CEAPS is pleased to announce a new scholarship opportunity for U of I students to study Mandarin in Taiwan. The University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT) Mandarin Scholarship offers financial support for summer language study hosted by the National Tsing Hua University (NTHU).
The University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT)
The University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT), established by The Ministry of Education of Taiwan (R.O.C.), aims to bring key universities in Taiwan together for facilitating the exchange and circulation of top international talents between universities in Taiwan and overseas universities. The collaboration pinpoints the disciplines ranging from semiconductors, quantum science, artificial intelligence and data science, sustainable development, agricultural biotechnology, and Mandarin education, etc.
The UAAT Mandarin Scholarship Program
The UAAT Mandarin Scholarship Program provides students from the University of Illinois System with the opportunity to study Mandarin and gain career insights in Taiwan. The program hosted by the National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan. Other university partners in Taiwan include National Taiwan University (NTU), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST).
The UAAT Mandarin Scholarship Program at Illinois is administered by the NTHU-UAAT Mandarin Language Education Program Liaison Office for the UI System and the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, in partnership with the LAS International Programs at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the Office of Global Engagement at University of Illinois Chicago.
Scholarship Benefits:
- Awarded students will receive a stipend of NT$28,000 per month (approximately USD930, subject to the exchange rate) for a total of 3 months during the summer term.
- The scholarship can cover the entire cost of tuition for the Chinese language courses offered by NTHU CLC, the dormitory fee, the internet fee in campus, and the administration fee charged by Office of Global Affairs.
- The scholarship will be granted on a monthly basis.
Flight Ticket Subsidy:
- Students will be granted the subsidy of round-trip flight tickets for the economy class on the designated flight between Chicago and Taiwan only if they have either
- completed 120 hours of preparatory Mandarin course offered by UAAT Liaison Office in the UI System , OR
- obtained a certificate for the TOCFL-Novice Listening and Reading Test at the Novice 2 level or higher before visiting Taiwan (the certificate is valid for 3 years; see the TOCFL exam dates at: https://tocfl.edu.tw)
Qualification:
- A person who is not a citizen of Taiwan.
- A student enrolled at a UI system institute, including those currently on a leave.
- A person who has not received a scholarship from the Huayu BEST Program or the UAAT Mandarin Program for more than 9 months (the maximum scholarship duration is 12 months).
- If awarded students are verified to be ineligible, their scholarship will be revoked and they must return all the funds received during their period of study in Taiwan.
Obligations:
Awarded students should
- Take NTHU Mandarin course for 15 hours per week and maintain an 80% attendance rate each month
- Participate in the Youth English Cultivation activities and Project-based Language Learning (PBLL) activities during their stay at NTHU
- Take the TOCFL speedy screening test before leaving Taiwan (for students staying no more than 3 months)
- Submit a brief report of academic life before leaving Taiwan
Application Process
We are now accepting applications for the Summer 2026 Program! Awarded students will be able to receive support to take Mandarin courses offered by the Chinese Language Center (CLC) at NTHU.
Step 1: Complete Campus My Study Abroad Application for University Academic Alliance in Taiwan (UAAT) Mandarin Program - National Tsing Hua University (due October 15, 2025, 11:59 pm CT). LAS advisor Ana Garner will review your application. You will need to schedule an advising appointment with her to discuss your application. (The advising appointment requirement is waived for students who have completed this requirement at September info sessions.)
Step 2: Complete Post-acceptance NTHU-UAAT Mandarin Scholarship Application (October 16 - November 2, 2025)
After you have been recommended by Illinois, you will receive instructions to apply for the NTHU-UAAT Mandarin Scholarship Program. NTHU will evaluate the qualification of applicants and interview all qualified candidates. NTHU will announce awarded applicants by November 7, 2025.
Step 3: For airfare support, complete the 120-hr beginner Mandarin course (November 12, 2025 – April 29, 2026; 3 hours course + 3 hours language partner per week) taught by NTHU visiting teaching fellow at CEAPS, OR pass TOCFL requirement before summer departure. (A TOCFL test will be held in Chicago in early December. The estimated testing fee is $30-50 USD.)