Apply link:https://twas.org/opportunities/fellowships/phd?utm

What Is TWAS & Its PhD Fellowships?

The Academy of The Developing World (TWAS) works with UNESCO to offer fellowships that allow scientists from developing countries in the South to pursue their PhD and postdoctoral research at participating institutions. These fully funded scholarships are to undertake a postgraduate degree in any subject offered by the University. The academy aims to strengthen research capability and scientific excellence in the developing world, SouthSouth collaboration and NorthSouth cooperation.

In fact, TWAS does not organise any one scholarship like ‘TWAS Doctoral Fellowship 2026’ with a fixed set of rules; it has several different fellowship schemes under its belt in collaboration with multiple partners and host countries available at different times of the year. At the moment, the most significant fully funded 2026-relevant PhD opportunity we are aware of is:

👉 ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship 2026 (China) — their flagship fully funded doctoral scholarship provided in collaboration with The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS), the Alliance of International Science Organizations(ANSO), and China’s renowned state-owned research institutions by CAS.

There be other TWAS-based PhD fellowship programmes with individual calls that are to open in 2026 Probably (such as India, Brazil, South Africa etc.) — but for now the only officially confirmed call that will have its deadline at the beginning of the year of 2026 is then ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Fellowship.

🎯 ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship 2026 — Summary

This is the primary fellowships offered by TWAS that are open to doctoral researchers of the highest quality in countries not members of TWAS.

📍 Scholarship Name                 

ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship 2026 (Part of the CAS-ANSO Scholarship degree programme; supported by TWAS/UNESCO) 🌍 Host Organization / Partners The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) – facilitator and co-sponsorly coordination and funding partner UNESCO — co-sponsor Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) — partnering Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) -primary hosting organization.

📌 Host Country

China Institutions include such prestigious research universities and institutes affiliated with CAS as: the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) University of Chinese Academyof Sciences (UCAS) CAS research institutes across China The purpose of the Program is to provide Chinese universities with high-caliber international students who are studying or planning to study in China so as to increase their international mobility and promote mutual understanding between China and other countries.

Important Dates (2025–26)

These are the big timeline moments in the 2026 application cycle: 📆 Applications open: ~15 October 2025 (scholarship portal) 📆 Deadline: 31 January 2026 (Beijing Time) 📆 Proposed Start Date: Mid–Late 2026 (depending on host institution Entry requirements) ⚠️ Please note: The host university may have internal deadlines or registration date (after selection). Be sure to confirm the dates once you’re selected!

Eligible Fields of Study:

Scholarship Benefits (Fully Funded)

The ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Fellowship programme covers: Full financial support (tuition fee, health insurance included as appropriate for the country) and living expenses to their destination.

✅ 1. Full Tuition

Waiver Tuition is fully covered for the PhD cycle.

✅ 2. Monthly Stipend

Monthly living allowances-6,000 RMB for master’s graduates & 7,000 RMB for doctoral graduates (both amounts include insurance fees) can be awarded to up to 48 months. This is among the most generous allowances for overseas PhD students in China.

✅ 3. Health Insurance

Some health insurance for the length of the program is provided.

✅ 4. Application Fee / Visa Support

Application fee waiver and, in some cases, provisions for paying initial visa fees and a one-time travel insurance stipend (from home country to China), though these details vary year-to-year.

📌 Why This Is “Fully Funded” This funding includes all costs for tuition, living and insurance; this can be considered as a full scholarship for your PhD.                           

Required Application Documents

Application Tips