Fully Funded Boston University Global China Fellows Program 2026 in the USA

The Global China Initiative (GCI) at Boston University, USA, invites applications for its prestigious Global China Fellows Program. This fully-funded fellowship supports scholars and practitioners from around the world in conducting policy-oriented research.

The program’s primary objective is to deepen the understanding of China’s multifaceted engagement in the global system, with a particular focus on its international economic activities. 

Fellows will be integrated into the research community at Boston University, working in partnership with GCI researchers to enhance their analytical and methodological skills. Ultimately, the Global China Fellows Program seeks to foster a new generation of experts who can contribute significantly to policy-relevant scholarship on China’s global presence.

Details About the Global China Fellows Program 2026 at Boston University, USA

• Country: United States
• Institution: Boston University – Global Development Policy Center (GDP)
• Organized By: Global China Initiative (GCI)
•  Program Name: Global China Fellows (GCF)
•  Funding: Fully Funded
• Deadline: December 19, 2025

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GCI Work Streams

Participants in the program will join a collaborative, global network. Fellows will work with researchers from the Global Development Policy (GDP) Center, Boston University faculty, and partner institutions in the Global South to conduct policy-focused research on China’s international economic activities.

Each Fellow will be strategically paired with a BU faculty member or a GDP Center Senior Academic Researcher to focus on one of the four core research streams:

• D.A.T.A.: Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability
• FAIR-BRI: Forestry, Agriculture, Indigenous Rights, and the Belt and Road Initiative
• Energy and Climate
• CHIFA: China and the International Financial Architecture

The Global China Fellows Program has a proven commitment to bridging academic research with real-world policymaking, ensuring that the work directly supports informed and effective policy decisions.

Financial Benefits

Selected fellows will receive the following support:

• Competitive stipend

• Funding for data collection
• Coverage of fieldwork expenses
• Relocation support

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Eligibility Criteria

• Open to applicants from all countries with no geographical restrictions.
• Must be able to travel to the United States for in-person participation.
• Eligible to obtain a J-1 visa.
• Pre-doctoral candidates must have completed qualifying exams and successfully defended their dissertation proposal.
• Post-doctoral candidates must have defended their dissertation by August 2026.
• Must show a strong research background and interest in China’s overseas economic activities and global institutional engagement.

Where Are GCI Fellows Now?

Previous fellows have gone on to secure prestigious academic and research positions at leading institutions, including:

• Peking University
• University of Denver
• Overseas Development Institute
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following materials:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter (1–2 pages) outlining academic background, research interests, and relevant experience
• Working Paper Proposal (1–2 pages) detailing research questions, methodology, plan, and significance
• Contact details of two references

How to Apply for the Global China Fellows (GCF) Program

Interested candidates should compile all required documents into a single PDF file and email it to the Global China Initiative Team at gci@bu.edu. Use the following subject line for your application:

APPLY FOR THE GLOBAL CHINA FELLOWS PROGRAM