Global China Fellows Program 2026-27: Funded China Policy Fellowship at Boston University

If you’re researching China’s growing role in global development, economic governance, or environmental policy and want dedicated time embedded in a leading U.S. research center to advance your work, the Global China Fellows Program at Boston University deserves your attention. This isn’t a short workshop or loose affiliation—it’s a residential fellowship where you spend an academic year (or shorter period depending on fellowship type) at BU’s Global Development Policy Center, working on your research while engaging with a community of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners all focused on understanding China’s global footprint.

The Global China Initiative (GCI) at BU examines three interconnected dimensions of China’s international role: evolving participation in global governance, overseas development finance (including Belt and Road investments), and environmental engagement both domestically and globally. As a fellow, you contribute independent research to one of these areas while benefiting from BU’s resources, GCI’s networks, and Boston’s broader academic community (Harvard, MIT, Tufts all nearby).

Funding varies by fellowship level—PhD candidates typically receive dissertation support, postdocs get salary or stipends, practitioners might get travel and living allowances. The exact package depends on your career stage and needs, but the program’s designed to make the fellowship financially feasible so you can focus on research, not survival.

Deadlines vary by fellowship type and year; check the GCI website for current opportunities. Applications typically close several months before proposed fellowship start dates.

Key Details at a Glance

What the Global China Initiative Focuses On

To understand whether this fellowship fits you, understand GCI’s research pillars:

China’s Evolving Role in Global Governance: How does China engage with multilateral institutions like the UN, WTO, IMF? How is China shaping international norms around trade, development, human rights? What does China’s increasing influence mean for global governance architecture? Research here might examine China’s positions in climate negotiations, its role in reforming international financial institutions, or how Chinese concepts like “community of shared future” are reshaping development discourse.

China’s Overseas Development Finance: China has become one of the world’s largest development financiers through institutions like China Development Bank, Export-Import Bank of China, and initiatives like the Belt and Road. GCI researchers track these flows, analyze their impacts on recipient countries, compare Chinese development finance to Western models, and examine sustainability implications. Research might focus on BRI infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia, Chinese lending to African countries, or how Chinese finance is adapting post-COVID.

China’s Environmental Engagement: China is simultaneously the world’s largest emitter and largest investor in renewable energy. How is China’s domestic environmental policy evolving? What are the environmental impacts of Chinese overseas investments? How does China engage in international environmental governance? Research might examine China’s carbon neutrality pledges, environmental standards in BRI projects, or China’s role in biodiversity negotiations.

Fellows choose specific topics within these broader areas based on their interests and expertise. You’re not forced into preset projects; GCI wants you to advance your own research agenda while contributing to collective understanding.

Types of Fellowships Available

GCI offers mehrere fellowship types targeting different career stages:

Dissertation Fellowships (PhD Candidates): For doctoral students conducting dissertation research on China’s global role. Typically 6-12 months. Provides stipend, research support, access to advisors and GCI network. You’d spend time at BU while completing your dissertation, presenting your work, and getting feedback from China scholars.

Postdoctoral Fellowships: For recent PhDs (typically within 5 years of degree completion). Usually academic-year length. More substantial financial package (postdoc salary range). You conduct independent postdoctoral research while contributing to GCI seminars, potentially teaching or mentoring, and positioning yourself for next career steps.

Practitioner Fellowships: For professionals from development institutions, NGOs, policy organizations, or government agencies working on China-related issues. Often shorter duration (3-6 months). May be mid-career professionals wanting to step back from daily work to conduct deeper analysis or write policy papers. Funding might cover salary replacement, travel, and living expenses.

Visiting Scholar Fellowships: For researchers from developing countries studying China’s engagement with their regions. Recognizes that understanding China’s impact requires voices from countries where China is active, not just Western perspectives.

The specific fellowships available in any given year depend on funding and GCI priorities. Check their website for current opportunities—fellowship types and names evolve.

Who Should Apply

GCI looks for people conducting serious, original research on China’s global role who will benefit from and contribute to the BU community.

You’re a Strong Fit If:

• You’re researching China’s global dimensions: Not just domestic Chinese politics or economy, but how China engages internationally. Your work connects to one of GCI’s three pillars.

• You have solid China expertise: Language skills (Chinese reading ability helps though not always required), previous research on China, understanding of Chinese politics/economy/society. You don’t need to be a Sinologist, but you should have substantive China knowledge.

