Introduction: Understanding a transnational cultural projectCreating a transnational institution (1924-1928) -- The project successfully launched (1928-1937) -- War and the challenges of Elisseeff : operating under adversity (1937-1945) -- Frustrated dreams of recovering Chinese humanities (1945-1949) -- The end of an American enterprise in China (1949-1951) -- Conclusion: The HYI's cultural engineering as a bridge between East and West.