Funding

Partial / Stipend

Fellowship•India

ICS-HYI Multi-Year Doctoral Fellowship in China Studies

Institute of Chinese Studies and Harvard-Yenching Institute

Application Deadline

Closed · February 1, 2026

Reopens ~Feb 2027

Official Page

The ICS-HYI fellowship supports doctoral researchers whose work has a specific China focus. It is run jointly by the Institute of Chinese Studies and the Harvard-Yenching Institute and awards two four-year fellowships.

Fellows strengthen their Chinese, conduct thesis research at an HYI partner university in China, spend a year at HYI at Harvard, and return to India to submit the doctorate. The documented 2026 application cycle had a 1 February deadline.

Benefits & funding

  • Two fellowships are awarded, each lasting four years.
  • The first year focuses on Chinese-language development, the second on research at a partner university in China, the third at HYI at Harvard, and the fourth in India for thesis submission.
  • HYI covers tuition and a stipend during the China residence. At HYI, fellows receive a monthly stipend and individual medical insurance.
  • The Indian side funds the India-based doctoral study; the official pages do not publish award amounts.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be Indian citizens.
  • They must be registered in, or applying to, a PhD programme at an Indian university in the social sciences or humanities.
  • The proposed doctoral research must have a specific China focus.
  • Applicants must have, or be willing to acquire, Chinese proficiency suitable for scholarly research.
  • The fellowship begins only after the home university approves the PhD synopsis and assigns a supervisor.
  • Fellows must remain resident at their Chinese institution unless ICS and HYI approve an extended absence.
  • Selected fellows sign a bond to spend the two years after thesis submission in a relevant teaching or research role in India that develops China studies.

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

    India

  • Education required

    Master · PhD Enrolled

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Application process

  1. 1
    Prepare a CV including date of birth, academic record, awards and contact details.
  2. 2
    Gather scanned academic transcripts from MA level onward.
  3. 3
    Submit the PhD proposal or synopsis; if it is not final, provide a 1,000-word research-focus proposal.
  4. 4
    Prepare a statement of purpose explaining the applicant’s interest in China and the proposal’s relevance to Chinese studies or India-China comparative studies.
  5. 5
    Include evidence of Chinese proficiency when applicable and three signed references on official letterhead, including at least two from academic or research institutions.
  6. 6
    Email the complete application and references to icshyi.fellowship@gmail.com and copy icsdelhi.in@gmail.com.

Program timeline

  1. Application and reference deadline

    1 February 2026

  2. Interview shortlist announced

    15 February 2026

  3. Interviews and final selections announced

    1 March 2026

  4. After synopsis approval and supervisor assignment

    Fellowship begins

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