25 Fully Funded Scholarships 2026 (All Countries)
Thousands of students miss fully funded scholarships every year, not because they aren’t qualified, but because they apply too late, rely on outdated deadlines, or simply never hear about the right program in time. Somewhere between finishing high school and staring at a university tuition calculator, the dream of studying abroad quietly turns into “maybe someday.”
Here’s the part most guides don’t tell you: fully funded scholarships aren’t rare. There are dozens of them, active right now, across nearly every continent, covering tuition, housing, flights, and monthly living costs. The real problem isn’t availability. It’s that the information is scattered across a hundred different websites, half of them outdated.
25 fully funded scholarships 2026 (all countries) are brought together in this one guide, with real eligibility details, deadlines, and application steps, so you can stop searching and start applying.
Quick Summary Table
| Scholarship | Country | Level | Typical Deadline | IELTS Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fulbright | USA | Masters/PhD | Feb-May (by country) | Yes |
| 2. Chevening | UK | Masters | Nov (opens Aug) | Yes |
| 3. Commonwealth | UK | Masters/PhD | Oct-Dec | Yes |
| 4. DAAD | Germany | Masters/PhD | Varies by program | Often |
| 5. Erasmus Mundus | EU (multiple) | Masters | Nov-Jan (varies) | Yes |
| 6. Türkiye Bursları | Turkey | Bachelor’s-PhD | Jan 10 – Feb 20 | No |
| 7. MEXT | Japan | Bachelor’s-PhD | Apr-May (embassy) | No |
| 8. CSC (China) | China | Bachelor’s-PhD | Jan-Apr (varies) | No |
| 9. GKS | South Korea | Bachelor’s-PhD | Feb-Mar (embassy) | No |
| 10. Australia Awards | Australia | Masters/PhD | End of April | Yes |
| 11. Swiss Excellence | Switzerland | Masters/PhD | Nov-Dec | Yes |
| 12. Gates Cambridge | UK | Masters/PhD | Oct-Dec | Yes |
| 13. Rhodes | UK | Masters | Aug-Oct (by region) | Yes |
| 14. Knight-Hennessy | USA | Masters/PhD | October | Yes |
| 15. Vanier | Canada | PhD | Nov (via university) | Yes |
| 16. Eiffel Excellence | France | Masters/PhD | Jan (via university) | Sometimes |
| 17. Holland Scholarship | Netherlands | Bachelor’s/Masters | Feb-May | Yes |
| 18. Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Bachelor’s-PhD | Jan (approx) | Sometimes |
| 19. Italian Govt. Scholarship | Italy | Bachelor’s-PhD | May-June | Sometimes |
| 20. Manaaki NZ | New Zealand | Masters/PhD | Feb-Apr | Yes |
| 21. IsDB Scholarship | Multiple (OIC) | Masters/PhD | Varies | Sometimes |
| 22. Orange Knowledge | Netherlands | Short course/Masters | Varies by call | Sometimes |
| 23. Lester B. Pearson | Canada | Bachelor’s | Oct 9-16 | Yes |
| 24. RMIT Research | Australia | PhD/Research | Rolling | Yes |
| 25. Aga Khan Foundation | Multiple | Masters | March 31 | Sometimes |
All 25 Scholarships, Explained
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
Country: United States
Level: Master’s / PhD
Overview: One of the world’s most recognized exchange programs, funding graduate study and research at U.S. universities.
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree, strong academic record, English proficiency.
Benefits: Full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, and health insurance.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, SOP, references, English test scores.
How to Apply: Through your country’s Fulbright Commission or the nearest U.S. Embassy. For the full eligibility breakdown, see our Fulbright scholarship eligibility and application process guide.
Official Website: fulbrightonline.org
2. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
Country: United Kingdom
Level: Master’s (1 year)
Overview: Funded by the UK government for future leaders pursuing a one-year master’s degree.
Eligibility: At least two years of work experience, an undergraduate degree, two references.
Benefits: Tuition, monthly stipend, flights, and a travel grant.
Documents Needed: CV, four essay responses, two reference letters.
How to Apply: Direct online application through the Chevening portal. For essay tips and the full timeline, see our Chevening Scholarship UK complete guide.
Official Website: chevening.org
3. Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)
Country: United Kingdom
Level: Master’s / PhD
Overview: Aimed at students from Commonwealth countries pursuing postgraduate study in the UK.
Eligibility: Citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, unable to afford study without funding.
