The 2026MOFCOM Scholarship, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, is an aid program dedicated to providing advanced study opportunities in diverse fields for developing countries, aiming to strengthen their human resource capacity.

     I. Program Types

    This scholarship is open to applicants seeking postgraduate studies (Master’s and doctoral degrees). Please review the application guidelines carefully before registration.

    1.MOFCOM Direct—Admission Program (MOFCOM—40)

    〇 40projects led by MOFCOM. Each applicant should apply for one project only.

    〇 Project list: Appendix 1.

    〇 Details and application guidelines: 

      https://www.china-aibo.cn/en/info/1005/1497.htm     

   〇 Note: Contact information for target universities is available in admission brochure of each university via the above link.

    2.MOFCOM—China Scholarship Council (CSC) Joint Program

    〇 Applicants can take 2026programMajor list(Appendix 2) for pre—selection reference.

  〇Applicants must register at https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/#/login , select 3 target universities/majors (institution code: 00010), and follow university—specific application portals.

    II. Eligibility Criteria

    1.Basic Requirements (for master’s/doctoral applicants):

    Identity & Experience: Senior officials of the Sierra Leonean government, university faculty, or corporate executives (age≤ 45, having ≥3 years of work experience).

    Academic Background: Bachelor’s degree (master’s applicants), master’s degree (doctoral applicants).

    Health:Applicantsshould be in good health andmust undergo a physical examination at the 34th Military Hospital or Jui Hospital, and the medical examination form must be signed and verified by a Chinese doctor.

    Academic Performance: Minimum GPA ≥3.25 (4—point scale) or ≥4.0 (5—point scale).

    2.Priority Criteria:

    HSK Level 3 or higher (Chinese proficiency will be an advantage).

    3.Eligibility Period:

    To ensure fairness and inclusivity in the allocation of Chinese Government Scholarships and to benefit more students from Sierra Leone, applicants who have received any type of Chinese Government scholarship funding within the past three years are not eligible for the MOFCOM Scholarship this time. For example: Scholarship recipients who are scheduled to graduate from a Chinese university in 2026 will not be eligible to apply for the 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship Program. Such students may reapply for various Chinese Government-funded degree scholarship programs after returning to Sierra Leone and working full-time for a full three years. Students who graduated in 2023 or earlier and have previously received funding from any Chinese Government scholarship program are eligible to apply for the 2026 MOFCOM program.

    III. Application Procedures

    1.Project Selection & University Contact

    MOFCOM—40: Contact university contacts listed in the admission brochure. Submit materials to designated emails and complete online—registration for university application portals (if applicable).

    MOFCOM—CSC:Search for university international admissions contactsIndependently(e.g., ”University Name + International College”). Submit materials to university emails andcomplete onlineregistration for both https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/#/login and university portals.

    2.Submission to the Embassy

    MOFCOM—40: ByMay 12, 2026—Email materials (PDF) + Appendix 3 should be sent to sl@mofcom.gov.cn, with the mail subject as: “MOFCOM—40, GPA and Scale(e.g., 3.25/4.0), Applicant Name, WhatsApp Number”.

    MOFCOM—CSC:By May 12, 2026—Email materials (PDF) + Appendix 3 should should be sent to sl@mofcom.gov.cn, with the mail subject as:: “MOFCOM—CSC, GPAand Scale(e.g., 3.25/4), Applicant Name, WhatsApp Number”.

    3.Embassy Interview

    Shortlisted applicants will be notified via email/phone (Late May,2026), please bring the original copies of your applicationmaterials with you on the day of the interview. Uninvited applicants are automatically disqualified.

    4.Recommendation List

    The Embassy will submit a confidential shortlist to China based on academic and interview performance . No inquiries about the list will be entertained.

    5.Admission Results

    Will be announced around July—August2026. Successful applicants will receive visa assistance.

    IV. Required Documents (PDF Format)

    1.Application form (university—specific or MOFCOM—CSC form).

    2.Two recommendation letters:One from your employer (government department/institution/company), and one from an academic professor.

   3.Degree certificate (bachelor’s/master’s)—stamped by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

    4.Transcript with GPA score—same authentication as above.

    5.Personal statement (including study/research plan≥1,000 words).

    6.Foreigner Physical Examination Form (Appendix 3,Physical check at34th Military Hospitalor Jui hospital, Chinese physician signature required).

    7.Passport copy (valid ≥18 months; cannotbe official/diplomatic passports).

    8.Resume/CV.

    9.Police clearance (no criminal record).

    10.Applicant Information Form (Appendix 4).

    V. Points for attention

    1.Incomplete/overdue applications: Rejected.

    2.Embassy role: Recommend qualified applicants.The final admission decisionrests with the university’s admissioncommittee.

    3.Documentation required for the scholarship program is submitted only via email and online system, and applicants should properly keep the hard copies by themselves.

    4.No in—person meetings with Embassy staff during recruitment.

    5. All applicants are urged to act with integrity; in previous years, there have been cases where degrees were revoked due to falsified transcripts.

    Download Attachments: 

Appendix 1-MOFCOM— 40 Program List.xlsx

Appendix 4- Application Informantion Form.xls

Appendix 3-Foreigner Physical Examination Form.pdf

Appendix 2- MOFCOM-CSC Reference List.pdf

Appendix 5- MOFCOM—CSC Portal Manual.pdf

    Issued by the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone

    Contact:sl@mofcom.gov.cn