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ICS-HYI MULTI-YEAR DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN CHINA STUDIES: 2026-2027

We are excited to announce that we are currently accepting applications for the ICS-HYI Multi-Year Doctoral Fellowship in China Studies for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year.

The Institute of Chinese Studies - Harvard-Yenching Institute (ICS-HYI) Multi-Year Doctoral Fellowship in China Studies is now established as one of the most sought-after and prestigious scholarships for Indian scholars engaged in research on China. It is a long-term initiative of the ICS, in partnership with the HYI, for supporting and training the next generation of China scholars in India.

Two scholarships, each for a period of four years, are awarded to selected candidates enrolled in doctoral programmes in Indian universities. In the first year, the selected candidates concentrate on strengthening their Chinese language capability. While continuing improving Chinese language proficiency their second year is dedicated to conducting doctoral thesis research at an HYI partner university in China by attending classes and closely working with their mentor at the host university. In the third year, they are based at the Harvard-Yenching Institute, being affiliated with Harvard University in the United States, before returning to India for the fourth year for the submission of their doctoral thesis.

Applicants must be registered in a Ph.D. programme in an Indian university (or engaged in the process of applying to a Ph.D. programme at the time of application) in the social sciences or humanities including anthropology, archaeology, art history, cultural studies, economics, geography, history, international relations, language and literature, legal history, philosophy, political science, religion, and sociology with a specific China focus in their research.

The Fellowship is subject to the following conditions:

1. Research carried out by the candidate must have a China focus.
2. The candidate must possess or must have the willingness to acquire -- by attending intensive Chinese language courses during their fellowship years -- Chinese language proficiency adequate for scholarly research purposes.
3. Fellowship recipients are expected to remain in residence at their Chinese institution to focus on their language training and research. Permission from ICS and HYI is required for any extended leaves of absence.
4. The fellowship will commence once the Ph.D. synopsis of the candidate is approved, and a supervisor is assigned by the home university.

The selected candidates will need to sign a bond agreeing to spend the two years following submission of the doctoral thesis in a teaching or research position in India that is of relevance to the development of China Studies. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The applicant will submit the following documents by e-mail to icshyi.fellowship@gmail.com with cc to icsdelhi.in@gmail.com:

1. CV with the date of birth, academic record, awards, contact details.
2. Academic transcripts from MA-level onwards (scanned copies).
3. Ph.D. research proposal submitted or being submitted to the university. If the synopsis has not been finalised, a 1,000-word proposal outlining the research focus.
4. Statement of purpose, detailing the candidate’s interest in China and relevance of the PhD proposal for Chinese studies or India-China comparative studies.
5. Proof of Chinese language capability, if applicable (scanned copies).
6. Three signed references on official letterhead, at least two of which must be from academics/scholars in universities or research institutions.

IMPORTANT DATES

For further enquiries, you may also contact former recipients of the ICS-HYI Fellowship via email (with cc to icsdelhi.in@gmail.com). The contact information is as follows:

1. Dr. Veda Vaidyanathan (2014 ICS-HYI Fellow), Associate Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress; Associate, Harvard University Asia Center.
   Email: vedavaidyanathan@fas.harvard.edu
2. Dr. Madhurendra Jha (2016 ICS-HYI Fellow), Assistant Professor, Department of Chinese Studies, School of Languages, Doon University
   Email: maoduliang@gmail.com
3. Mr. Pawan Amin (2020 ICS-HYI Fellow), PhD Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Fudan University, Shanghai.
   Email: pawanamin@gmail.com

For further enquiries, please contact  icshyi.fellowship@gmail.com | Website: www.icsin.org