There are numerous governments, universities and private foundations that fund 2026-27 scholarships for Indian students who want to study abroad. The UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan and New Zealand together offer hundreds of fully-funded options each year. Many cover tuition, living costs, airfare and health insurance.
Read on for the most relevant 2026-27 scholarships for Indian students, organised by country, with deadlines, funding amounts and eligibility notes.
- Chevening (UK) applications closed 7 October 2025 with India running the largest Chevening programme worldwide
- Fulbright-Nehru Master's deadline was 14 May 2025
- DAAD EPOS deadline was 31 August 2025
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships now pay CAD 50,000 a year for 3 years
- Australia Awards next cycle opens February 2026
- Apply 12-18 months ahead and target 8-12 scholarships across 3-4 countries.
What Are the Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad?
Top 2026-27 fully-funded scholarships for Indian students include Chevening (UK), Fulbright-Nehru (USA), Rhodes (Oxford), Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Australia Awards, DAAD (Germany), MEXT (Japan), and university awards like Tata Cornell, Stanford Knight-Hennessy and Gates Cambridge. Acceptance rates range from 0.7 percent to about 25 percent depending on the programme.
Academically strong Indian students should look at scholarships that international universities, governments and private trusts offer. The 2026-27 scholarship cycle has expanded by roughly 18 percent year-on-year for Indian applicants, with deadlines spread across May 2025 to January 2026 for August intakes.
Below is a quick reference of major 2026 scholarships for Indian students with eligibility levels and indicative awards in INR:
| Scholarship (2026 cycle) | Eligibility | Approx Award (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship (USA) | Master's applicants | USD 50,000-70,000 (~INR 42-60 lakhs/year) |
| Chevening Scholarship (UK) | Master's applicants with 2+ yrs work exp | GBP 18,000-25,000 (~INR 19-26 lakhs/year) |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship | Doctoral (PhD) applicants | CAD 50,000 (~INR 31 lakhs/year × 3) |
| DAAD EPOS (Germany) | Master's/PhD in development-related fields | EUR 11,200/year (~INR 10 lakhs) |
| Australia Awards Scholarship | Master's/PhD applicants | Full tuition + AUD 3,366/month (~INR 1.8 lakh) |
| Tata Scholarship at Cornell University (USA) | Indian undergraduate applicants | Up to USD 85,000 (~INR 72 lakhs/year) |
| Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford, UK) | Master's/PhD, age 18-25 | Full tuition + GBP 18,000+ stipend |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Master's applicants under age 30 | Up to USD 100,000 total (~INR 84 lakhs) |
| MEXT Scholarship (Japan) | UG/Master's/PhD applicants | Full tuition + JPY 117,000-145,000/month |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship 2026 (France) | Master's/PhD in select fields | EUR 1,181/month + travel + insurance |
What Are the Best Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA?
Top 2026 USA scholarships for Indian students include the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship (USD 50,000-70,000 a year, deadline mid-May 2025), Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars, Yale Silver Scholar Program, Tata Scholarship at Cornell University (around 20 Indian undergrads, full need-based aid), Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, and Harvard Scholarship.
If you are planning to study in the USA in 2026, applying for scholarships should be one of your earliest steps. Several fully-funded options can drop your out-of-pocket cost to nearly zero, covering tuition, living and travel. The USA has the highest absolute dollar value of scholarships, averaging USD 50,000-70,000 a year for top awards.
The top scholarships for Indian students wishing to study in the USA are listed below:
- Gates Millennium Scholarship
- Fulbright Scholarship
- Yale Silver Scholar Program
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
- Tata Scholarships for Cornell University
- AICPA John L. Carey Scholarship Award
- American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
- The Indian Trust Fellowship
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian Students
- The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme
- Harvard Scholarship
- Ratan Tata Scholarship for Engineering Students
Fullbright-Nehru Research Fellowship
The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship supports outstanding Indian students pursuing a master's degree across humanities, social sciences, economics, public policy, environmental studies, international affairs, public health and STEM at leading US universities. The 2026 award is valued at USD 50,000-70,000 a year.
