China Scholarship Council (CSC) PhD Scholarship — PhD Scholarship

Lincoln University and the China Scholarship Council offer this scholarship under an agreement supporting full-time PhD study in New Zealand. Successful recipients conduct research at Lincoln University’s campus in Lincoln.

Eligible research sits within agriculture and horticulture, environmental science, water management, food and wine science, agribusiness and commerce, or landscape architecture. The scholarship may support up to four years, while Lincoln lists its full-time PhD programme as three years.

Benefits & funding

Full tuition fee coverage.
A living-cost allowance; the official Lincoln pages do not state its amount.
Scholarship support for up to four years of study.

Eligibility

Available only to Chinese international postgraduate applicants.
Applicants must meet Lincoln University’s PhD admission requirements.
A relevant postgraduate honours degree with at least second-class honours, division one or equivalent, is required.
The prior qualification must contain a substantial research component, such as a thesis, dissertation or project.
The proposed research must fit one of the six listed scholarship research areas and have an available Lincoln supervisor.

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
Education required
Master

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Application process

1
Register interest in the CSC scholarship programme with Lincoln University’s China Director, Jeff Sun.
2
Complete the CV or résumé form and research statement form, then send both to the named contact.
3
Check Lincoln University’s supervisor list and confirm that the proposed research can be supported.
4
Submit an online application for PhD admission to Lincoln University.
5
After receiving an offer, request a supervisor support letter if needed and keep the home university informed.
6
Apply separately to the China Scholarship Council; CSC communicates the scholarship decision.

Program timeline

15 March
Lincoln University application deadline; the 2026 cycle has passed.
31 March
China Scholarship Council application deadline; the 2026 cycle has passed.
Any time during the year
Lincoln PhD study may begin after admission and scholarship arrangements are complete.