• You’re at the right career stage: PhD candidate working on dissertation, recent PhD pursuing postdoc research, or mid-career professional with clear research agenda.

• You want collaborative intellectual environment: You’re excited about presenting work-in-progress, getting feedback, engaging with other fellows and visiting scholars, not just hiding in a library alone.

• Your research benefits from BU/Boston location: Access to BU libraries and resources, proximity to Harvard/MIT China scholars, connections to U.S. policymakers who focus on China-Africa relations, etc. If your research requires fieldwork in China/Africa/Latin America full-time, residential fellowship might not fit.

Developing Country Scholars Particularly Welcomed: GCI explicitly values perspectives from countries experiencing China’s global engagement firsthand. If you’re from an African country researching Chinese infrastructure investments, a Latin American scholar studying Chinese commodity trade, or an Asian researcher examining BRI projects, your perspective is especially valuable.

Application Strategy

Develop a Clear, Focused Research Proposal: Your proposal should articulate a specific research question, explain why it matters for understanding China’s global role, outline your methodology, and describe what you’ll accomplish during the fellowship. “I want to study China and Africa” is too vague. “I will examine how Chinese infrastructure loans to Kenya affect local governance capacity, using interviews with Kenyan government officials and analysis of loan agreements” is specific and compelling.

Connect to GCI Research Priorities: Show you’ve researched GCI’s work. Reference specific GCI publications, explain how your research complements or extends their existing portfolio, identify potential synergies with current GCI researchers.

Demonstrate Feasibility: Reviewers need confidence you can execute your proposed research. If it requires Chinese-language sources, show you have language skills. If it needs interviews in multiple countries, explain your access and plan. If it involves quantitative analysis, demonstrate methodological capability.

Articulate Mutual Benefit: Explain what you’ll gain from the fellowship (access to resources, mentorship, networks) AND what you’ll contribute (expertise, perspectives, potential collaborations). Fellowships work best when both fellow and institution benefit.

Strong Recommendations Matter: Letters from scholars who know your China research, who can speak to your ability to conduct independent research, and ideally who have some profile in China studies carry weight. A generic letter from a famous professor who doesn’t know your work beats a detailed letter from an unknown but relevant supervisor—get letters from people who can speak specifically to your capabilities.

What Fellows Actually Do During Their Time at GCI

Independent Research (60-70% of time): Your primary activity is advancing your own research project. You have access to BU libraries (extensive Asia collections), databases, quiet workspace. GCI provides a dedicated desk/office and administrative support. You’re setting your own schedule and pacing, but with structure of fellowship periods to maintain momentum.

GCI Seminars and Events (15-20%): Participate in GCI’s regular seminar series where visiting scholars, policymakers, and GCI researchers present work. You’ll present your own research at least once, getting feedback from knowledgeable audience. These seminars are networking gold—attendees include influential China scholars, policymakers considering China strategies, journalists, businesspeople.

Mentorship and Collaboration (10-15%): Work with GCI directors and senior researchers for guidance on your project. These aren’t your formal advisors (you might still have a dissertation chair elsewhere) but experienced scholars who can provide strategic advice, methodological suggestions, or connections to relevant people/resources.

Writing and Publications (5-10%): Many fellows produce GCI working papers, blog posts for GCI platforms, or policy briefs based on their research. This provides publication outlet and wider dissemination beyond traditional academic channels.

Boston Academic Community (Flexible): Attend talks at Harvard’s Fairbank Center, MIT’s China programs, Tufts Fletcher School, etc. Boston’s concentration of China scholars is unique; take advantage.

Funding and Practical Details

What Funding Typically Covers:

• Stipend or salary: Amount varies by fellowship type. PhD candidates might receive $25,000-35,000 for academic year; postdocs closer to $50,000-60,000; practitioners varies based on arrangements.
• Research expenses: Conference travel, research materials, potentially field work (within reasonable limits)
• Health insurance: Often included for longer fellowships
• Office space and resources: Workspace at GCI, library access, technology

What Usually Isn’t Covered:

• Housing in Boston (you arrange and pay for this separately, though BU can advise)
• All living expenses beyond stipend
• Dependent support (if bringing family)
• Visa fees (for international fellows)

Boston Cost of Living Reality: Boston is expensive. Studio apartments run $1,800-2,500/month. If fellowship provides $30,000 stipend for 9-10 months, that’s about $3,000/month. After rent ($2,000+), plus food, transport, and basics, it’s tight. Many fellows:

• Find roommates to reduce housing costs
• Live in more affordable neighborhoods (Allston, Brighton, Somerville) rather than expensive Boston areas
• Budget carefully
• Sometimes supplement with savings or other funding

Make sure the financial package genuinely works for your situation before accepting.