Benefits: Full tuition, living stipend, airfare.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, references, personal statement.
How to Apply: Through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online system.
Official Website: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
4. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
Country: Germany
Level: Master’s / PhD
Overview: The DAAD funds over 140,000 scholars a year through 86 different programs.
Eligibility: Varies by program; most require a relevant bachelor’s degree.
Benefits: Monthly stipend (often €850-1,400), travel allowance, insurance.
Documents Needed: CV, motivation letter, transcripts, references.
How to Apply: Directly through the specific DAAD program portal.
Official Website: daad.de
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EU)
Country: Multiple EU countries
Level: Master’s
Overview: Study across two or three European universities under one joint degree.
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree; requirements vary by the specific consortium (350+ programs exist).
Benefits: Full tuition, monthly living allowance, travel costs.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, SOP, references, language proof.
How to Apply: Directly through the individual joint program’s website.
Official Website: eacea.ec.europa.eu
6. Türkiye Bursları (Turkey)
Country: Turkey
Level: Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD
Overview: One of the most accessible fully funded programs, covering all degree levels.
Eligibility: Minimum 70% high school average (90%+ for medicine/dentistry).
Benefits: Free tuition, dormitory housing, monthly stipend, one year of Turkish language training, flights.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, letter of intent, passport copy.
How to Apply: Single online application covering all degree levels.
Official Website: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
7. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
Country: Japan
Level: Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD
Overview: The Japanese government’s flagship scholarship, covering all levels of study.
Eligibility: Age limits apply for undergraduate tracks; embassy recommendation is the most common route.
Benefits: Tuition, monthly stipend, and travel costs.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, health certificate, application form from embassy.
How to Apply: Through your local Japanese Embassy’s recommendation route.
Official Website: studyinjapan.go.jp
8. Chinese Government Scholarship / CSC (China)
Country: China
Level: Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD
Overview: Offered through embassy and university-direct routes across all degree levels.
Eligibility: Varies by route (Type A embassy-coordinated or Type B university-direct).
Benefits: Tuition, accommodation, and a monthly living allowance.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, study plan, medical exam, passport copy.
How to Apply: Through your embassy or directly with the chosen Chinese university.
Official Website: campuschina.org
9. Global Korea Scholarship / GKS (South Korea)
Country: South Korea
Level: Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD
Overview: Known for a relatively accessible GPA requirement compared to other government scholarships.
Eligibility: Applied through your country’s Korean Embassy track; minimum GPA around 2.64/4.0.
Benefits: Tuition, monthly stipend, one year of Korean language training, settlement allowance.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, study plan, recommendation letters.
How to Apply: Through the Korean Embassy in your home country.
Official Website: studyinkorea.go.kr
10. Australia Awards Scholarship (Australia)
Country: Australia
Level: Master’s / PhD
Overview: Funds students from eligible developing countries for postgraduate study in Australia.
Eligibility: Nationality of an eligible partner country, strong academic record.
Benefits: Tuition, living allowance, airfare, health cover.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, English test scores, references.
How to Apply: Online through the Australia Awards portal.
Official Website: australiaawards.gov.au
11. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship (Switzerland)
Country: Switzerland
Level: PhD / Postdoctoral research
Overview: Targets postgraduate researchers and PhD candidates at Swiss universities.
Eligibility: Master’s degree already completed; nomination often required through your home country.
Benefits: Monthly stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance contribution.
Documents Needed: Research proposal, transcripts, references.
How to Apply: Through your home country’s nominating authority.
Official Website: sbfi.admin.ch
12. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
Country: United Kingdom
Level: Master’s / PhD
Overview: Funds outstanding students at the University of Cambridge from outside the UK.
Eligibility: Admission to Cambridge required first; selected on academic excellence and leadership.
Benefits: Full tuition, living stipend, travel costs.
Documents Needed: Cambridge application, personal statement, references.
How to Apply: Apply to Cambridge first, then the Gates Cambridge scholarship.
Official Website: gatescambridge.org
13. Rhodes Scholarship (UK)
Country: United Kingdom
Level: Master’s
Overview: One of the oldest international scholarships, sending scholars to the University of Oxford.
Eligibility: Age limits and country-specific quotas apply; exceptional leadership record expected.
Benefits: Full tuition, stipend, and a global alumni network.
Documents Needed: Essays, references, transcripts.
How to Apply: Through your country or region’s Rhodes Trust committee.
