To meet the growing international demand for Chinese language teachers, facilitate Chinese language education around the world, and support the professional development of Chinese language teachers, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) has established the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (hereinafter referred to as the Scholarship) for eligible Chinese language teachers outside of China. Confucius Institutes, independent Confucius Classrooms, selected HSK test centers, foreign educational institutions, Chinese language teacher training programs/Chinese departments at foreign universities, professional associations for Chinese language teaching, Chinese embassies (consulates) abroad (hereinafter collectively referred to as Recommending Institutions) may recommend outstanding students and in-service Chinese language teachers to further their studies in international Chinese language education and related programs at Chinese universities (hereinafter referred to as Host Institutions).
Liaoning University (LNU) is a comprehensive university covering varied disciplines, including Liberal Arts, History, Philosophy, Economics, Management, Law, Sciences, Engineering, Pharmacy and Art. It is a national “211 Project” key construction university and a national “Double First-Class” construction university, and has been selected into the “101 Plan” of the basic disciplines series by the Ministry of Education. LNU actively promotes international education. It features two Sino-foreign joint educational institutes and four Sino-foreign cooperative education programs. It has set up the United Nations Earth Charter Education Center and established long-term, stable cooperative relations with 175 institutions of higher education and with research institutes of 37 countries. LNU has built its brand of Confucius Institutes with the utmost care, establishing Confucius Institutes at the National University of Irkutsk of Russia as well as at University of Dakar of Senegal.
Liaoning University, as a host institution and recommending institution for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, welcomes applicants all over the world to study at LNU. Please check the following guide for detailed information:
I. ELIGIBILITY
a) Be a non-Chinese citizen.
b) Be friendly to China, have no criminal record, abide by the laws and regulations of China and the rules and regulations of the Host Institution.
c) Be in good physical and mental health, be in good academic and behavioral standing.
d) Be interested in Chinese language education and related work.
e) Be aged between 16 and 35 years on September 1, 2026. The maximum age limit for in-service Chinese teachers may be extended to 45, but those who apply for a scholarship for a Bachelor’s degree shall be younger than 25 under most circumstances.
II. CATEGORIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
1.Scholarship for Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education
The program commences in September 2026, and the academic system is 3 years. The scholarship is provided for a maximum of two academic years by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). In the third year, students can apply for a special student grant.
Applicants shall hold a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK Test (Level 5) and 60 on the HSKK test(Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or proof to the same effect.
2.Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Language and Literature (International Chinese Language Education)
The program commences in September 2026, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four academic years.
Applicants must hold a senior high school diploma. Applicants must score at least 210 on the HSK (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK (Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.
3.Scholarship for One-Year Study Program
The program commences in September 2026, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of eleven months. In principle, applicants who have received a similar scholarship within three years are not eligible.
Applicants of International Chinese Language Education programs shall have a minimum score of 270 on the HSK test (Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required.
Applicants of Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese philosophy programs shall have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level).
Applicants of Chinese Language Study programs shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK test (Level 3). Priority will be given to applicants who provide an HSKK test score.
4.Scholarship for One-Semester Study Program
The program commences either in September 2026 or March 2027, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of five months. In principle, applicants who have received a similar scholarship within three years are not eligible. Applicants of international Chinese language education, Chinese Language and Literature, or Chinese philosophy programs shall have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required.
5.Scholarship for Four-Week Study Program
The program commences either in July or December, 2026, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four weeks. Applicants of Chinese language study, traditional Chinese medicine, Taiji culture, or Chinese language plus home-stay with a Chinese family program are required to provide an HSK test score. The program may be organized and applied for by a Recommending Institution with 10-15 participants per group. Before the trip, a detailed study plan shall be made in consultation with LNU and such plan shall be submitted to CLEC for review and approval.
III. COVERAGE AND STANDARD FOR INTERNATIONAL CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS SCHOLARSHIP
The Scholarship supports tuition, accommodation, living allowance (excluding four-week study program students) and comprehensive medical insurance. The monthly allowance for undergraduates, one-year study program students and one-semester study program students is RMB 2,500 per person; that for master’s students in International Chinese Language Education is RMB 3,000 per person.
For details, please refer to Appendix 1: 《International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Coverage and Standard》.
IV. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
1. Overall Procedure
Online registration will be available from 20 February, 2026 on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website (http://www.chinese.cn). On the site, applicants can search for Recommending and Host Institutions（search for Liaoning University）, submit application materials online. Please track the application progress, comments and results through the website, and check the email in time. LNU will notify the review opinions, interview requirements and award results through email.Scholarship recipients must confirm enrollment procedures with the Host Institution and register by the date stipulated in the Admission Letter.
2. Recommendation Procedure of Recommending Institutions
After completing and submitting the required application materials online, applicants shall select a recommending institution for submission.The recommending institution shall examine applicants’ qualifications and application materials in accordance with the application guidelines, issue recommendation letters and complete the online recommendation process.
As one of the recommending institutions, Liaoning University welcomes eligible applicants to select our university for submission. Applicants may send emails to studyinlnu@lnu.edu.cn for inquiries.
