University of Notre Dame - China Scholarship Council Joint Scholarship Program
The University of Notre Dame and the China Scholarship Council (CSC) jointly sponsor up to 40 students from China per year to pursue post baccalaureate degrees or conduct research as research visitors at Notre Dame. Scholarship awardees must be pursuing Ph.D. degrees or master’s degrees, or be visiting Ph.D. students who conduct research for 6-24 months at the University.
What Is the China Scholarship Council?
The CSC is a non-profit institution with legal person status affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education.
The objective of the CSC is to provide, in accordance with the law, statutes, and relevant principles and policies of China, financial assistance to Chinese citizens wishing to study abroad and to foreign citizens wishing to study in China in order to develop the educational, scientific, technological, and cultural exchanges; to build economic and trade cooperation between China and other countries; to strengthen the friendship and understanding between the Chinese people and the people of all other countries; and to promote world peace and the socialist modernization drive in China.
The CSC is financed mainly by the State’s special appropriations for scholarship programs. The CSC also accepts personal donations and contributions from enterprises, social organizations, and other organizations at home and abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the ND-CSC Joint Scholarship?
Please refer to the CSC website for the eligibility of the ND-CSC Joint Scholarship. More questions regarding the eligibility should be directed to md1@csc.edu.cn.
What opportunities does the ND-CSC Joint Scholarship support at Notre Dame?
Option 1 - Pursue a graduate degree at the university of Notre Dame, choosing from the list of Graduate School programs. Below is the process you should follow for your Notre Dame application:
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Apply to the Notre Dame degree program of your choice using the Graduate School application.
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Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Graduate School's website if you have questions about the application process.
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Please note programs in the College of Architecture, Law School and the master's programs in the College of Business are not administered by the Graduate School, and therefore are not covered by the ND-CSC Joint Scholarship Program.
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Option 2 - Graduate students from other universities may apply for an appointment as a research visitor. Below is the process you should follow for your Notre Dame appointment:
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Identify at least one Notre Dame faculty member whose research aligns with your interest.
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Contact the associate dean for graduate enrollment management and provide:
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Name of ND faculty member(s)
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Intended visit dates
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Your CV and transcripts
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Statement of your research interest
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The associate dean will share your documents with the faculty member(s) and ask the faculty to review your request.
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If the faculty member agrees to work with you, they will request an appointment for you through our Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. This appointment will be contingent on your award from CSC.
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If the faculty member cannot work with you, you will need to find another Notre Dame faculty adviser.
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Please note: CSC-funded research visitors at Notre Dame are not allowed to take graduate courses at Notre Dame.
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What do the application timeline and process look like?
The application to the ND-CSC Joint Scholarship Program consists of two parts: an application to the academic program at Notre Dame and an application to the China Scholarship Council for the scholarship. Specific steps and dates for application cycle are as below:
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October 30: Complete the online application on the CSC Study Abroad website and submit the required documents.
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November 5: Your nominating institution should review and make a nomination to CSC.
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By the end of December: CSC will provide ND with a list of potential awardees.
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By the end of February: Notre Dame decisions will be communicated to applicant/appointee.
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Before March 15: Candidate will confirm with CSC whether to accept CSC funding.
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By April 15: Notre Dame degree-seeking admits must respond to admission offer.
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Are students funded by the CSC required to return to China?
Yes. Students receiving the CSC scholarship are required to return to China for two years upon graduation. An agreement will be signed between the student and CSC, with their home university in China as guarantor before the student goes abroad. Students will need to work in China for two years after completion of their course of study and graduation from the host university (Notre Dame).
Can I delay my return date?
Yes, upon approval by the CSC, graduates who have been awarded a postdoctoral appointment may delay their return for up to two years.
Are there any CSC restrictions regarding a scholarship recipient’s program of study?
No. Eligible applicants may apply to any Notre Dame Graduate School program as outlined on the Degree Programs page of our website can apply for CSC funding.
How much is the CSC funding?
CSC funding is $1,900-$2,000 per month for up to four years, depending on the program and the length of stay. If the student is away from the US for more than one month, they need to report to the Chicago consulate to determine whether or not the stipend for that month can be provided. The amount will remain the same in the near future.
Are Notre Dame departments and faculty obligated to provide funding in addition to the CSC scholarship?
No. It is up to the departments or faculty to decide whether or not to provide additional funding to students.
Will the spots not filled in one year roll over to the next year?
No. The ND-CSC Joint Scholarship Program supports up to 40 scholarships each year for students who pursue Graduate School degrees at Notre Dame and to graduate students from other universities who wish to pursue research at Notre Dame as research visitors.
What is the deadline to accept or decline an offer of admission to Notre Dame?
Most schools in the US, including Notre Dame, are bound by the CGS Agreement, which states that applicants have until April 15 to respond to an admission offer with funding. If you change your mind after April 15 the agreement explains what you need to do to be able to accept a different offer. We will leave your offer open after the 15th of April since we know that CSC will not respond until late May.
Whom should students contact at CSC for more details?
Please refer first to the ND-CSC Joint Scholarship Program 2024 page for applicants on the CSC website (in Chinese).
If you have additional questions for CSC, please contact:
American and Oceanian Office
China Scholarship Council
Tel.: 010-66093951
Email：md1@csc.edu.cn
Whom should students contact at Notre Dame if they have further questions about the ND-CSC Joint Scholarship Program?
Miranda Ma (Email: lma1@nd.edu)
Associate Director, Intercultural and Community Engagement
International Student and Scholar Affairs
Nyrée McDonald, Ph.D. (Email: nmcdonal@nd.edu)
Associate Dean for Graduate Enrollment Management
The Graduate School