Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
Applications are now open for the 2026 ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship. According to an agreement between the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS/UNESCO) for the advancement of science in developing countries, up to 40 students/scholars from developing countries will be sponsored to study in China for doctoral degrees for up to 4 years.
CAS-ANSO Scholarship (previously known as ANSO Scholarship for Young Talents) was formally launched in 2019 with the goal of training and cultivating young scientists from all over the world. CAS-ANSO Scholarship has two categories: degree program and non-degree program. The degree program supports 100 to 200 Master’s students and 300 PhD students every year to pursue postgraduate education at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and institutes of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) around China.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Eligible applicants should NOT hold Chinese citizenship;
- Eligible applicants must be nationals of eligible developing countries in the South (Developing Countries in the South | TWAS)
- Eligible applicants should be proficient in English or Chinese;
- For PhD program applicants: you should be born after 1st January 1991 (inclusive);
- Eligible applicants should meet the admission criteria for international students of USTC/UCAS;
- Eligible applicants should NOT take up other assignments during the period of his/her scholarship.
- If the applicant is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at any university/institution in China, s/he will NOT be eligible for the PhD program of this scholarship. Otherwise, s/he will be disqualified from admission and the situation will be reported to the current university/institution
You are NOT allowed to apply for the ANSO Scholarship in both USTC and UCAS simultaneously, otherwise you will be disqualified from admission.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The 2025/2026 ANSO Scholarship is open for application on 15 October 2025 (The exact dates might be slightly different for USTC and UCAS, please check their websites for details).
Deadline for Applicants and Referees: 31 January 2026 (Beijing Time)
1. Application Materials
- For USTC applicants, please refer to Application Guideline for Graduate Applicants to USTC (here)
- For UCAS applicants, please refer to the Call for Doctoral Programs for International Students (here)
2. Application Portal
File and submit your application in the USTC/UCAS admission system as requested before the deadline.
When applying:
- Firstly, choose “the CAS-ANSO Scholarship” in your application.
- Secondly, if you want to be considered a potential candidate for the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship, check the box as instructed in the application system.Please choose BOTH Young Talents AND then ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO Scholarship when applying.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship
