The UNESCO China Fellowship 2026 is now open for applications, offering a fully funded opportunity for international students and researchers to study or conduct research in China. This prestigious program, officially known as the UNESCO/China Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme, is jointly funded by UNESCO and the Government of China. A total of 27 fellowships are available for eligible candidates who wish to pursue a Master’s degree, a Doctoral degree, or independent research at recognized Chinese universities under the supervision of assigned academic mentors.
The UNESCO China Fellowship 2026 welcomes applicants from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Arab States, with no application fee required. Selected fellows will begin their academic or research program in September 2026 and benefit from comprehensive financial support throughout the fellowship period. This program aims to strengthen international cooperation, enhance human resource development, and support academic excellence through high-quality education and research in China.
Benefits
The Fellowship Covers:
- Tuition Fee
- Monthly Living Allowance
- Accommodation on Campus
- Medical Insurance
- International Airfare Travel Tickets
- Additional Monthly Allowance
Eligibility Criteria
- The UNESCO China Fellowship is open to people from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Arab. (List of countries is mentioned below).
- General Scholar applicants must possess a high school diploma and be under 45 years of age.
- Senior Scholar applicants must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent academic position and be under 50 years of age.
- English proficiency is required.
- Master’s Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree and be under 35 years old.
- Doctoral Applicants must possess a master’s degree and be under 40 years old.
Duration of the Fellowship
- Research Program: One Year
- Master: 2 Years
- PhD: 5 Years
Available Study Programs
Visit the official web page of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for the fields of proposed studies at the selected Chinese universities.
Eligible Countries for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026
Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Asia and Pacific: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, Palau, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.
Arab States: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, State of Palestine, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Yemen.
Latin America and the Caribean: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Venezuela (Bolivian Republic of).
Europe: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, and Ukraine.
How to Apply?
- Carefully read the application guidelines to understand eligibility conditions and required documents.
- Contact the National Commission for UNESCO in your home country to confirm local procedures and internal deadlines.
- Choose suitable Chinese universities and academic programs related to your study or research interests.
- Complete the online application in the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System with accurate information.
- Prepare all required supporting documents according to the official guidelines.
- Submit your completed application and documents to your National Commission for UNESCO before their deadline.
- Wait for nomination by your National Commission, as only nominated candidates are forwarded for final review.
- After nomination, ensure all documents are officially submitted to UNESCO within the specified timeline.
- Final selection results are announced after evaluation by UNESCO and the Chinese authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The UNESCO China Fellowship 2026 offers 27 fully funded opportunities for international students and researchers to pursue Master’s, Doctoral, or research programs in China starting September 2026, with global eligibility and no application fee.
What is the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026?
The UNESCO China Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded program for international students and researchers. It supports pursuing a Master’s, Doctoral degree, or individual research in China under supervision, with no application fee required.
Who can apply for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026?
Applicants from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Arab region are eligible. Both students and researchers seeking Master’s, Doctoral, or individual research opportunities in Chinese universities can apply.
How many fellowships are available in 2026?
A total of 27 UNESCO China Fellowships are offered for 2026. These fellowships are fully funded and aim to support outstanding international students and researchers to pursue higher education or research projects in China.
What programs are covered by the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026?
The fellowship supports Master’s degree programs, Doctoral programs, and individual research projects. Participants study or conduct research at recognized Chinese universities with guidance from assigned supervisors.
Is there an application fee for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026?
No application fee is required for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026. Interested candidates can apply without paying any charges, making the fellowship accessible to eligible applicants worldwide.
When does the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026 start?
The academic period for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026 starts in September 2026. Selected fellows are expected to begin their studies or research projects at Chinese universities at that time.
What is the main objective of the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026?
The fellowship aims to promote academic exchange, strengthen cooperation, and support human resource development by enabling international students and researchers to pursue higher education or research in China.
Does the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026 cover living expenses?
The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support. While specific details depend on the program, it covers tuition, research, and other related academic expenses to ensure participants can focus on their studies or research.
Which regions are eligible for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026?
Applicants from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Arab region are eligible. The program encourages global participation to promote diverse academic and research collaborations across regions.
How does one apply for the UNESCO China Fellowship 2026?
Applicants must follow the nomination process through their National Commission for UNESCO. After nomination, candidates submit required documents and complete the online application within the deadlines specified for 2026.
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