How to Apply
Thank you for your interest. Applications for the CSC 2025 program are now closed.
Please review the Important Dates section of our website for the current year application dates and deadlines.
Please follow these steps to apply:
- Please review the eligibility criteria and important dates before starting an application.
- To apply for a project, you can access the Horizons application system HERE (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 2025) in front of the research project name to indicate it is specifically for Chinese applicants to apply to.
- Please read Project Titles carefully - do NOT apply for UARE projects, as those may also open and accepting applications during the same time period but have different eligibility requirements. Your application will NOT be transferable to a CSC-listed project if you select a project title that begins with (UARE).
- 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.
- 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 it correctly and check the account frequently for any messages from us.
- Please enter your family name and given name in English alphabet characters (pinyin) only.
- 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 should only have one application/account. 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 why you would like to participate in that specific research project and how you meet the academic and project requirements and why you are a good fit for the research project(s). 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 reasons why both the University of Alberta's research facilities and the chosen host professors' project(s) appears to be a good match for your skills and scholarly interests.
- Resume/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
- Please save this all together as ONE document attachment
- Contact information for two (2) academic and/or professional references
- They will each receive an electronic reference form sent by email to fill out.
- At least one reference must be academic, such as a teacher or university professor who can attest to your knowledge of the research area you are applying for and how you meet or exceed the eligibility requirements.
- Professional references can include a supervisor for paid or unpaid work.
- Please instruct your referees to check their junk/spam folder first if they do not appear to receive an email from the Horizons application system.
- You may add additional referees above and beyond the two required if you are unsure if someone will respond in time. There is no penalty for receiving two complete references from three potential referees.
- Please ensure that your references are aware of the deadline, and have enough time to electronically complete their recommendations ahead of the deadline.
- Please do not submit your application until you can see in your application that two (2) referees have completed their references.
- Cover Letter (Statement of Intent)
- Program Selection
- Once both references are received, 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 an issue with one of your references completing their recommendation for you in time, and we will work towards a resolution.
- After submitting your application, during the application evaluation and selection period, please refrain from sending emails inquiring about results of the program placements before the timelines indicated in the important dates section. Applications are processed as quickly and consistently as possible, but there may be case-by-case delays. As such, comparing your application result(s) to your friend(s) or peer(s) will likely result in disappointment, as they may find out before you do and it does not mean that your application or their application was better or worse. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
- Should you be selected for an internship, any other steps regarding your application will be communicated to you BY EMAIL outside of the Horizons Symplicity application system. Please be sure that the primary email address you've entered in the system is spelled correctly and checked frequently.