CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIP
2026 CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIP
To address the growing international demand for Chinese language teachers, facilitate the global development of Chinese language education, and support the professional development of Chinese language teachers, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) has established the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (Scholarship) for eligible Chinese language teachers outside of China. Confucius Institutes, independent Confucius Classrooms, select HSK test centers, foreign educational institutions, Chinese language teacher training programs/Chinese departments at foreign universities, professional associations for Chinese language teaching, and Chinese embassies (consulates) abroad (Recommending Institutions) may recommend outstanding students and in- service Chinese language teachers to pursue their studies in International Chinese Language Education and related programs at Chinese universities (Host Institutions).
BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Non-Chinese Citizens.
Maintain a friendly attitude toward China, have no criminal record, and abide by the laws and regulations of the Chinese government and the rules and regulations of the Host Institution.
Be in good physical and mental health, and demonstrate strong academic performance and conduct.
Be committed to working in Chinese language education, teaching, and related fields.
Be between the ages of 16 and 35 (as of September 1, 2026). The age limit is extended to 45 for in-service Chinese language teachers, while applicants for undergraduate scholarships must generally be under the age of 25.
Excellent performer in HSK and HSKK tests. Certificate/s must not be older than 24 months on the day of the deadline.
Applicants must fulfill all of the above to be granted a qualifying interview with the Ateneo Confucius Institute Chinese Director.
SCHOLARSHIP TYPES AND QUALIFICATIONS
CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHER PROGRAMME
Scholarship for Doctorate Degree in International Chinese Language Education
The program commences in September 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to four academic years.
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, Linguistics, International Chinese Language Education, or an education- related major. Applicants must score at least 200 on the HSK (Level 6) and 60 on the HSKK (Advanced Level), or achieve HSK Level 7. Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.
Scholarship for Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education
The program commences in September 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to two academic years.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants must score at least 210 on the HSK (Level 5) and 60 on the HSKK (Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.
Scholarship for Bachelor’s Degree in in Chinese Language and Literature (InternationalChinese Language Education)
The program commences in September 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to four academic years.
Applicants must hold a senior high school diploma. Applicants must score at least 210 on the HSK (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK (Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.
SHORT-TERM ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Scholarship for One-Year Study PROGRAM
The program commences in September 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to 11 months.
- International Chinese Language Education: Applicants must score at least 270 on the HSK (Level 3) and possess an HSKK score.
- Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, Chinese Philosophy, etc.: Applicants must score at least 180 on the HSK (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK (Intermediate Level).
- Chinese Language Study: Applicants must score at least 210 on the HSK (Level 3). Priority will be given to those who provide an HSKK score.
Scholarship for One-Semester Study PROGRAM
The program commences either in September 2026 or March 2027, with a scholarship duration of up to five months.
- International Chinese Language Education, Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, Chinese Philosophy, etc.: Applicants must score at least 180 on the HSK (Level 3) and possess an HSKK score.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiji Culture: Applicants must possess an HSK score. Priority will be given to those who provide an HSKK score.
Scholarship for Four-Week Study PROGRAM
The program commences either in July or December 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to four weeks.
- Tracks: Chinese Language Study, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiji Culture, Chinese Language + Chinese Family Experience, etc.
- Requirements: Applicants must possess an HSK score. Recommending Institutions may organize group applications, and must contact the Host Institution in advance to finalize the study plan in China and submit it to CLEC for pre-approval. Each group shall consist of 10-15 people.
JOINT PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS
CLEC partners with educational departments, universities in relevant countries, and Host Institutions to offer a specific number of scholarships. For detailed information regarding admission methods, guidelines, and quotas, please visit the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship application website.
SCHOLARSHIP FOR ONLINE PROGRAMS
Online Programme for One-year Chinese Language Study commences in September or March each year. A general Chinese proficiency test score of 180 in HSK (Level 3) is required, and HSKK scores are preferred.
Online Programme for One-Semester Chinese Language Study commences in September or March each year. Generally, applicants must have an HSK score (no specific requirements for level or score).
