Studying abroad has become increasingly expensive. The annual fee at a top US university starts at ₹30-50 lakhs and similar costs apply for UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland.
Fortunately, several fully funded scholarships are available for Indian students, covering all the expenses of studying abroad.
This article aims to discuss the major scholarships in detail with eligibility and deadlines.
What Does 100% Funded Scholarship Cover?
A 100% funded or fully paid scholarship usually covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend for living allowance
- Airfare tickets for going to the university and returning home
- Health/medical insurance
- Visa processing fees
- Books and study materials
- Settling allowance (varies)
Some scholarships also cover expenses for attending international conferences and research grants. Certain allowances are given for bringing children along.
Scholarships for Indian Students for 2026
There are 10+ scholarships that are fully-funded, and we have listed them below:
1. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
The UK government scholarship is highly competitive and one of the most sought-after fully-funded scholarships.
- Funding Agency: UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, monthly stipend (£1,200+), return airfare, visa fees, thesis grant, and additional travel grant
- Eligibility: Indian citizens having completed an undergrad degree, with at least two years of work experience, and a strong leadership potential.
- Level of Study: Masters (1-year)
- Applicable Universities: All UK universities
- Application Deadline: Early November 2025 (for 2026-27 academic year)
- Awards for Indian Students: Around 50-60 students from India get this scholarship every year
- Preparations Tips: This scholarship values strong leadership, so demonstrate your accomplishments and leadership qualities. The interview round is highly competitive; showcase your intent and vision for contributing to India’s development through this scholarship.
2. Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)
The Commonwealth Scholarship is a UK government-sponsored scholarship for students from developing Commonwealth countries.
- Funding Agency: UK Department for International Development
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, monthly stipend (£1,236), return airfare, thesis grant, warm clothing allowance, and visa fees.
- Eligibility: Indian citizens having completed an undergrad degree with a minimum of 2nd class upper division. The application must be submitted through a designated agency in India like UGC and Ministry of Education.
- Level of Study: Masters (1-year) and PhD
- Application Deadline: October-November 2025 (varies with the nominating agency)
- Preparations Tips: This scholarship is suitable for students who wish to pursue development-oriented studies. Since the scholarship is meant for development, focus on the development aspect of your statement of purpose. Ensure that your proposed field of study would contribute to India’s development needs.
3. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship (USA)
The Fulbright-Nehru scholarship is a flagship program for student exchange between the US and India.
- Funding Agency: US Department of State and Government of India (USIEF)
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, stipend for living allowance, airfare tickets, health insurance, and visa support
- Eligibility: Indian citizens having completed an undergrad degree, with at least three years of work experience, and leadership potential. Minimum percentage required to be eligible is 50% in the bachelor’s degree.
- Level of Study: Masters (specific fields of study – medicine is not allowed, neither arts)
- Applicable Universities: All universities in the US
- Application Deadline: May-July 2025 (for 2026-27 academic year) – Now the applications for 2026 have started closing
- Awards for Indian Students: Less than 100 students are awarded this fellowship every year
- Preparations Tips: Similar to the Chevening scholarship, you should showcase your leadership qualities and potential to contribute to India’s development. This scholarship does not require you to have an offer from a university; the award is given directly by the USIEF (U.S. Consular Affairs Office, India).
4. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
DAAD or Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst offers some of the best scholarships to international students.
- Funding Agency: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- Coverage: Monthly stipend (€934 for postgraduates and €1,300 for PhD scholars), visa fees, and health insurance. In most public universities, the tuition fees are waived. A travel grant is also given.
- Eligibility: Indian citizens having completed a bachelor’s degree (4 years) or a master’s degree (depending on the program). The applicants must also submit an Additional Profiling Service (APS) certificate.
- Level of Study: Masters and PhD
- Application Deadline: Varied (usually between October 2025 – January 2026) for the Winter semester of 2026
- Preparations Tips: Showcase your academic excellence in the area of study. For PhD, make sure to submit a strong research proposal. The motivation letter is important to convince the selection committee of your intent and purpose.
5. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Canada)
The Vanier scholarship is one of the most prestigious and lucrative scholarships in Canada.
- Funding Agency: Government of Canada
- Coverage: The scholarship provides CAD 50,000 per year for three years.
- Eligibility: Indian citizens who are enrolled or will enroll in a PhD program at a Canadian university. The candidates must also be nominated by their university.
- Level of Study: PhD only
- Application Deadline: November 2025 (the internal deadline at the university will be earlier)
- Preparations Tips: It is important to highlight your leadership skills and high academic achievement. The scholarship does not require you to have work experience, but a strong academic record will increase your chances significantly. You should apply directly to the university; they will nominate you for the Vanier scholarship.
6. Australia Awards Scholarship
Australia Awards is the flagship scholarship program of the Australian government.
- Funding Agency: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, return airfare tickets, an establishment allowance (AUD 5,000), a contribution towards living allowance (CLE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and pre-arrival English course.
