Program Background

To deepen the implementation of Guangzhou's talent-driven urban development strategy in the new era and expedite the creation of a globally competitive, influential, and pioneering strategic hub for innovative talents, Guangzhou Municipality has launched the Oversea Study Program of Guangzhou Elite Project (GEP).

I. Application Scope and Categories

A. Eligible Applicants
1. Full-time outstanding students enrolled in universities or research institutes with doctoral degree-granting authority in Guangzhou.

2. Full-time outstanding students enrolled in renowned domestic universities or research institutes that have signed cooperation agreements with GEP.

3. Full-time outstanding students of Guangdong-registered origin enrolled in:
- National "Double First-Class" universities;
- Universities in Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan ranked within the global top 200;
- Outstanding in-service employees of Guangzhou municipal (including district-level) enterprises and public institutions.

Full-time students from National "Double First-Class" universities that have signed the Oversea Study Program of Guangzhou Elite Project Cooperation Agreement with the Guangzhou Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau are exempt from the Guangdong-registered origin requirement.

B. Eligible Institutions and Disciplines
1. Institutions:
- Applicants should generally target internationally renowned universities ranked within the global top 150 or disciplines ranked within the global top 50. Rankings are based on the latest editions of the Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (Best University), QS World University Rankings, and THE World University Rankings (see Appendix 2).
- Applications for institutions not listed as regular overseas institutions by the Chinese Ministry of Education will not be accepted.

2. Disciplines:
Disciplines and majors should align with Guangzhou’s key socioeconomic development priorities, including but not limited to:
- Frontline fields: Semiconductors and integrated circuits; biomedicine and high-end medical devices; intelligent and connected vehicles; software and AI; modern high-end equipment; ultra-HD video and new displays; new energy; energy conservation, environmental protection, and ecology; green petrochemicals and new materials; rail transit; modern exhibitions; modern finance; architecture and planning design; inspection and testing.
- Related fields: Humanities and social sciences; fundamental research.

C. Categories of Candidates

1. Ph.D. Candidates (including direct Ph.D. and combined master’s-Ph.D. programs; master’s-only programs are not funded):
- Duration: 36–60 months, subject to the academic requirements of the host institution and country.

2. Joint Ph.D. Candidates (conducting research abroad during Ph.D. studies):
- Duration: 12–24 months, subject to the agreement between the home and host institutions.

D. Funding Targets

1. Prospective cultivation candidates:
- Current students who are willing to serve Guangzhou after completing their studies but have not yet identified a specific employer.

2. Targeted cultivation candidates:
- Current students or outstanding in-service employees of Guangzhou municipal (including district-level) enterprises and public institutions who have secured a post-study service commitment in Guangzhou.
- Priority in funding will be given to targeted cultivation candidates under equal conditions.

II. Funding Method and Standards

- Monthly stipend during study abroad: RMB 13,000/month.
- One round-trip international travel allowance:
  Europe and the Americas: RMB 8,000.
  Asia and Oceania: RMB 6,000.

III. Applicant Eligibility

- Applicants must: Patriotic, upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China and socialism with Chinese characteristics, possessing sound political integrity, law-abiding, mentally and physically sound, and voluntarily committed to returning to contribute to Guangzhou's socio-economic development after completing studies.

 - Language Requirements:

 - Academic and Age Requirements:
Ph.D. Candidates (full-time study abroad):Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree .Full-time students (must be graduating undergraduates or master’s students) should not exceed 35 years old; in-service personnel should not exceed 40 years old. Enrollment period: August 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Joint Ph.D. Candidates (research abroad during studies): Must be full-time non-graduating Ph.D. students, not exceeding 35 years old.

 - Applicants currently receiving funding from the China Scholarship Council are ineligible for simultaneous support under this program.

 - Those who have previously received similar funding for overseas Ph.D. studies may not reapply.

 - Funding under this program may only be granted once; repeat applications from past recipients are prohibited.

IV. Application Procedures

1. Applicants must log in to the Guangdong Government Services Network or the Smart Talent Home Portal and access the Guangzhou Overseas (Study) High-Level Talent "One-Stop" Service Platform. Click on the 2025 "Elite Plan" Overseas Study Program Application to complete and submit the form for initial review by their sponsoring institution.

* Eligible applicants must provide an admission letter or invitation from the overseas institution.

Applicants selecting the targeted cultivation category must coordinate with their designated employer to prepare a service agreement.

Application deadline: 24:00 on June 30, 2025.Deadline for resubmission after revision: 18:00 on July 8, 2025 (late submissions will not be accepted). Sponsoring institutions must conduct preliminary reviews of applications and submit them to the Guangzhou Personnel Service Center for re-evaluation by the above deadlines.

Sponsoring institutions must collect electronic application materials from approved candidates, complete the 2025 Guangzhou "Elite Plan" Overseas Study Program Application Summary Form (Appendix 3), affix an official seal, and email it to hgfwb@gz.gov.cn by July 15, 2025.

Scan the code to download the attachment of the 2025 "Jingying Plan" study abroad program

As a key initiative of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area talent strategy, the "Elite Plan" has cultivated a cohort of young talents equipped with global vision, innovative thinking, and adaptability to Guangzhou’s socioeconomic development needs through its precision-driven "demand-driven and targeted cultivation" mechanism.

Source: Guangzhou Personnel Service Center

Outstanding candidates who have secured doctoral admission offers from the National University of Singapore (NUS), particularly self-funded candidates with potential for advanced studies, are encouraged to explore the GEP. For inquiries, please contact:
- Ms. Li at 020-82879825-8109；
- Program Director Ms. Cheng at 020-83567780 or Ms. Zhang at 020-83137599.

We welcome your consultation at any time!