The Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad (国家优秀自费留学生奖学金) is the highest government award granted by the Chinese government to Chinese doctoral students who study overseas, as well as postdoctoral researchers who conduct research in China after receiving doctorates overseas. It was established in 2003 by the China Scholarship Council under the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. This award is open globally and consists of 600 doctoral students as awardees (Category A), and 50 postdoctoral fellows as awardees (Category B) each year. The award is highly competitive and aims to recognise doctoral students who have made outstanding research achievements and contributions. In 2025-2026, the official English translation of the award was changed to "Award for Outstanding Overseas Study Elite".