ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship

I. Program Overview

The ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship Program (ACYLS) responds to the call by the leaders of the People's Republic of China and the ASEAN Member States (AMS) to expand people-to-people exchange, strengthen educational cooperation, and promote academic exchange and institutional links between ASEAN Member States and China. It is intended to reinforce the socio-cultural and people-to-people pillar of ASEAN-China relations and contribute to a closer community with a shared future.

ACYLS is designed for nationals of ASEAN Member States, particularly promising young professionals with work experience. The Chinese government provides funding for the program primarily through the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF).

The Scholarship supports master's and doctoral degree study, short-term research and training in China. It is a full scholarship covering program-related costs, including tuition and other institutional fees, accommodation, round-trip international economy-class airfare, comprehensive medical insurance and a stipend.

II. Application Guidelines

1. Scholarship Categories, Duration and Language of Instruction

Recipients must complete their studies within the approved scholarship period.

The language of instruction is English. Applicants are strongly advised to select English-taught programs and must satisfy the language requirements of the programs to which they apply.

2. Scholarship Coverage and Standards

Monthly Stipend

During the scholarship period, registered recipients receive the stipend monthly from their host universities. A student who registers on or before the 15th day of a month receives the full stipend for that month; a student who registers after the 15th receives half of the monthly stipend. Graduating students receive a further half-month stipend after the graduation date. If a registered student remains outside China for more than 15 days for personal reasons, excluding university holidays, the stipend is suspended for the period of absence.

Host universities may require recipients to open a renminbi bank account in China to receive stipend payments. Recipients should consult their host universities for the applicable arrangements.

Other Scholarship Benefits

• One-time settlement allowance: RMB 3,000 per recipient, paid in Chinese currency by the host university after registration. This allowance applies to master's students, doctoral students and research scholars.
• International round-trip airfare: CSC and the host universities administer funding for economy-class travel between the capital of the recipient's home country and the city of the host university. Detailed reimbursement rules are provided under “International Airfare Funding” below.
• Tuition: The program normally covers tuition in full and allocates funding directly to the host university. Because tuition for certain programs, including some MBA programs, may be exceptionally high, full tuition coverage for those programs is determined case by case.
• Accommodation: Each recipient is provided with a single room in university accommodation.
• Medical insurance: ACYLS covers comprehensive medical insurance. Policy and claims information is available through Campus China under the Comprehensive Insurance & Protection Scheme for Foreigners Staying in China.
• Annual review: CSC and the host university conduct an annual review of enrolled degree students. Failure to pass may lead to dismissal from the university and termination of the Scholarship.

3. Where and When to Apply

Applicants must submit their applications to the ACYLS national focal point in their home countries by the applicable deadline. Faculty and staff of ASEAN universities applying through the ASEAN University Network (AUN) or an AUN Thematic Network must submit their applications to the AUN Secretariat.

Applications generally open from January to March each year. Applicants must consult the relevant ACYLS national focal point or the AUN Secretariat directly for the current deadline.

4. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

1. Be citizens of an ASEAN Member State: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand or Viet Nam.
2. Be in good physical and mental health.
3. Be proficient in English, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, a minimum TOEFL score of 80, or an internationally recognized qualification at an equivalent level.
4. Hold a bachelor's degree and be under 45 years of age when applying for a master's degree.
5. Hold a master's degree and be under 45 years of age when applying for a doctoral degree.
6. Hold at least a bachelor's degree when applying for a short-term research program.
7. Have at least one year of professional experience in a government agency, public or private institution, university, think tank or comparable organization. Preference is given to applicants with experience in:
   • Foreign or international affairs, particularly ASEAN or China-ASEAN affairs.
   • Work or study in China.
   • Academic work related to China or ASEAN affairs.
8. Not concurrently hold another Chinese Government Scholarship.
9. Meet any additional admission requirements of the Chinese universities to which they apply.

5. Application Procedure

1. Complete the compulsory online application through the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System (CGSIS). Visit Campus China, select Scholarship Application for Students, complete the application and upload all required supporting documents.
2. Prepare the documents listed below, upload clear scanned copies to CGSIS, and submit hard copies of the application form and supporting documents to the appropriate ACYLS national focal point or the AUN Secretariat as required before the deadline.
3. The ACYLS national focal points and the AUN Secretariat review applicants' qualifications and submit their recommended candidates to the ACYLS Joint Committee in Jakarta. The Joint Committee determines the recommendation list submitted to CSC.
4. CSC processes only applications recommended by the Joint Committee. An applicant who is not included on that list will not be considered. Where necessary, CSC may consult a candidate about an alternative host university or field of study.

Applicants must provide authentic and valid documents. Failure to submit clear scans or satisfy the stated document requirements may adversely affect the scholarship decision.

6. Application Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit the documents in the Application Document Checklist below. When submitting an application to an ACYLS national focal point or the AUN Secretariat, applicants must also follow the document requirements prescribed by that receiving authority.

7. Placement

ACYLS is implemented at the 33 designated Chinese universities listed below. Applicants may select one to three preferred universities. CSC places each applicant at one university based on the stated preferences and the universities' admission requirements.

8. Scholarship Confirmation

1. CSC sends qualified applications to the candidates' preferred universities for placement. Taking account of scholarship funding requirements, institutional teaching capacity, program duration and applicant qualifications, CSC may adjust a candidate's preferred university or field of study. The university confirms the final placement.
2. Following confirmation by the Joint Committee, CSC notifies scholarship recipients of the final results by email before July 31. Host universities issue the Admission Letter and Confirmation Form for Study in China (JW201).
3. After arriving in China, recipients may not change the host university, field of study or duration stated in the Admission Letter.
4. The Scholarship will not be reserved for a recipient who fails to register by the stated deadline.

