Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad - By Indian & Foreign Government

Getting into a university abroad is an exhilarating experience for any student. It makes you feel like your hard work has paid off. While that is fantastic, it is crucial to understand that the journey has just begun.

You must be on your toes about every detail until you go to your destination country. One of those things is securing a scholarship. This article focuses on everything you will need to know about them

Below are the 5 scholarships for Indian students offered by the Indian government:

1. Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship

The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship is a merit and need-based scholarship awarded to Indian students who have an exceptional academic record and wish to pursue their master's degree in the United States of America.

Key things:

• Organisation - United States – India Educational Foundation (USA)

• Applicable Countries - The United States of America.

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based.

• Education Requirement - Candidates should have a bachelor's degree from a US university or a degree from an equivalent institution in India with a minimum of 55% marks.

• Work Experience - Applying candidates should have at least three years of work experience and show commitment towards returning to India.

• Scholarship Offering - Tuition fees, funding and living costs, J-1 visa support, round trip economy-class tickets, accident and sickness coverage.

2. National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship is a need-based scholarship awarded to students wanting to study abroad. This scholarship is available for all countries. Each year, 125 students are awarded this scholarship. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

• Applicable Countries - All Countries

• Type of Scholarship - Need Based

• Education Requirement - The candidate must have scored a minimum of 60% in the qualifying examination. 30% of seats are reserved for female candidates.

• Scholarship Offerings - Maintenance allowance: USD15,400 per year + Tuition fees for USA and other countries. UK: GBP 9,900 per year + Tuition fees. 

• Other - This scholarship is earmarked for targeted groups like Denotified tribes and Semi-Nomadic tribes (06 slots), Scheduled Castes (115 slots), Traditional Artisans and Landless Agricultural Labourers (04 slots). 

The candidate should not be more than 35 years old.

The family income from all sources should be less than INR 8,00,000 in the previous financial year. The scholarship can be awarded to a maximum of two members of the family. 

3. Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is merit-based scholarship given to students wanting to study in the European Union. There are different types of scholarships in the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program, that are designed for different target groups and mobility types and have their specific Eligibility criteria.

Key Things:

• Organisation - European Union

• Applicable Countries - Europe

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirement - The candidate should have a bachelor's degree and relevant work experience. 

The candidate should not have been awarded a similar scholarship under the Erasmus Mundus Action 2 scheme.

• Scholarship Offering - Fully Funded

• Other - The candidate must be an Indian national. The candidate should not have resided in any European country for more than a year in the last five years.

4. Ms Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship (St. Anthony College, London)

The Ministry of Human Resource Development manages the Ms Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship and is entirely sponsored by the Indian Government. 

This is a merit-based and college-specific scholarship and only has one slot open each year.

The chosen candidate is assigned to St. Antony College at Oxford University, London. The candidate would stand the same as a junior research fellow at Oxford University.

Key Things:

• Organisation - The Ministry of Human Resource Development. 

• Applicable Countries - The United Kingdom 

• Type of Scholarship – Merit Based and College Specific 

• Education Requirement - The applying candidate should have scored a minimum of 60% marks at the Master's degree level.  

The applying candidate should have a PhD degree in the same field or have published works of equal merit. The candidate must have a specialization in history, economics, or political science. 

• Work Experience - The candidate should have at least three years of teaching experience at the Graduate or Postgraduate level. 

• Scholarship Offering – Fully Funded Scholarship. 
  

5. Orange Tulip Scholarship India 2023

The Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO), India, and Tilburg University are working together to provide the Orange Tulip Scholarship India to postgraduate applicants. Orange Tulip Scholarship Programme (OTS) is a merit-based scholarship that offers gifted Indian students the chance to study in the Netherlands. The University of Tilburg provides four of these awards.

Key Things:

• Organisation - Nuffic's Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO), India 

• Applicable Countries - Netherlands 

• Type of Scholarship – Merit based 

• Education Requirement - The applicant should have been already admitted or undergoing the admission process of a university in the Netherlands affiliated with the Orange Tulip Scholarship. 

• Work Experience - The applicant should have been already admitted or undergoing the admission process of a university in the Netherlands affiliated with the Orange Tulip Scholarship. 

