China Link Scholarship: 2026 Research Guide

The China Link Scholarship is a Chinese Government Scholarship program for short-term academic and research activity in China. It is designed for eligible students and academic staff who remain connected to a China Scholarship Council partner university outside China.

For the 2026 program, the published duration is 1 to 12 months, with study starting in China no later than August 31, 2027. The working language can be English or Chinese, depending on the host program, and the published field scope covers disciplines other than Chinese-language study (official 2026 program information).

This is a visiting or non-degree route, not funding for a complete bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. If you want a full degree, compare the routes listed on the scholarships page instead.

The 2026 notices separate applicants into two categories:

• General scholar: current undergraduate or master's students, under age 45.
• Senior scholar: current PhD students or academic staff, under age 50.

Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens and meet the health requirements in the controlling notice. They must also remain full-time students or full-time academic staff at a CSC foreign partner university during both the application and the proposed stay. The Chinese host must confirm admission eligibility before the scholarship application can move forward.

These conditions are stated in current notices from Wenzhou University, Chengdu University of Technology, and Peking University. Use the partner-university and host-university lists attached to the current program notice. A university appearing in another CSC program or in a general directory does not by itself prove China Link eligibility.

Current 2026 program notices list:

• tuition waiver;
• on-campus accommodation;
• comprehensive medical insurance;
• CNY 3,000 per month for general scholars; and
• CNY 3,500 per month for senior scholars.

The official Hunan government republication of the CSC program and Chengdu University of Technology's 2026 notice publish the same coverage.

Do not add benefits that the controlling notice does not list. These sources do not promise international airfare, off-campus rent, visa fees, or research costs. Ask the host university in writing how accommodation is arranged and which expenses remain your responsibility before accepting a placement.

Start with an eligible Chinese host university and contact its international admissions office early. Ask for the current China Link procedure, available fields, working language, local deadline, and whether you need a supervisor or department invitation.

The host route is not identical everywhere:

• Peking University requires admission to its visiting-student program. A departmental research applicant must first obtain acceptance from the intended supervisor and department (official PKU guide).
• Wenzhou University tells applicants to contact its admissions office first so the university can review eligibility and issue pre-admission material (official 2026 notice).
• Hebei Normal University starts with nomination and an acceptance letter through the relevant host college before the CSC application (official 2026 notice).

Treat the host's current instructions as controlling. The acceptance and pre-admission letter guide explains the document names, but only the host can confirm which one its China Link route accepts.

The general sequence is:

1. Confirm that your current foreign institution and intended Chinese host are on the current program lists. 2. Obtain the admission qualification, nomination, or invitation required by the host. 3. Complete the CSC online application using the category and agency number specified by the host. 4. Complete any separate university portal or email submission. 5. Ask the host to confirm that it received the application and can nominate it. 6. Wait for the host's notice of CSC's final result.

The CSC portal may remain open throughout the year, but that does not create a universal last-minute deadline. The program information says host universities submit nominations to CSC at least two months before arrival. Hebei Normal University asks partner institutions to submit its nomination material at least three months before arrival, while Peking University publishes July 15 for September entry, January 15 for February or March entry, and at least three months for other start dates.

Start with the host's earlier operational deadline. Use the agency-number guide to check the receiving code, but copy the exact category and number from the current host instructions.

There is no safe universal document list because the host university sets its own admission review requirements. Prepare the common core, then compare it line by line with the current host notice:

• passport identity page;
• proof of current enrollment or academic employment;
• academic records;
• study or research plan;
• host admission, invitation, or nomination material;
• language evidence when the host requests it;
• health or physical examination material; and
• police or no-criminal-record material when required.

For example, Chengdu University of Technology's 2026 notice asks for a study or research plan of at least 500 words. It requires the Foreigner Physical Examination Form and a police certificate for stays longer than six months, while allowing statements instead for shorter stays. Wenzhou University's published list is different and asks for a health report issued within six months.

These are host-specific examples, not national rules. Do not reuse one university's checklist for another university without written confirmation.

The Chinese host reviews the application and decides whom to nominate. CSC then checks the nominated candidates and determines the scholarship result. The host university communicates that result to the applicant.

Chengdu University of Technology describes this sequence directly in its 2026 notice. Chongqing Normal University also says it reviews academic performance, research ability, language, health, and other conditions before nomination, with the final scholarship result subject to CSC's notice (official 2026 guide).

A supervisor reply, invitation, pre-admission document, portal submission, or university nomination is not a scholarship guarantee. Do not book non-refundable travel or treat a proposed start date as final until the host sends the official award and admission documents.

Need a careful document check before you submit? The $50 Document Review compares your form and documents with the official host notice you provide. It does not contact a supervisor, nominate you, submit the application, or guarantee admission or funding.

*CSC Path is an independent educational resource, not affiliated with the China Scholarship Council. Always verify through official sources.*