Scholarships by Nationality: Find Funding 2026

Your passport determines which scholarships you can access. Thousands of fully funded awards target students from specific countries or regions. Indian students alone qualify for over 200 international scholarship programs. Chinese students access dedicated CSC funding worth $2 billion annually. African students benefit from Commonwealth, Mastercard Foundation, and DAAD programs that cover full tuition plus living expenses. This guide organizes the best scholarships by student origin. Find your region, identify programs you qualify for, and note the deadlines. Every scholarship listed includes the award amount, eligibility criteria, and application timeline.

For general scholarship information, see our scholarships for Germany guide. If you need additional funding, check our student loan options and cheapest Master's programs in Europe.

Scholarships for Indian Students

DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

The DAAD awards approximately 5,000 scholarships annually to Indian students. Master's students receive €934 per month plus health insurance, travel allowance, and a €460 annual study allowance. Doctoral candidates receive €1,200 per month. Application deadlines fall between July and October of the year before enrollment. Apply through the DAAD India office in New Delhi. Competition is intense: acceptance rates range from 10 to 25% depending on the program.

Chevening Scholarships (UK)

Chevening is the UK government's flagship international scholarship, fully funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. It covers full tuition, monthly living allowance (approx. £1,200/month in London), return flights, and visa fees. The scholarship funds a one-year Master's degree at any UK university. Indian students represent one of the largest Chevening cohorts. Requirements: 2+ years of work experience, unconditional university offer, and return to India for at least 2 years after completion. Deadline: early November annually. Apply at chevening.org.

Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships (USA)

The Fulbright-Nehru program sends Indian students to US universities with full funding. The Master's Fellowship covers tuition, living expenses, airfare, and health insurance for up to 2 years. The Doctoral Research Fellowship funds 6 to 9 months of research at a US institution. Applicants need a strong academic record, relevant work experience, and demonstrated leadership. Deadline: late May or June for the following academic year. Apply through the US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF).

Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission funds Indian students for Master's and PhD programs in the UK. Awards cover full tuition, monthly stipend (£1,236 for Master's, £1,516 for PhD), travel, and thesis grants. Applicants must hold a first-class Bachelor's degree. Deadline: December annually. Apply through the University Grants Commission (UGC) in India.

Scholarship	Destination	Award	Deadline	Duration
DAAD	Germany	€934/month + benefits	Jul – Oct	10 – 24 months
Chevening	UK	Full tuition + £1,200/mo	November	1 year (Master's)
Fulbright-Nehru	USA	Full tuition + living	May – Jun	Up to 2 years
Commonwealth	UK	Full tuition + £1,236/mo	December	1 – 3 years
Erasmus Mundus	Europe (multiple)	€1,400/month + tuition	Jan – Feb	1 – 2 years

Scholarships for Chinese Students

CSC Scholarships (China Scholarship Council)

The CSC is the world's largest government scholarship program, funding approximately 70,000 Chinese students annually for study abroad. CSC scholarships cover tuition, living stipend, accommodation, and insurance. Monthly stipends range from $700 (undergrad) to $1,400 (PhD). CSC has agreements with universities in 49 countries. Top destinations: Germany, UK, Australia, USA, Canada, France, and Japan. Deadline: January to April depending on the program. Apply through your Chinese university's international office or directly at csc.edu.cn.

DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

The DAAD funds approximately 3,500 Chinese scholars per year. Programs include study scholarships (€934/month for Master's), research grants (€1,200/month for PhD), and bi-national programs with Chinese partner universities. The DAAD office in Beijing processes applications. Deadlines typically fall in August to October.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

Erasmus Mundus scholarships cover full tuition, a monthly allowance of €1,400, travel costs, and installation costs. Chinese students are well-represented in Erasmus Mundus programs. The scholarship funds Master's programs taught at 2 or more European universities. Over 150 Erasmus Mundus programs exist across all academic fields. Deadlines: January to February for programs starting in September.

Australia Awards (DFAT)

Australia Awards provide full scholarships for Chinese students to study Master's and PhD programs in Australia. The award covers full tuition, return airfare, living allowance of approximately AUD $32,000 per year, establishment allowance, and health insurance (OSHC). Deadline: April to May. Apply through the Australia Awards website for China.

Scholarships for African Students

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the largest scholarship programs for African students, with over $500 million committed. It funds undergraduate and Master's studies at partner universities worldwide, including the University of Edinburgh, Sciences Po, McGill, Duke, and several African universities. The scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, books, travel, and a living stipend. Priority goes to academically talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Apply directly through participating universities. Deadlines vary by institution.

DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships

The DAAD offers scholarships specifically for African students at African universities and regional centers, as well as for study in Germany. The In-Country/In-Region program funds Master's and PhD students at DAAD-supported centers across Africa with monthly stipends of €750 to €1,200. For study in Germany, standard DAAD rates apply (€934/month for Master's). Deadlines: August to October.

Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

Students from Commonwealth African countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and others) can apply for Commonwealth Scholarships for Master's and PhD study in the UK. Awards cover full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, and thesis allowance. Each African Commonwealth country has its own nominating body. Deadline: December annually.

Chevening Scholarships (UK)

Chevening awards a significant number of scholarships to African countries annually. Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, and South Africa receive among the highest allocations. Full funding covers tuition, living expenses, flights, and visa fees for a one-year Master's at any UK university. Deadline: early November.

Scholarship	Destination	Award	Eligibility	Deadline
Mastercard Foundation	Multiple (global)	Full tuition + living	Sub-Saharan Africa	Varies by university
DAAD Africa	Germany / Africa	€750 – €1,200/mo	All African countries	Aug – Oct
Commonwealth	UK	Full tuition + £1,236/mo	Commonwealth Africa	December
Chevening	UK	Full tuition + living	All African countries	November
Mandela Rhodes	South Africa	Full tuition + stipend	All African countries	June
African Leadership Uni	Rwanda / Mauritius	Up to 100% tuition	All African countries	Rolling

Scholarships for Latin American Students

OAS Academic Scholarships

The Organization of American States (OAS) funds graduate students from its 35 member states for study in the Americas and partner countries. Scholarships cover tuition (up to $30,000 per year), a living stipend, books, and travel. Programs span Master's and PhD levels at hundreds of partner universities across the Americas, Spain, and Portugal. Deadline: varies by partnership, typically March to May.

Fundación Carolina (Spain)

Fundación Carolina offers over 500 scholarships annually to Latin American students for Master's programs in Spain. Scholarships cover tuition, a monthly allowance (€500 to €1,500 depending on the program), round-trip airfare, and insurance. Priority fields include social sciences, law, engineering, and health sciences. Most programs are taught in Spanish. Deadline: February to March. Apply at fundacioncarolina.es.

CONACYT (Mexico)

CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología) funds Mexican students for Master's and PhD programs abroad. The scholarship covers tuition, a monthly living stipend (amount varies by country), health insurance, and airfare. CONACYT maintains agreements with universities in over 40 countries. Priority fields: STEM, health sciences, and social sciences. Deadline: varies, typically January to March.

Erasmus Mundus for Latin America

Latin American students are among the top recipients of Erasmus Mundus scholarships. The program funds joint Master's degrees at 2+ European universities with €1,400/month, full tuition, travel, and installation costs. Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina produce the most Erasmus Mundus scholars from the region. Deadline: January to February.

Scholarship	Destination	Award	Eligible Countries	Deadline
OAS Academic	Americas + partners	Up to $30,000/yr tuition + living	35 OAS member states	Mar – May
Fundación Carolina	Spain	Tuition + €500–€1,500/mo	Latin America, Portugal	Feb – Mar
CONACYT	Worldwide	Tuition + living + travel	Mexico	Jan – Mar
Erasmus Mundus	Europe (multiple)	€1,400/month + tuition	All Latin America	Jan – Feb
ELAP (Canada)	Canada	CAD $10,200 – $15,100	Latin America, Caribbean	April

Scholarships for MENA Students

Chevening Scholarships (UK)

MENA countries receive substantial Chevening allocations. Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Morocco, and Tunisia have dedicated Chevening programs. Full funding covers one-year Master's tuition, living allowance, flights, and visa. Requirements: 2+ years of work experience and commitment to return home for 2 years post-completion. Deadline: November.

Türkiye Bursları (Turkey)

Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Scholarships) is one of the most generous scholarship programs for MENA students. It covers full tuition, monthly stipend (700 TRY for Bachelor's, 950 TRY for Master's, 1,400 TRY for PhD), accommodation, health insurance, one-year Turkish language course, and round-trip airfare. Open to students from all countries, but MENA students receive priority. Over 5,000 scholarships are awarded annually from 170+ countries. Deadline: January to February. Apply at turkiyeburslari.gov.tr.

KAUST (Saudi Arabia)

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) offers one of the world's most generous fellowships. All admitted students receive full tuition, free housing, monthly stipend ($20,000–$30,000/year for Master's), health insurance, and relocation support. KAUST focuses on STEM fields: engineering, computer science, biological sciences, and physical sciences. Admission is rolling. MENA students are strongly represented.

DAAD for MENA Countries

The DAAD operates dedicated programs for MENA students, including the Helmut Schmidt Programme for public policy professionals from MENA and the DAAD-AICAD partnership for Indian/MENA scholars. Standard DAAD study scholarships (€934/month) are available to all MENA nationalities. Deadline: August to October.

