ACYLS research scholars: the four-to-five-month research route
Sources checked · Unofficial summary
The ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship does have a research scholar route, and it is separate from the degree routes. The Guidebook to the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship lists three supporting categories — Master or PhD degrees, short-term research programs, and training courses in the PRC — and sets the length of schooling and the length of scholarship for research scholars at 4-5 months.
How long is the research scholar stay?
The guidebook's table under "Length of Scholarship" gives three rows:
| Supporting category | Length of schooling | Length of scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Master's students | 2-3 academic years | 2-3 academic years |
| Doctoral students | 3-4 academic years | 3-4 academic years |
| Research scholars | 4-5 months | 4-5 months |
Recipients are sponsored for a duration according to their enrolled length of schooling, and the guidebook states that recipients shall complete their studies within the duration of the scholarship.
The instruction language is English. Candidates are strongly advised to register for English-taught programs, and their English language proficiency must meet the language requirements of the applied programs.
Who can apply
The eligibility section sets out criteria for applicants to the scholarship. Those that bear directly on the short-term research program:
- Citizen of an ASEAN Member State: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Viet Nam.
- In sound physical and mental health.
- Proficient in English, meaning an IELTS score of at least 6.0 or a TOEFL score of at least 80 points.
- Holder of at least an undergraduate degree if applying for the short-term research program.
- At least one year of work experience within government agencies, public or private institutions, universities, think-tanks or similar social agencies, preferably with experience in work related to foreign and international affairs (especially ASEAN and China-ASEAN affairs), work or study in the PRC, or academic work on China or ASEAN-related affairs.
- Not a concurrent awardee of a Chinese government scholarship.
- Meeting the other admission requirements of the Chinese universities applied to.
The guidebook sets an age limit of under 45 for applicants to a master's degree and for applicants to a PhD degree. For the short-term research program it states the degree requirement without stating an age limit, so the age question for research scholars is not settled by the text.
What the money looks like
Stipend. Research scholars receive 5,000 RMB per month from their host university, paid monthly within the scholarship duration. Registration timing affects the first payment: students registering on or before the 15th of the month receive a full stipend for that month, and those registering after the 15th receive a half stipend. Graduating students receive stipend for another half a month following the graduation date. If a registered student stays out of China for more than 15 days for personal reasons, with school holidays excluded, the stipend is stopped during the absence. Host universities may request that students hold an RMB bank account in China to receive the stipend, and enrolled students are encouraged to contact their host university for details.
One-time settlement fee. ACYLS recipients receive this from the host university upon registration. It is provided to master's students, doctoral students and research scholars, at a standard of 3,000 RMB per person, issued in Chinese currency.
Tuition. Tuition is covered by the ACYLS program, with funds allocated directly to the host universities.
Accommodation and insurance. Recipients are provided with a university dormitory, one single room per recipient. Medical insurance is covered by the program; the guidebook directs readers to campuschina.org for the Comprehensive Insurance & Protection Scheme for Foreigners Staying in China.
Airfare: the ceiling and when you get it back
For research scholars, ACYLS provides one-time international round-trip air fare. The mechanics are these:
- Scholars buy the ticket themselves, economy class only, according to the relevant regulations.
- Reimbursement is applied for from the host university, with the original purchase receipt.
- The round-trip ticket shall not exceed 6,000 RMB.
- The application for reimbursement can be made prior to completion of study.
The same chapter sets different figures for master's and doctoral degree students: a ceiling of 3,000 RMB each for the first visit to China and for the return to the home country upon graduation, and 6,000 RMB for a home-visit round trip, with any excess borne by the student. Those are the degree-student terms and are not the research-scholar terms.
Study plan and recommendation letters
The guidebook's list of application documents contains two items that are decided by the category you apply under.
A Study Plan or Research Proposal is required, written in Chinese or English. The minimum length is 500 words for non-degree students and 800 words for graduate students. The guidebook does not say which of the two applies to the short-term research program.
Two Recommendation Letters are required, written in Chinese or English. The document list states that applicants for the graduate programs or the short-term research scholar programs must submit two letters: one from the candidate's current employer and one from the candidate's university professor.
Other items on the list include the application form, a copy of the passport home page, a notarized highest diploma, an academic report, certificates of English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or above, or other internationally accepted certificates at an equivalent level), a resume or CV, and a non-criminal record report usually issued within six months before submission. The Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required only for applicants planning to stay in China for more than six months.
Questions people ask
Is the research scholar route a degree?
No separate degree is described for it. The guidebook lists short-term research programs as one of three supporting categories, alongside Master or PhD degrees and training courses, and gives research scholars a length of schooling measured in months rather than academic years.
What is the minimum degree I need?
The eligibility line for the short-term research program requires the applicant to hold at least an undergraduate degree. It does not require a graduate degree, which is the requirement stated for PhD applicants.
Does the guidebook give an application deadline?
The page carrying the guidebook gives no application deadline date. Its list of national focal points is headed "As of 2026".
Can I hold another Chinese government scholarship at the same time?
The eligibility section requires that the applicant is not a concurrent awardee of a Chinese government scholarship.
Who pays for the flight home?
The research scholar provision covers one-time international round-trip air fare, capped at 6,000 RMB, bought by the scholar and reimbursed by the host university against the original receipt, with the application made before completion of study.
Sources
- Guidebook to the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship — China Scholarship Council (Campus China, campuschina.org)
Checked 10 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by the China Scholarship Council or Campus China, and if it differs from the official notice, the official notice prevails.