Academia Sinica — Taiwan's national academy and top research institution — runs 14 English-language PhD programs with leading Taiwanese universities, paying a monthly fellowship (NT$34,000–40,000) with zero application fee. You train in Academia Sinica's labs in Taipei and earn your doctorate from a partner university like NTU or NTHU.
Why it is notable: a rare Asia-based PhD that pays a Western-competitive stipend with no application fee and no advisor required up front; TIGP is 14 separate programs, each with its own page and slightly different requirements — the central application system is authoritative when pages disagree.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Monthly fellowship: NT$34,000/month first year (central FAQ), extendable 2–3 years on good performance; program pages quote up to NT$40,000/month (34,000 tax-free + 6,000) — confirm your program's page
Tuition: NOT waived — but Academia Sinica subsidizes the international premium for 5 consecutive years so you pay the domestic rate (~NT$28,000–31,000/semester for the first four semesters, then ~NT$16,000–20,000)
No application fee
Performance extras: Rising Star (+NT$6,000/month × 3 years), Research Performance (+NT$6,000/month × 1 year), Presidential (+NT$16,000/month, max 4 awards), PhD Supplemental Stipend (+NT$16,000/month post-qualifying-exam), travel grants
After the fellowship period: support from the thesis advisor (taxable)
(Housing: affordable on-campus dormitory available at Academia Sinica; outside work is NOT permitted.)
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor PhD (Master's preferred; strong Bachelor's holders considered by some programs)
This fellowship is offered for PhD programs — you need a Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in science, engineering, arts or a related discipline (most programs accept strong BS-only applicants; some admit via a Master's-to-PhD track).
Who can apply
international applicants worldwide (TIGP targets non-Taiwan applicants; check your chosen program's page for any nationality notes).
Experience
No experience required, but strong academic background and research motivation are expected.
Language Certificate
English proficiency required — TOEFL iBT ~79–80, IELTS Academic 5.5+, TOEIC 785+, or GEPT High-Intermediate (per program; scores within the last 2 years). Waiver available if from an English-speaking country, highest degree fully taught in English, or 2+ years full-time study at an English-instruction institution. GRE General required by some programs (e.g. Nano — substitutable with other competency evidence).
Other Certificates
graduation certificates + transcripts (English); passport; ARC if applicable.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
eligible = international applicants worldwide. (Some aggregators state Taiwan/China/Hong Kong exclusions — not confirmed on the official pages viewed; check…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Degree
Bachelor's and/or Master's in a relevant discipline; strong BS-only applicants accepted by most programs.
02
Language
English proficiency (TOEFL iBT ~79–80 / IELTS 5.5+ / TOEIC 785+ / GEPT High-Intermediate), within 2 years; waiver rules published per program.
03
Documents
the full package above; 2–3 recommendation letters via the online portal (one should be from your advisor); hard copies mailed ONLY after passing preliminary evaluation.
04
One program
a single TIGP program application per cycle.
05
Fee
none — the application is free.
06
Conduct
no outside employment during the fellowship; select a thesis advisor before the end of year one.
Document checklist
01(1) online application
02(2) graduation certificates (English)
03(3) transcripts
04(4) passport
05(5) English proficiency certificate (≤2 years old)
06(6) 3 recommendation letters incl. one from your advisor (program-dependent: 2–3)
07(7) CV
08(8) statement of purpose / plan for graduate study
09(9) thesis abstract + advisor name/website
10(10) GRE scores (some programs)
11(11) publications etc. (optional).
Application fee
No fee — completely free ("TIGP requires no application fee" — official FAQ).
Visa, kept concise: Visa type: Resident Visa for doctoral study; ARC within 15 days of arrival.
Application Procedure
6 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Choose your ONE TIGP program and read
its own page carefully (GRE rules, reference-letter counts and language bars differ).
→
02
Check your English certificate is within 2
years of the 1 Feb 2027 deadline (or request a medium-of-instruction waiver certificate from your registrar early).
→
03
When the window opens (1 Nov 2026)
create your account at https://tigp.apps.sinica.edu.tw — online application + online recommendation portal ONLY; no fee.
↓
06
Preliminary evaluation → mail hard-copy transcripts/language scores
ONLY if you pass → interviews (Feb–Apr) → offers May–Jun 2027 → enrollment fall 2027.
←
05
Submit before 1 Feb 2027
23:59 GMT+8.
←
04
Enter referees' details FIRST (they can only
access the recommendation portal after you do).
Application milestones
1 Feb 2027
Application deadline
1 Nov 2026
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official Academia Sinica + partner universities platform.
What is the 2027 deadline? A: 1 February 2027, 23:59 GMT+8 — the window runs 1 November 2026 – 1 February 2027 through the official online system.How much is the fellowship? A: The central FAQ states NT$34,000/month for the first year, extendable 2–3 years on good performance. Several program pages quote NT$40,000/month (NT$34,000 tax-free + NTIs tuition waived? A: No — a common misconception. Academia Sinica subsidizes the international premium for 5 years so you pay the domestic rate (~NT$28,000–31,000/semester initially).Is there an application fee? A: No — "TIGP requires no application fee."Do I need to find an advisor before applying? A: Usually not — applications are evaluated by committees; you must select a thesis advisor before the end of your first year.Can I work part-time? A: No — outside work is not permitted during the fellowship, on or off campus.Can I apply to more than one TIGP program? A: No — one program per cycle. Note that program pages sometimes lag the central system on dates/requirements; the central application system rules.What happens after the 3-year fellowship? A: Support comes from your thesis advisor (taxable) — ask prospective advisors about years 3–5 funding before you commit.
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Taiwan · Academia Sinica + partner universities