Yenching Academy of Peking University
The Yenching Academy of Peking University program offers support for at least the first year of a two-year Master’s in China Studies (in English). The Academy's aim is to ensure that international leaders in a variety of fields have a broad and rich understanding of China.
Yenching Scholars receive a full tuition scholarship for the first year of the program, accommodation in the residential college, basic medical insurance, a monthly stipend, and expenses related to research.
Students who maintain good academic standing and plan to stay in Beijing during their second academic year can apply for the second-year Yenching Fellowship, which covers tuition, accommodation, basic medical insurance, and a monthly stipend.
Yenching Scholars are deeply immersed in Chinese culture through excursions to various parts of China and an intensive Chinese language program.
Yenching Scholars will exhibit the following qualities and characteristics:
- Outstanding academic record – CCRF requires 3.6 GPA or higher (without rounding) and strongly recommends a 3.7 GPA or higher
- BA required before the program begins
- Any currently enrolled degree awarded no later than August 31, 2026
- Evident commitment to and preparation for rigorous graduate studies
- Strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China, including a research proposal for an MA thesis that aligns well with the Yenching Academy program
- Ablity to secure at least two strong letters of recommendation from associate or full professors in the field of the applicant's intended Yenching Academy research area and/or China studies
- A record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility, and leadership potential
- Demonstrated English proficiency
- Chinese language proficiency valued, but not required
- Meets all eligibility criteria set out by the Yenching Academy.
- Potential applicants may also wish to review Peking University’s additional admissions criteria which may affect applicants with specific medical conditions or disabilities. Please note that CCRF is committed to ensuring equitable access to our programs and support. These admissions criteria of Peking University will not affect an applicant’s eligibility to be part of CCRF’s 2025 Yenching Cohort or the applicant’s eligibility for University nomination.
For more information about the Yenching Academy, visit https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/index.htm
Please note:
- Applicants with any form of identification from Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan have additional application requirements. Applicants in this category should reach out to Johanna Best (bestjl@uchicago.edu) as soon as possible to discuss the application process.
- Applicants who were born in, or have previously held citizenship at any point from China, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan have additional application requirements. Applicants in this category should reach out to Johanna Best (bestjl@uchicago.edu) as soon as possible to discuss the application process.
- Applicants currently holding a Chinese passport are not eligible to apply for UChicago nomination.
Current students in the College and UChicago BA/MA candidates in their fourth year must be nominated for the Yenching Academy by the University of Chicago through CCRF.
College alumni who have not started graduate school are welcome to apply for nomination to the Yenching Academy by the University of Chicago through CCRF.
Applicants who are (or were) UChicago graduate students should reach out to UChicagoGRAD. Applicants who are (or were) graduate students at other institutions should reach out to the fellowships office at their graduate institution.
To be eligible for UChicago nomination, you must complete the following steps in this Survey Monkey portal. Additional requirements, including draft deadlines in October and November, will be in shared in the 2025 Yenching Academy Cohort Canvas course.
- On or before October 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT: Complete and submit Stage 1 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application through this Survey Monkey application portal.
- If you are invited to join the 2025 UChicago Yenching Cohort and Canvas course, you are expected to meet all the additional requirements and deadlines of the 2025 UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Process (see the 2025 Yenching Academy Cohort Canvas course for details), including:
- On or before October 19, 2025: All letters of recommendation requested through Stage 2 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application
- On or before November 19, 2025: All letters of recommendation submitted by recommenders to Stage 2 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application
- On or before November 21, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT: Complete and submit Stage 2 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application through this Survey Monkey application portal
It is your responsibility to be aware of and work to the 2025 UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Process application procedures and deadlines. The CCRF and its associated staff are not responsible for late submissions, including late or missing letters of recommendation, or missed campus nomination or national deadlines.
2025 UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application
Yenching Academy of Peking University
The Yenching Academy of Peking University program offers support for at least the first year of a two-year Master’s in China Studies (in English). The Academy's aim is to ensure that international leaders in a variety of fields have a broad and rich understanding of China.
Yenching Scholars receive a full tuition scholarship for the first year of the program, accommodation in the residential college, basic medical insurance, a monthly stipend, and expenses related to research.
Students who maintain good academic standing and plan to stay in Beijing during their second academic year can apply for the second-year Yenching Fellowship, which covers tuition, accommodation, basic medical insurance, and a monthly stipend.
Yenching Scholars are deeply immersed in Chinese culture through excursions to various parts of China and an intensive Chinese language program.
Yenching Scholars will exhibit the following qualities and characteristics:
- Outstanding academic record – CCRF requires 3.6 GPA or higher (without rounding) and strongly recommends a 3.7 GPA or higher
- BA required before the program begins
- Any currently enrolled degree awarded no later than August 31, 2026
- Evident commitment to and preparation for rigorous graduate studies
- Strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China, including a research proposal for an MA thesis that aligns well with the Yenching Academy program
- Ablity to secure at least two strong letters of recommendation from associate or full professors in the field of the applicant's intended Yenching Academy research area and/or China studies
- A record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility, and leadership potential
- Demonstrated English proficiency
- Chinese language proficiency valued, but not required
- Meets all eligibility criteria set out by the Yenching Academy.
- Potential applicants may also wish to review Peking University’s additional admissions criteria which may affect applicants with specific medical conditions or disabilities. Please note that CCRF is committed to ensuring equitable access to our programs and support. These admissions criteria of Peking University will not affect an applicant’s eligibility to be part of CCRF’s 2025 Yenching Cohort or the applicant’s eligibility for University nomination.
For more information about the Yenching Academy, visit https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/index.htm
Please note:
- Applicants with any form of identification from Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan have additional application requirements. Applicants in this category should reach out to Johanna Best (bestjl@uchicago.edu) as soon as possible to discuss the application process.
- Applicants who were born in, or have previously held citizenship at any point from China, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan have additional application requirements. Applicants in this category should reach out to Johanna Best (bestjl@uchicago.edu) as soon as possible to discuss the application process.
- Applicants currently holding a Chinese passport are not eligible to apply for UChicago nomination.
Current students in the College and UChicago BA/MA candidates in their fourth year must be nominated for the Yenching Academy by the University of Chicago through CCRF.
College alumni who have not started graduate school are welcome to apply for nomination to the Yenching Academy by the University of Chicago through CCRF.
Applicants who are (or were) UChicago graduate students should reach out to UChicagoGRAD. Applicants who are (or were) graduate students at other institutions should reach out to the fellowships office at their graduate institution.
To be eligible for UChicago nomination, you must complete the following steps in this Survey Monkey portal. Additional requirements, including draft deadlines in October and November, will be in shared in the 2025 Yenching Academy Cohort Canvas course.
- On or before October 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT: Complete and submit Stage 1 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application through this Survey Monkey application portal.
- If you are invited to join the 2025 UChicago Yenching Cohort and Canvas course, you are expected to meet all the additional requirements and deadlines of the 2025 UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Process (see the 2025 Yenching Academy Cohort Canvas course for details), including:
- On or before October 19, 2025: All letters of recommendation requested through Stage 2 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application
- On or before November 19, 2025: All letters of recommendation submitted by recommenders to Stage 2 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application
- On or before November 21, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT: Complete and submit Stage 2 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application through this Survey Monkey application portal
It is your responsibility to be aware of and work to the 2025 UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Process application procedures and deadlines. The CCRF and its associated staff are not responsible for late submissions, including late or missing letters of recommendation, or missed campus nomination or national deadlines.