The 'Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad' was established by China Scholarship Council in 2003. The recipients worldwide are chosen each year for their outstanding accomplishments in any discipline. This award is considered as the highest award given by the Chinese Government to the graduate students that study outside China who do not receive financial support from Chinese Government. To date, the recipients include students from 33 countries, including America, UK, German, Japan, Australia and Canada.

The number of Chinese students leaving China to study abroad is more than half a million each year, making this prestigious award highly competitive. Currently, 500 students are awarded yearly.

The Award includes US$6000 cash and one-return travel cost for them to visit several research institutes of the Chinese Academy of Science.

In 2017, 50 students studying in Australia are awarded.