Application

How to Apply for Taiwan Scholarships 2027

Step by step for the 2027 intake: the MOE Taiwan Scholarship through your TECO (1 February to 31 March 2027 in principle) and the TaiwanICDF Scholarship online (1 December 2026 to 15 March 2027).

ScholarshipUnion Editorial 6 min read Updated Oct 6, 2026

Before anything else: the scholarship does not equal admission

These are two completely separate processes. You apply for the MOE scholarship through your TECO. You apply for university admission directly with the university. Neither process links to the other automatically. You need to manage both in parallel — and MOE asks for proof that you have already applied to a Taiwan university.

Applying for MOE Taiwan Scholarship — Step by Step

1
Now
Find your local TECO or ROC overseas mission
The MOE Taiwan Scholarship is administered country by country. Your application goes to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), the ROC embassy or consulate, or the authorized ROC overseas mission responsible for your country. Not all countries have a TECO; some are served by an embassy or representative office under a different name.
2
By 31 Jan 2027
Check your TECO's specific requirements and deadline
Each office must publish its local guidelines — selection criteria, number of places, process and timetable — by 31 January. The general application window is 1 February to 31 March, but individual offices set their own deadlines, which can be earlier. Confirm the exact requirements, deadline and submission format (online, in person or by post) before February begins.
3
Prepare your scholarship application documents
The standard documents include: application form, passport copy, highest diploma and transcripts (with notarized English or Chinese translations), proof that you have applied to a Taiwan university, language certificates (TOCFL for programs not fully taught in English), two sealed recommendation letters, and anything else your office asks for, such as a health certificate. See the full documents guide.
4
Oct 2026 – Mar 2027
Apply to Taiwan universities — in parallel
While preparing your scholarship application, also apply directly to Taiwan universities. Many accept international applications between roughly October and March for September enrollment; check each university’s own dates. You do not need a scholarship offer to apply, and you only need proof of a university application (not admission) for the scholarship. Apply to several universities (3–5 is a reasonable range) to avoid winning the scholarship with no admission.
5
By your TECO deadline
Submit your scholarship application to TECO
Submit by your office's deadline. Keep copies of everything — submitted documents are not returned. Get a receipt or acknowledgment of submission. If submitting by post, send with tracking.
6
April – May 2027
Review, interviews and selection
Your office reviews the documents and may interview you, then picks primary candidates and a waiting list. This stage is opaque — offices rarely publish the number of applicants or detailed scoring. In principle, everyone is told the result by 31 May.
7
By 30 June 2027
Submit your admission letter
As a primary candidate, send a copy of your Taiwan university admission letter to the office by 30 June. If you are not admitted, the scholarship is revoked; if you miss the deadline without an accepted explanation, it goes to the waiting list.
8
By 31 July 2027
Receive your scholarship certificate
The office finalizes the recipient list and issues your Taiwan Scholarship Award Certificate by 31 July. Your scholarship duration follows the degree level on your admission letter.
9
Aug – Sep 2027
Visa application and arrival
Apply for your student visa at your local office using your award certificate and admission letter. Arrive and register on time — the scholarship year starts 1 September, and failing to register at the set time forfeits the scholarship (no deferral without prior approval from your university and MOE).

Applying for TaiwanICDF Scholarship — Step by Step

ICDF applications are more structured because everything starts in a single online system, but you still deal with three parties: TaiwanICDF, the partner university and your ROC embassy or office.

1
Before 1 Dec 2026
Check ICDF partner country eligibility
Verify your country is on the current eligible countries list. The list changes from cycle to cycle. Check the TaiwanICDF scholarship page for the 2027 cycle.
2
Select one program from the ICDF list
You can apply to only one program at one partner university per year, and you cannot change it after submitting. Choose one you can genuinely justify. ICDF reviewers are experienced at spotting applicants who chose a program based on availability rather than fit, so your statement of purpose must make a convincing case for why this specific program advances your professional goals.
3
1 Dec 2026 – 15 Mar 2027
Apply online and to the university
Create an account in the TaiwanICDF online application system, complete the form and submit it by 15 March 2027. Separately, submit the partner university's own program application and documents before that university's admission deadline.
4
By 31 Mar 2027
Contact your ROC embassy or office — first review
Your ROC embassy, consulate or representative office decides whether it needs hard or soft copies, reviews applicants against TaiwanICDF's criteria, and sends its recommended list to TaiwanICDF by 31 March.
5
April – May 2027
Second review by the university
An academic committee at the partner university reviews qualified applicants together with TaiwanICDF representatives.
6
By 10 June 2027
Announcement and acceptance
TaiwanICDF announces recipients, in principle, by 10 June. Your acceptance letter arrives through your embassy or office; sign and return the consent form to become an official recipient. University admission alone does not mean you have the scholarship. Because flights and housing are included, arrival is coordinated by ICDF.

Key Dates to Plan Around

Period	MOE action	ICDF action
Oct – Nov 2026	Prepare documents, start university applications	Check program list, prepare documents
1 Dec 2026	—	Online application opens
By 31 Jan 2027	Offices publish local guidelines	Complete university application
1 Feb 2027	General application window opens	—
Feb – Mar 2027	Apply to universities simultaneously	Submit by 15 March 2027
31 Mar 2027	General deadline (confirm with your TECO)	Embassies send recommended lists
Apr – May 2027	Office review, interviews; results by 31 May	University second review
June 2027	Admission letter due by 30 June	Recipients announced by 10 June
Jul – Aug 2027	Certificate by 31 July; visa	Visa, arrival coordination with ICDF

Your TECO deadline may be earlier than 31 March

The general window closes 31 March, but each office sets its own period in its local guidelines, and some close earlier. Do not plan to submit in the final week. Read your office's guidelines as soon as they are published (by 31 January) to confirm the local deadline.

The Study Plan: What Reviewers Actually Look For

The study plan is the most controllable part of your application and also the most commonly wasted. Most submitted study plans describe what the applicant wants to study, not why Taiwan, not why this program, and not how the degree connects to anything the applicant plans to do with it.

A strong study plan answers four things clearly:

What is your specific academic focus within the field, and why does it matter
Why Taiwan specifically — academic resources, faculty expertise, relevant industry, or regional context
Why this university and program (if MOE), or why this ICDF program specifically (if ICDF)
What you plan to do after graduating — how this degree enables that, and why that plan makes sense for someone from your country

Length is generally 500–1,000 words. Longer is not better. Reviewers read many applications and value clarity over comprehensiveness.