Showing 24 of 24 scholarships
Rhodes Scholarships
The Rhodes Scholarship — established by Cecil Rhodes in 1902 — is the oldest international scholarship of its kind, sending exceptional young leaders to read at Oxford. Selection criteria emphasise academic excellence, character, leadership, and commitment to service. Indian applicants compete in a constituency of approximately five awards per year; US applicants compete in a constituency of thirty-two. Notable alumni include former US President Bill Clinton, former Australian PM Bob Hawke, and economist Naushad Forbes.
global
Official site →
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the UK government's flagship international scholarships programme. It funds future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from over 160 countries to pursue a one-year master's in any subject at any UK university. Selection emphasises leadership potential, networking ability, and a clear plan for post-study career impact in the home country. India is among the largest constituencies, with ~70 awards per year.
global except UK
Official site →
Commonwealth Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships fund students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries to study at UK universities. The programme is more development-focused than Chevening, with explicit emphasis on producing skilled professionals who return home to contribute to national development. Indian, Nigerian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi applicants form major constituencies. PhD funding is also available, distinct from the master's-only Chevening route.
Commonwealth countries
Official site →
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge funds outstanding international scholars to pursue postgraduate study at Cambridge. Selection emphasises intellectual ability, leadership potential, commitment to improving lives of others, and fit with Cambridge. The endowment of $210M from the Gates Foundation funds approximately 80 scholarships per year across master's and PhD programmes.
global except UK
Official site →
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Erasmus Mundus funds students to undertake joint master's programmes that span at least three European universities. The programme has the largest scholarship pool by volume of any European international scheme, with no restrictions on subject or nationality. Programmes are often delivered in English and span specialised tracks from sustainable development to international business.
global
Official site →
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship attracts top international students to French higher education in priority areas: science and engineering at master's level; economics and management, law and political science at master's and PhD levels. Tuition is not covered but most French public universities have low fees, making the package effectively comprehensive. Selection is by host institutions in partnership with the French Ministry.
global except France
Official site →
DAAD Scholarships
DAAD is the world's largest funder of international academic exchange — covering scholarships, research grants, and university partnerships. For Indian students in particular, DAAD funds master's programmes in development-related subjects, doctoral programmes across all fields, and short-term research stays. Most German public universities charge no tuition, making the stipend-only support sufficient for many students.
global
Official site →
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships fund foreign researchers and students to pursue research or study at any of the 10 Swiss public universities or two federal institutes (ETH Zurich, EPFL). The scholarship is most competitive at PhD and postdoctoral level — Switzerland has world-class research particularly in life sciences, computer science, and engineering. Indian researchers are a top constituency.
global
Official site →
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Program — established under the 1946 Fulbright Act — is the flagship US international educational exchange. It funds graduate study, research, and teaching across more than 160 countries. Indian Fulbright-Nehru awards are a major constituency, with approximately 100 awards annually covering master's, doctoral, and research scholar tracks. Forty alumni have served as heads of state; 60 have won Nobel Prizes.
global
Official site →
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Knight-Hennessy is the largest fully-funded scholarship in higher education globally — endowed at $750M by Phil Knight (Nike co-founder) and former Stanford president John Hennessy. It funds graduate study at Stanford in any of its seven schools, and includes the King Global Leadership Program, an executive-level enrichment programme that runs alongside academic study. Selection is among the most competitive in the world.
global
Official site →
JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians
The JN Tata Endowment was founded in 1892 — the oldest scholarship of its kind in India — to fund Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad. It has supported many of India's most distinguished scientists, lawyers, and public servants. Current funding includes loan-scholarship hybrids, with repayment terms typically over 5-10 years post-study. Notable alumni include Jamsetji Tata himself, who created the trust.
India only
Official site →
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme funds master's study for outstanding students from select developing countries with high financial need. The 50/50 loan-grant model emphasises shared responsibility while making elite international study accessible. The programme is particularly active in East Africa, South and Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East.
Africa
Asia
MENA
global
Official site →
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
Inlaks is one of India's most prestigious private scholarships — funding Indian students to attend top universities globally for master's programmes (and selectively PhD). Selection is highly competitive, focused on academic excellence and demonstrable potential. Notable alumni span the arts, humanities, social sciences, and increasingly STEM fields.
India only
Official site →
INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
INSPIRE-SHE supports top-1% Indian school graduates pursuing natural sciences at undergraduate level — a strategic government investment in basic science talent. The scholarship is mentorship-rich, connecting awardees with research labs and a national INSPIRE alumni network. The programme also funds Inspire Faculty Awards at the post-PhD stage.
India only
Official site →
Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards are Australia's flagship international scholarship, supporting development partner countries across Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. The programme emphasises return-home commitment — recipients agree to return for at least two years after study. Indian, Indonesian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi candidates form significant constituencies.
Indo-Pacific developing countries
Official site →
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Vanier is Canada's most prestigious doctoral scholarship — explicitly designed to attract world-class doctoral students to Canadian universities. Selection criteria balance academic excellence, research potential, and leadership. The programme is funded jointly by Canada's three federal granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) covering health, science/engineering, and social sciences/humanities respectively.
global
Official site →
New Zealand Aid Programme Scholarships
New Zealand Aid Programme Scholarships fund students from developing countries to study in New Zealand. Strong focus on Pacific Island countries and Southeast Asia, with explicit return-home commitment. Subject focus emphasises agriculture, public health, climate adaptation, and governance.
Pacific
developing Asia
Africa
Latin America
Official site →
MEXT Scholarship (Monbukagakusho)
MEXT is Japan's government scholarship for international students. It includes both undergraduate and postgraduate tracks, with the embassy-recommendation route open to applicants worldwide. Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indonesian candidates are major constituencies. The programme supports a one-year intensive Japanese language study before degree enrolment.
global
Official site →
Korean Government Scholarship Program (Global Korea Scholarship)
KGSP — recently rebranded as Global Korea Scholarship — is Korea's flagship international scholarship. It includes a one-year Korean language preparation phase followed by full degree study. Indian, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Mongolian candidates form major constituencies. Korean universities have particularly strong programmes in materials science, electrical engineering, and computer science.
global
Official site →
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
The Chinese Government Scholarship is China's flagship international scholarship, offered at hundreds of Chinese universities. It includes both bilateral programmes (via embassy nominations) and university-direct routes. Major constituencies span South Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Strong subject coverage in engineering, medicine, business, and Chinese language/culture.
global
Official site →
ASEAN Scholarships
ASEAN Scholarships are Singapore's flagship regional scholarships, designed to attract top secondary and pre-university students from ASEAN+India to Singapore. The schemes prepare scholars for entry to NUS, NTU, or SMU. Selection is highly competitive and emphasises both academic excellence and Singapore-fit.
ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) + India
Official site →
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the largest private scholarship programmes globally, funding African students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate study at partner universities including UC Berkeley, McGill, EARTH, AKU, USIU, and African universities. Strong emphasis on returning to Africa post-study to drive economic transformation.
Africa primarily; partial global
Official site →
Schwarzman Scholars
Schwarzman Scholars — endowed by Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman — is a one-year master's in global affairs at Tsinghua University, designed to build understanding of China among future global leaders. The programme draws explicit comparison to Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships in selectivity and prestige. Scholars complete a Master of Global Affairs degree alongside immersive cultural and leadership training.
global
Official site →
American India Foundation Clinton Fellowship
The Clinton Fellowship places early-career professionals from the US and India in service projects with Indian NGOs across health, livelihoods, and education. Founded in the wake of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake, it is now a flagship programme connecting US and Indian young professionals to grassroots Indian development work.
India and USA
Official site →