Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Scholarships 2026
The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) is China’s premier organization for agricultural research, technology transfer, and education. Its mission is to provide innovative solutions to challenges in sustainable agricultural development.
The Graduate School of CAAS (GSCAAS) focuses on graduate education and ranks among China’s top graduate schools. It offers Master’s and PhD programs through 34 institutes under CAAS. Programs are usually 3 years in duration, with certificates and degrees awarded upon meeting graduation requirements. The instruction language is primarily English or bilingual (Chinese-English).
GSCAAS offers multiple scholarships for international students:
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)
- Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS)
- GSCAAS Scholarship (GSCAASS)
- GSCAAS-OWSD Fellowship
International collaborations include joint PhD programs with University of Liège, Belgium and Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands. Currently, GSCAAS hosts 523 international students from 57 countries, with 90% enrolled in PhD programs.
Categories of Study
- Master’s Student
- Doctoral Student
- Visiting Scholar
- Senior Visiting Scholar
Doctoral and Master’s Programs
Disciplines and Programs
| Discipline | Primary Disciplines | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Science | Atmospheric Sciences | Meteorology |
| Biology | Physiology, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Ecology | |
| Agroecology | Protected Agriculture & Ecological Engineering, Agricultural Meteorology & Climate Change | |
| Engineering | Agricultural Engineering | Agricultural Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Water-soil Engineering, Agricultural Bio-environment & Energy Engineering |
| Environmental Science & Engineering | Environmental Science & Engineering | Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering |
| Food Science & Engineering | Food Science & Engineering | Food Science, Cereals, Oils & Vegetable Protein Engineering, Processing & Storage of Agricultural Products, Agricultural Products Processing Equipment |
| Agriculture | Crop Science | Crop Cultivation & Farming System, Crop Genetics & Breeding, Crop Germplasm Resources, Agro-product Quality & Food Safety, Medicinal Plant Resources, Agro-products Processing & Utilization |
| Horticulture Science | Pomology, Vegetable Science, Tea Science, Ornamental Horticulture | |
| Agricultural Resource & Environment Science | Soil Science, Plant Nutrition, Agricultural Water Resource & Environment, Agricultural Remote Sensing, Agricultural Environmental Science | |
| Plant Protection | Plant Protection | Plant Pathology, Agricultural Entomology & Pest Control, Pesticide Science, Weed Science, Invasion Biology, GMO Safety, Biological Control |
| Animal Science | Animal Science | Animal Genetics, Breeding & Reproduction, Animal Nutrition & Feed Science, Special Animal Rearing (Silkworms, Honeybees), Environmental Science & Engineering of Livestock & Poultry |
| Veterinary Medicine | Veterinary Science | Basic Veterinary Science, Preventive Veterinary Science, Clinical Veterinary Science, Chinese Traditional Veterinary Science, Veterinary Pharmaceutics |
| Science of Forest & Grassland | Wildlife & Grassland | Wildlife Conservation & Utilization, Utilization & Conservation of Grassland Resources, Forage Genetics, Breeding & Seed Science, Forage Production & Utilization |
| Management Science | Management Science & Engineering | Agricultural Economics & Management, Agro-technical Economics, Agricultural Information Management, Industrial Economics, Agricultural Information Analytics |
| LIS & Archives Management | Information Science | Information Technology & Digital Agriculture, Regional Development |
Note:
- Total: 51 Doctoral programs and 62 Master’s programs
- Programs marked with “*” offer both Master’s and Doctoral degrees; unmarked programs offer only Master’s degrees
Fees and Scholarships
Fees
| Item | Master’s / Visiting Scholar | Doctoral / Senior Visiting Scholar |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | 600 RMB | 600 RMB |
| Tuition | 30,000 RMB/year | 40,000 RMB/year |
| Insurance | 800 RMB/year | 800 RMB/year |
| Accommodation | 1,500 RMB/month | 1,500 RMB/month |
Note: Students with scholarships follow the terms specified in the respective scholarship guidelines.
