CSC opens 2027 scholarship applications with 19 Australian, New Zealand and Canadian universities

Summary

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) has opened selection for its 2027 scholarship programmes with 19 universities in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, funding up to 457 outstanding young Chinese to pursue doctoral degrees at those institutions in 2027. The scheme is set out in the CSC notice on adjusting application methods for its scholarship programmes with selected universities in Australia, New Zealand and Canada and launching 2027 selection. Applicants first apply to the CSC for scholarship eligibility, then apply to partner universities for admission.

Four partner universities are in Australia: Western Sydney University, the University of Tasmania, James Cook University and Edith Cowan University. New Zealand has one, the University of Waikato, while Canada has 14: the University of Guelph, Simon Fraser University, the University of Waterloo, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Ottawa, Dalhousie University, the University of Manitoba, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Université Laval, Concordia University, Queen's University, the University of Regina, the University of Victoria and Université de Montréal. Several partners hold strong subject rankings.

The University of Guelph ranks first in Canada and 14th globally for agriculture and forestry, the University of Waterloo ranks 34th globally for environmental science and engineering, and Western Sydney University ranks among the world's leading institutions for agricultural science and ecology. Most partner universities also rank strongly overall in the humanities and social sciences. Students from all disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Commentary

The University of Waikato is the only New Zealand institution in the programme, and its main Hamilton campus sits close to the Waikato dairy and agritech belt. Joint CSC funding for doctoral students could bring local SMEs low-cost, high-potential R&D talent, particularly in agricultural science, environmental engineering and data science, helping to address technical gaps. Such doctoral students are, however, constrained by student visa and scholarship conditions and can usually take part only in limited-time internships or project collaborations.

They cannot replace permanent employees. Another perspective is that the programme reflects China's continued investment in basic research across Australia, New Zealand and Canada. If New Zealand firms actively establish joint training or technology transfer channels with the relevant University of Waikato departments, they have an opportunity to engage with frontier research early and lower R&D outsourcing costs.

International education is New Zealand's fifth-largest services export industry, and trends in Chinese student numbers have long influenced related support sectors. Visa processing efficiency and geopolitical factors will, however, affect the pace at which students actually arrive.

Keywords: China Scholarship Council, 2027 scholarship programme, doctoral study, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian universities, co-funding, 457 people, University of Waikato, University of Guelph, application notice, agricultural science

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

国家留学基金委启动2027年与澳大利亚、新西兰、加拿大共19所高校合作奖学金项目人员遴选工作。根据《关于调整与澳大利亚、新西兰、加拿大部分高校合作奖学金项目申报方式并启动2027年人员遴选工作的通知》，2027年计划选派并资助不超过457名中国优秀青年赴上述高校攻读博士学位。项目采取“申请人先向国家留学基金委申请奖学金资格，再向外方合作高校申请入学资格”的方式执行。

合作高校包括：澳大利亚4所（西悉尼大学、塔斯马尼亚大学、詹姆斯库克大学、埃迪斯科文大学）；新西兰1所（怀卡托大学）；加拿大14所（圭尔夫大学、西门菲莎大学、滑铁卢大学、萨斯喀彻温大学、渥太华大学、戴尔豪西大学、曼尼托巴大学、纽芬兰纪念大学、拉瓦尔大学、康考迪亚大学、女王大学、里贾纳大学、维多利亚大学、蒙特利尔大学）。部分高校学科排名靠前，如圭尔夫大学农业与林业学科位列加拿大第1、全球第14，滑铁卢大学环境科学与工程学科位列全球第34，西悉尼大学农业科学、生态学等学科位居世界前列；大部分合作高校在人文社科领域也具较强综合实力，欢迎各学科背景同学积极申报。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

怀卡托大学作为新西兰唯一参与该奖学金项目的高校，其汉密尔顿主校区毗邻怀卡托乳制品和农业科技产业带。中国国家留学基金委联合资助博士生的方式，可为本地中小企业带来低成本、高潜力的研发人才，尤其在农业科学、环境工程和数据科学领域，有助于补充技术短板。但这类博士生受到学生签证和奖学金条款约束，通常只能从事有限时间的实习或课题合作，不能替代正式雇员。

另一视角是，该项目反映中国对在澳新加布局基础研究的持续投入，新西兰企业若能主动与怀卡托大学相关院系建立联合培养或技术转化通道，有机会提前接触前沿研究并降低研发外包成本。国际教育是新西兰第五大服务出口产业，中国生源动向历来影响相关配套行业；不过签证审理效率和地缘政治因素将影响实际到岗节奏。

关键词: 国家留学基金委, 2027年奖学金项目, 博士留学, 澳大利亚新西兰加拿大高校, 联合资助, 457人, 怀卡托大学, 圭尔夫大学, 申报通知, 农业科学

Source: Zhejiang A&F University website