To support the establishment of Confucius Institutes, promote the international dissemination of the Chinese language and the spread of Chinese culture, and cultivate qualified Chinese language teachers and talents, the Headquarters of Confucius Institutes/Office of Chinese Language International Promotion (hereinafter referred to as Hanban) has set up scholarships to fund foreign students, scholars and Chinese language teachers to study at Shandong University.

I. Admission Categories and Application Requirements

The enrollment categories for this year are one-year research students and one-semester research students. The recruitment targets are non-Chinese nationals, in good health, and generally aged between 16 and 35 (for in-service Chinese language teachers, the age limit can be relaxed to 45, and for those with a bachelor's degree, the age should be under 20).

1. One-year trainee. The funding period is 11 months. This program is open to Confucius Institute (classroom) students, overseas local Chinese language teachers, Chinese major students, and those with outstanding HSK test scores. It does not admit international students in China. The Chinese proficiency should be no less than 200 points in HSK Level 3, 60 points in HSKK Beginner, or no less than 200 points in BCT (A) and 200 points in BCT (Oral).

2. One-semester trainee. The funding period is five months. The applicant has no experience of studying in China. Their Chinese proficiency should be no less than 140 points in HSK Level 2 or 50 points in HSKK Beginner, or no less than 120 points in BCT (A) or 140 points in BCT (Oral).

Ii. Funding Content, Standards and Learning Assessment

The Confucius Institute Scholarship fully covers tuition fees, accommodation fees, living expenses and comprehensive medical insurance fees. The tuition fees are pooled by the school for the cultivation and management of scholarship students. The school organizes scholarship students to take the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK/HSKK) and conducts cultural activities. Accommodation fees are managed and used by the school. Free dormitories are provided for students, usually double rooms.

The living expenses are issued by the school on a monthly basis. The standard for one academic year and one semester of research students is 2,500 RMB per month. The school registers the student status on a per-semester basis. For those who register at the school before the 15th of each month (inclusive), the full monthly living expenses will be issued. Those who report for duty after the 15th will be given half a month's living expenses. The living expenses for graduates will be issued until half a month after the graduation date determined by the school. For scholarship students who leave China for more than 15 days during their study period (outside of normal holidays) due to personal reasons, their living expenses during the period of leaving China will be suspended. Students who suspend their studies, withdraw from school due to personal reasons or violate school regulations and discipline will have their living expenses suspended. The comprehensive medical insurance premium is uniformly purchased by the school in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Education of China on international students coming to study in China, with a standard of 800 RMB per person per year.

Iii. Application Materials 

Applicants must log in to the scholarship website, fill out the "Confucius Institute Scholarship Application Form", and attach the electronic documents of the following supporting documents:

1. Passport photo page.

2. HSK and HSKK score reports.

3. Notarized highest academic degree or proof of study at school.

4. Recommendation letter. Students majoring in Chinese from relevant universities in countries where Confucius Institutes have not been established must attach a recommendation letter signed by the president.

Applicants under the age of 18 must submit relevant legal documents entrusting their legal guardians in China.

Winners of the "Chinese Bridge" World College and High School Students Chinese Competition's semi-final in China must provide scholarship certificates. Winners from each country's sub-region must provide proof of their awards and recommendation letters issued by the regional organizing units.

7. Other supporting documents required by our school.

Iv. Enrollment and Graduation Time

Both one-year and one-semester trainees can choose to enroll on September 1, 2016 or March 1, 2017. The graduation time for the spring semester is early July and for the autumn semester is early January.

V. Main Courses

Compulsory courses: Intensive Reading, Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, Chinese Culture, Overview of China, Chinese Characters.

Elective courses: HSK test tutoring, calligraphy, Chinese painting, Tai Chi and Chinese martial arts, paper-cutting, folk songs, etc.