Tang Cornell-China Scholars Program

Established in 1999, the Tang Cornell-China Scholars Program aims to enhance scientific and technological collaboration throughout the world by developing cooperative relationships between the best scholars at the thresholds of their careers and established research and education leaders at Cornell University. The Program was designed to provide opportunities for the most distinguished scholars from the People's Republic of China—those in the early stages of careers in the agricultural and biological sciences and biological engineering—to spend up to two years at Cornell University undertaking research in their field of specialty.

What the Tang Program Expects of Scholar Nominees

Those chosen to be Tang Cornell-China Scholars are expected to have demonstrated, at the time of their nomination, a track record of extraordinary capability in research and unusual potential for research leadership. The Scholars are also expected to have demonstrated an outstanding capability in teaching and that they will further enhance those teaching abilities during their stay at Cornell. Nominees are typically between thirty and forty-five years of age.

Opportunity to Expand Research Capability and Build Partnerships with Cornell Faculty

As a result of participation in the Program, the Tang Cornell-China Scholars are able to expand their capabilities in research, build lasting research relationships with Cornell colleagues, and develop their abilities to lead research and technology developments and educational advancements in their home institutions and in China at the highest levels. While the Program can be adjusted to the needs of the individual Scholars and their fields, those selected will spend a minimum of one year—all at once or in two study periods—working as a colleague in research in an appropriate laboratory or program at Cornell.

An Extended Association with Cornell University

In order to enhance the quality of education in the scholar's special field of study upon his or her return to China, it is expected that during his/her residency at Cornell the Scholar will actively participate in the teaching/learning environment and will teach at least one course during his/her time as a scholar at Cornell. Once the Scholars have returned permanently to their home institutions in China, they should continue their collaborative efforts with Cornell researchers through established means. In subsequent years, it is anticipated that Scholars will return to Cornell for additional extended periods of research to maintain their associations with Cornell and to renew their understanding of the current research on the Ithaca campus. Short visits by the Scholars to Cornell, as well as visits by Cornell faculty to the Scholars' institutions in China, are also encouraged. Through these associations, the links between the Scholars and their Cornell colleagues and between Chinese institutions and Cornell University will become strong and lasting.