• Scholarship Offering – Covers 100% of the candidate's tuition fees.

Below are the 19 scholarships for Indian students offered by the Foreign Government

6. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

For overseas students from 155 different nations who desire to study for a Master's or PhD in the US, the Fulbright Program offers complete grants. Additionally, non-degree postgraduate studies are eligible for scholarships.

Key Things:

• Organisation - The United States of America Government 

• Applicable Countries - The United States of America 

• Type of Scholarship – Merit Based  

• Education Requirement - Program eligibility and selection methods differ significantly between nations. To learn more about the Fulbright Program in your country, including eligibility conditions and application procedures, please visit the country-specific webpages. 

• Scholarship Offering - The grant covers the cost of tuition, books, flights, a stipend for living expenses, and health insurance. A total of 1,800 scholarships are given out each year.

7. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme offers seasoned professionals from selected nations around the globe a year of professional upliftment in the United States.

Key Things:

• Organisation - United States – India Educational Foundation (USA) 

• Applicable Countries - The United States of America. 

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based 

• Education Requirement - The candidate should have an undergraduate degree, a minimum of five years of work experience, limited or no prior experience in United States of America, should demonstrate leadership qualities, a record of community service, and English language ability. 

• Scholarship Offering - The Fellowship covers expenditures such as tuition, a stipend, accident and health insurance, and travel. Each year, 200 Fellowships are given out. 

8. British Chevening Scholarships

The UK government gives outstanding students worldwide who qualify for Chevening Scholarships. These prestigious awards are typically for master's degrees that last one year.

Key Things:

• Organisation - Foreign and Commonwealth Office 

• Applicable Countries - The United Kingdom 

• Type of Scholarship - Merit and Need Based 

• Education Requirement - The candidate should complete all components of an undergraduate degree that will help them to enter a postgraduate program at the UK - based university by the time they submit their application.  

This is equal to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK. This may differ depending on their course and university choice. The candidate must have applied to three eligible UK university courses and received an unconditional offer from one of them. 

• Work Experience - The candidate should have a minimum of two years (equivalent to 2,800 hours) of work experience. 

• Scholarship Offering - Tuition, living stipend at a specified rate (for one person), round-trip flight ticket to the UK in economy class, supplementary awards to cover necessary expenses

9. UK Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries

Students from developing Commonwealth nations who want to pursue Master's and PhD studies in the UK are eligible for the Commonwealth Scholarships.

Key Things:

• Organisation - Department for International Development (DFID). 

• Applicable Countries - The United Kingdom 

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based 

• Education Requirements - The candidate must hold an undergraduate degree with at least an upper second-class honour or a second-class degree and an equivalent postgraduate qualification. The CSC would not usually fund a second Master's degree in the UK.

• Scholarship Offering - Each scholarship covers the costs of the student's travel to and from the UK, their tuition and exam fees, maintenance allowance, thesis grant (if necessary), and first arrival allowance. Around 300 scholarships are given each year.

10. Orange Knowledge Programme

The Orange Knowledge Programme aims to improve individuals' and organisations' ability, knowledge, and quality in higher and vocational education sectors and other areas connected to the programme countries' priority issues. Various master's programmes and short courses with durations ranging from two weeks to twelve months are eligible for scholarships. The purpose of an OKP scholarship is to supplement your regular income while studying in the Netherlands.

Key Things:

• Organisation - Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

• Applicable Countries - Netherlands 

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based 

• Education Requirement - The scholarship applicant works only for national and local organisations 

• Work Experience - The scholarship application is a professional who, considering their role, has multiple years of equivalent work experience and has networks relevant to local development, is in a position or through their employer could be put in place to apply what they have learned in practice.  

• Scholarship Offering - Your allowance will help with living expenses like tuition, a visa, travel, insurance, etc. The scholarship bearer is responsible for paying any costs over and beyond those covered by the OKP scholarship, if applicable.

11. Holland Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students

The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in the Netherlands funds the Holland Scholarship, which is available to international students from countries that are not a part of the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree at one of the country's research universities or institutions of applied sciences.

Key Things:

• Organisation - Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. 

• Applicable Countries - Netherlands 

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based 

• Education Requirements - The candidate should be applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s degree at one of the participating Dutch higher education institutions. Has met the specific requirements of the institution of your choice. Has never studied at an education institution in the Netherlands. 