Application Materials and Process

Research Proposal: Typically 5-10 pages outlining your research question, methodology, timeline, and expected outputs during fellowship.

CV/Resume: Academic CV highlighting your education, research experience, publications, language skills, and relevant professional experience.

Writing Sample: Published article or dissertation chapter demonstrating your research and writing abilities on China-related topics.

Recommendation Letters: Usually 2-3 letters from scholars or professionals who can speak to your research capabilities and potential.

Statement Explaining Fit: Why GCI specifically, how the fellowship advances your work, what you hope to contribute.

Language Documentation (if relevant): If your research requires Chinese language skills, provide evidence (coursework, HSK scores, research conducted in Chinese).

Application Process:

1. Check GCI website for current fellowship opportunities and deadlines
2. Prepare complete application materials
3. Submit through specified process (usually email to GCI or online form)
4. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed (often via video for international applicants)
5. Decisions typically 2-4 months after deadline

After the Fellowship: What Comes Next

Academic Track: Many PhD fellows complete dissertations during or shortly after fellowship, then move to academic positions. GCI fellowship on CV signals serious China research credentials. Postdoc fellows often use GCI year to publish, build networks, and position for tenure-track jobs.

Policy/Practice Track: Practitioner fellows often return to their organizations with deeper expertise, new networks, and research-based insights that inform their work. Some transition between sectors (academia to NGO, NGO to international organization, etc.).

Publication: Many fellows produce GCI working papers, journal articles based on fellowship research, or policy reports. The dedicated research time and feedback from GCI community accelerate publication pipelines.

Network: The connections you build—with other fellows, GCI faculty, Boston-area scholars, visiting speakers—often endure long after the fellowship, providing collaborators, references, and professional community.

Common Questions

Do I need Chinese language fluency? Not always. Depends on your research. If analyzing Chinese-language policy documents or conducting interviews in China, yes. If doing quantitative analysis of existing databases or studying China’s engagement in English-speaking countries, maybe not. Be honest about language skills and ensure your proposed research is feasible with your capabilities.

Can I apply from outside the U.S.? Yes, international applicants welcome. You’ll need to arrange appropriate visa (typically J-1 for scholars or F-1 for students).

Do I need to be in Boston full-time? Generally yes for academic-year fellowships. Shorter fellowships might allow some flexibility. Discuss with GCI if you have specific constraints.

What if my research needs fieldwork? Depending on fellowship length, you might combine residential time at BU with field research periods. Discuss in your proposal how you’d structure this.

Can I use the fellowship to teach? Some postdoc fellowships include teaching opportunities at BU, but this varies. If teaching experience matters for your career goals, mention this in your application.

What’s the acceptance rate? Varies by year and available funding, but generally competitive. Strong China research credentials, clear project, and good fit significantly improve your chances.

How to Apply for Global China Fellows Program 2026-27

First, thoroughly review the Global China Initiative website: www.bu.edu/gdp → navigate to Global China Initiative → Fellows Program section.

Second, assess fit. Does your research align with GCI’s three pillars? Are you at appropriate career stage? Would residential fellowship at BU advance your work?

Third, identify which fellowship type suits you (dissertation, postdoc, practitioner, visiting scholar) and check current availability and deadlines.

Fourth, develop your research proposal. Be specific, realistic, and compelling. Get feedback from advisors or colleagues before finalizing.

Fifth, assemble complete application materials. Start early—recommendation letters, writing samples, and proposal drafts take time.

Finally, submit complete application by deadline. Late or incomplete applications typically aren’t considered.

For questions about specific fellowship opportunities, eligibility, or application process, contact the Global China Initiative at [email protected]. They’re generally responsive to substantive inquiries.

The Global China Fellows Program offers a valuable opportunity to advance serious research on China’s growing global role while embedded in a leading U.S. research center with strong networks across academia, policy, and practice. If you’re at the right career stage and conducting relevant research, the fellowship can provide both intellectual community and practical support to significantly advance your scholarly or professional trajectory.