The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) is providing four fully paid PhD scholarships under its Doctoral Training Partnership scheme along with the Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS).
These scholarships are open to exceptional PhD students in certain science and engineering disciplines. Selected candidates will get full tuition fee exemption along with a stipend of RMB 4,500 per month for a period of 36 months, contingent on satisfactory performance. The deadline for applying to the program is 30 September 2026.
PhD Scholarships summary
The Doctoral Training Partnership program scholarship allows PhD students to conduct research in collaboration with academia from both UNNC and HIAS, UCAS. The Doctoral Training Partnership Program is meant to facilitate excellent research among PhD students while exposing them to the academics of two different institutions.
Islamic University of Madinah Scholarships 2026/27 (Fully Funded)
What does the scholarship cover?
The UNNC–HIAS UCAS Doctoral Training Partnership Scholarship will offer financial assistance to eligible candidates for PhD studies for a maximum of three years.
Successful candidates will be offered:
- Tuition fee waiver in full
- A monthly stipend of RMB 4,500
- Financial assistance for up to 36 months depending on progress made
- Research supervision conducted jointly by UNNC and HIAS, UCAS
- Opportunities for undertaking teaching and research assistantship at UNNC in the second year of the PhD program following the Graduate Teaching Assistant training
The above financial assistance will be meant to cover the cost of PhD studies during the normal three-year period of the scholarship. Applicants should ensure that they familiarize themselves with the scholarship terms and conditions to know other costs not covered.
Available PhD research areas
The scholarship is offered through the Faculty of Science and Engineering and is available in the following research areas:
- Physics & Optoelectronic Science & Technology
- Chemistry & Materials Engineering
- Ecological Environment Science & Engineering
This may be scholarship opportunity for candidates having an academic/research background in any of the following subjects: physics, photonics, optoelectronics, chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, environmental science, ecological engineering, sustainable technology, renewable energy, or any other form of engineering.
For those having experience in functional materials, advanced manufacturing, environmental remediation, electrochemical energy storage, biomass materials, carbon materials, and sustainable engineering, the above-mentioned projects need to be considered carefully.
About UNNC and HIAS, UCAS
University of Nottingham Ningbo China is an international university in China that provides research and teaching in an English language environment. This university has Doctoral Training Partnership scholarship programs where UNNC collaborates with top Chinese institutions to facilitate joint supervision and collaboration in research work.
The Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study is associated with the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. This collaboration ensures that selected PhD scholars get the scholarship and privilege of cross-institutional supervision, research skills, access to laboratory facilities, and inter-disciplinary collaboration.
For those students who aspire to build their career in research in science, engineering, advanced materials, environmental technology, or emerging technologies, such collaboration may prove to be beneficial.
Who can apply?
The award is for highly qualified candidates who satisfy the criteria required to be accepted into a PhD programme at UNNC within the scope of one of the available fields of doctoral research.
Competitive candidates will typically show evidence of:
- Completion of a master’s degree or other equivalent qualification in an appropriate subject
- Good record of performance in prior undergraduate and graduate studies
- Research experience pertinent to the PhD topic being applied for
- Compatibility of their background with the chosen research project
- Demonstration of English language proficiency where applicable
- Qualification for admission into the UNNC PhD program
- Prior discussion and agreement with an appropriate prospective supervisor
The actual criteria for eligibility might differ depending on the PhD program and research project. The applicants will have to consider these requirements and project details prior to their application.
How to apply
Preparation for the application process should start early on, especially if applicants have to find and contact a prospective supervisor.
Steps to be followed:
- Consider the PhD projects and research topics from the fields of Physics and Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Chemistry and Materials Engineering, or Ecological Environment Science and Engineering.
- Select a possible supervisor based on your academic profile and PhD research area.
- Reach out to your chosen supervisor via a brief academic email. Mention your educational qualifications, briefly highlight your research experience, justify why you would be a perfect candidate for the project, and attach your CV if needed.
- Obtain the necessary documents for the PhD application. You might require academic transcripts, degree certificates, your CV, your passport, references, a research proposal or statement of research interests, and the results of the English language test if required.
- Apply for a PhD at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China through the online PhD application form.
- Remember to include the reference code 2605DTPHIAS in the PhD application form.
- Submit your application by the deadline date of 30 September 2026, China Standard Time.
Click HERE for more information
There is no special form that applicants must use in applying for scholarship. Qualified candidates must specify the right reference code for the scholarship: 2605DTPHIAS.
Tips for a strong application for the Scholarship
Fully-funded PhD scholarships will usually involve fierce competition. Therefore, a good application form will not only prove your academic qualifications but also prove that you are a suitable candidate for the research work.
Before you make your application, consider the following:
- Read up on the latest publications of the prospective supervisor.
- Illustrate in detail how your master’s research/thesis, publications, lab work, modelling, or technical knowledge relates to the proposed PhD project.
- Customize your academic CV focusing on research accomplishments rather than any irrelevant experience.
- Provide a specific statement of research interest rather than a personal statement.
- Get in touch with the supervisor(s) professionally well ahead of time.
- Make sure your transcripts, certificates, letters of recommendation, and results of language tests are available.
- Use the correct scholarship reference in your application.
For instance, an applicant who has previous research exposure to topics such as activated carbon, nanomaterials, electrochemical devices, sustainable materials, environmental treatment, or material characterisation can highlight how their technical expertise and research techniques relate to a potential project in Chemistry and Materials Engineering or Ecological Environment Science and Engineering.
Scholarship deadline
The application deadline for the UNNC–HIAS UCAS Doctoral Training Partnership Scholarship is:
30 September 2026, China Standard Time
It is recommended that applicants start making contact with supervisors and getting the documents ready at an early stage. It may not be possible to get supervisor comments and documentation done in the last few days due to lack of time.
PhD Scholarships Final thoughts
UNNC-HIAs UCAS Doctoral Training Partnership Scholarship is indeed a great scholarship opportunity for the talented students looking forward to undertaking fully funded doctorate research in China. This programme has four scholarship available to the qualified candidates, which include full tuition fees coverage, a stipend of RMB 4,500 per month, and a joint supervision between UNNC and UCAS, HIAS.
In case you have expertise in such areas as physics, optoelectronics, chemistry, materials engineering, ecological science or environmental engineering, you should check out the PhD positions available in this regard.
Apply before: 30 September 2026
Scholarship reference: 2605DTPHIAS
PhD entry: 15 February 2027
PhD Scholarships FAQ
Is the UNNC–HIAS UCAS PhD scholarships fully funded?
Yes. It offers full payment of tuition fees along with a monthly allowance of RMB 4,500 for up to 36 months, conditional on successful academic performance.
How many PhD scholarships are available?
Four scholarship positions exist under the DTP program for UNNC & HIAS, UCAS.
What is the PhD scholarships deadline?
Deadline for submission of applications: 30 September 2026 (China Standard Time).
What are the eligible research fields for the PhD Scholarships?
Fields of study include:
Physics and Optoelectronic Science and Technology,
Chemistry and Materials Engineering,
Ecological Environment Science and Engineering.
Do applicants need to submit a separate PhD scholarships form?
A separate scholarship application is not normally necessary. It is important for applicants to include the reference number 2605DTPHIAS when applying for a PhD at UNNC. This is the methodology used by UNNC for their PhD scholarships.
What is the monthly stipend amount?
The successful applicants will get a monthly allowance of 4,500 RMB.
Leave a Reply