To meet the growing international demand for Chinese language teachers, facilitate Chinese language education worldwide, and support the professional development of Chinese language teachers, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation has established the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (hereinafter referred to as the Scholarship) for eligible Chinese language teachers outside of China.

Some institutions, including Confucius Institutes, independent Confucius classrooms, selected HSK test centers, foreign educational institutions, Chinese language teacher training programs or Chinese departments at foreign universities, professional associations for Chinese language teaching, Chinese embassies and consulates abroad (hereinafter collectively referred to as recommending institutions) may recommend outstanding students and in-service Chinese language teachers to pursue studies in international Chinese language education and related programs at Chinese universities (hereinafter referred to as host institutions).

I. Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be a non-Chinese national.

2. Must be friendly to China, have no criminal record, and abide by the laws and regulations of China and the rules and regulations of the host Institution.

3. Should be in good physical and mental health, with a strong academic and behavioral record.

4. Should be interested in Chinese language education and related work.

5. Should be aged between 16 and 35 years as of Sept 1, 2025. The maximum age limit for in-service Chinese teachers may be extended to 45, but those who apply for a scholarship for a bachelor's degree should generally be under 25.

II. Categories and qualifications

1. Scholarship for a doctoral degree in International Chinese Language Education

This program commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four academic years.

Applicants must:

• Hold a master's degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Linguistics, International Chinese Language Education, or education-related disciplines
• Have a minimum score of 200 on the HSK Test (Level 6)  and 60 on the advanced level of HSKK test (HSK speaking test) 

NOTE: Priority will be given to applicants who can provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or equivalent proof.

2. Scholarship for master's degree in International Chinese Language Education

This program commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of two academic years.

Applicants must:

• Hold a bachelor's degree
• Have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK Test (Level 5) and 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level)

NOTE: Priority will be given to applicants who can provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or equivalent proof.

3. Scholarship for bachelor's degree in International Chinese Language Education

This program commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four academic years.

Applicants must:

• Hold a senior high school diploma
• Have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK Test (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level)

4. Scholarship for one-year study program

This program commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of 11 months.

Applicants for international Chinese language education programs must:

• Have a minimum score of 270 on the HSK test (Level 3)
• Provide an HSKK test score

Applicants for Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy programs must:

• Have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 4)
• Have a minimum score of 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level)

Applicants for Chinese language study programs must:

• Have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK test (Level 3)

NOTE: Priority will be given to applicants who provide an HSKK test score.

5. Scholarship for one-semester study program

This program commences either in September 2025 or March 2026, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of five months.

Applicants for international Chinese language education, Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy programs must:

• Have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 3)
• Provide an HSKK test score

Applicants for traditional Chinese medicine or tai chi culture programs must:

• Provide HSK test scores

NOTE: Priority will be given to those who also provide an HSKK test score.

6. Scholarship for four-week study program

This program commences either in July or December 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four weeks.

Applicants for Chinese language study, traditional Chinese medicine, tai chi culture, or Chinese language plus homestay programs must:

• Provide an HSK test score

NOTE: This program may be organized and applied for by a recommending institution with 10-15 participants per group. Before the trip, a detailed study plan shall be made in consultation with the host institution(s), and such a plan shall be submitted to CLEC for review and approval.

7. Joint program scholarships

These are jointly funded by CLEC and educational departments, universities, or host Institutions. Information on the admission methods, guidelines, and the number of scholarships will be available on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website.

8. Scholarships for online programs

• The online program for one-year Chinese language study commences in September or March each year. Under most circumstances, a score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 3) is required, and priority will be given to those who also provide an HSKK test score.
• The online program for one-semester Chinese language study commences in September or March each year. Under most circumstances, an HSK test score (regardless of level or score) is required.

III. Application procedures

Online registration will be available from Feb 20, 2025, at the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website (http://www.chinese.cn). Applicants can search for recommending institutions and host institutions, submit application materials online, and track the application process. Successful applicants must confirm with the host institution before going through the procedures of studying in China and register at the host institution on the designated date, as per the letter of admission.

Application deadlines (Beijing Time)

1. For programs commencing in July, applicants must complete their applications by April 15, and recommending institutions and host institutions must complete their review by April 25.

2. For programs commencing in September, applicants must complete their applications by May 15, and recommending institutions and host institutions must complete their review by May 25.

3. For programs commencing in December, applicants must complete their applications by Sept 15, and recommending institutions and host institutions must complete their review by Sept 25.

4. For programs commencing in March 2026, applicants must complete their applications by Oct 31, and recommending institutions and host institutions must complete their review by Nov 10.

CLEC will entrust an expert panel to review the applications. Decisions will be based on HSK and HSKK levels and scores, geographical distribution, and other factors. The results will be announced approximately three months before the program starts.

IV. Policies regarding in-service Chinese language teachers and Chinese Bridge winners

1. In-Service Chinese language teachers

In-service Chinese language teachers need to provide proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from their employer.

2. Chinese Bridge winners

Applicants who have received the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate during Chinese Bridge competitions need to submit their application documents along with their scholarship certificates to the host institutions via the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website.

For any further inquiries, please contact chinesebridge@chinese.cn.

V. Recommending and host institutions

The recommending and host institutions shall, pursuant to the guidelines, provide consulting, recommendation, and admission services.

VI. Miscellaneous

1. In principle, applicants who have received a similar scholarship within three years are not eligible for the one-semester study program or one-year study program.

2. Please contact the host institutions for curriculum and course listings.

3. Applicants shall be familiar with the admission criteria and application deadlines of the host institutions and submit necessary documents accordingly.

4. Degree students are subject to annual assessment according to the annual assessment procedures of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.

5. Please contact the host institutions for enrollment-related matters.

6. Students who fail to pass the pre-enrollment medical examination, withdraw from school before completing the program, fail to register at the university without prior permission, or suspend their studies will be disqualified from the scholarship.

VII. Contact details

Division of Scholarships

Email: scholarships@chinese.cn

Tel:

• 010-5859-5743
• 010-5859-5999 (Asia, Africa)
• 010-5859-5973 (America, Oceania)
• 010-5859-5727 (Europe)

For more information about the application procedure, required materials, scholarship coverage, and a list of host institutions, please visit http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/project_detail.