Only Indian citizens with a four-year bachelor's degree (or its three-year-bachelor + one-year-master's equivalent in fields like humanities) qualify for the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship. The 2026 deadline was 14 May 2025, and the programme has a highly competitive 2-3 percent acceptance rate.
Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian Students
The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships fund five Indian students each year for the MBA programme at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Recipients agree to work in India for at least two years after graduation. The 2026 award covers full tuition and associated fees for the two-year MBA, valued at over USD 165,000.
Five Indian students join the Stanford GSB MBA programme each year through this scholarship. Selection criteria for 2026 include outstanding academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a credible plan to apply learning back in India post-MBA.
Cornell University Tata Scholarship
Indian students aiming for an undergraduate degree at Cornell University can apply for the Tata Scholarship, funded by a USD 25 million endowment from the Tata Education and Development Trust. The 2026 award supports approximately 20 Indian scholars at any one time, covering full tuition and bridging demonstrated financial need.
- Architecture
- Engineering
- College of Art and Planning
- Applied Economics
- Management major in Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business
Which Scholarships Are Available for Indian Students in the UK?
For 2026-27, Indian students can apply for Chevening Scholarships (full UK master's funding, applications close 7 October 2025), Commonwealth Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford, Gates Cambridge, Felix Scholarships, Charles Wallace India Trust, GREAT Scholarships (GBP 10,000 each), Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships, and Inlaks Scholarships.
You can apply to a wide variety of UK scholarships for Indian students if you plan early. The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government's flagship fully-funded option, with India running the largest Chevening programme worldwide (3,900-plus scholars since 1983). Applications for the 2026-27 cycle ran 5 August to 7 October 2025.
- British Chevening Scholarships for International Scholarships
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Scholarship
- GREAT Scholarships
- A.S Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship
- Felix Scholarships
- Rhodes Scholarship
- Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
- Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT)
- Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships
- Inlaks Scholarships
- Scotland Saltire Scholarships
- Goa Education Trust Scholarships
- Queen Mary University Scholarships
- University of Westminster Scholarships
- Vueville Future Technology Scholarship
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Scholarship
The European Union established Erasmus Mundus to promote international academic cooperation. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree (EMJMD) programme funds Indian students to study at consortia of two or more European universities, with 2026 awards covering full tuition, monthly living allowance and travel costs for two years.
Each year, Erasmus Mundus offers around 1,500 scholarships across all funded Joint Masters programmes, including for Indian students. The programmes typically run 12-24 months across two or more European universities, covering subjects from data science and AI to development studies and public policy.
British Chevening Scholarships for International Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's flagship global awards programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Chevening pays full UK master's tuition, monthly living stipend (totalling roughly GBP 18,000-25,000 a year) and return airfare, with India running the largest Chevening programme in the world.
Chevening is one of the most respected scholarships in the UK. Applicants need a bachelor's degree (UK 2:1 equivalent), at least 2 years (2,800 hours) of work experience, and must apply to three different UK master's courses. The 2026-27 application window ran 5 August to 7 October 2025.
Felix Scholarships
Felix Scholarships support outstanding Indian graduates from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, allowing them to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, or SOAS University of London. The 2026 award covers full tuition, all college fees and a generous maintenance allowance for the full degree.
What Are the Top Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada?
Top 2026 Canada scholarships for Indian students include the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CAD 50,000 a year for 3 years, doctoral), Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto (full ride), Trudeau Foundation, Ontario Trillium, University of Calgary Graduate Awards, UBC International Leader of Tomorrow, and Shastri Indo-Canadian Fellowships.
Canada offers many 2026 scholarships for Indian students at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships pay CAD 50,000 a year for three years to outstanding doctoral students, and the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto provides a full undergraduate ride.
