Students, researchers, academics and young professionals looking for international scholarships and research funding can explore a wide range of opportunities currently listed by major universities, governments, foundations and research organisations.
The opportunities in this list cover master’s programmes, doctoral studies, fellowships, research grants, innovation funding and academic funding across countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, South Korea, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.
Some of the programmes are designed specifically for international students, while others support researchers, academics, entrepreneurs or professionals working on research and innovation projects.
Below is a list of 28 scholarship and funding opportunities that applicants can explore.
1. Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarships are among the major international scholarship opportunities for students seeking postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.
The programme provides an opportunity for eligible applicants to pursue higher education in the UK.
Chevening Scholarships – Apply / Details
2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships provide opportunities for eligible students from Commonwealth countries to pursue master’s-level study.
Applicants interested in postgraduate education in the UK can review the programme requirements and application process.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships – Details
3. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships support international students and researchers interested in academic opportunities in Switzerland.
Applicants should review the specific scholarship category and eligibility requirements applicable to their country and academic background.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Details
4. Knight-Hennessy Scholars
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars programme at Stanford University provides an opportunity for graduate students to pursue advanced study while participating in a multidisciplinary scholars programme.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars – Details
5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge provides scholarship opportunities for eligible students pursuing higher education at Cambridge.
Students should check the programme’s specific eligibility criteria and application requirements.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge – Details
6. Mandela Washington Fellowship
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is an international fellowship opportunity for young leaders.
The programme is associated with professional development, leadership and engagement across different sectors.
Mandela Washington Fellowship – Details
7. DAAD EPOS Scholarships
The DAAD EPOS Scholarships provide opportunities for international students interested in postgraduate study in Germany.
The programme is particularly relevant for applicants looking at development-related postgraduate education.
DAAD EPOS Scholarships – Details
8. Global Korea Scholarship
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) offers international students opportunities to pursue higher education in South Korea.
Applicants should check the applicable programme category and requirements before submitting an application.
Global Korea Scholarship – Details
9. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme is aimed at students interested in pursuing doctoral research in Hong Kong.
The opportunity may be relevant to students planning an international PhD and looking for structured financial support for doctoral study.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme – Details
10. Oxford Clarendon Scholarships
The Oxford Clarendon Scholarships provide scholarship opportunities for graduate students at the University of Oxford.
Students interested in postgraduate study at Oxford can review the eligibility and application requirements.
Oxford Clarendon Scholarships – Details
11. Oxford Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme at Oxford supports eligible graduate students and combines academic study with leadership development.
Oxford Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships – Details
12. Saïd Foundation Scholarships
The Saïd Foundation Scholarships provide scholarship opportunities for eligible students pursuing postgraduate study.
Applicants should review the programme’s current eligibility conditions and participating institutions.
Saïd Foundation Scholarships – Details
13. Cambridge Trust Scholarships
The Cambridge Trust Scholarships provide funding opportunities for eligible international students seeking to study at the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge Trust Scholarships – Details
14. Gates Cambridge Scholarships
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships provide opportunities for eligible students to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.
The programme is relevant to applicants from around the world who meet the applicable academic and programme requirements.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships – Details
15. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship provides an opportunity for international students seeking undergraduate study at the University of Toronto.
Applicants should check the eligibility criteria and nomination/application process applicable to the scholarship.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship – Details
16. University of Queensland Graduate School Scholarships
The University of Queensland Graduate School Scholarships offer funding opportunities for graduate researchers.
The scholarships can be relevant to students planning postgraduate research at the University of Queensland in Australia.
University of Queensland Graduate School Scholarships – Details
17. University of Sydney RTP International Scholarship
The University of Sydney RTP International Scholarship provides an opportunity for eligible international students undertaking higher degree research.
Applicants should review the current requirements and application procedures of the University of Sydney.
University of Sydney RTP International Scholarship – Details
18. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships provide funding opportunities for graduate researchers.
The scholarship can be relevant to international applicants interested in research degrees at the University of Melbourne.
University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships – Details
19. Monash University Graduate Research Scholarships
The Monash University Graduate Research Scholarships support eligible graduate research students undertaking higher degree research at Monash University.
Monash University Graduate Research Scholarships – Details
20. KAUST Graduate Admissions
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) offers graduate study opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
Students and researchers interested in science, technology and related research fields can explore KAUST’s graduate admissions process.
KAUST Graduate Admissions – Details
21. University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship
The University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship provides an opportunity for eligible students pursuing doctoral research in New Zealand.
Prospective PhD candidates can review the scholarship requirements and doctoral admission process.
