The Great Britain-china Educational Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £85,509 (2024-25)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-3 months (twice yearly meetings)
• Grant Range: £1,500 - £3,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-based students, China-UK educational exchange

Contact Details

Website: https://www.gbcc.org.uk/educational-grants-great-britain-china-educational-trust/

Phone: 020 7235 6696

Email: trust@gbcc.org.uk

Address: 15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS

Overview

The Great Britain-China Educational Trust (GBCET) is a registered charity (No. 269944) established in 1975 with proceeds from “The Genius of China” exhibition held at the Royal Academy in 1974. Administered by the Great Britain-China Centre, the Trust's purpose is to advance the education of Chinese peoples in China about Britain, its cultures and institutions, and to advance the education of British peoples in Britain about China, its cultures and institutions. With annual expenditure of approximately £85,509 (2024-25), the Trust makes awards primarily to support PhD students and postgraduate language learners engaged in UK-China educational exchange. The Trust is governed by five trustees who meet twice annually to review applications and make funding decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Chinese Student Awards: £1,500 - £3,000 (typically £1,500-£2,000)

• For Chinese nationals studying for a PhD at UK universities (3rd year or beyond)
• Application via online form, twice yearly deadlines

British PhD China Research Grants: Up to £3,000

• Top-up funding for British PhD students in final stages
• Supports writing-up period or essential China research travel
• Rolling basis application

Chinese Language Awards: £1,500 - £3,000 (typically £1,500-£2,000)

• For British postgraduate students studying Chinese language
• No previous Chinese language knowledge required
• Application via online form, twice yearly deadlines

Priority Areas

• Chinese nationals pursuing PhDs at UK universities (any subject area)
• British students conducting doctoral research on China
• British postgraduate students learning Chinese language
• Educational exchange promoting UK-China cultural understanding
• Final-year PhD students requiring support to complete degrees

What They Don't Fund

• Undergraduates
• Postgraduates on taught courses (MA, MSc)
• Students requiring funding for first two years of PhD
• Chinese nationals attending conferences
• Research materials (books, lab equipment, software)
• Postdoctorates
• Previous GBCET award recipients (non-renewable)
• British applicants with undergraduate Chinese language degrees

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Isabel Hilton OBE - Writer, broadcaster, founder of chinadialogue.net, appointed 2025

Honorary President: Rt Hon Sir David Lidington - Former Minister for the Cabinet Office

Vice Chairs: Richard Jackson (Honorary Treasurer), Alan Black (Former senior Partner at Linklaters)

The GBCC Board operates independently with extensive UK-China relations experience, sponsored by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Chinese Student Awards and Chinese Language Awards:

• Download current application form from www.gbcc.org.uk
• Complete in black typescript (not handwritten)
• Submit single-sided pages only (no staples)
• Requires three signatures: applicant, supervisor, head of department
• Submit via email to trust@gbcc.org.uk or post
• References must arrive on time - late references lead to automatic disqualification

British PhD China Research Grants:

• Download guidelines and forms from website
• Submit to trust@gbcc.org.uk
• Rolling basis consideration

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet twice yearly (spring and autumn)
• Spring meeting: Applications March-April
• Autumn meeting: Applications in autumn period
• Decisions within 2-3 months of deadline
• Applications due 10 working days before meetings

Success Rates

Not publicly available, but awards are competitive with strict compliance requirements.

Reapplication Policy

• Chinese Student Awards: May apply twice with one-year waiting period between attempts
• Chinese Language Awards: May reapply once after one-year waiting period
• Awards are non-renewable for successful recipients

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements:

• Detailed Budget Essential: Must show complete financial picture for PhD completion, not just GBCET award use
• Complete References Mandatory: Missing or late references mean automatic disqualification
• Format Compliance Strict: Wrong forms, double-sided pages, or staples result in automatic rejection
• Strong Supervisor Support: All applications require supervisor signature and endorsement
• Research Quality Matters: Successful recipients typically have strong publication records
• Stage-Appropriate Applications: Chinese Student Awards only for 3rd year+ PhD students
• Additional Supporting Information: Can include extra documentation to strengthen application

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is critical: Apply only when eligible (3rd year+ for Chinese Student Awards) and ensure references arrive on time
• Budget thoroughly: Trustees want complete financial picture for PhD completion, not just award spending plans
• Follow format precisely: Automatic rejection for format violations - attention to detail is non-negotiable
• Coordinate early with supervisors: Need three signatures well before deadline
• Most awards are £1,500-£2,000: While up to £3,000 possible, budget expectations accordingly
• One-year waiting period: If unsuccessful, can reapply after waiting (maximum two attempts)
• References are make-or-break: Late or missing references lead to automatic disqualification

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Universities China Committee in London
• The Sino-British Fellowship Trust
• The Northcote Trust
• BFWG Charitable Foundation (Funds for Women Graduates)
• The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust
• Gilchrist Educational Trust
• The Cambridge Political Economy Society Trust
• The British Academy for the Promotion of Historical Philosophical and Philological Studies
• Perry Foundation

References

1. Great Britain-China Educational Trust website: https://www.gbcc.org.uk/educational-grants-great-britain-china-educational-trust/
2. Charity Commission record for GBCET (269944): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=269944&subid=0
3. GBCET Chinese Student Awards information: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/funding/funding-opportunities/gbcet-chinese-student-awards
4. Imperial College London news on GBCET recipient: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/213513/phd-candidate-recognised-with-great-britain-china/
5. GBCC Board members: https://gbcc.org.uk/our-board/
6. GBCC announces new Chair: https://gbcc.org.uk/2025/07/14/gbcc-announces-new-chair-isabel-hilton-obe/