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.
I. ELIGIBILITY
1. Be a Non-Chinese citizen;
2. 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;
3. Be in good physical and mental health, be in good academic and behavioral standing;
4. Be interested in Chinese language education and related work;
5. 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.
II. Categories and Qualifications
1.Scholarship for Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education
This is 3-academic-year program with a maximum scholarship duration of two academic years. It commences in September, 2025. Applicants shall hold a Bachelor’s degree, with a minimum HSK score of 210 (Level 5) and HSKK 60 (Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or a similar proof.
2.Scholarship for Bachelor’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education
The program commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four academic years. Applicants shall hold a senior high school diploma and have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK Test (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level).
3. Scholarship for One-Year Study Program
The program commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of eleven months. Applicants of international Chinese language education programs shall have a minimum score of 270 on the HSK test (Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required. Applicants of Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy programs shall have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level). Applicants of Chinese language study programs shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK test (Level 3), and priority will be given to applicants who provide an HSKK test score.
4. Scholarship for One-Semester Study Program
The program commences either in September 2025 or March 2026, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of five months. Applicants of international Chinese language education, Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy programs shall have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required. Applicants of traditional Chinese medicine or Taiji culture programs are required to provide HSK test scores, and priority will be given to those who also provide an HSKK test score.
5. Scholarship for Four-Week Study Program
The program commences either in July or December 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four weeks. Applicants of Chinese language study, traditional Chinese medicine, Taiji culture, or Chinese language plus homestay with a Chinese family program are required to provide an HSK test score. The 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 Chongqing Normal University and such plan shall be submitted to CLEC for review and approval.
6. Joint Program Scholarships 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.
7. Scholarships for Online Programs
a) 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.
b) 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. Scholarship Coverage
Scholarship coverage includes: registration fee, tuition fee, accommodation fee, living allowance (except four-week program and online program students ), and comprehensive medical insurance fee.
Scholarships for Online program only covers for tuition fee.
The monthly allowance for undergraduates, one-year study program students and one-semester study program students is RMB 2,500 per person; that for master’s students in International Chinese Language Education is RMB 3,000 per person.
IV. Application Procedure
1. Applicants should log in the International Chinese Teacher Scholarships website (http://cis.chinese.cn) from 20th February 2025 to register, complete the International Chinese Teacher Scholarship Application Form online, and upload the scanned copies of relevant supporting documents.
A. For all applicants
a) A scanned copy of the passport photo page;
b) A scanned copy of score reports of the HSK/HSKK tests (within the two-year validity);
c) A reference letter by the head of the Recommending Institution.
B. For degree program applicants
a) A certificate of the highest diploma (or proof of expected graduation) and an official transcript;
b) Applicants of the Scholarship for a Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education are required to provide two reference letters from professors or associate professors. Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China.
c) In-service Chinese language teachers shall provide proof of employment and a reference letter from the employer.
d) Applicants under 18 shall provide certified documents of designation signed by their entrusted legal guardians in China.
2. Applicants should log in the website of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office of Chongqing Normal University, register in the “International Students Management system of Chongqing Normal University" (http://foreignstudent.cqnu.edu.cn) and submit the required materials as follows.
a) International Chinese Teacher Scholarship Application Form
b) Chongqing Normal University Application Form
c) A scanned copy of the passport. An applicant shall submit a clear scanned copy of the information page of his/her passport that will not expire on or before 1st September 2025.
d) Photocopy of Foreigner Physical Examination Form (printed by Chinese quarantine authority) filled in English. The medical examinations must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, official stamp of the hospital or a sealed photograph of the applicants are invalid. The medical examination results are valid only 6 months.
e) HSK /HSKK copies.
f) Diploma and certificate of highest education (notarized photocopy). An applicant who is a current university student shall submit the certificate of expected graduation issued by his/her university. Documents in languages other than Chinese or English must be attached with notarized Chinese or English translations.
g) Applicants for Master’s programs shall provide notarized transcripts. Transcripts in languages other than Chinese or English must be attached with translations in Chinese or in English.
h) Applicants shall submit 2 letters of recommendation in Chinese or in English (The recommendations are written by professors or associate professors for Master’s application).
i) A study or research plan in Chinese or in English (no less than 1000 words/characters).
j) Non-Criminal Record, issued by the local public security (such as the police station), It is usually issued within 6 months prior to the submission date of the application.
k) Bank deposit certificate (25,000 RMB in principle)
l) Resume.
3. Recommending institutions review materials and recommend applicants who meet the criteria of International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship to Chongqing Normal University.
4. Chongqing Normal University will review materials, and interview applicants on a competitive selection based process.
5. 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 about three months before the program starts.
V. Application deadline
15th April (For programs commencing in July)
15th May (For programs commencing in September)
15th September (For programs commencing in December)
31th October (For programs commencing in March 2026)
VI. Policies Regarding Currently Employed Chinese Language Teachers and Chinese Bridge Award Recipients
1. In-Service Chinese Language Teachers
In-service Chinese language teachers need to provide the proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from employer.
2. Chinese Bridge Winners
Applicants who have received the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate during Chinese Bridge competitions should submit their application documents to Chongqing Normal University directly, along with their scholarship certificates, on the website(http://cis.chinese.cn).
For any further inquiries, please contact chinesebridge@chinese.cn.
VII. 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 Chongqing Normal University for curriculum and course listings.
3. Applicants shall be familiar with the admission criteria and application
deadlines of Chongqing Normal University and submit necessary documents accordingly.
4. Degree students are subject to the annual assessment according to the Annual Assessment Procedures of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.
5. Please contact Chongqing Normal University for enrollment 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 for the scholarship.
VIII. Contact Details
International Cooperation and Exchange Office of Chongqing Normal University
Contact: Ms. Xu Chiying
Tel.: 0086-023-65918980
Email: cqnuws@foxmail.com
Website: http://international.cqnu.edu.cn/
Add: International Students Office 405, Office Building, Chongqing Normal University, No.37 University Town Road, High-tech District, 401331, Chongqing, China
Post Code: 401331