- Shastri Indo-Canadian Fellowships
- President Scholarship in Canada
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
- University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Awards
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship
- University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
- University of Calgary Graduate Awards and Scholarships
- Ontario Trillium Scholarship
- UBC Graduate Global Leadership Fellowships
- Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
University of Calgary Graduate Award
The University of Calgary remains a popular choice for Indian students in 2026 thanks to a broad portfolio of entrance scholarships, graduate awards and international leader bursaries. Awards range from CAD 1,000 to over CAD 60,000 across undergraduate, master's and doctoral programmes, with many automatically considered at the time of admission.
You can choose a scholarship or financial assistance programme that best suits your needs and determine whether you fulfil their eligibility requirements by checking the scholarships provided for your selected school on their website.
Ontario Trillium Scholarship
The Ontario Trillium Scholarship is awarded each year to top international doctoral students who have demonstrated academic excellence (typically 80 percent or higher in their previous degrees). The fellowship pays CAD 40,000 a year for up to four years to support PhD studies at participating Ontario universities.
The fellowship is meant to assist students who want to pursue a doctorate in the Canadian city of Ontario. For a four-year period that can be extended and renewed depending on merit, a grant of CAD 40,000 is made to cover the costs of tuition and other expenses. It is a well-liked option for Indian students seeking scholarships in Canada.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are awarded to outstanding international doctoral students aiming for Canadian universities in the natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities, or health research. The 2026 award is worth CAD 50,000 a year for up to three years, covering tuition, living costs and a stipend.
The scholarship, which is worth CAD 50,000 annually and is given out for three years, will pay for the recipient's schooling and other related costs during that time.
How to write an SOP that wins scholarshipsRead →Which Scholarships Are Available for Indian Students in New Zealand?
For 2026, Indian students can apply for the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZD 5,000-10,000), Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (formerly Commonwealth), New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships, Lincoln University Academic Scholarships, Victoria Master's Scholarship, University of Waikato Excellence Scholarship for Asia, and the University of Canterbury College of Engineering Scholarship.
Indian students can apply for a range of 2026 New Zealand scholarships across government and university programmes. The New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) jointly run by Education New Zealand and partner universities offer NZD 5,000-10,000 to graduate and undergraduate students, while the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships fund Commonwealth-eligible applicants.
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (formerly NZ Commonwealth)
- New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)
- Lincoln University Academic Scholarships
- Victoria Master’s Scholarship
- A C Rayner Memorial Scholarship
- SEG Scholarship
- The Eamon Molloy Memorial Scholarship
- University of Waikato Excellence Scholarship for Asia
- New Zealand International Undergraduate Fees Scholarship
- The University of Canterbury’s College of Engineering Scholarship
- BayerBoost Environmental Scholarship Scheme
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships
Candidates from developing Commonwealth nations intending to enrol in postgraduate or doctoral programmes in New Zealand can apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (formerly the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships). The 2026 award covers full tuition, monthly living allowance, return airfare, establishment grant and health insurance.
Manaaki New Zealand is one of the most prestigious scholarships and is awarded to applicants with strong academic and research backgrounds. Candidates need to commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after completing the programme to apply the skills they gain in New Zealand.
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)
The New Zealand government funds the New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS). Candidates are eligible only when registered for full-time PhD study at a New Zealand university. The 2026 award covers full tuition, living stipend, health insurance and book allowance for up to three years.
Universities including AUT University, Massey University, the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, and Victoria University of Wellington admit large numbers of NZIDRS scholars. Around 10 NZIDRS awards go to international students globally each round, making the programme highly competitive.
New Zealand Excellence Awards
Education New Zealand (ENZ) jointly runs the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) with eight major New Zealand universities. The 2026 awards target Indian students enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, with values typically between NZD 5,000 for undergraduates and NZD 10,000 for postgraduates.
Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible for the New Zealand Excellence Awards. Typical 2026 awards are around NZD 5,000 for undergraduate scholars and NZD 10,000 for graduate scholars, applied directly against tuition fees at participating New Zealand universities.
What Are the Best Scholarships for Indian Students in Australia?
