Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for its inaugural class of scholars, set to matriculate in June of 2016. Schwarzman Scholars is a highly selective, one year Master’s degree program based at Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of China’s top academic institutions. As a landmark scholarship for the defining challenge of our time, it is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders for the geopolitical landscape of the 21st Century.

The scholarship is fully-funded for all participants, including travel costs and a personal stipend, and is supported by the program’s endowment. This unparalleled opportunity will be extended to 100 students in its first year and 200 students each year thereafter, with 45% of scholars coming from the United States, 20% from China, and 35% from the rest of the world. The program is open to students and young professionals between the ages of 18 and 28 years old, regardless of nationality, who are proficient in English and have obtained an undergraduate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.

Schwarzman Scholars has received widespread international attention from prospective students, donors and the press, including having been described by The Economist as “a testament to China’s place as a new center of gravity” and by the Financial Times as “a groundbreaking initiative” that will support a new generation of leaders as they learn to overcome differences and lead with confidence and sensitivity.

With the application now live on schwarzmanscholars.org, the rigorous selection process commences. In addition to evaluating applicants’ proven intellectual and academic ability, the admissions process is heavily focused on evaluating applicants’ leadership potential, strength of character, ability to anticipate paradigm changes, and desire to understand other cultures, perspectives and positions. Those selected will have demonstrated their potential to not only benefit from but also contribute to the Schwarzman Scholars program. Finalists will be invited to an in-person regional interview.

Based at Tsinghua University, the most highly ranked mainland university in multiple global rankings, the program is led by one of China’s leading economists, David Daouki Li. The program’s academic curriculum was crafted by some of the most talented academic leaders from prestigious universities globally including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and Oxford. In addition to a core curriculum, scholars will focus on one of three academic disciplines: public policy, economics and business, or international studies. The program has recruited a group of leading scholars from Tsinghua University as well as visiting scholars from leading institutions around the world.

Beyond the classroom, scholars will gain unrivaled exposure to China and a broader network of important relationships through prestigious internships, mentorship opportunities, distinguished speakers and extensive travel throughout China aligned with their academic concentrations and professional interests. Scholars will be provided with career services support, giving them access to the best career opportunities and global network both while in Beijing and after they graduate. This combination of coursework and real-life experience will provide students with the first-hand, in-depth understanding of China critically important to lead in the 21st Century.

All scholars will study and reside at Schwarzman College, a newly constructed state-of-the-art campus at Tsinghua University, designed to encourage close friendships, cross-cultural connections, and intellectual exchange. When completed, Schwarzman College will be the first academic building in China with both LEED Gold and China Green building Label 2-Star certification.

Officially launched in October of 2014, Schwarzman Scholars’ recruitment effort is building momentum globally. Last fall, official launch events were hosted in four major cities to officially introduce the program to university fellowship offices, journalists and important guests around the world.

The application can be found on the Schwarzman Scholars website, and must be submitted by October 1, 2015. Successful candidates will be notified of their acceptance in late-November of 2015.