UNESCO/China – The Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship 2026 | Fully Funded
The UNESCO/China – The Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship 2026 offers a fully funded opportunity for qualified international candidates from developing countries to pursue advanced studies, research, or specialized training in China.
Through a strategic partnership between UNESCO and the Chinese government, this fellowship aims to strengthen international cooperation, promote cultural exchange, and support human capacity development across education, science, culture, and related fields.
This article covers everything you need to know about the fellowship; including the eligibility criteria, benefits, and how to apply.
UNESCO/China – The Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship 2026 Summary
- Host Country: China
- Study Abroad: Study in Europe
- Host Institution: UNESCO
- Category: Fellowship | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: Global
- Rewards: Full Scholarship | Accommodation | Travel Costs | Stipend
- Deadline: January 23, 2026
Scholarship Categories to Explore on ScholarWaka— Here are some key scholarship opportunities you should check out on ScholarWaka:
- Study Abroad: Study in USA | Study in Canada | Study in UK | Study in Europe | Study in Asia | Study in Australia | Study in Africa
- Scholarship Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Diploma Scholarships | Competitions | High School Scholarships | Internships Scholarships | Training | Fellowships
UNESCO/China – The Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship 2026 Details
Applications are now open for the UNESCO/China Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship 2026, a fully funded scholarship initiative that supports outstanding candidates pursuing postgraduate studies, advanced research, or specialized academic training in China.
Targeted at students and researchers from 135 developing countries, this Great Wall Fellowship provides comprehensive financial support, including tuition fees, accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend to enable scholars to focus entirely on their studies and research goals.
The beneficiary countries of the UNESCO–China Fund-in-Trust (CFIT) Project are particularly encouraged to nominate candidates in relevant fields of Education, reflecting UNESCO’s commitment to strengthening capacity and advancing educational development globally.
In line with UNESCO’s priority focus areas, Gender Equality, Africa, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), women, African candidates, and applicants from SIDS are strongly encouraged to apply for this fellowship opportunity.
The programme offers several study pathways, allowing applicants to choose the most suitable academic route for their career goals. These include:
- General Scholar Programme (typically 1 year, non-degree)
- Senior Scholar Programme (advanced research or training, 1 year)
- Master’s Degree Programmes (2–5 years)
- Doctoral Degree Programmes (up to 5 years)
Each track is hosted at designated Chinese universities and institutions offering high-quality academic supervision, research facilities, and international learning environments.
Watch the full video on our YouTube Channel to see how to practically apply step by step for the fully funded Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 2026:
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the UNESCO/China Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. Nationality
- Must be a citizen of one of the 135 eligible developing countries invited by UNESCO to participate in the programme.
2. Educational Background
- General Scholar applicants: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- Senior Scholar applicants: Must hold a Master’s degree or have an academic title equivalent to Associate Professor or above.
- Master’s programme applicants: Must have a recognized Bachelor’s degree meeting the host university’s admission requirements.
- Doctoral programme applicants: Must have a recognized Master’s degree meeting the host university’s admission requirements.
3. Age Requirements
- General Scholar: up to 45 years old
- Senior Scholar: up to 50 years old
- Master’s applicants: generally under 35 years old
- Doctoral applicants: generally under 40 years old
(Age limits may vary slightly depending on the Chinese university.)
4. Language Proficiency
- Must meet the language requirements of the proposed programme; either English proficiency or Chinese (Mandarin) proficiency depending on the language of instruction.
- Some programmes may require HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) results.
5. Health Requirements
- Must be in good physical and mental health and capable of completing the study programme in China.
- Must provide a Foreigner Physical Examination Form or equivalent medical report.
6. Nomination Through National Commission
- Applicants cannot apply directly to UNESCO.
- All candidates must be officially nominated by the National Commission for UNESCO of their home country.
7. Academic and Professional Merit
- Must demonstrate strong academic performance, research potential, or professional experience relevant to the chosen field of study.
- Candidates applying for research-based or senior scholar positions must provide a detailed research proposal.
8. Priority Groups
UNESCO gives priority consideration to:
- Women candidates
- Applicants from Africa
- Applicants from Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Applicants from UNESCO–CFIT beneficiary countries in education-related fields
Latest Scholarship Opportunities you should Apply for Now!
- University College Dublin Global Excellence Scholarships 2026 | How to Apply
- University of Malta Scholarships 2026 | How to Apply
- Erasmus Mundus IMAPP Scholarship 2026/2027 (Fully Funded)
- Swedish Institute Scholarship 2026/2027 For Global Professionals | Fully Funded
- ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 2026 | Fully Funded
- Danish Government Scholarship 2026 | How to Apply
UNESCO/China – The Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship 2026 Benefits
Selected fellows under the UNESCO/China Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship Programme will enjoy fully funded support, which typically includes:
- Tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Accommodation or housing subsidy
- Medical insurance throughout the duration of the fellowship
- International travel costs
- Research or study allowance (for materials or project needs in certain cases)
Grab this fully funded Nursing scholarship. Watch the full video on our YouTube Channel to see how to apply step by step practically:
Required Documents for the UNESCO/China – The Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship 2026
- Completed UNESCO/China Great Wall Fellowship application form
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (Bachelor’s and/or Master’s)
- Research proposal or study plan (for research and senior scholar applicants)
- Language proficiency certificates (English: TOEFL/IELTS or Chinese: HSK if required)
- Copy of passport or official identification
- Medical examination report (Foreigner Physical Examination Form or equivalent)
- Two or more recommendation letters (academic or professional references)
- Nomination letter from the National Commission for UNESCO
Confused About Where and How to Start Securing Scholarships Abroad:
- Top 10 LinkedIn Accounts to Follow for Scholarship Opportunities
- Step-by-Step Guide to Securing Scholarships Abroad for Beginners
Here is an easy-to-follow guide for starting your scholarship application and crafting a compelling personal statement:
- How to Prepare A Scholarship Application – 5 Tips to Succeed
- How to Write a Personal Statement for Scholarship | Tips and Free Template
- Tips on How to Win a Scholarship
How to Apply for the UNESCO/China – The Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship 2026
- Check Eligibility: Confirm that you meet all educational, age, and language requirements.
- Contact Your National UNESCO Commission: Obtain the application form and internal submission guidelines.
- Prepare Application Package: Gather all required documents, including transcripts, CV, research proposal, and recommendation letters.
- Submit to National Commission: Submit your complete application before the internal deadline set by your country’s National Commission.
- Nomination to UNESCO: The National Commission will review and nominate eligible candidates to UNESCO by the official international deadline.
- Await Selection: Successful candidates will receive an official UNESCO/China Great Wall Fellowship award letter and instructions for enrollment at the host university in China.
Individual applications sent directly to UNESCO will not be considered. All submissions must go through the National Commission.
Join our Premium Scholarship & Mentorship Community
Deadline
January 23, 2026.
Receive the Latest Scholarship Updates through our Social Media Channels:
- Twitter: @ScholarWaka
- Instagram: @ScholarWaka
- LinkedIn: @ScholarWaka
- Facebook: @ScholarWaka
- YouTube: @Lucy Ikpesu-Ewhubare