• Scholarship Offering - $5,000. The grant is awarded only for one year and can only be received once.

12. Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships for International Students

The Master Mind Scholarships programme, launched by the Government of Flanders, intends to encourage the internationalisation of Flemish higher education. It provides up to 45 scholarships to deserving master's students worldwide. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - The Flemish Ministry of Education

• Applicable Countries - Belgium

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirement - The applicant should apply for a Master's degree program at an institution in Flanders. The applicant should have high academic performance and potential.  The student should have a Grade Point Average of 3.5 out of 4.0. The previous degree should be obtained from a higher education institution outside Flanders. 

• Scholarship Offering - A scholarship of up to €8,000 is given to the new student each academic year. The highest annual tuition cost that the Flemish Host Institution may charge the applicant is €109. 
  

13. VLIR-UOS Scholarship Program

Students from 31 developing nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America are given scholarships by VLIR-UOS to attend universities in Belgium for English-taught training or a master's programme in development. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad - Universitaire Ontwikkelingssamenwerking

• Applicable Countries - Belgium

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - Candidates should have yet to receive a scholarship from the Belgian government to attend a course. They should have enrolled in a class at a Belgian higher education institution on January 1 of the year of intake. 

• Work Experience - The scholarship is given to candidates working the in higher education, government or civil society. Candidates in the private sector or newly graduated candidates with no work experience might also be considered if they provide strong motivation and profile.  

• Scholarship Offering - The scholarships pay for tuition, housing, stipends, travel, and other program-related expenses.

14. DAAD Scholarships for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for various postgraduate programmes at German universities that are especially relevant to developing nations. International students and young professionals from developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, Central and South America, and Central and Eastern Europe are the primary beneficiaries of the scholarships. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

• Applicable Countries - Germany

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - Holds a Bachelor’s degree (normally four years) in a related subject. Has completed an academic degree with exceptional results and at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor) at the time of application. His/her academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.

• Work Experience - Applying candidate should have at least 1 year of work experience in a related field. 

• Scholarship Offering - The DAAD scholarship offers a choice of full or partial scholarships to fund chosen curricula. The scholarships include monthly payments of 861 euros for graduates or 1,200 euros for doctoral candidates; payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover; and travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding.

15. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Graduates from more than 180 nations can pursue a doctorate or postdoctoral research in any academic discipline at a publicly financed university or other recognised institution in Switzerland, thanks to the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - Swiss Confederation

• Applicable Countries - Switzerland

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - The research scholarship is available for post-graduate researchers in any discipline (with a master’s degree at minimum) who plan to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or post-doctoral level in Switzerland. 

• Scholarship Offering - The scholarship covers a monthly payment, exemption of tuition fees, health insurance, airfare, housing allowance, etc., as applicable

16. Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students

The Danish Ministry of Education awards scholarships yearly to highly qualified and driven international students outside the EU/EEA who want to enrol in full-time higher education programmes at participating Danish Universities. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - Danish Ministry of Education

• Applicable Countries - Denmark

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - Enrolled in a full degree higher education programme. Granted a time-limited residence permit in Denmark due to education.

• Scholarship Offering - The scholarship is awarded as full or partial exemptions of the tuition fee and grants to help with living expenses

17. Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students

Both foreign nationals and Italian residents living abroad can apply for scholarships from the Italian Government to study in Italy. The scholarships are for undergraduate degree programmes, advanced vocational training, music and art courses, master's degree programmes, and doctoral programmes, among other things. Only three, six, or nine-month scholarships are open for application.

Key Things:

• Organisation - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

• Applicable Countries - Italy

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - Applications must only be submitted by foreign students not residing in Italy and by Italian citizens living abroad holding an appropriate academic qualification required to enrol to the Italian University/Institute.

• Scholarship Offering - Tuition fees waiver and a monthly stipend of USD1000 

18. Eiffel Excellence Scholarships

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs created the Eiffel Scholarship program to help French institutions recruit academically gifted international students for master's and PhD programmes. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

• Applicable Countries - France

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - The candidate should inquire about the eligibility criteria with the French Higher Education Institution they are applying to.

