Program Introduction
UCAS International Summer School (UCASISS) aims to provide international young talents with an authentic and engaging experience of graduate study at UCAS. UCASISS 2025 will be jointly hosted by the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO), and Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), with the theme “Earth Science for a Shared Future”. This initiative embodies the concept of Open Science, striving to make science more accessible, inclusive, and equitable for the benefit of all.
Here, you will embark on a journey to explore cutting-edge research in Earth Science at UCAS colleges and the institutes of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), you will join a community of young talents converging to tackle global challenges, supported by world-leading laboratories, state-of-the-art research facilities, and top-tier research teams, including post-docs from around the world.
We look forward to bringing together global young talents to collectively address global challenges for a shared future.
Program Duration
• Online coursework (ZOOM): June 25th (Wednesday) - July 1st (Tuesday), lasting 7 days
The schedule for online coursework will be emailed to all applicants by mid-May 2025. We warmly welcome anyone interested in our topics to join our online courses. Please note that attendance is limited and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Onsite research project: July 5th (Sunday) - 11th (Saturday), lasting 7 days
Onsite research projects will be conducted at the following host institutions. Applicants must choose one institution when submitting their application. The detailed agenda for the onsite research project will be emailed to selected participants by their host institutes before May 31st, 2025. Participants are advised to take a direct flight to the cities where their host institutions are located.
Beijing:
1. College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, UCAS
2. College of Resources and Environment, UCAS
3. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS
4. Institute of Geology and Geophysics, CAS
5. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS
6. Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS
Note: Student should register at UCAS Yanqihu Campus.
Nanjing
7. Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, CAS
Note: Student should register at their chosen institution.
Xi’an
8. Institute of Earth Environment, CAS
Note: Student should register at their chosen institution.
Program Highlights
• Attend lectures on the latest advances in Earth Sciences;
• Participate in the Doctoral Student Forum, share academic achievements with students from China and around the world;
• Conduct research in state-of-the-art labs;
• Collaborate with a research team under the guidance of exceptional scientists;
• Visit advanced research facilities;
• Immerse in local Chinese cultural activities.
Qualifications
1. Must be registered as a full-time graduate, undergraduate or doctoral student at your home university;
2. Must have completed at least 2 years undergraduate studies at home university by the start of onsite project (July, 2025);
3. Should have a background in Earth science, Environmental science, Ecology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Mechanics, or related fields;
4. Excellent academic record with a passion in the frontier research in Earth Sciences;
5. Fluent in English.
Priority provided to:
1. Applicants from APRU members, ANSO members and UCAS international partners;
2. Applicants with scientific research experience and a willingness to apply for master’s or doctoral degree at UCAS.
Benefits
1. Support from ANSO and UCAS, covering tuition waivers, registration fees, local accommodation, meals and health insurance;
2. A certain amount of international travel subsidy provided by APRU and UCAS for students come from APRU members and excellent students after review. (See here for APRU member list) 3. Experience in frontier scientific research and traditional Chinese culture;
4. Outstanding international participants will be prioritized for full scholarship to support their graduate study at UCAS;
5. Certificate of Participation;
6. Outstanding presenters at the Doctoral Student Forum will receive honorary certificates.
Application
1. Application Deadline: April 30th, 2025
3. Admission Batches:
(1) First batch: April 15th, 2025
(2) Second batch: May 5th, 2025
4. Application Materials
(1) A scanned copy of the passport’s personal information page (valid for at least six months);
(2) Electronic copy of a recent two-inch half-length bareheaded and full-face passport photo;
(3) Latest academic transcript issued by the home institution;
(4) Recommendation letter from an associate professor or higher;
(5) Certificate of highest degree (Optional);
(6) Transcript of highest degree (Optional);
(7) Study certificate (Optional);
(8) Proof of English proficiency (If have; not required for native English speakers or student from APRU partner universities);
(9) First page and abstract of published academic papers (Optional).