For Special Online Study Programme, please consult the relevant host institutions for specific application requirements and methods of application.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Starting March 1, 2026, applicants may visit the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship section of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation website (http://www.chinese.cn). On the site, applicants can search for Recommending and Host Institutions, submit application materials online, and track the progress of their application, including review comments and final results. Scholarship recipients must confirm enrollment procedures with the Host Institution and register by the date stipulated in the Admission Letter.
QUALIFYING INTERVIEW
All applicants must go through a qualifying interview. Express your intention to apply for the Confucius Institute Scholarship by sending an e-mail to info@ateneoconfucius.com. Attach scanned copies of your HSK and HSKK certificates, résumé, highest obtained diploma, latest academic transcript, valid passport, and an application essay written in Chinese 200-800 characters long. If your documents are in order, and you shall be scheduled for an interview with the Confucius Institute Chinese Director. Applicants outside Metro Manila may be interviewed online via WeChat video chat. Successful interviewees will be awarded a letter of recommendation. The interview will be conducted in Chinese.
ONLINE APPLICATION
Upon receipt of the recommendation letter, the applicant must open an account on http://www.chinese.cn, and fill up the Confucius Institute Scholarship Online Application Form. They must fill up all the information and upload all the necessary documents.
List of Application Materials for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
I. General Documents (Required for All Applicants)
A scanned copy of passport-sized photo
A scanned copy of valid passport page
A scanned copy of score reports of the HSK and HSKK tests (within the two-year validity)
Recommendation letter from the Ateneo Confucius Institute Chinese Director
Ateneo CI Students: Ateneo Confucius Institute Certificate/s or Completion
Ateneo CI partner institution students: Certificate of Enrollment
Highest attained diploma or proof of expected graduation
Latest Transcript of Records
Application Essay written in Chinese (may be the same used during interview)
Scanned signature
II. Additional Documents for Degree Students
Proof of highest academic qualification (or proof of expected graduation) and academic transcripts.
Master’s Students in International Chinese Language Education) must provide recommendation letters from two supervisors holding the title of associate professor or above. Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.
Doctoral students in International Chinese Language Education must provide two recommendation letters from associate professors or professors or experts with equivalent professional titles in relevant fields. They must provide a personal statement in Chinese (approx. 3,000 words), detailing their understanding of the intended major and their research plan. Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.
iii. OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS
- In-service Chinese Language Teachers must attach proof of employment and a recommendation letter issued by their employer.
- Applicants under the age of 18 must submit an entrusted guardianship document assigned by a guardian in China.
- Applicants must also provide any other proof materials required by the Host Institution.
POLICIES REGARDING IN-SERVICE CHINESE LANGUAGE
TEACHERS AND CHINESE BRIDGE WINNER
A.In-Service Chinese Language Teachers
In-service Chinese language teachers applying for any scholarship category may submit proof of employment and a recommendation letter from their employer. These applicants will be given priority over equally qualified candidates.
B. Chinese Bridge Winners
Applicants who have been awarded the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate in various Chinese Bridge competitions should log in to the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website and submit their application materials to their target Host Institution, along with their scholarship certificate.
For any further inquiries, please contact chinesebridge@chinese.cn.
If necessary, applicants may be contacted for additional documents or interviews.
The applicant must complete the online application by clicking on “Submit” and inform the Institute of the immediately of the submission. The Institute Director will provide signature of referee. No need to send hard copies to the Institute or to universities in China unless specifically requested.
THE APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR ONLINE APPLICATION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
July Admission
Student applications close April 10.
September Admission
Student applications close May 10.
December Admission
Student applications close September 10.
March 2027 Admission
Student applications close October 25.
Centralized Review by Expert Panel: CLEC will commission an expert panel to conduct a centralized review. Funding decisions will be based on HSK and HSKK scores, while also considering geographical distribution and other factors. The review process will be completed, and results announced, approximately three months prior to enrollment.