• Scholarship Offering - The Scholarship does not only provide a monthly stipend, but Eiffel scholarship recipients are also reimbursed for travel costs, health insurance, and extracurricular activities. The cost of tuition is not covered.

19. Australian Awards Scholarships

International students from nations in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East can apply for Australia Awards Scholarships, which was previously known as the Australia Development Scholarships (ADS), to study at Australian universities. At participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions, the scholarships are for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD degrees in vocational education and training. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - Australian Government

• Applicable Countries - Australia

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Educational Requirements - The candidate should be able to satisfy the admission requirements of the institution at which the award is to be undertaken (this may mean that Program Areas will need to withdraw an award offer if the recipient cannot satisfy the institution’s admission requirements. This may not be known until Program Areas request a placement at selected institutions).

• Scholarship Offerings - Total tuition fees, round-trip airfare, an establishment allowance, a contribution towards living expenses (CLE), overseas student health insurance (OSHC), and other advantages are typical features of scholarships.

20. New Zealand International Tertiary Scholarships

The New Zealand International Scholarships provide international students from specific developing nations in the Pacific, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, as well as the Commonwealth, with the chance to study in New Zealand and acquire knowledge and skills through postgraduate study in particular subject areas that will aid in the development of their home nation. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - NZAID

• Applicable Countries - New Zealand

• Type of Scholarships - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - Scholarship applicants don’t need to apply for admission to their preferred education institution and courses, but they need to check that they are likely to meet the minimum academic requirements and the minimum level of English required for their courses.

• Work Experience - When assessing scholarship applications, applicants who want to study courses that align strongly with their current work experience and applicants who will continue working in their current job sector after they finish their scholarship are preferred.

• Scholarship Offering - The scholarships cover living expenses, insurance, and travel expenses.

21. Taiwan Higher Education Scholarship Program

Under the Japanese Government Scholarship Program, the Japanese Government provides scholarships in Japan to international students who want to enrol in undergraduate and graduate programmes at Japanese universities. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - The TaiwanICDF

• Applicable Countries - Taiwan

• Type of Scholarships - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - Satisfy the admission requirements of the partner university to which he or she has applied to study under a TaiwanICDF scholarship.

• Scholarship Offering - The scholarships pay for tuition fees, travel expenses, and an allowance. Each scholarship recipient receives a full scholarship from the TaiwanICDF, covering everything from return airfare to accommodation, tuition and other expenses to insurance and textbook costs.

22. Turkey Graduate Scholarships for International Students

Successful international students worldwide who want to pursue postgraduate studies in Turkey are the target audience for the Türkiye Graduate Scholarship Program.  

Key Things:

• Organisation - Turkish Government

• Applicable Countries - Turkey

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - Minimum academic achievement for Bachelor’s degree applicants: 70% 
  Minimum academic achievement for Master’s and Doctorate degree applicants: 75% 
  Minimum academic achievement for Health Science (Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy) applicants: 90%

• Scholarship Offering - The scholarship comes with a monthly stipend, full tuition, a year of free Turkish language instruction, accessible housing in a state-run dorm, round-trip airfare, and health insurance.

23. Singapore International Graduate Award

Singapore International Graduate Awards are presented to international students with an academically high record in their undergraduate and graduate studies and a strong desire to do research, leading to a doctorate (PhD) in Science and Engineering at a Singapore University.  

Key Things:

• Organisation - Singapore Government

• Applicable Countries - Singapore

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirement - Open to all international graduates with a passion for research and excellent academic results. Good skills in written and spoken English. Good reports from academic referees

• Scholarship Offering - The scholarship offers financial assistance for up to 4 years of PhD study, covering all tuition costs, a monthly stipend, relocation assistance, and a grant for travel expenses.

24. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, launched by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009, intends to entice exceptional students worldwide to study their PhD degree programmes in Hong Kong's universities.

Key Things:

• Organisation - Hong Kong Research Grants Council

• Applicable Countries - Hong Kong

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - Those who are seeking admission as new full-time PhD students in UGC-funded institutions of Hong Kong, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply. Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability/potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

• Scholarship Offering - For a maximum of three years, the Fellowship offers a monthly stipend and an annual travel grant for conferences and research-related travel.