University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship – Details
22. Wellcome Early-Career Awards
The Wellcome Early-Career Awards support early-career researchers working on research relevant to Wellcome’s areas of interest.
Researchers should check the current funding scope and eligibility conditions before applying.
Wellcome Early-Career Awards – Details
23. ERC Starting Grant
The ERC Starting Grant is a major European research funding opportunity for researchers establishing their own independent research programme.
The grant is particularly relevant to researchers developing ambitious research projects within the applicable ERC framework.
24. European Innovation Council Funding
The European Innovation Council (EIC) provides funding opportunities supporting innovation and the development of new technologies and solutions.
Researchers, innovators and eligible organisations can explore the available funding schemes and calls.
European Innovation Council Funding – Details
25. Horizon Europe Funding Calls
Horizon Europe provides a broad range of European research and innovation funding opportunities.
The programme includes calls covering different research areas and collaborative projects.
Horizon Europe Funding Calls – Details
26. UKRI Funding Opportunities
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding portfolio includes research opportunities across multiple academic and research disciplines.
Researchers can review current funding calls and determine which opportunities match their projects and eligibility.
UKRI Funding Opportunities – Details
27. Innovate UK Competitions
Innovate UK provides competitions and funding opportunities aimed at supporting innovation and business-led research and development.
The opportunities can be relevant to businesses, innovators and research teams working on eligible projects.
Innovate UK Competitions – Details
28. British Academy Funding
The British Academy offers funding opportunities for researchers working across the humanities and social sciences.
Researchers can review available schemes and identify funding calls that correspond with their research area and career stage.
British Academy Funding – Details
Opportunities for Law Students and Legal Researchers
Several opportunities in this list may also be relevant to law students, legal academics and legal researchers, particularly where their proposed research falls within areas such as international law, human rights, governance, public policy, technology, climate change, development or interdisciplinary social sciences.
However, applicants should not assume that a scholarship is open to law candidates simply because it is a general scholarship. Each programme has its own eligibility rules, participating courses and funding conditions.
Law students and researchers should therefore check whether law, legal studies or their proposed interdisciplinary research area is covered before applying.
Scholarship and Funding Categories
The opportunities can broadly be divided into several categories.
Master’s Scholarships
Applicants planning postgraduate master’s study can explore programmes such as Chevening, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships and DAAD EPOS, among others.
Doctoral Scholarships
Students planning PhD research can consider opportunities including the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship and graduate research scholarships offered by Australian universities.
University Scholarships
Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland, Monash and other universities listed above have their own scholarship and funding programmes.
Research Grants
Experienced researchers and academics can explore programmes such as the ERC Starting Grant, Wellcome Early-Career Awards, UKRI funding and British Academy funding.
Innovation Funding
Entrepreneurs, innovators and eligible research organisations can also explore European Innovation Council funding, Horizon Europe and Innovate UK competitions.
How Applicants Should Approach These Opportunities
Before applying, students and researchers should carefully check five important areas:
Eligibility: Confirm that you meet the academic, nationality, professional or career-stage requirements.
Course or Research Area: Check whether your intended degree or research topic is covered.
Funding: Review exactly what the award covers, including tuition, living expenses, travel, accommodation or research costs.
Deadline: Note the exact closing date and time, particularly where applications involve separate university and scholarship deadlines.
Documents: Prepare academic transcripts, CVs, research proposals, references, personal statements and other required documents well in advance.
Important Note for Applicants
The list above is a collection of scholarship and funding opportunities supplied in the announcement. Deadlines, eligibility criteria, funding amounts and application requirements can vary between programmes and may change.
Applicants should always verify the current details on the official programme or university website before submitting an application.
These opportunities also differ substantially in their purpose. Some are scholarships for students, while others are research grants or innovation funding for researchers and organisations. Applicants should therefore apply only where their academic or professional profile matches the specific programme requirements.
Final List at a Glance
The 28 opportunities covered in this roundup are:
- Chevening Scholarships
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge
- Mandela Washington Fellowship
- DAAD EPOS Scholarships
- Global Korea Scholarship
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
- Oxford Clarendon Scholarships
- Oxford Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships
- Saïd Foundation Scholarships
- Cambridge Trust Scholarships
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- University of Queensland Graduate School Scholarships
- University of Sydney RTP International Scholarship
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
- Monash University Graduate Research Scholarships
- KAUST Graduate Admissions
- University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship
- Wellcome Early-Career Awards
- ERC Starting Grant
- European Innovation Council Funding
- Horizon Europe Funding Calls
- UKRI Funding Opportunities
- Innovate UK Competitions
- British Academy Funding
For students and researchers planning international study or research, these programmes provide a starting point for exploring scholarship and funding options across several countries and academic fields.
