CAS-ANSO Scholarship: PhD Stipends Up to ¥7,000/Month
By CSC Path Editorial, checked against official CSC and university sources.
It pays PhD students nearly double the CSC stipend and covers your flight, yet most applicants have never heard of it. The CAS-ANSO scholarship, verified.
1.What is the CAS-ANSO Scholarship?
Formerly the "ANSO Scholarship for Young Talents," it's run by the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations (ANSO, founded 2018) with the Chinese Academy of Sciences as major sponsor, supporting 100–200 master's and 300 PhD students per year at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), and CAS institutes (official ANSO page).
2.What does it pay? (More than CSC)
Per the official 2026 call: tuition waived; PhD stipend ¥6,000 or ¥7,000/month (the higher rate after passing the university's qualification test) for up to 48 months; master's ¥3,000/month up to 36 months; health insurance; application fee waived; international travel to China reimbursed (one trip) plus a one-time visa/residence-permit allowance (CAS institute mirror of the official call). Compare CSC: ¥3,500/month PhD, no airfare. For research-focused PhD applicants this is arguably China's best-paying mainstream scholarship.
3.Am I eligible?
Non-Chinese citizens proficient in English or Chinese; master's applicants born after January 1, 1996 and PhD applicants born after January 1, 1991 (for the 2026 round, effectively ~30/~35 caps that roll forward); must meet USTC/UCAS admission criteria; can't already be pursuing the same-level degree in China; you cannot apply to USTC and UCAS simultaneously (official call). Chinese-taught UCAS programs need HSK5 ≥180; otherwise IELTS/TOEFL per program (UCAS 2026 call).
4.How and when to apply
The 2026 round opened October 15, 2025 and closed January 31, 2026 (applicants AND referees); expect a similar window for 2027. Apply through the USTC or UCAS online admission system (UCAS: is.ucas.ac.cn), selecting "CAS-ANSO Scholarship"; documents include passport, degrees, transcripts, language certificates, up to 5 publications, motivation letter, 2 professor reference letters, an optional supervisor acceptance form, and the physical exam form (our form guide). UCAS's ¥600 application fee is waived for CAS-ANSO applicants. PhD applicants from developing countries can also tick the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO sub-category (up to 40 PhD places/year, priority to climate research, LDCs and women; see TWAS page).
5.Can I hold it with CSC? And what about CAS-TWAS?
You apply for ONE scholarship in the university system, and China's general rule bars holding two government-linked scholarships simultaneously, so treat them as alternatives, not stackable. The old CAS-TWAS President's Fellowship is the predecessor program; the active route today is the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO sub-category above. Don't confuse the CAS-ANSO *Fellowship* (short-term visiting program for established researchers) with this degree scholarship.
6.Who should pick ANSO over CSC?
Research-driven master's/PhD applicants in sciences and engineering targeting CAS's institute network, especially those who want the higher PhD stipend, the travel reimbursement, and a research-institute environment. Apply to both in the same season (ANSO at UCAS/USTC + CSC Type B at 1 other university) to maximize odds without violating any rule; you'd accept only one. Find supervisors early: professor outreach guide.
Choosing between ANSO, CSC and provincial money is exactly what our $50 shortlisting session untangles: one call, a route map for your profile.
*CSC Path is an independent educational resource, not affiliated with the China Scholarship Council. Always verify through official sources.*
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