1.Validity
The fellowship is valid for one year from the date of approval. A term must be served within the validity period.
2.Extension of project period
If the project could not finish on time for any reason, the extension application must be submitted to the Program Committee prior to the project deadline. Otherwise it will be assumed that the project has been completed and the remaining funds will be taken back. The project can be extended maximum up to 3 months.
3.Termination
3.1If the planned research project cannot be implemented for any reason, the scholar and his/her MEL partner must notify the Program Committee immediately to terminate the project.
3.2The project will automatically be terminated if the scholar has not arrived at MEL prior to the stated project deadline.
Article 2: Support Tiers
1.Monthly allowance
1.1Distinguished Visiting Fellowship Allowance (including "Zhengzhong" Distinguished Visiting Fellowship) is 50,000 CNY/month.
1.2Senior Visiting Fellowship Allowance is 30,000 CNY/month.
1.3Young Scientist Visiting Fellowship Allowance is 15,000 CNY/month.
The scholar may receive up to 3 months of monthly allowance. The allowances listed above are given in gross amounts (tax should be deducted), and is ONLY applicable to the period of time when the scholar is physically at MEL.
2.Travel expenses: One round-trip economy class international or domestic air ticket. Maximum reimbursement up to 20,000 CNY.
3.Accommodations
3.1Hotels: Xiamen University’s accommodation per diem amounts: Professor ≤600 CNY/day; Associate Professor and other Scientist ≤500 CNY/day. Maximum up to 6,000 CNY/month for any scholar. Accommodation costs lower than the above listed per diems can be covered by the fellowship/research fund. Any accommodation costs exceeding the above listed per diems will not be covered by MEL; the scholar will be responsible for the exceeding part.
3.2Off-campus apartments: Same as above reimbursement policy.
4.Research Funds
Young Visiting Scholar can apply for a maximum of 20,000 CNY in research funds.
(Notes: All support will be split between MEL and the applicant’s collaborative partner at MEL. The Distinguished Visiting Fellowship Allowance (including "Zhengzhong" Distinguished Visiting Fellowship) will be covered at a ratio of 70% by MEL and 30% by the collaborator, while the Senior Visiting Fellowship Allowance and Young Scientist Visiting Fellowship Allowance will each be covered equally at 50% by MEL and 50% by the collaborator. The support tiers are implemented since its release and is only applicable to projects approved since 2026.)
Article 3: Reimbursement and Research Fund Uses
1.Scholar shall work at MEL a minimum of 3 successive days to be eligible for the monthly allowance claim.
2.Scholar shall handle expense reimbursements or via the MEL partner following the procedures: Collecting receipts and other required materials signed by the scholar=> Materials checked by program coordinator (ensure arrival and departure time, working time, completeness of receipts and tickets and accuracy of the expense amount) =>Review by the MEL Int’l Affair Secretary => Send the documents for reimbursement through financial department.
3.Use of the research funds (for Young Scientist Fellowship only)
3.1The use of research funds shall be in strict accordance with the budget and comply with the financial regulations of Xiamen University.
3.2Research funds can only be used within Xiamen University.
3.3Expenses related to the project, such as travel, materials, small equipment, sample measuring, field survey, and layout fee of papers can be covered with this fund. This fund does not support the scholar for meetings/conferences/symposia.
3.4Travel expenses refer to expenses other than the initial round trip (arrival/departure) for Young Visiting Scholars.
3.5Experimental materials and small equipment should be bought or retrofitted while the scholar is in Xiamen, otherwise they must be approved by the Fellowship Committee in advance.
3.6Sample measuring expenses refer to the expenses related to using MEL's public equipment.
3.7This fund can cover the layout fee of papers only if acknowledgment is given to MEL in the paper.
3.8At the end of the project, all remaining funds, experimental materials and small equipment should not be taken away or used for other purposes and must be returned to MEL.
Article 4: Logistics
1.Travel: The scholar should contact the MEL partner to make a visit plan and reserve flight tickets by himself or herself. MEL partner can provide assist if needed.
2.Visa: The program coordinator and MEL partner will assist the scholar with the visa application if needed.
3.Accommodation: MEL partner will help to book the hotel, the off-campus apartment will be rented by the scholar with assistance from the partner in accordance with the relevant regulations.
4.Office and Lab Space: MEL partner contact the Int’l Affair Secretary who will provide office space upon its use, and the MEL partner will help to arrange lab space.
5.XMU e-card: The partner assists the scholar to apply for an e-card for on-campus access to his/her lab, office and allow him/her to dine in the campus canteens.
6.Academic Lectures and Exchanges: The scholar contacts Int’l Affair Secretary for the academic lectures and academic exchanges.
7.Matters not mentioned herein can be discussed with the MEL partner and MEL administrative office.
Article 5: Responsibilities of scholar
1.The scholar and his/her MEL partner shall work together on the research plan.
2.A scientific seminar for Xiamen University faculty and students should be held during the project period, and a report of conclusions (on-line form) should be completed by the scholar and his/her partner within 30 days upon the end of the project.
Article 6: Insurance
All scholars and accompanying parties (parents, spouses, and/or children) are strongly recommended to purchase sickness and accident insurance for the duration of their stay in China themselves. Minimum coverage should provide medical benefits, a low deductible per accident or illness, expenses associated with medical evacuation to their home country, and repatriation of remains.
Article 7: Research Outcomes
1.Research outcomes and patents supported by the fellowship shall belong to MEL and the scholar's affiliated institution.
2.Papers, monographs and research reports supported by the fellowship must acknowledge the support of the Visiting Fellowship Program of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science (Xiamen University).
Article 8: Others
These rules are revised and implemented in January, 2026; the MEL Visiting Fellowship Committee has the final interpretation.
State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science (Xiamen University)
January, 2026
