The China Agricultural University (CAU) is offering fully funded postgraduate scholarships for 2026 through the Chinese Government Scholarship “Silk Road” Programme (Type B). This is a competitive, government-backed scholarship that covers tuition, accommodation, living costs, and insurance for international students who wish to pursue a master’s or PhD degree at one of China’s most respected agricultural universities. CAU is a leading research institution with deep expertise in plant sciences, environmental sciences, and agricultural innovation, making this scholarship particularly valuable for students pursuing studies in these fields.
This scholarship is open to citizens of selected “Belt and Road” countries who hold a bachelor’s degree and meet the English proficiency requirements. The programme is taught entirely in English, meaning students do not need to know Chinese to begin their studies, though they will be expected to achieve a basic level of Mandarin by graduation.
This post covers all the key information you need to apply: eligibility requirements, eligible countries, fields of study, benefits, required documents, application steps, and practical tips to give your application the best chance of success.
Scholarship Overview
| Field | Information |
| Host Country | China |
| Host University | China Agricultural University (CAU), Beijing |
| Degree Level | Master’s and PhD |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Deadline | May 25, 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | Citizens of selected Belt and Road countries |
| Benefits Summary | Tuition, on-campus accommodation, living allowance, and insurance |
Eligibility
To be considered for this scholarship, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen of one of the eligible “Belt and Road” countries listed below. You must not hold Chinese citizenship.
- Health: You must be in good physical and mental health. You will be required to submit a completed Foreigner Physical Examination Form as part of your application.
- Conduct: You must be willing to abide by Chinese laws, regulations, campus rules, and local customs throughout your period of study.
- Academic Qualifications: You must hold a bachelor’s degree. If you are applying for a master’s programme, you must be under 35 years of age at the time of application.
- Academic Strength: You must have a relatively strong academic background in the field you intend to apply for. Competition is merit-based.
- English Language Proficiency: Since all programmes in this scholarship are taught in English, you must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree that was taught entirely in English
- A TOEFL iBT score of at least 90
- An IELTS score of at least 6.0
- Other materials that can prove English language proficiency, as accepted by the university
- Chinese Language: You are not required to provide Chinese language scores at the point of application or admission. However, you will be expected to reach Chinese language proficiency at International Chinese Language Level 3 by the time you graduate. The university will provide Chinese language classes during your studies.
Eligible Countries
This scholarship is limited to citizens of the following countries under the “Belt and Road” initiative:
Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Zambia
Asia: Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand
Note: Only ten countries are listed in the official scholarship information. If your country is not listed above, you are not eligible for this specific scholarship at this time.
Eligible Fields of Study
This scholarship is not open to all fields. It is restricted to specific programmes in two colleges at China Agricultural University:
College of Plant Protection:
- Agricultural Entomology and Pest Control (Master’s and PhD, taught in English or Chinese)
- Plant Pathology (Master’s and PhD, taught in English or Chinese)
- Plant Quarantine and Agricultural Ecological Health (Master’s only, taught in English)
College of Resources and Environmental Sciences:
- Resource and Environmental Science and Plant Protection (Master’s only, taught in English)
- Plant Nutrition (PhD only, taught in English)
Master’s programmes are three years in duration. PhD programmes are four years in duration.
Benefits
This is a fully funded scholarship. The following costs are covered:
- Tuition Fees: Covered in full for the duration of your programme.
- On-Campus Accommodation: A double room in a university dormitory is provided. Note that you will share your room with another student.
- Living Allowance: A monthly stipend is provided. The specific monthly amount is not stated in the available information. Please confirm the current amount with the university contacts listed below.
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance is included for the duration of your studies.
- Chinese Language Courses: The university will provide Chinese language instruction throughout your study period to help you reach the required graduation level.
Not covered:
- International Travel: Return airfare between your home country and China is not covered. You will need to fund your own travel to and from Beijing.
Required Documents
Prepare all documents before starting your online application. All materials must be submitted in Chinese or English. Documents in other languages must be accompanied by certified Chinese or English translations:
- Scanned copy of your valid passport. The expiry date must be later than December 2026. Applications without a valid passport will not be accepted.
- Visa information (required only for students already residing in China).
- Notarized final degree certificate or a pre-graduation certificate if you have not yet formally graduated.
- Official academic transcripts. If these are not in Chinese or English, a notarized Chinese or English translation is required.
- Proof of English language proficiency: IELTS or TOEFL score report, or official confirmation that your previous degree was taught in English.
- Study or work experience record, updated to the date of application.
- A study plan written in English or Chinese of no less than 1,000 words. This should explain your academic goals, research interests, and plans for your time at CAU.
- Two reference letters written in Chinese or English from two professors or associate professors. The letters do not follow a fixed format but must include the referee’s signature, position, and academic title.
- Completed Foreigner Physical Examination Form. This can be downloaded from http://www.csc.edu.cn/uploads/forms/foreinphy.pdf
- No Criminal Record certificate issued by the public security or police department in your home country.
- Copies of any published academic papers, patents, or other research achievements (optional but recommended if applicable).
How to Apply
This scholarship requires you to complete two separate online applications: one through China Agricultural University’s own system and one through the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) portal.
Step 1: Gather all required documents in advance and ensure everything is translated into English or Chinese where necessary.
Step 2: Go to the China Agricultural University application system at http://apply.cau.edu.cn and create an account. Fill in your personal information, choose your preferred major, and upload all required supporting documents.
