The Future Scientist Exchange Program (FuSEP) Summer Research is a six-week, in-person program run by the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei. Participants join supervised research projects, lectures, laboratory and industry visits, and cultural activities conducted in English.
The 2026 project list spans physics, chemistry and materials, earth and space sciences, life sciences and medicine, mathematics, computing, engineering, and social science. The 2026 cycle ran from June 22 to July 30 and is now between application cycles.
Benefits & funding
- Tuition, registration, and on-campus housing fees are waived for participants.
- Excellent students may receive a USTC Fellowship that includes a travel grant and a meal plan; the official page does not state an amount or promise this support to every participant.
- Participants receive a certificate of participation.
- Outstanding international participants who later apply for USTC degree programs receive priority consideration for scholarships.
Eligibility
- Applicants must remain full-time registered undergraduate or graduate students at their home university during the USTC stay.
- They must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study in a relevant major by the program start.
- They need an excellent academic record, demonstrated research potential and interest, and good English.
- Previous FuSEP participants may not apply again.
- The published qualifications state no nationality or residence requirement.
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.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Review the project and supervisor list and propose no more than two preferred supervisors.
- 2If the preferred supervisor is not on the published list, obtain and upload the provisional acceptance form.
- 3Prepare the latest home-university transcript, a personal statement, a resume, one recommendation letter, and the passport data page.
- 4Complete the online application and upload every document by the deadline.
- 5USTC conducts selection from April to early May and announces results in early May; selected participants then handle the visa process before registration.
Program timeline
Extended application deadline
Mar 22, 2026
Selection
April to early May 2026
Results announced
Early May 2026
Visa application
May to June 2026
Registration
Jun 22, 2026 to Jun 23, 2026
Summer research at USTC
Jun 23, 2026 to Jul 30, 2026