International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship '25

To meet the growing international demand for Chinese language teachers, facilitate Chinese language education around the world, 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 (hereinafter referred to as the Scholarship) for eligible Chinese language teachers outside of China. Confucius Institutes, independent Confucius Classrooms, selected HSK test centers, foreign educational institutions, Chinese language teacher training programs/Chinese departments at foreign universities, professional associations for Chinese language teaching, Chinese embassies (consulates) abroad (hereinafter collectively referred to as Recommending Institutions) may recommend outstanding students and in-service Chinese language teachers to further their studies in international Chinese language education and related programs at Chinese universities (hereinafter referred to as Host Institutions).

Am I eligible to apply?

a) Be a non-Chinese citizen;

b) Be friendly to China, have no criminal record, abide by the laws and regulations of China and the rules and regulations of the Host Institution;

c) Be in good physical and mental health, be in good academic and behavioral standing;

d) Be interested in Chinese language education and related work;

e) Be aged between 16 and 35 years on September 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 shall be younger than 25 under most circumstances.

What types of scholarships are available and what are the requirements?

The following is a brief introduction to the scholarship programs. For more comprehensive and up-to-date information, please refer to the official website of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), as shown in the diagram below. 

The official CLEC website: https://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/project_detail

a) Scholarship for Doctor’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education

• Deadline for Application: May 15
• Enrollment time: Every year in September
• Maximum duration: 4 academic years
• Major requirement: a Master’s degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, linguistics, international Chinese language education, or education-related disciplines.
• HSK score requirement: HSK6 ≥ 200, HSKK (Advanced Level) ≥ 60

b) Scholarship for Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education

• Deadline for Application: May 15
• Enrollment time: Every year in September
• Maximum duration: 2 academic years
• Major requirement: a Bachelor's degree
• HSK score requirement: HSK5 ≥ 210, HSKK (Intermediate Level) ≥ 60

c) Scholarship for Bachelor’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education

• Deadline for Application: May 15
• Enrollment time: Every year in September
• Maximum duration: 4 academic years
• Major requirement: a senior high school diploma
• HSK score requirement: HSK4 ≥ 210, HSKK (Intermediate Level) ≥ 60

d) Scholarship for One-Year Study Program

• Deadline for Application: May 15
• Enrollment time: Every year in September
• Maximum duration: 11 months
• Requirements:
  • Applicants of international Chinese language education programs: HSK3 ≥ 270, and an HSKK test score
  • Applicants of Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy programs: HSK4 ≥ 180, HSKK (Intermediate Level) ≥ 60
  • Applicants of Chinese language study programs: HSK3 ≥ 210, and an HSKK test score would be a bonus.

e) Scholarship for One-Semester Study Program

• Deadline for Application: May 15 for September enrollment, October 31 for March enrollment
• Enrollment time: Every year in March or September
• Maximum duration: 5 months
• Requirements:
  • Applicants of international Chinese language education, Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy programs: HSK3 ≥ 180, and an HSKK test score
  • Applicants of traditional Chinese medicine or Taiji culture programs: an HSK test score, and an HSKK test score would be a bonus. 

f) Scholarship for Four-Week Study Program

• Deadline for Application: April 15 for July enrollment, September 15 for December enrollment
• Enrollment time: Every year in July or December
• Maximum duration: 4 weeks
• Requirements:Applicants of Chinese language study, traditional Chinese medicine, Taiji culture, or Chinese language plus homestay with a Chinese family program: an HSK test score

How to apply for the program?

Step 1: Search for Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions
We recommend that you first review the detailed information about the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship on the official CLEC website. Then, search for both a recommending institution and a host university that best suit your goal. Online registration is available on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website (http://www.chinese.cn).

Step 2: Obtain A Recommendation Letter
If you are currently living in the Netherlands, you may choose GCI as your recommending institution. You can contact us via email. Upon a successful review of your documents and interview, you will be issued an official recommendation letter.

Step 3: Submit application materials online and track the application process.

Step 4: Confirmation with the Host Institutions
The successful applicant must confirm with the Host Institutions to go through the procedures of studying in China, print out the scholarship certificate online, and register at the Host Institution on the designated date as per the Letter of Admission.

How can I obtain a recommendation letter from GCI?

Before you formally submit your application in the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) system, you must obtain a recommendation letter from the recommending institution. To receive this letter, please first provide two documents:

• A motivation letter for the program: The content should include, but is not limited to: an introduction of your basic information, educational background, reasons for applying to the program, your personal strengths, and your study plan in China.
• Scanned copies of valid HSK and HSKK score reports (issued within the past two years.

If these materials meet the eligibility requirements, we will arrange an interview for prospective applicants later this year. Passing the interview will enable you to receive our recommendation letter.

Please note: As a recommending institution for this scholarship, the Groningen Confucius Institute (GCI) is only responsible for providing consultation and recommendation services. Final decisions regarding the awarding of scholarships are made by the host institution and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation.

Apart from the two documents required for the recommendation process mentioned above, you must also submit the complete set of application materials online in accordance with the checklist provided on the official CLEC website. Detailed information regarding funding coverage, scholarship standards, and the full list of required documents can be found on the website. Please note that all relevant content is subject to the official information published there.

a) In principle, applicants who have received a similar scholarship within 3 years are not eligible for the One-Semester Study Program or the One-Year Study Program.

b) Please contact the Host Institutions for curriculum and course listings.

c) Applicants shall be familiar with the admission criteria and application deadlines of the Host Institutions and submit necessary documents accordingly.

d) Degree students are subject to the annual assessment according to the Annual Assessment Procedures of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.

e) Please contact the Host Institutions for enrollment matters.

f) 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 for the scholarship.

CONTACT CLEC

Division of Test and Scholarships

Email: scholarships@chinese.cn

Tel: +86-10-58595743

+86-10-58595999 (Asia, Africa)

+86-10-58595973 (America, Oceania)

+86-10-58595727 (Europe)

Groningen Confucius Institute

Contact person: Ms. Lili Xu

Email: l.xu@confuciusgroningen.nl