Step 3: Pay the non-refundable application registration fee of RMB 400 (Chinese Yuan) through the CAU system. Keep your receipt.
Step 4: Visit the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) portal at http://www.campuschina.org and click on “Application Online” to log in or create an account.
Step 5: Complete the official Application Form for the Chinese Government Scholarship on the CSC portal. When prompted to select a scholarship type, choose “Type B”.
Step 6: Enter the institution code for China Agricultural University, which is 10019. This ensures your CSC application is linked to CAU.
Step 7: Download and print the completed CSC Application Form, sign it, scan it, and upload the signed copy to the CAU application system at http://apply.cau.edu.cn.
Step 8: Double-check that all documents are uploaded correctly in both portals, that your passport is valid beyond December 2026, and that all non-English or non-Chinese documents have certified translations attached.
Step 9: Submit both applications before the deadline of May 25, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
Step 10: If you have questions about the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, contact Ms. LIN Mengjun at 010-62733423 or linmj@cau.edu.cn. For questions about the College of Plant Protection, contact Ms. SU Fangying at 010-62733257 or sufy@cau.edu.cn.
Key Dates and Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Application Opens | April 29, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | May 25, 2026 |
| Shortlisting / Interview | To be Determined |
| Final Results | To be Determined |
| Programme Begins | To be Determined |
Application Deadline
The application deadline is May 25, 2026.
Applications submitted after this date will NOT be accepted. Given the short application window (less than four weeks from April 29 to May 25), it is critical that you begin preparing your documents immediately.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on the following:
- Academic Merit: Your academic transcripts and degree certificate will be closely reviewed. A strong academic background in the field you are applying for is a key requirement, not just a recommendation.
- Relevance of Study Plan: Your 1,000-word study plan should clearly explain your research interests, your reasons for choosing CAU and the specific programme, and your academic or professional goals after graduation.
- English Proficiency: Since all listed programmes are taught in English, your English test scores or proof of English-medium education will be assessed carefully.
- Reference Letters: Strong, detailed references from professors or associate professors who know your academic work well carry significant weight. Generic letters are unlikely to help your application.
- Research Experience: Published papers, patents, or other research achievements, while listed as optional, will strengthen your application if you have them.
- Physical Fitness and Character: Applicants must be in good health and have a clean record, as confirmed by the medical and criminal record documents.
Important Tips
- Do not delay. The application window is only about four weeks long, from April 29 to May 25, 2026. Start gathering documents as soon as possible if you have not already.
- Complete both online applications. Many applicants miss that this scholarship requires submissions on two separate platforms: the CAU system at http://apply.cau.edu.cn AND the CSC portal at http://www.campuschina.org. Completing only one will result in a disqualified or incomplete application.
- Choose “Type B” on the CSC portal. When applying on the Chinese Government Scholarship system, you must specifically select “Type B” when prompted for scholarship type. Use institution code 10019 for China Agricultural University.
- Write a strong, focused study plan. The 1,000-word minimum is a floor, not a target. Write a clear and specific plan that connects your academic background to the programme you are applying for and to your post-graduation goals. Vague or generic study plans are a common weakness in applications.
- Your passport must be valid beyond December 2026. If your passport expires before that date, renew it before applying. Applications without a valid passport are automatically rejected.
- Get reference letters from the right people. Letters must come from professors or associate professors, must be signed, and must include the referee’s title and position. Start this process early, as academics can take time to respond.
- Contact the relevant college coordinator with any programme-specific questions. Both Ms. LIN and Ms. SU are listed as direct contacts and can answer questions about programme content, research supervision, and admission expectations.
- Take the Chinese language requirement seriously from the start. You will need to reach International Chinese Language Level 3 before you can graduate. The university provides classes, but starting to learn basic Mandarin before you arrive will help you settle in and progress faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know Chinese before applying?
No. All listed programmes are taught in English, and you are not required to provide Chinese language scores when applying or at admission. However, you must reach International Chinese Language Level 3 by the time you graduate. CAU will provide Chinese language instruction during your study period.
What is the difference between Type A and Type B for this scholarship?
This scholarship is specifically for the Chinese Government Scholarship “Silk Road” Programme Type B. You should select “Type B” when applying through the CSC portal. Type A and Type B differ in administrative structure and which institution nominates the student. For this scholarship, CAU is the host institution under the Type B framework.
Is the registration fee refundable?
No. The RMB 400 registration fee paid through the CAU application system is non-refundable, regardless of whether you are offered the scholarship.
Can I apply for both a master’s programme and a PhD programme at the same time?
The available information does not address this scenario. Contact the relevant college coordinators to clarify.
Will the scholarship cover my flight to China?
No. International travel expenses are explicitly listed as self-funded. You will need to cover your own airfare to Beijing and back home.
Can I choose my own research supervisor?
The available information does not specify the supervisor selection process. Contact the relevant college contact for guidance on this.
What happens if I cannot complete the Foreigner Physical Examination Form before the deadline?
The form is a required document. You must submit a completed copy. Download it in advance from http://www.csc.edu.cn/uploads/forms/foreinphy.pdf and arrange for the required medical examination as early as possible.
Who do I contact if I have problems with the online application system?
For College of Resources and Environmental Sciences inquiries, contact Ms. LIN Mengjun at linmj@cau.edu.cn or 010-62733423. For College of Plant Protection inquiries, contact Ms. SU Fangying at sufy@cau.edu.cn or 010-62733257.
Official Links
CAU Online Application System: http://apply.cau.edu.cn