Contact Information
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Contact: Bai Qiwei
International Students Office, UCAS
Program Coordinator
Tel: +86-10-62522162
Email: baiqiwei@ucas.ac.cn
College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, UCAS
Contact: Wang Xi
College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, UCAS
Secretary of International Affairs
Tel: +86-10-88256447
Email: wangxi@ucas.ac.cn
College of Resources and Environment, UCAS
Contact: Jia Ping
College of Resources and Environment, UCAS
Coordinator of Education Department
Tel: +861352088911
Email: jiaping@ucas.ac.cn
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS
Contact: Hu Yanzi
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS
International Student Coordinator
Tel: +8618810982058, +86-10-64889425
Email: huyz@igsnrr.ac.cn
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS
Contact: Fu Shan
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS
Coordinator of Education Department
Tel: +86-10-62849161
Email: fushan@rcees.ac.cn
Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS
Contact: Liu Wenwen
Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS
Coordinator of Education Department
Tel: +86-10-84249467, +8613552125867
Email: liuww@itpcas.ac.cn
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, CAS
Contact: Song Yuhuan
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, CAS
Director of Education Department
Tel: +86-10-82998233
Email: yhsong@mail.iggcas.ac.cn
Institute of Earth Environment, CAS (Xi’an)
Contact: Dr. Ai Li
Institute of Earth Environment, CAS
Assoc. prof of Paleo Environment Division
Tel: +86-29-62336236, +8613519128520
Email: aili@ieecas.cn
Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, CAS (Nanjing)
Contact: LUO Xiaoyan
Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, CAS
Education Director
Phone: +86-25-83282201
Fax: 0086-25-83357026
Email: xyluo@nigpas.ac.cn
About ANSO
The Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO) is a non-profit, non-governmental international scientific organization established in 2018 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 36 other international science and education institutions worldwide. ANSO came into being under the principles of “extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits” as championed by the Belt and Road Initiative.
ANSO is committed to promoting shared and sustainable development as well as supporting the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) through catalyzing and implementing concrete international cooperation initiatives in Science, Technology, Innovation and Capacity Building (STIC). ANSO focuses on addressing the most urgent regional and global scientific challenges related to sustainability, including strengthening the scientific capacity of the Global South through partnerships and collaboration with member countries and institutions.
About APRU
As a network of leading universities linking the Americas, Asia, and Australasia, APRU (the Association of Pacific Rim Universities) brings together thought leaders, researchers, and policy-makers to exchange ideas and collaborate on practical solutions to the challenges of the 21st century. We leverage our members’ collective education and research capabilities into the international public policy process. In the post-pandemic era, our strategic priorities focus on: 1. providing a neutral platform for high-level policy dialogue; 2. exploring innovative solutions for a sustainable future; and 3. supporting diversity, inclusion, and minorities. APRU’s primary activities support these strategic priorities, focusing on critical areas such as disaster risk reduction, women in leadership, indigenous knowledge, virtual student exchange, global health, sustainable cities, artificial intelligence, and more.
About UCAS
UCAS, formerly named Graduate School of CAS, was the first graduate school in China. In 2014, UCAS started enrolling undergraduate students, and since then an intact higher educational system has been established. Being the largest graduate education institution in China, UCAS has over 70,000 ongoing students, and near half of them are doctoral students. With strong support from CAS institutes all over China, UCAS espouses the philosophy of “The Fusion of Scientific Research and Teaching” as its basic system of education. The disciplines represented at UCAS include all fields of natural science and over 60% of engineering. According to the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) report released in January 2025, UCAS ranked No. 1 in China and No 16 worldwide with 7 disciplines in the top 0.01%, 14 disciplines in the top 0.1% and all in the top 1% among the 22 ESI disciplines.
UCAS has established close partnership with over 100 world-renowned universities and research institutes. Based on CAS overseas institutions, UCAS is building overseas joint centers for education and research to promote capacity building on B&R. UCAS is responsible for the enrollment and management of the master’s and doctoral candidates of the ANSO Scholarship Program, Chinese Government Scholarship and UCAS Scholarship for International Students.
Tel: 86-10-84097121
Email: anso-public@anso.org.cn
Location：No.16 Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
