ASEANChina Young Leaders Scholarship

About the Scholarship

The ASEANChina Young Leaders Scholarship (ACYLS) is a joint initiative of the ASEAN Secretariat and the Ministry of Education of the Peoples Republic of China. It aims to deepen peopletopeople ties, foster mutual understanding, and cultivate a new generation of leaders who are wellversed in both ASEAN and Chinese societies, economies and cultures.

Since its launch in 2015, the programme has supported hundreds of bright students from the ten ASEAN member states to pursue fulltime undergraduate or postgraduate studies at leading Chinese universities. Scholars are expected to become bridges of cooperation in fields such as trade, technology, education, public policy and cultural exchange.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy all of the following conditions:

• Citizenship of an ASEAN member state (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam).
• Age between 18 and 30 years at the time of application.
• Academic excellence a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) for undergraduate applicants; a minimum GPA of 3.2 for postgraduate applicants.
• Proficiency in English (TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0) and/or Chinese (HSK Level 4 or above).
• Good health and no criminal record.
• Commitment to return to the home country for at least three years after completing the study.

Scholarship Benefits

The ACYLS package includes:

• Tuition waiver: Full coverage of tuition fees for the duration of the program.
• Monthly stipend: A living allowance (approximately USD 8001,200 depending on the city of study).
• Accommodation: Oncampus dormitory or universityapproved housing.
• Travel allowance: Roundtrip airfare between the home country and China at the beginning and end of the study period.
• Health insurance: Comprehensive coverage for the entire scholarship period.
• Orientation & mentorship: Predeparture briefing, language workshops and a mentorship network of alumni.

How to Apply

1. Choose a Partner University

The scholarship is available at a list of partner institutions, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University and many others. Detailed information about each universitys programmes can be found on the official ACYLS website.

2. Prepare Your Documents

Typical documents include:

• Completed online application form.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• Proof of English/Chinese proficiency.
• Two academic references.
• Personal statement (max 800 words) describing career goals, leadership experience and why you wish to study in China.
• Copy of passport and national ID.

3. Submit the Application

Applications are submitted through the ASEAN Secretariats portal. The deadline for the 2025/2026 intake is 30April 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.

4. Selection Process

The selection is carried out in two stages:

1. Initial screening: Verification of eligibility and academic merit.
2. Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited to a virtual interview conducted by a joint ASEANChina panel.

5. Confirmation and Visa

Successful applicants receive an official admission letter and scholarship award letter. They must then apply for a Chinese student visa (Xtype) and arrange travel.

Contact & Further Information

For queries regarding eligibility, programme selection or application procedures, please contact the nearest ASEAN Secretariat office or email the scholarship team at acyls@asean.org.

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