- Eligibility: Indian citizens belonging to specific categories such as civil servants, Non-Government Organisation workers, and employees in the private sector working in the development sector. The candidates must not be applying for an undergraduate course.
- Level of Study: Masters and PhD
- Application Deadline: April 2026 (varies with the year)
- Preparations Tips: Similar to the Commonwealth scholarship, apply for development-oriented courses and highlight how you will contribute to India’s development needs. The scholarship is not open to all categories of students; make sure you fit into any of the categories specified by the Australia Awards.
7. Italian Government Scholarship (DSU/MAECI)
The Italian government offers a wide range of scholarships to international students.
- Funding Agency: Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)
- Coverage: The scholarship covers the tuition fees, a monthly stipend of€900, and health insurance. The awardees also get a 3-month free accommodation in a university residence.
- Eligibility: Indian citizens having the required academic qualification for the course. Age limits may apply.
- Level of Study: Masters, PhD, and research programs.
- Application Deadline: June 2026 (varies with the year)
- Preparations Tips: Showcase your academic excellence and interest in the Italian language and culture. The motivation letter is required; make sure to explain why you chose the particular course and university.
8. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford, USA)
Knight-Hennessy is one of the most sought-after scholarships in the world.
- Funding Agency: Stanford University (Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program)
- Coverage: The scholarship covers the full tuition fees and a stipend for living expenses.
- Eligibility: Open to all nationalities (including Indian students). The candidates must be applying to a full-time graduate degree at Stanford University and must have received their first bachelor’s degree within seven years of the application date.
- Level of Study: All levels of graduate programs (MBA, MS, PhD, JD, MA, etc.)
- Application Deadline: September 2025 (for 2026-27 academic year)
- Awards for Indian Students: Less than 100 students are awarded this scholarship every year
- Preparations Tips: The scholarship looks for potential leaders who are exceptional in their chosen fields. You must demonstrate your extraordinary academic and professional achievements.
9. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (Europe)
The Erasmus Mundus program offers joint master’s degrees between two or more European universities.
- Funding Agency: European Union
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, monthly stipend (€1,000-1,400), travel and installation allowance, and a student grant for health insurance.
- Eligibility: Open to all nationalities (Indian citizens can apply). The minimum academic qualification is a bachelor’s degree. Work experience is not required.
- Level of Study: Masters (2-year program, with study at two or more European universities)
- Application Deadline: October 2025 to January 2026 (varies with the year)
- Preparations Tips: Apply to a course that offers a joint degree from two universities. The motivation letter is a key component, so make sure to convince the committee on why you should be chosen.
10. New Zealand Excellence Award (NZEA)
The New Zealand excellence award is offered by the New Zealand government and various universities.
- Funding Agency: New Zealand Department of Education and various universities
- Coverage: The award offers a grant of NZD 10,000-20,000 per year towards the tuition fees. The award is not fully-funded, but it can be combined with a scholarship to fully fund your studies.
- Eligibility: Open to all Indian students applying to a course at a New Zealand university.
- Level of Study: Specific courses
- Application Deadline: Varied with the university (mostly March-June 2026)
- Preparations Tips: Submit a strong academic record. The motivation letter is important, so explain your interest in the course and how you will contribute to New Zealand’s education sector.
How to Apply for Scholarships?
Applying for scholarships requires an in-depth understanding of the requirements, and a step-by-step approach. Here are a few tips and tricks to get you started:
Start Preparing 12-18 Months Ahead
Most fully-funded scholarships require applications 8-14 months ahead of the start of the academic year. So, if you are planning to join a course in 2025, the applications for most scholarships would have opened by early 2024.
Develop a Leadership Philosophy
A clear understanding of your leadership philosophy is important to highlight yourself as a successful candidate for a scholarship. Think about what you have done in your life so far, that showcases your leadership skills. Have you led a team or a club? Do you have any work experience as a leader in an NGO? Have you studied abroad? Are you involved in teaching others, mentoring, or publishing research papers?
Write a Compelling Statement of Purpose
Your statement of purpose (SOP) is a key component of your application. It gives you a chance to tell the evaluators what you can offer them and how you can represent their university abroad.
You must write multiple drafts for your SOP and get it reviewed by a professional counsellor. In case you are not satisfied with the outcome, write more drafts until you are confident that you have submitted your best work.
Secure Strong References
Having strong references plays a pivotal role in getting selected for a scholarship. Ask your mentors, professors, or employers to write a strong recommendation letter for you. Make sure they know you well enough to comment on your skills and achievements. Give them adequate time and guidance to prepare a strong reference.
Apply to Multiple Scholarships
Do not apply for only one scholarship. You should apply to 3-5 of the most suitable scholarships that you fit into. It is possible that you qualify for more than one scholarship at the same time. You can even compare the offers and select the one that fits you the best.
Final Words
Fully-funded scholarships are not only difficult to find but also highly competitive. Therefore, it is important to start preparing well in advance and build upon your strengths to get selected for a scholarship.