APPLICATION REVIEW UNIVERSITIES AND SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
Universities and the scholarship committee will assess the credentials of scholarship applicants and release the results two months before enrollment.
Please be patient as there are thousands of applicants competing for limited slots. Please refrain from contacting your preferred institutions about the results of the scholarship.
Successful applicants will be notified by the host institutions directly or through the Ateneo Confucius Institute. After confirming with the successful applicants, host institutions will mail the “Letter of Admission”, “Visa Application Form for Foreigners to Study in China” (JW202 Form), copy of the scholarship certificate, and other relevant documents to the recommending institutions.
RECOMMENDING INSTITUTIONS AND HOST INSTITUTIONS
Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions are responsible for fulfilling their local duties in accordance with these Guidelines, including providing consultation, recommendation, and enrollment services.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Generally, the One-Semester Study Program and One-Year Study Program do not admit applicants who have received a similar scholarship within the past three years.
- Please consult the target Host Institution regarding specific professional training plans and teaching curricula.
- Applicants are responsible for understanding the specific admission requirements and deadlines of their target Host Institution and must submit materials according to relevant regulations.
- Degree students are subject to an annual assessment. For details, please refer to the Measures for the Annual Assessment of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.
- For enrollment-related inquiries, please contact the Host Institution promptly.
- Scholarship eligibility will be revoked for students who fail the pre-enrollment medical examination, withdraw from school prematurely, fail to register on time without permission, or suspend their studies.
International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Coverage and Standard
The Scholarship provides full coverage on tuition fees, accommodation fees, living allowance (four-week study students excluded) and comprehensive medical insurance expenses.
TUITION FEE
Tuition is managed comprehensively by the Host Institution for the training and management of scholarship students, the organization of cultural activities, and the administration of Chinese proficiency tests.
ACCOMMODATIONS FEE
Accommodation fees are managed comprehensively by the Host Institution to provide free on-campus housing (generally double rooms) for students. If a scholarship student applies for and receives permission from the Host Institution to live off-campus, the Host Institution will issue a monthly or quarterly accommodation allowance. The allowance is RMB 1,000/month for doctoral students and RMB 700/month for other scholarship categories.
ALLOWANCE
The living allowance is distributed by the Host Institution on a monthly basis. The standard rate for undergraduates, One-Year, and One-Semester students is RMB 2,500/month; for Master’s students in International Chinese Language Education is RMB 3,000/month; and for Doctoral students in International Chinese Language Education is RMB 3,500/month.
Scholarship students must register at the Host Institution by the time stipulated in the Admission Letter; failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the scholarship.
Students who register on or before the 15th of the month will receive the full monthly allowance; those who register after the 15th will receive half of the monthly allowance.
If a scholarship student leaves China for personal reasons for more than 15 days during the study period (excluding winter and summer breaks), the living allowancewill be suspended for the duration of their absence.
If a scholarship student suspends their studies, withdraws from school, or receives disciplinary action from the Host Institution for personal reasons, the living allowance will be suspended starting from the date of suspension, withdrawal, or penalty notification.
For graduating students, the living allowance is issued up to half a month after the graduation date confirmed by the school.
INSURANCE
Comprehensive medical insurance expenses are implemented in accordance with relevant regulations from the Ministry of Education of China regarding international students studying in China and are purchased by the Host Institution. The standard for Four-Week Study Program students is RMB 100/person; for One-Semester Study Program students is RMB 400/person; and for students studying for more than one year is RMB 800/person/year.
CLEC CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: scholarships@chinese.cn
Tel: +86-10-58595743
+86-10-58595999 (Asia, Africa)
+86-10-58595973 (Americas, Oceania)
+86-10-58595727 (Europe)
LINKS
GET IN TOUCH
6/F, Ateneo Professional Schools
#130 H.V. Dela Costa St.,
Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines
ci-makati@ateneoconfucius.com
Quezon City – Loyola Heights Campus
2/F, Room 206 Manila Observatory
Ateneo De Manila University
Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines
426-6001 Locals 5288
ci-loyola@ateneoconfucius.com
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