Scholarships Overview
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)
- Covers tuition, basic textbooks, accommodation, monthly living allowance:
- Master’s/Visiting Scholar: 3,000 RMB/month
- Doctoral/Senior Scholar: 3,500 RMB/month
- Comprehensive medical insurance included
- Quota is limited; bilateral applications via embassy encouraged
- Covers tuition, basic textbooks, accommodation, monthly living allowance:
- GSCAAS Scholarship (GSCAASS)
- For students with outstanding academic performance
- Excludes recipients of CGS or BGS
- Covers tuition, basic textbooks, accommodation, research assistantship:
- Master’s/Visiting Scholar: 3,000 RMB/month
- Doctoral/Senior Scholar: 3,500 RMB/month
- Comprehensive medical insurance included
- Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS)
- Exempts tuition for one academic year
- Accommodation and research assistantship provided
- CGS recipients not eligible
- GSCAAS-OWSD Fellowship
- For female scientists from Science & Technology Lagging Countries
- Supports PhD research in natural, engineering, and IT sciences
- Benefits include:
- USD 1,000/month living allowance
- Special allowance for international conferences
- Workshop participation opportunities
- Return ticket to host institute
- Medical insurance USD 200/year
- Tuition and registration fees at host institute
- Other Scholarships
- Sponsored by international organizations, foreign governments, universities, or research institutions
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be non-Chinese citizens
- Be healthy and comply with Chinese laws
- Meet education and age requirements:
| Program | Education Requirement | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | Bachelor’s degree | ≤ 35 |
| Doctoral | Master’s degree | ≤ 40 |
| Visiting Scholar | ≥ 2 years undergraduate studies | ≤ 35 |
| Senior Visiting Scholar | Master’s or higher, or associate professor title | ≤ 40 |
- Demonstrate English and/or Chinese proficiency
Application Documents
Submit via GSCAAS Online Application System: Online Application System
Required documents:
- GSCAAS Application Form 2026 (Part II left blank; filled by supervisor)
- CSC Online Application Form (for CGS applicants)
- Passport copy (≥ 2 years validity)
- Highest diploma (notarized photocopy)
- Academic transcripts (notarized)
- Two reference letters (from professors or experts in related fields)
- CV and research proposal (≥ 400 words for visiting scholars, ≥ 500 words for postgraduates)
- Language proficiency certificate (TOEFL, IELTS, CEFR, or HSK)
- Degree thesis abstracts and up to 5 representative academic papers
- No Objection Certificate from current employer (if applicable)
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form (from approved hospitals)
- Acceptance letter (optional, preferred)
Note: All documents are non-returnable.
Application Deadlines
| Scholarship | Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| GSCAASS | Spring | Dec 25, 2026 |
| GSCAASS | Autumn | April 30, 2026 |
| CGS / BGS | Autumn | Feb 1 – April 30, 2026 |
Approval, Notification, and Visa
- Admission Notice & Visa Forms (JW201/JW202) sent:
- Spring semester: Jan 15, 2026
- Autumn semester: July 15, 2026
- Apply for student visa at Chinese Embassy or Consulate with all original and photocopies of admission and health documents
- Medical examination results valid for 6 months
Registration
- Spring semester: March 4–9, 2026
- Autumn semester: September 1–5, 2026
- Registration must be completed in person; request written permission for exceptions
Duration of Study and Degree Conferral
- Master’s and Doctoral programs: 3 years
- Certificates and degrees awarded upon meeting graduation requirements
- Visiting scholars: typically less than 2 years; awarded visiting study certificate
Contact Information
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Coordinator | Dr. Dong Yiwei, International Education Office, GSCAAS |
| studyincaas@caas.cn | |
| Hard Copy Applications | Submit directly to host institutes (addresses available in online application system) |