Top 2026 Australia scholarships for Indian students include Australia Awards (full tuition + AUD 3,366 monthly stipend + airfare + OSHC), University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships, UNSW International Scholarships, Adelaide Global Excellence, Macquarie University International Scholarships, Griffith Remarkable Scholarships, and the University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship.
Australia offers a wide variety of 2026 scholarship opportunities for Indian students. The Australia Awards Scholarships are the flagship Australian government programme, covering full tuition, AUD 3,366 monthly stipend, AUD 3,000 establishment allowance, return airfare and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
- Undergraduate Academic Excellence International Scholarship in Australia
- UNSW International Scholarships
- Dr. Abdul Kalam International Postgraduate Scholarship
- Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor’s International High Achievers Scholarships
- Flinders International Postgraduate Scholarships
- Adelaide Global Excellence Scholarships for International Students
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
- Macquarie University International Scholarships
- Griffith Remarkable Scholarships
- University of Sydney International Research Scholarships
- Curtin University International Research Scholarships
- La Trobe Academic Excellence Scholarships (AES)
Dr. Abdul Kalam International Postgraduate Scholarship
Indian students can apply for the Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam International Postgraduate Scholarship at RMIT University, which covers 50 percent of tuition costs for the entire postgraduate programme. The 2026 scholarship is awarded on academic merit, leadership potential and a strong personal statement.
International Undergraduate Full Tuition Scholarship
Charles Sturt University and similar Australian institutions provide full-tuition undergraduate scholarships to Indian students who have demonstrated strong academic performance, leadership and community contributions. Awards are highly competitive and typically require an academic record above 90 percent in Class 12.
Monash International Merit Scholarship
Indian students applying to graduate or postgraduate programmes at Monash University over three to five years can apply for the Monash International Merit Scholarship. The 2026 award is valued at AUD 10,000 a year and is awarded automatically based on academic merit at the time of admission.
The candidate's potential and capacity to serve as an ambassador for Monash University is also considered for the 2026 award. Additional scholarships are available for students enrolling in specific Monash faculties such as Engineering, IT, Business and Pharmacy, with values up to AUD 20,000.
IELTS preparation for scholarship-eligible scoresRead →How Can You Increase Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship?
Start preparing 12-18 months before your intake, build a strong academic record (60-75 percent minimum), get competitive IELTS or TOEFL scores, draft a tailored Statement of Purpose for each programme, secure two strong recommendation letters, and apply to 8-12 different scholarships across 3-4 countries to maximise your odds in the competitive 2026 cycle.
Although many 2026 scholarships are available for Indian students, the prestigious ones have very low acceptance rates: Rhodes around 0.7 percent, Fulbright 2-3 percent, Chevening 3-4 percent, and DAAD around 20-25 percent. The strategies below materially improve your chances of being selected.
Competition for international 2026 scholarships is fierce. Beyond raw academics, admissions committees weigh leadership experience, internships, community involvement, volunteer work, a tailored Statement of Purpose, and clearly-defined post-graduation plans for impact in India after the scholarship ends.
The following suggestions will materially improve your chances of winning a 2026 international scholarship:
- Research the scholarship thoroughly: eligibility, deadlines, funding amount, post-award commitments and the host university's strengths.
- Start preparing 12-18 months before the application deadline so you have time for IELTS/TOEFL, GRE/GMAT, recommendation letters and SOPs.
- Tailor your Statement of Purpose to each specific scholarship. Generic SOPs are easy to spot and rarely succeed in 2026 cycles.
- Stay strictly within the word limit. Most scholarship essays cap at 500-1,000 words; some Chevening essays are 100-500 words each.
- Build a strong supporting profile: leadership, internships, volunteering, publications, hackathons, technical projects.
- Apply to 8-12 different scholarships across 3-4 countries to maximise your chances given competitive 2026 acceptance rates.
- Proofread aggressively for grammar, formatting and consistency before submission; even one careless typo can hurt a strong application.
- Keep an organised spreadsheet of deadlines, document requirements, referee names and submission status.