Official Website: rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
14. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (USA)
Country: United States
Level: Master’s / PhD
Overview: A multidisciplinary leadership program at Stanford University.
Eligibility: Admission to a Stanford graduate program plus a separate Knight-Hennessy application.
Benefits: Up to three years of full funding across any of Stanford’s seven graduate schools.
Documents Needed: Stanford application, essays, references.
How to Apply: Apply to Stanford, then submit the Knight-Hennessy application.
Official Website: knight-hennessy.stanford.edu
15. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Canada)
Country: Canada
Level: PhD
Overview: Canada’s top doctoral scholarship, recognizing academic excellence and leadership.
Eligibility: Nomination through a Canadian university; strong research proposal required.
Benefits: $50,000 CAD per year for three years.
Documents Needed: Research proposal, transcripts, references.
How to Apply: Through your nominating Canadian university, not directly.
Official Website: vanier.gc.ca
16. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)
Country: France
Level: Master’s / PhD
Overview: Funds top international students in master’s and PhD programs in France.
Eligibility: Nominated by the French university you’re applying to, not applied for directly.
Benefits: Monthly allowance, travel costs, some insurance coverage.
Documents Needed: Nomination form from university, transcripts.
How to Apply: Your chosen French university nominates you.
Official Website: campusfrance.org
17. Holland Scholarship (Netherlands)
Country: Netherlands
Level: Bachelor’s / Master’s
Overview: A Dutch government and university-backed scholarship for non-EU/EEA students.
Eligibility: Admission to a participating Dutch university.
Benefits: One-time grant of €5,000 toward tuition/living costs (often combined with part-time work).
Documents Needed: University admission confirmation, application form.
How to Apply: Through your chosen Dutch university’s scholarship office.
Official Website: studyinnl.org
18. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
Country: Hungary
Level: Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD
Overview: Hungary’s national scholarship program across all degree levels.
Eligibility: Home-country nomination usually required through a bilateral agreement.
Benefits: Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, dormitory accommodation, health insurance.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, motivation letter, medical certificate.
How to Apply: Through your country’s designated sending institution.
Official Website: stipendiumhungaricum.hu
19. Italian Government Scholarship (Italy)
Country: Italy
Level: Bachelor’s / Master’s / PhD
Overview: Offered through Italian embassies for study at Italian universities.
Eligibility: Country-specific quotas; language requirements depend on the program.
Benefits: Monthly stipend, tuition exemption at many public universities.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, passport copy, application form.
How to Apply: Through the Italian Embassy in your home country.
Official Website: esteri.it
20. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (New Zealand)
Country: New Zealand
Level: Master’s / PhD
Overview: Funds postgraduate study for students from eligible developing countries, mainly Pacific, Asia, and Africa.
Eligibility: Nationality of an eligible country; ties to development priorities in your field.
Benefits: Tuition, living allowance, travel costs.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, references, development impact statement.
How to Apply: Online through the Manaaki New Zealand portal.
Official Website: mfat.govt.nz
21. Islamic Development Bank Scholarship (Multiple Countries)
Country: Multiple (OIC member countries)
Level: Master’s / PhD
Overview: Funds students from IsDB member countries, including joint programs with Türkiye Bursları.
Eligibility: Citizenship of a member or eligible non-member country under specific programs.
Benefits: Tuition and living stipend, varies by track.
Documents Needed: Transcripts, passport copy, program-specific forms.
How to Apply: Through the relevant IsDB scholarship track portal.
Official Website: isdb.org
22. Orange Knowledge Programme (Netherlands)
Country: Netherlands
Level: Short course / Master’s
Overview: Aimed at professionals from eligible developing countries for short courses and master’s study.
Eligibility: Work experience usually required; calls open periodically rather than year-round.
Benefits: Tuition, travel, and living costs depending on the course.
Documents Needed: CV, employer reference, motivation letter.
How to Apply: Through the Nuffic Orange Knowledge portal during open calls.
Official Website: nuffic.nl
23. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (Canada)
Country: Canada
Level: Bachelor’s
Overview: A prestigious undergraduate scholarship at the University of Toronto.
Eligibility: Nominated by your school; based on academic achievement, creativity, and leadership.
Benefits: Full tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence support for four years.
Documents Needed: School nomination, transcripts, personal statement.
How to Apply: Your high school must nominate you by the set date.
Official Website: future.utoronto.ca
24. RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship (Australia)
Country: Australia
Level: PhD / Research
Overview: Covers international PhD and research students at RMIT University.
