The Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program is a bilateral visiting-scholar program administered by the China Scholarship Council and the Embassy of Canada to China. It supports eligible teaching and research staff and senior professionals from China to conduct Canada-focused research at a Canadian university or research institution.
Placements last 4 to 12 months and do not involve formal enrolment in a Canadian degree program. The 2026–2027 application cycle is closed.
Benefits & funding
- One round-trip journey between China and Canada is covered by the China Scholarship Council.
- Canada provides a monthly living stipend of CAD 2,500, subject to the final Canadian notice.
- Canada covers medical insurance and up to CAD 350 for accommodation and meals during transit in Canada.
- The funded research period is 4 to 12 months.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be citizens of China, must not hold foreign permanent residence, and must not be studying or working outside China when applying.
- Applicants must be age 50 or younger for the 2026–2027 cycle.
- Eligible academic applicants are full-time, permanent teaching or research staff at a recognized university or research institution and hold at least a Master’s degree. Master’s degree holders need at least two years of work experience; PhD holders have no stated experience minimum.
- Eligible non-academic applicants are mid-career professionals in government, education, media, or cultural organizations who hold at least a Master’s degree, have relevant management, policy, or decision-making responsibilities, and have at least three years of experience with their organization.
- Applicants need their employer’s approval, an official invitation from a Canadian university or research institution, and sufficient English or French for the proposed research.
- The proposed work must concern Canada, primarily in the social sciences or humanities and related listed fields.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
China
Residence required
China
Education required
Master · PhD
Age requirement
≤ 50 yrs
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Application process
- 1Contact an eligible Canadian university or research institution and obtain a formal invitation.
- 2Prepare the required application materials and submit them through the national government-sponsored study-abroad management platform.
- 3Combine the application materials into one PDF and email it to the China Scholarship Council by the applicant deadline.
- 4The applicant’s university or designated receiving authority reviews and recommends the application.
Program timeline
March 24, 2026
The 2026–2027 selection notice was published.
Applicant submission deadline.
June 30, 2026, 14:00 Beijing time
Joint expert review and language interviews.
July–August 2026
Selection results are scheduled to be announced.
September 2026
Successful applicants travel to Canada and begin their research.
By the end of February 2027