At the start of April, the results of the YCIS Shanghai Scholarship Programme for the 2025–2026 academic year were officially released. With a total scholarship fund of 3 million RMB, this is truly an impressive achievement.  

Over 100 talented students from both within and outside the school took part in the rigorous selection process that lasted nearly four months. After rounds of evaluations and interviews, 43 outstanding individuals emerged as scholarship recipients. 

The YCYW Scholarship Programme recognises not only academic brilliance but also leadership, creativity, and commitment to service. Open to global-minded applicants, the programme empowers young changemakers to thrive in a multilingual, cross-cultural educational environment. 

“An ideal scholarship recipient can be described as active, focused, ambitious,” shared Jane Xie, Vice Principal of YCIS Shanghai Pudong. 

Activeness, she explained, allows students to explore a wide range of academic and extracurricular programmes, helping them build on their strengths. Focus helps them allocate their time wisely for better results. And ambition pushes them to set high goals and make the most of the scholarship opportunity to grow both personally and academically. 

Jane also observed a common thread among the strongest applicants: they genuinely care about the world around them. 

“They not only listed their academic achievements,” she noted, “but also highlighted how they applied their personal strengths to solve real-life problems. Many of them have taken part in community-wide projects—representing the school in competitions, or leading long-term service-learning initiatives. This shows that they’re able to turn learning into impact, and that’s what truly makes them stand out.” 

Ian Lee, Vice Principal of YCIS Shanghai Puxi Secondary, echoes Jane’s thoughts. He also stresses that not receiving a scholarship doesn’t mean the application process was a waste of time. 

“Taking the time to reflect on and clearly express one’s strengths—and to collect evidence of growth—is a valuable experience in itself. It helps students develop a clear sense of their strengths and passions that will support future university applications.” 

To students hoping to apply for a scholarship, Ian offers this advice: “It may sound trite, but make sure you truly love what you’re applying for—whether it’s sports, music, performing arts, mathematics, or the school community itself. Everyone who applies is talented in their field, so what really sets you apart is genuine passion.” 

From sports fields to debate halls, from classrooms to community projects, this year’s scholarship recipients represent not only achievement, but aspiration, purpose, and compassion. Their stories remind us: excellence is never one-dimensional—it grows from curiosity, resilience, and a heart that cares. 

Each award granted is more than a recognition—it’s a message: Your growth, your vision, and your efforts matter. These students are not only scholars, but thinkers, leaders, artists, athletes, and changemakers. With their energy and empathy, they are already shaping a better world. 

Congratulations once again to all our scholarship recipients. The future is yours to shape — and we can’t wait to see how far you’ll go.