Chinese Language Fellowship Program – Full Guide, Eligibility, Funding, and How to Apply for 2026–27

Discover the Chinese Language Fellowship Program, together with eligibility, funding of up to $50,000, fellowship tracks, application course of, and how to apply by the 16 February 2026 deadline.

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The Chinese Language Fellowship Program (CLFP) is without doubt one of the most important U.S. initiatives devoted to strengthening nationwide experience on China. Created by the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), the Chinese linguistic  Fellowship Program helps American graduate college students who require superior Chinese linguistic program expertise to conduct high-level educational analysis and inform future U.S. coverage. As geopolitical dynamics proceed to evolve, the United States more and more will depend on students who possess deep, evidence-based data of up to date China’s politics, society, worldwide relations, and trendy historical past.

To meet this want, the Chinese Language Fellowship Program gives substantial monetary help—up to $50,000per fellow—to enable certified PhD college students and potential PhD college students to undertake a full 12 months of intensive language coaching at establishments in China or Taiwan. This immersive expertise permits students to construct the linguistic foundations needed to analyze main sources and conduct discipline analysis at an expert degree.

The program is designed not solely to strengthen educational capability but additionally to domesticate the subsequent era of consultants who will form public coverage, contribute to educational understanding of China, and lead knowledgeable public discourse.

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About the Chinese Language Fellowship Program

The Chinese Language Fellowship Program funds full-time language study for U.S. graduate college students in packages which can be instantly related to China research. Fellows commit to one educational 12 months (sometimes 9 months) of intensive coaching in authorised establishments in China or Taiwan. The fellowship covers tuition, housing, residing bills, flights, and miscellaneous educational wants, permitting college students to focus completely on linguistic program acquisition with out monetary burden.

The fellowship is made doable by help from Carnegie Corporation of New York, which has an extended historical past of advancing training, world safety, and knowledgeable public coverage.
More details about NBR’s broader analysis agenda will be discovered at:

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Tracks Offered by the Chinese Language Fellowship Program

The Chinese Language Fellowship Program gives two distinct fellowship pathways:

1. PhD Track (up to $50,000)

This observe helps presently enrolled PhD college students whose analysis relies upon closely on Chinese-linguistic program supplies. Fellows spend 9 months in intensive coursework adopted by a summer season time period of one-on-one instruction. The summer season part permits college students to work with main sources instantly associated to their dissertation analysis.

2. Prospective PhD Track (up to $40,000)

This observe assists grasp’s college students who intend to pursue a PhD and require superior linguistic preparation. Applicants should be enrolled in a grasp’s program or have not too long ago accomplished one. Like the PhD observe, fellows full 9 months of immersive study in Taiwan or China.

More detailed eligibility standards can be found right here:
/program/chinese-language-fellowship-program

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Why the Chinese Language Fellowship Program Matters

The Chinese Language Fellowship Program performs an important function in U.S. analysis and coverage growth. Scholars educated by this initiative grow to be key contributors throughout sectors, together with academia, authorities, safety research, diplomacy, journalism, and worldwide organizations.

The program helps be certain that future China specialists possess:

• High-level linguistic program proficiency

• Direct publicity to Chinese educational and cultural environments

• The means to consider main sources

• A robust basis for policy-relevant analysis

NBR’s work on East Asia and U.S. strategic coverage will be explored right here:
/topics

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Application Process

Applicants to the Chinese Language Fellowship Program should put together an in depth submission demonstrating educational advantage, clear analysis targets, and a robust rationale for intensive linguistic program study. Required supplies sometimes embody:

Applications are reviewed by an advisory council of senior students specializing in China research and U.S.–Asia coverage.

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Deadline and How to Apply

Applications for the 2026–27 Chinese Language Fellowship Program are formally open.

Application Deadline:
16 February 2026

Official Application Link:
/program/chinese-language-fellowship-program

Interested candidates might also seek the advice of instantly with NBR workers by contacting:
fellowships@nbr.org

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Additional Program Resources

These sources present perception into what this system appears for in candidates, how fellows are chosen, and what the fellowship 12 months entails.

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Final Thoughts

The Chinese Language Fellowship Program is without doubt one of the best and rewarding funding alternatives accessible to aspiring China specialists within the United States. Its mixture of beneficiant monetary help, immersive linguistic program coaching, and educational focus makes it a vital stepping stone for graduate college students making ready for a profession in analysis or coverage. Applicants dedicated to increasing their linguistic  expertise and creating professional data of China are strongly inspired to apply earlier than the deadline.

For extra worldwide profession alternatives, go to Opportunities For Youth:

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