Eligibility: Admission to an eligible research program; open to all fields.
Benefits: Full tuition and health insurance for the visa duration.
Documents Needed: Research proposal, transcripts, references.
How to Apply: Directly through RMIT’s research scholarships portal.
Official Website: rmit.edu.au
25. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship (Multiple Countries)
Country: Multiple (priority regions)
Level: Master’s
Overview: A mix of grants and loans for students with no other means of funding their master’s degree.
Eligibility: Demonstrated financial need plus strong academic record; priority regions apply.
Benefits: Roughly half grant, half low-interest loan, covering tuition and living costs.
Documents Needed: Financial need documentation, transcripts, admission letter.
How to Apply: Annual application through the Aga Khan Foundation.
Official Website: akdn.org
Required Documents (Common Across Most Programs)
- Updated CV/resume
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Statement of purpose or motivation letter (see our guide on writing a winning scholarship motivation letter)
- 2-3 academic or professional reference letters
- English proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL) where required
- Valid passport copy
- Research proposal (for PhD and some master’s programs)
Expert Tips: Common Mistakes Students Make
These are the highlights, for a full breakdown across every stage of the process, see our complete guide on common scholarship application mistakes.
- Applying at the last minute. Most competitive scholarships need 6+ months of preparation, especially for language tests and references.
- Generic motivation letters. Reusing the same essay for every scholarship is easy to spot and rarely works.
- Ignoring nomination-based programs. Some scholarships (like Vanier or Eiffel) go through your university, not a direct application, missing this step disqualifies you entirely.
- Skipping the fine print on IELTS waivers. Some programs only waive English tests for specific countries or prior English-medium education, see our list of scholarships without IELTS requirement if a test is a barrier for you.
- Not having a backup plan. Applying to only one program leaves you with nothing if it falls through.
Success Tips
- Start preparing documents 6-12 months before your target deadline.
- Apply to at least 3-5 scholarships across different deadline windows to increase your odds.
- Get your motivation letter reviewed by someone outside your field, clarity matters more than jargon.
- Keep a spreadsheet of deadlines, required documents, and application status for each program.
- Reach out to alumni of the scholarship on LinkedIn, most are happy to share tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does “fully funded” actually mean?
It typically covers tuition, living expenses, and often flights and insurance, though exact coverage varies by program.
2. Do I need IELTS for all of these scholarships?
No. Programs like Türkiye Bursları, MEXT, CSC, and GKS often don’t require it, especially for programs taught in the local language.
3. Can I apply to multiple scholarships at once?
Yes, and it’s actually recommended to increase your chances.
4. Is work experience required?
Some programs like Chevening and DAAD EPOS require it; others like Erasmus Mundus and GKS don’t.
5. How competitive are these scholarships?
It varies widely. Türkiye Bursları and GKS are considered more accessible, while Rhodes and Gates Cambridge are extremely competitive.
6. Do undergraduate students qualify for any of these?
Yes, MEXT, Türkiye Bursları, CSC, Stipendium Hungaricum, and Lester B. Pearson all support undergraduate study.
7. What’s the biggest reason applications get rejected?
Weak or generic motivation letters, followed by missing documents or missed deadlines.
8. Are these scholarships open to all nationalities?
Most are, though some (like Commonwealth or Australia Awards) are limited to specific eligible countries.
9. How early should I start preparing?
At least 6-12 months before your target deadline, especially if you need to take an English test.
10. Do these scholarships cover PhD study too?
Yes, many including DAAD, Vanier, Swiss Excellence, and CSC specifically fund doctoral candidates.
11. What if I miss a scholarship’s deadline this year?
Most programs run annually, so mark your calendar and prepare early for the next cycle.
12. Are application fees required?
Most listed here have no application fee. If a “scholarship” asks for payment to apply, treat that as a red flag.
Latest Updates (2026)
Updated July 2026: Several 2027-intake cycles (including Türkiye Bursları, CSC, and DAAD) were still pre-open at the time of writing. Application windows and stipend amounts are confirmed on official portals closer to each opening date, so bookmark this guide and check back before your target intake.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
With 25 fully funded scholarships now in front of you, the hardest part isn’t finding an opportunity, it’s picking the right three to five and actually starting your documents today.
- Shortlist 3-5 scholarships that match your degree level and country eligibility.
- Request your transcripts and reference letters this week, not next month.
- Book your English test if required, seats fill up fast close to deadlines.
- Draft your motivation letter and get feedback before your first submission.