score report that meets the corresponding Chinese language proficiency requirements. Applicants for programs taught in other languages are required to provide relevant language proficiency certificates, such as IELTS or TOEFL score reports, in accordance with the requirements of each university
11.    Supervisor Acceptance Letter (from potential supervisor at your preferred university, Mandatory for PhD applicants)
12.    Pre-Admission Letter:  Pre-Admission Documents. All applicants must provide a pre-admission document issued by the universities applying. Pre-admission documents include pre-admission notice issued by the international students’ admission department or invitation letter from the schools or professors, etc. 
13.    Complete Curricular Vitae – CV
14.    Other supporting materials (Published papers, Rewards, certificates, etc.)
15.    An applicant for the arts or design program shall provide his/her own works (such as videos and paintings).

APPLICATION PROCESS (CAS-ANSO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM)

1.    An applicant shall learn about designated Chinese universities by visiting university official websites and identify the preferred scholarship program, major they offer, and the requirement for the application. 
2.    Professor findings and research alignment: An applicant shall find the suitable supervisor as per the research interest. Students are highly recommended to get the supervisor approval letter before submitting an application. Applicants for PhD shall sign the research plan or research proposal by the prospective supervisor. 
3.    An applicant shall attend the interview and the research presentation organized by the professor (if required). 
4.    An applicant shall fulfill the admission requirement of the designated university and shall fil in and submit an application along with the supervisor approval letter. 
5.    An applicant shall fill in and submit the Application Form for CAS-ANSO Scholarship online through the official online admission system of UCAS or USTC (https://english.ucas.ac.cn/ or https://en.ustc.edu.cn/ )
6.    An applicant must participate in the comprehensive interview or research presentation organized by the department or the designated university. 
7.    The application receiving agency (designated university) will submit the nominated candidates list and their application documents to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). 
8.    The Alliance of International Science Organization (ANSO), in conjunction with the sponsoring Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) will organize comprehensive expert review on applicants’ eligibility and academic performance and grant the scholarship.  
9.    The scholarship result will be notified  to the application receiving agency (designated university) that will subsequently have the applicant informed through the official admission notice and JW201. 

 OFFICIAL SITE: OFFICIAL SITE: https://www.anso.org.cn/programmes/talent/scholarship/