UNESCO China Fellowship 2026–2027 – Fully Funded Master’s, PhD, and Research Programs

The UNESCO China Fellowship 2026–2027 offers a fully funded opportunity for students and researchers worldwide to pursue higher education or research in China. Sponsored jointly by UNESCO and the People’s Republic of China, this program supports up to 27 fellows to enroll in Master’s or Doctoral degree programs, or conduct individual research under expert supervision. Applicants from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Arab region are encouraged to apply. With no application fee, this fellowship provides a comprehensive package including tuition, living expenses, accommodation, medical insurance, and international travel. The academic term began in September 2026. The application deadline for this cycle has passed. The next application cycle is expected to open in early 2027 for the 2027–2028 academic year. If you are seeking a fully funded international study and research experience, consider applying in the next cycle to this prestigious program.

Details About UNESCO China Fellowship 2026–2027 (Fully Funded)

• Host Country: China
• Organisers: UNESCO and the People’s Republic of China
• Degree Levels: Master’s, Doctoral, Individual Research
• Number of Fellowships: 27
• Funding Type: Fully Funded
• Application Deadline: January 23, 2026
• Academic Period Start: September 2026

About UNESCO China Fellowship 2026–2027 (Fully Funded)

This program is co-sponsored by UNESCO and the Chinese Government, aiming to foster academic exchange and capacity building between China and eligible countries. It enables scholars and students to enhance their academic qualifications and research skills at Chinese universities or research centers under assigned supervisors. The fellowship promotes educational collaboration across multiple regions including Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Arab States.

Degree Programs And Duration

• Research Program: 1 year
• Master’s Degree: 2 years
• Doctoral Degree (PhD): 5 years

Financial Benefits

• Full coverage of tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance
• On-campus accommodation
• Medical insurance
• International airfare travel tickets
• Additional monthly allowance

Tuition Fees for UNESCO China Fellowship 2026–2027

The UNESCO China Fellowship 2026–2027 is a fully funded scholarship program. Although specific tuition fees are not detailed by the organizers, the fellowship covers all tuition costs for the duration of the study or research period. This means fellows do not need to worry about tuition expenses during their time in China.

Living Costs and Other Expenses Covered

Living costs in China can vary depending on the city and lifestyle, but the UNESCO China Fellowship fully covers monthly living allowances, accommodation on campus, medical insurance, and international travel expenses. This comprehensive funding ensures that fellows can focus on their academic and research pursuits without financial concerns related to daily expenses.

Funding Options and Scholarship Coverage

The UNESCO China Fellowship 2026–2027 is a fully funded scholarship program that covers:

• Tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance
• On-campus accommodation
• Medical insurance
• International airfare tickets
• Additional monthly allowance for incidentals

This makes it one of the most comprehensive international scholarships available for postgraduate studies and research in China.

How to Fund the Gap if Not Fully Covered

Since the UNESCO China Fellowship is fully funded, fellows typically do not need to seek additional funding. However, for those interested in other scholarships or programs in China that are not fully funded, options include education loans for international students, assistantships offered by Chinese universities, employer sponsorships, and other scholarships. Prospective applicants should explore these alternatives if they plan to study in China outside of this fellowship.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to applicants from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Arab States
• General Scholars must hold a high school diploma and be under 45 years old
• Senior Scholars require a Master’s degree or equivalent and must be under 50 years old
• Master’s applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and be under 35 years old
• Doctoral applicants must hold a Master’s degree and be under 40 years old
• Proficiency in English is required

Eligible Countries For The UNESCO China Fellowship

The fellowship welcomes applicants from a wide range of countries grouped by region:

• Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, 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 Caribbean: 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, Republic of Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine

How To Apply For The UNESCO China Fellowship 2026–2027

Applicants should carefully review the application guidelines and contact the National Commission for UNESCO in their home country to begin the application process. Submission requires both an online application and a physical copy sent to the National Commission. Ensure all eligibility criteria are met and documents prepared accordingly. For detailed information about fields of study, visit the China Scholarship Council official webpage. To start your application, visit the official UNESCO fellowship page below.

Apply here: https://www.unesco.org/en/fellowships/greatwall

The application deadline for the 2026–2027 cycle has passed. The next application cycle is expected to open in early 2027 for the 2027–2028 academic year.

If you are interested in other fully funded international fellowships or scholarships, explore our Fellowships Category for more opportunities.