Applicants must provide complete, accurate and current contact information in CGSIS so that admission documents can be delivered in time.

9. Program Changes and Scholarship Extension

In principle, recipients may not change their academic programs, host universities or program duration while studying in China. A change required for exceptional reasons must be requested through the host university and may proceed only after approval by both CSC and the ACYLS Joint Committee in Jakarta.

A doctoral student who cannot graduate within the approved program duration for exceptional reasons may apply once for a scholarship extension of up to one year through the host university. The student must have maintained satisfactory academic performance, earned the required credits, completed the thesis proposal and passed the mid-term assessment required by the teaching plan. An extension is granted only after review and approval by the ACYLS Joint Committee.

10. Timeline

III. Designated Universities

IV. Application Document Checklist

1. Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship, completed in English.
2. A copy of the data page of the applicant's valid ordinary passport.
3. A notarized copy of the applicant's highest diploma or degree certificate. A document in a language other than Chinese or English must be accompanied by a notarized Chinese or English translation.
4. Academic transcripts. A transcript in a language other than Chinese or English must be accompanied by a notarized Chinese or English translation.
5. A study plan or research proposal in Chinese or English, comprising at least 500 words for a non-degree applicant or 800 words for a graduate degree applicant.
6. Two recommendation letters in Chinese or English. Applicants to graduate degree or short-term research scholar programs must submit one letter from their current employer and one from a university professor.
7. Valid documents relating to the applicant's legal guardian in China, required only for applicants under 18 years of age.
8. A valid English-language proficiency certificate: IELTS 6.0 or above, TOEFL 80 or above, or another internationally recognized certificate at an equivalent level.
9. The Foreigner Physical Examination Form, completed in English, for applicants planning to remain in China for more than six months. The examination must cover every item on the form. A form is invalid if incomplete or if it lacks the attending physician's signature, the hospital's official stamp or the applicant's photograph bearing the required seal. Examination results are valid for six months.
10. A curriculum vitae covering education and professional experience since completion of secondary school. Upload it under Other Supporting Documents in CGSIS.
11. A valid certificate of no criminal record issued by the local public security authority, normally within six months before the application submission date.

V. CGSIS Application Instructions

1. Visit Campus China, select Scholarship Application for Students, create an account and sign in.
2. Select Edit Personal Details, enter, verify and save all required information, and select Finish to return to the application page.
3. Select Type A as the Program Category.
4. Enter 0025 as the Agency Number. Program Category and Agency Number are matched and both are mandatory. The corresponding agency name appears automatically. If either entry is incorrect, the application processing authority will not receive the online application.
5. Complete Language Proficiency and Study Plan, upload the supporting documents, carefully verify the application and select Submit. For a Type A application, the system matches available universities according to the selected student category and preferred language of instruction. The system's Help section provides the discipline and major catalogue.
6. After submission, Personal Details and Application Information cannot be edited directly. Before processing begins, an applicant may select Withdraw and edit the application. The amended application must be submitted again. Once processing begins, the application cannot be withdrawn.
7. Select Print the Application Form to download the form.
8. Submit the scholarship application in accordance with the requirements of the dispatching authority or application processing agency.

CSC does not authorize individuals or intermediary agencies to process Chinese Government Scholarship applications. Applicants should apply directly through the official authorities and use Campus China as the official Study in China information source. All application information must be completed in Chinese or English. An application with an incorrect Agency Number will not be processed.

VI. Preparing to Travel to China

1. Study Visa

ACYLS recipients should apply for an X1 visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate-general. A recipient whose period of study is six months or less may apply for an X2 visa. Required documents include a valid ordinary passport, copies of the Admission Letter and JW201 form, and the original Foreigner Physical Examination Form.

A student who enters China using another type of passport or visa, or without the required documents, cannot register at the university or apply for a residence permit. The student is responsible for the visa application fee.

2. Registration, Health Verification and Residence Permit

Recipients must register at their host universities by the deadline stated in the Admission Letter and present the Admission Letter, JW201 form and Foreigner Physical Examination Form. A recipient unable to register on time must obtain permission directly from the host institution. Failure to register without prior approval is treated as voluntary withdrawal and results in automatic termination of the Scholarship.

A recipient staying in China for more than six months must submit their passport, Admission Letter, Foreigner Physical Examination Form and blood test report to the local health and quarantine authority for verification. Anyone whose documents do not meet the authority's requirements must undergo another physical examination. A recipient who refuses re-examination, or is diagnosed with a condition for which residence in China is prohibited under Chinese law, must leave China.

After arrival, recipients must apply for a residence permit within the period specified by the visa authority, presenting their passport, Admission Letter, JW201 form, verified health report and compliant photograph to the local public security authority.

3. International Airfare Funding

For master's and doctoral students, ACYLS covers:

• One economy-class journey to China at the beginning of the program and one economy-class return journey after graduation, with a reimbursement ceiling of RMB 3,000 for each journey.
• One economy-class round trip for a home visit at the end of each academic year, excluding the graduation year, with a reimbursement ceiling of RMB 6,000 per round trip.

Students purchase tickets in accordance with the applicable rules and claim reimbursement from the host university using the original purchase receipt. Any cost above the applicable ceiling is borne by the student. The initial journey may be claimed after university registration, the post-graduation journey when the student qualifies for graduation, and a home-visit journey after the student returns to the university.

For research scholars, ACYLS covers one international economy-class round trip with a reimbursement ceiling of RMB 6,000. The recipient purchases the ticket and claims reimbursement from the host university using the original purchase receipt before completing the program.