Chinese students who pass the national entrance examination will complete their initial year of study in China. They will study in the US during their 2nd and 3rd years, then return to their Chinese home institution for the final year. After completing all the degree requirements, the student will receive two degrees from both US and Chinese institutions. 

First-year graduate students are selected from Chinese universities to spend two or three academic semesters studying in an AASCU member university. They return to their Chinese universities for the final academic year. Qualified students will be granted diplomas and masters’ degrees from both Chinese and U.S. universities.

Students follow the regular 1+2+1 Program, i.e., the International Cohort Program students complete their freshmen year in Chinese university. In the second and third years of the program, students come to the United States to complete their sophomore and junior years at the US partner university. Students return to China to finish their senior year at Chinese university and graduate with two separate bachelor’s degrees from Chinese and American universities. All students participating in this program have already had their four-year curriculum mapped out, through articulation agreements between the two partner institutions.

Students who are not interested in pursuing a degree in the United States, but are seeking study abroad experiences, can apply for the Youth Exchange Student program for one academic semester or one year through US partner institutions. YES students are allowed to transition to 1+2+1 Program degree-seeking status once they are on the US campuses. 

Faculty  in any discipline can apply for the ASSCI program. The students in the program are qualified to apply for the scholarship automatically once the program is approved. 

The scholarship for each student covers tuition paid to the Chinese partner institution, accommodations, a monthly stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance. The value of each scholarship for a four-week program could be approximately $10,000 or more. 

Part of the scholarship, such as tuition fees, accommodation fees, and comprehensive medical insurance, goes to the host university directly. The student receives a monthly stipend upon arriving at the Chinese campus. 

• ￥2500 per month for undergraduate students 
• ￥3000 per month for master’s students 
• ￥3500 per month for doctoral students 

Yes. You will need to state that you have no partner and you’re requesting assistance in the proposal form. AASCU will work with the Chinese embassy to find a matching partner for the program.  Once you accept our recommendation and work out the articulation plan with the recommended partner, we will continue to work on your application for funding. 

Once your proposal is approved, all students registered for the course are qualified to apply. However, the student applicant must be a full-time student who is not a Chinese citizen. 

You will need to renew your program with the embassy if there is no change to the previously approved program. The renewal process is simple. The purpose of renewal is for the embassy to have a record of the program each year. If there are changes at the partner institutions in China, such as different teaching faculty, altered course description or delivery methods, etc., you will need to submit a new proposal for approval. Your students will also need to apply for the scholarships through CSC’s online application every year to participate and receive the scholarships. 

Only eligible students can apply for the scholarship. The leading faculty member is responsible for all the expenses, including international travel, room, and board in China. It is possible that your partner university will be able to cover room and board. However, these costs are not considered part of the scholarship program. 

There are no limits and restrictions for institutions. We welcome faculty members in any major as long as the proposal reflects the goals, and the teaching curriculum involves joint activities of the program that contribute to those goals. Multiple faculty members from one institution could submit individual proposals for separate funding as long as they have partners in China. 

Applicants must: 

• be staff able to impact undergraduate education (either through teaching or academic support services that affect undergraduate studies). 
• have no prior training or professional experience in Japan studies. 
• be able to demonstrate an interest in gaining a better understanding of Japan. 
• be nominated by a president, chancellor, or provost, either directly or at the request of the applicant. 

Applications usually open around late October and are due by the end of February. All required documents must be submitted by the deadline:

• CV or resume 
• One-page recommendation letter from a provost, vice president, dean, or department chair who is familiar with the applicant’s academic achievements and potential career path.  
• A typed, single-spaced, one-page Statement of Intent outlining the potential benefits of the award to the applicant’s teaching and professional growth, and to the institution and community. This statement should address the applicant’s: 
  • interest in broadening their knowledge of Japan 
  • plans to impact undergraduate education at the institution 
  • plans to use the experience to effect curricular change 
  • plans to contribute to the Institute 

• AASCU member institutions – Participation in this Institute is complimentary for AASCU members. Costs associated with program administration, academic material, and residence life are underwritten by a generous endowment from the Nippon Foundation.
• Non-AASCU member institutions – $895 

Participants in the program are responsible for ancillary expenses related to travel to and from the program site, and all other personal and miscellaneous items.