3. Review Procedure of the Host Institution
LNU shall review the application according to the requirements and submit the qualified applicants to CLEC.
4. CLEC will entrust an expert panel to review the applications. Decisions will be based on HSK and HSKK levels and scores, geographical distribution, and other factors. The results will be announced about three months before the program starts.
5. LNU will confirm the admission with the successful applicants according to the results. After confirming the intention to study at LNU, the successful applicants shall, according to the requirements of LNU, register in the International Student Online Service System（https://lnu.17gz.org/member/login.do), fill in the application information and submit the application materials. In addition to the materials required by the application system for the International Chinese Teacher Scholarship of CLEC, a certificate of the highest diploma and an official transcript. Transcripts can be provided in Chinese or English, the PHYSICAL EXAMINATION RECORD FOR FOREIGNR issued by the regular hospital (Required materials for applicants who apply for one year study or more and the Certificate of Non-criminal Record must be submitted.
V. POLICIES REGARDING IN-SERVICE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND CHINESE BRIDGE WINNERS
1. In-Service Chinese Language Teachers
In-service Chinese language teachers need to provide proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from the employer.
2. Chinese Bridge Winners
Applicants who have received the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate during Chinese Bridge competitions need to submit their application documents along with their scholarship certificates to LNU directly at the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website. For any further inquiries, please contact chinesebridge@chinese.cn.
VI. APPLICATION MATERIALS
All the materials provided by the applicants shall be in Chinese or English.
A. For all applicants
a) A scanned copy of passport photo page.
b) A scanned copy of score reports of the HSK/HSKK tests (within the two-year validity).
c) A reference letter by the head of the Recommending Institution.
d) In-service Chinese Language Teachers must attach proof of employment and a recommendation letter issued by their employer.
e) Applicants under the age of 18 must submit entrusted guardianship documents signed by a guardian in China.f) PHYSICAL EXAMINATION RECORD FOR FOREIGNR (Required documents for applicants who apply for one year study or more).
f)Foreigners Physical Examination Record (Required for applicants applying for a study period of one academic year or longer)
g) Certificate of Non-criminal Record.
B. For degree program applicants
h) Provide the notarized certificate of the highest diploma (or proof of expected graduation) and an official transcript.
i) Master’s Students in International Chinese Language Education) must provide recommendation letters from two supervisors holding the title of associate professor or above. Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.
j) Applicants must also provide any other proof materials required by the Host Institution.
Please refer to "Appendix 2: List of Application Materials for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
VII. APPLICATION DEADLINES (Beijing time)
APPLICATION DEADLINES (Beijing time)：
1.July admission: Student applications close April 15; Recommending/Host Institution reviews close April 25.
2.September admission: Student applications close May 15; Recommending/Host Institution reviews close May 25.
3.December admission: Student applications close September 15; Recommending/Host Institution reviews close September 25.
4.March 2027 admission: Student applications close October 31;Recommending/Host Institution reviews close November 10.
Applicants must submit their application materials in accordance with relevant regulations before the application deadline.
Centralized Review by Expert Panel: CLEC will commission an expert panel to conduct a centralized review. Funding decisions will be based on HSK and HSKK scores, while also considering geographical distribution and other factors. The review process will be completed, and results announced, approximately three months prior to enrollment.
Ⅷ. MISCELLANEOUS
1.Generally, the One-Semester Study Program and One-Year Study Program do not admit applicants who have received a similar scholarship within the past three years.
2. Applicants under the age of 18 must submit relevant legal documents entrusting their legal guardians in China.
3. Applicants shall be familiar with the admission criteria and application deadlines, and submit necessary documents accordingly.
4. Degree students must complete their studies according to the requirements and participate in the annual evaluation each year. For details of the evaluation, please refer to the Annual Assessment Procedures of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.
5. Students who fail to pass the pre-enrollment medical examination, submit unqualified Certificate of Non-criminal Record, withdraw from school before completing the program, fail to register at the university without prior permission, or suspend their studies will be disqualified for the scholarship.
6. Incomplete or unqualified applications will not be processed.
7. Applicants will be disqualified in terms of fraudulent application materials or non-personal submission.
Ⅸ.CONTACT DETAILS
1.Non-degree Program
Confucius Institute Affairs Office, Liaoning University.
E-mail: lndxky@163.com
Tel: +86-024-62202132
2.Degree Program, Non-degree programs
International Student Admissions Office
Institute of International Education, Liaoning University
Email: studyinlnu@lnu.edu.cn
Telephone: +0086-24-62202503
College Website: http://ie.lnu.edu.cn/
3.Division of Scholarships of CLEC
Email: scholarships@chinese.cn
Tel: +86- 10-58595743
+86-10-58595999 (Asia, Africa)
+86- 10-58595973 (America, Oceania)
+86- 10-58595727 (Europe)
Appendix 1： International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Coverage and Standard
Appendix 2：List of Application Materials for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
Appendix 3：Annual Assessment Measures for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship（2026）
