BEIJING - The Chinese government has decided to offer overseas study scholarships to another 21,300 students next year, marking a 17-percent jump in comparison with the newly-added figure in 2013.

Students from all Chinese universities or institutions that are eligible to grant doctoral degrees can apply for joint doctoral education programs, according to a Q&A with an unnamed official published on the website of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) on Friday.

In addition, the official said, master's programs will be available for people from administrative organs, public institutions and higher vocational schools, while artistic training programs will offer opportunities for students from schools and art troupes who have arts majors.

These state-funded scholarships will be provided and managed by the CSC, which was set up in 1996 under the Ministry of Education.

Researchers and academics can apply for such scholarships in January 2014 and the successful applicants will be announced in March, the official said, adding that the period of validity for these qualified candidates will be one year.

Those who turn down their already awarded overseas study opportunities can not apply for such scholarships within five years of their decision.

Postdoctoral study periods in foreign countries range from three months to two years.

According to the Q&A, the CSC will strengthen supervision on qualified candidates' performance overseas in order to decide whether they can continue to enjoy such scholarships.

China supported 31,256 students in overseas study last year and more than 36,000 are expected to be supported this year.

The 2014 enrollment guidelines and overseas study programs will be posted at http://www.csc.edu.cn in October.