How to Apply

Applications for the CSC 2027 program are not yet open.

All application instructions and guidance are tentative and may change until the competition opens for applications. 

Please review the CSC Program Dates & Deadlines before proceeding.

Please follow these steps to apply:

  1. Please review the eligibility criteria before starting an application. 
  2. To review available projects and apply for them, please navigate to the Horizons application system in a web browser. 
    • Click on the "Research Internships in Alberta" button in the top right-hand corner of the page, then click the same to the pop-up message.
    • On the Search Programs website page, look at the Results section. Click on the hyperlinked research project title (under Program Info) to review project details. The project title will start with (CSC 2027) in front of the research project name to indicate it is specifically for eligible Chinese applicants to apply to.
    • Please read Project Titles carefully - do NOT apply for (Araucaria GWS) projects, as those may also be open and accepting applications during the same time period, but have different eligibility requirements.
      • Your application will be discarded if you select a project title that begins with (Araucaria GWS) and you are ineligible, as there is no way for us to transfer your application to be CSC instead.
  3. You may apply for a maximum of three (3) research projects that you are interested in and qualified for. Please be sure to review the Academic Backgrounds section of the project listing for the qualifications that the host professor is looking for.
  4. Register to apply for CSC by clicking on the "Incoming Student Registration" button at the bottom of the description page of the first research project you are interested in applying to. You will be prompted to create an account and set a password.
    • Do not click on the "I need to register for an account" link located in the top-right of the page.
    • Use your home university-provided email address for your account to help prove that you are a current student at an eligible Chinese institution. Please ensure you've spelled your email address correctly.
    • Please enter your family name and given name in English alphabet characters (pinyin) only. 
  5. After your account is created, you will log into the Horizons system using your new account information and complete the application.
    • Please note that each applicant must only have one application/account. 
  6. In the application you must provide the following: 
    • Program Selection
      • You will then be able to click the Add Item button to select more than one research project. Please indicate your project preference/ranking in the application forms (1st Choice being your top preference, 2nd Choice being your second preference, etc.).
    • Application Documents
      • Cover Letter (Statement of Intent)
        • One-page explanation of which research skills you would like to practice and use by participating in this program. Tell us how you meet the academic and project requirements. What are your scholarly interests and how are they a good fit for the research project(s). How would participating in this research experience fit into your future plans?
        • Please keep this cover letter general enough to be relevant for the 1-3 research projects you are able to apply to.
        • Please note, wanting to come to Canada is naturally assumed since these research internships are in-person only and not virtual, so please detail the specific reasons why both the University of Alberta's research facilities and the chosen host professors' project(s) and research subject(s) appears to be a good match for your skills and scholarly interests.
      • Resumé/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
        • One to two page document listing your academic, scholarly, and/or work experience(s) and accomplishments.
      • Academic Transcripts
        • Official grades for courses or credits earned, issued by your University, with an accompanying official English translation
        • Saved as ONE document attachment
      • Academic reference letter
        • A one-page signed letter from an instructor, university professor, or previous research supervisor who can attest to your knowledge of the research area you are applying for and how you are a suitable candidate.
  7. Once you are finished applying, click on the "Submit Your Application" button. The system will confirm that your application has been submitted.
    • Please contact us BEFORE the application deadline if there is a technical issue and we will work towards a resolution.
  8. After submitting your application, during the application evaluation and selection period, please refrain from sending emails inquiring about results of the program placements. Please refer to the timelines indicated in the CSC program dates & deadlines section, which will be updated if there are any changes to the anticipated release date of results. 
  9. Successful candidates will receive notification of results BY EMAIL outside of the Horizons Symplicity application system.
    • Please be sure that the primary home university email address you've entered in the application system is spelled correctly and checked frequently.
    • Unsuccessful candidates will receive notification of results in due course following the acceptance of successful candidates.