Scholarship	Destination	Award	Eligible Countries	Deadline
Chevening	UK	Full tuition + living	All MENA	November
Türkiye Bursları	Turkey	Full tuition + stipend + housing	All countries (MENA priority)	Jan – Feb
KAUST Fellowship	Saudi Arabia	Full tuition + $20K–$30K/yr	All countries	Rolling
DAAD MENA	Germany	€934/month + benefits	All MENA	Aug – Oct
Erasmus Mundus	Europe (multiple)	€1,400/month + tuition	All MENA	Jan – Feb

Universal Scholarships (All Nationalities)

Several major scholarships accept students from every country:

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees: €1,400/month + full tuition at 2+ European universities. 150+ programs across all fields. Open to all nationalities. Deadline: January–February.

DAAD Scholarships: Available to students from nearly every country. €934/month (Master's) or €1,200/month (PhD). Deadline: varies by country office.

Fulbright Program: Operates in 160+ countries. Covers full tuition and living for study in the USA. Deadlines vary by country (typically February–October).

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: Fund postgraduate research and PhD study in Switzerland. Monthly stipend of CHF 1,920. Open to students from 180+ countries. Deadline: varies by country (typically August–December).

Gates Cambridge Scholarship: Full funding for any postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. Covers tuition, living allowance (£19,000+/year), airfare, and research costs. Open to all nationalities except UK. Deadline: December (US applicants) or January (international applicants).

How to Apply: Strategy for Maximum Success

Apply to at least 5 scholarships. Even the strongest applicants face rejection rates of 70-90% at top programs. Spreading applications across multiple scholarships dramatically increases your odds.

Start 12 months early. Most major scholarships require recommendation letters, language certificates, and detailed personal statements. Rushing these documents weakens your application.

Match your profile to the scholarship's mission. DAAD values academic excellence and Germany-relevance. Chevening prioritizes leadership and public service. Erasmus Mundus emphasizes international collaboration. Tailor each application to the funder's stated goals.

Get recommendation letters from people who know your work. A specific, detailed letter from a professor who supervised your thesis outperforms a generic letter from a department head who barely knows you.

Proofread everything. One typo will not disqualify you, but a sloppy application signals low effort. Have two people review your personal statement and motivation letter before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country gives the most scholarships to international students?

Germany leads in total scholarship volume through the DAAD (€600 million/year to 140,000 scholars). The UK follows with Chevening and Commonwealth programs. China's CSC funds 70,000 outbound scholars annually. Turkey awards 5,000+ Türkiye Bursları scholarships per year.

Can I apply for scholarships from countries I am not from?

Some scholarships target specific nationalities (CSC for Chinese students, CONACYT for Mexicans). Others like Erasmus Mundus, DAAD, and Türkiye Bursları accept all nationalities. Always check the eligibility requirements before applying.

What GPA do I need for international scholarships?

Most competitive scholarships expect a GPA equivalent to the top 10-20% of your graduating class. DAAD requires "above-average" academic performance. Chevening values work experience equally with academics. Mastercard Foundation prioritizes financial need alongside merit.

Can I combine multiple scholarships?

It depends on the scholarship rules. DAAD scholarships generally cannot be combined with other full scholarships. The Deutschlandstipendium (€300/month) can be combined with most other funding. Erasmus Mundus prohibits receiving other EU-funded scholarships simultaneously. Always read the terms of each scholarship.

How do I find scholarships for my specific nationality?

Start with your country's ministry of education website, which lists government-funded outbound scholarships. Check the DAAD scholarship database (daad.de), which filters by nationality. Use Scholarship Portal (scholarshipportal.com) with your country filter. Contact the embassy of your target study country in your home country for bilateral scholarship programs.

What if I miss the scholarship deadline?

Most major scholarships have fixed annual deadlines with no extensions. If you miss one cycle, prepare for the next year's deadline. Use the waiting year to strengthen your application: improve language scores, gain work experience, publish research, or build leadership credentials.

Are there scholarships for undergraduate students studying abroad?

Yes, though they are fewer than graduate-level awards. The Türkiye Bursları covers Bachelor's degrees. The Mastercard Foundation funds undergraduates at partner universities. Several German universities offer merit-based undergraduate awards. The CSC funds Chinese undergraduates abroad. Most Chevening and DAAD programs target Master's and PhD students.

Do scholarships cover living expenses or only tuition?

Major scholarships like Chevening, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, and Türkiye Bursları cover both tuition and living expenses. Some university-specific scholarships cover only tuition. Always check what the award includes: tuition, living stipend, housing, health insurance, travel, and books can each be separate components.