China to recruit 36,400 college graduates annually for grassroots program

China has launched the fifth round of a special recruitment program that will dispatch 36,400 college graduates annually to grassroots and western regions from 2026 to 2030, according to a notice issued on Thursday.

The program, jointly issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and other central departments, aims to provide talent and intellectual support for rural revitalization, agricultural and rural modernization, grassroots governance improvement, and development in border and ethnic minority areas, the notice said.

Recruitment will prioritize urgently needed positions in key sectors, with quotas tilted toward less-developed areas, western and northeastern regions, and border and ethnic minority areas. Separate quotas will also be reserved for counties that are key targets of the national rural revitalization assistance initiative, according to the notice.

Eligible candidates applying for positions in remote and hard-to-staff areas may benefit from relaxed application requirements.

The notice also calls for strengthening professional training for program participants, including selecting them to attend training programs for young rural teachers and agricultural personnel.

Participants will receive living allowances, a one-time relocation subsidy and social insurance, the notice said. Authorities are also required to provide care and support, establish communication platforms and conduct regular visits to create a supportive working environment.

The notice further states that long-term grassroots workers who make significant contributions may be eligible for expedited evaluation for professional titles.