Generally speaking, teachers and students from contracted “211” engineering colleges, “985” colleges and “characteristic key subject project” construction colleges and universities, but who have not yet signed a contract, can also apply for government-sponsored study abroad.

In order to closely cooperate with the implementation of the national medium- and long-term science and technology development plan and cultivate a group of top-notch innovative talents in various industries that will be needed for national construction in a few years, the National Study Abroad Fund has established the "National Publicly-sponsored Graduate Program". By 2013, a contract was signed.

Colleges and universities have basically covered “211” engineering colleges and “985” colleges.

Teachers and students who have not yet signed a contract with a university can also apply for government-sponsored study abroad.

By 2013, the contracted universities have covered "211 Project" universities, "985 Project" universities and universities with featured key disciplines.

With the approval of relevant national departments, the China Scholarship Council added 74 new universities with “characteristic key discipline projects” at the end of 2011.

Extended information: Related plans for the selection and dispatch of personnel funded by the National Study Abroad Fund to study abroad in 2019: 1. In 2019, it is planned to select and dispatch 30,000 nationally funded study personnel of various types.

2. Main selection categories and study abroad period: Senior Research Scholar: 3-6 months.

Visiting scholar: 3–12 months.

Postdoc: 6–24 months.

Postgraduate students studying abroad for a doctoral degree: generally 36-48 months, depending on the country of study abroad and the academic system of the institution or the admission notice or invitation letter issued by the foreign party.

Joint training of doctoral students (going abroad to engage in research while studying for a doctoral degree in China): 6–24 months.

Postgraduate students studying abroad for a master's degree: generally 12-24 months, depending on the country of study and the academic system of the institution or the admission notice or invitation letter issued by the foreign party.

Joint training of master’s students (study abroad while studying for a master’s degree in China): 3–12 months.

Undergraduate students studying abroad for a bachelor's degree: generally 36-60 months, subject to relevant project regulations.

Undergraduate transfer students (study abroad, graduation project or internship while studying for a bachelor's degree in China): 3-12 months.

Note: In 2019, the national government-sponsored master's degree program will no longer be implemented, but master's degree students and jointly trained master's students can still be selected through other programs.