I. Overview of the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship (ACYLS)

Launched in response to the joint initiative of leaders from China and all ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship (ACYLS) aims to deepen people-to-people and educational exchanges between China and ASEAN nations. As a core program to consolidate the socio-cultural and civilian exchange pillar of China-ASEAN cooperative relations, it serves the long-term goal of building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future through enhanced academic interaction and institutional linkages.

Tailored exclusively for ASEAN citizens, especially outstanding young professionals with practical work experience in ASEAN countries, the ACYLS program is financially supported by the Chinese government, with primary funding sourced from the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF).

The scholarship offers comprehensive financial support for eligible ASEAN candidates to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees, conduct short-term academic research, and participate in professional training programs across Chinese universities. It covers a full range of study-related expenses, including full tuition and miscellaneous school fees, on-campus accommodation, round-trip international air tickets, comprehensive medical insurance, and monthly living allowances.

II. Detailed Application Guidelines for ACYLS

1. Supported Programs, Scholarship Duration and Teaching Language

Supported Program Categories

The scholarship targets outstanding young working professionals from ASEAN Member States, supporting their further study in China through three major pathways: master’s degree programs, doctoral degree programs, and short-term academic research and professional training programs.

Scholarship Duration

The sponsorship period is strictly aligned with the official academic duration of each enrolled program. All scholarship recipients must complete their academic tasks within the approved sponsorship term, with specific duration standards specified as follows:

Supported Program Type	Academic Duration	Scholarship Sponsorship Period
Master’s Degree Candidates	2-3 academic years	2-3 academic years
Doctoral Degree Candidates	3-4 academic years	3-4 academic years
Short-term Research Scholars	4-5 months	4-5 months

Instruction Language

All programs under the ACYLS scheme adopt English as the official teaching language. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for English-taught programs at Chinese universities and must meet the specific English proficiency requirements of their targeted programs.

2. Scholarship Coverage and Benefit Standards

Monthly Living Stipend

During the valid sponsorship period, eligible scholarship students will receive a monthly stipend issued by their host Chinese university. The stipend distribution follows clear time-based rules: students who complete registration on or before the 15th day of each month will receive a full-month stipend, while those registering after the 15th day will receive a half-month stipend. Graduating students are entitled to an additional half-month stipend after their official graduation date. Notably, if students leave China for personal reasons (excluding official school holidays) for more than 15 consecutive days, their stipend will be suspended during their absence.

Specific monthly stipend standards: Master’s students: 4,000 RMB; Doctoral students: 5,000 RMB; Short-term research scholars: 5,000 RMB.

Note: Most host universities require scholarship recipients to open a RMB-denominated bank account in China for stipend collection. Students are advised to consult their host institutions for detailed account handling procedures.

One-time Settlement Allowance

All ACYLS recipients (including master’s students, doctoral students and research scholars) can receive a one-time settlement fee of 3,000 RMB upon successful registration at their host university, which is issued in official Chinese currency.

International Round-trip Air Ticket Subsidy

The scholarship fund covers economy-class round-trip airfare for recipients between their home ASEAN country and the city where their host Chinese university is located. The China Scholarship Council (CSC) and host universities are responsible for the fund arrangement and ticket reimbursement, with detailed rules stipulated in Chapter VI of the official guideline document.

Tuition Fee Waiver

The ACYLS program fully covers standard tuition fees for all approved programs, with funds directly allocated to the host universities. For special majors with exceptionally high tuition fees (such as MBA programs), full tuition coverage will be assessed and approved on a case-by-case basis.

On-campus Accommodation

Each scholarship recipient is provided with an independent single room in the university’s on-campus dormitory free of charge.

Annual Performance Review

All enrolled ACYLS recipients are subject to annual academic and behavioral assessments jointly conducted by CSC and their host universities. Students who fail to pass the annual review will face disqualification from the program, including university dismissal and complete termination of scholarship eligibility.

3. Application Timeline and Submission Channels

Applicants must submit their complete applications to the official ACYLS national contact points in their respective home countries before the annual deadline. For teaching and administrative staff from ASEAN universities who apply via the ASEAN University Network (AUN) and its thematic branches, all application materials must be submitted to the AUN Secretariat prior to the cutoff date.

The official application window generally opens annually from January to March. Given the possible adjustment of specific deadlines each year, applicants are required to confirm the exact submission time with their local ACYLS national focal points or the AUN Secretariat.

4. Application Eligibility Criteria

All ACYLS applicants must satisfy all the following requirements:

a. Hold official citizenship of any ASEAN Member State, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam;

b. Maintain good physical and mental health, meeting the health standards for international students studying in China;

c. Possess proficient English skills, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or a minimum TOEFL score of 80;

d. For master’s degree applicants: hold a valid bachelor’s degree and be under 45 years of age;

e. For doctoral degree applicants: hold a valid master’s degree and be under 45 years of age;

f. For short-term research program applicants: hold at least a bachelor’s degree;

g. Have no less than one year of working experience in government departments, public or private enterprises, universities, think tanks or other social institutions. Preference is given to candidates with experience in ASEAN-China foreign affairs and international cooperation, study or work experience in China, or academic research related to China or ASEAN issues;

h. Not be a concurrent recipient of any other Chinese government scholarship during the ACYLS sponsorship period;

i. Comply with all admission regulations and additional requirements of the targeted Chinese host universities.