Below are the 5 scholarships for Indian students offered by the Private Entities:

25. The JN Tata Endowment – Higher Education of Indians

For Indian students starting their higher study in an international university, the JN Tata Endowment Scholarship is a one-time loan scholarship programme. 

Key Things:

• Organisation - Tata Group

• Applicable Countries - All Countries

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirement - The candidate must have a graduate degree from a recognized Indian university with a minimum of 60% marks.

• Scholarship Offering - Between INR 1,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 is the loan scholarship amount.

26. Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship

This project offers merit-based international master's scholarships to women with backgrounds in social work, public health, and women's and children's welfare.

Key Things:

• Organisation - Tata Group

• Applicable Countries - All Countries

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirements - The candidate must be a female Indian citizen. The candidate must be a graduate of a reputed university with an excellent academic record.

• Work Experience - The candidate must have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience.

• Scholarship Offering - The scholarship awards INR 3,60,000 as a tuition fee component per selected candidate, depending on the candidate's performance in the interview

27. Hani Zeini Scholarship

The Hani Zeini Scholarship, established to support aspiring entrepreneurs financially, awards USD 1,000 (73,736 INR) to one academically outstanding student. It's aimed at people who aspire to work in business or finance as entrepreneurs.

Key Things:

• Organisation - Hani Zeini

• Applicable Countries - All Countries

• Type of Scholarship - Merit and Need Based

• Education Requirement - Applicants must compose an 850-word maximum essay that discusses the biggest business challenges of the 21st century, and how best to navigate those challenges successfully.

• Scholarship Offering - USD 1,000 (73,736 INR)

28. K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad

The K. C. Mahindra Education Trust has given deserving students interest-free loan scholarships since 1956 to pursue postgraduate studies overseas in various subjects. The top 3 KC Mahindra Fellows will each get a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs. The remaining qualified applicants will be given a maximum of Rs. 5 lakhs.

Key Things:

• Organisation - K. C. Mahindra Education Trust

• Applicable Countries - All Countries

• Type of Scholarship - Merit and Need Based

• Education Requirement - have secured admission for a postgraduate course in any recognized international university, the applicant must have a good academic record, the applicant must possess a First-Class degree or equivalent diploma.

• Scholarship Offering - The Trust provides two denominations of interest-free loan scholarships every year: A maximum of INR 8 lakh per student for the top 3 K.C. Mahindra fellows, and a maximum of INR 4 lakh per student for the remaining successful applicants. 

29. Narotam Sekhsaria's Scholarships

The Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarships are a non-government programme that provides 100% merit-based awards to deserving Indian students who want to continue further education in India and abroad at prestigious institutions in Australia, the UK, and other nations.

Key Things:

• Organisation - Natrotam Sekhsaria Foundation

• Applicable Countries - India, UK, Australia, and other nations.

• Type of Scholarship - Merit Based

• Education Requirement - Graduates and final-year students at any authorized Indian university.

• Scholarship Offering - Based on the training, the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation offers up to INR 2 million to a person.

• Do your homework on the scholarships that are available: There are both general and university-specific awards for various nations and majors.

• Note down the information related to your scholarship: Be particular about the course, the location, and the minimum funding required.

• Examine your performance and needs: Many scholarships have minimum percentage requirements that must be met.

• Be certain about the destination nation: Once you've decided which government you want to attend college in, you may thoroughly search for all available scholarships.

• For accurate information, consult the scholarship-offering organisation: Many websites provide information, yet much of it needs to be more consistent or accurate.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship program

Students from developing nations can get financial assistance through the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program to attend master's programs at universities in the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Portugal on a 50% grant and 50% loan basis. The Aga Khan Scholarship covers living expenses and tuition. The applicant must be under 30 and have a solid academic record to qualify for this award.

Countries that offer free tuition or low tuition fees:

1. Finland
2. Austria
3. Germany
4. Iceland
5. Norway
6. Sweden 
   

Countries that offer fully funded scholarships:

1. The United States of America

2. United Kingdom

3. Canada

4. Australia
5. New Zealand
6. Austria
7. Ireland
8. Italy
9. Germany

1. Make sure you have all your documents

After you have completed your research and decided about which country you will be studying in, make sure you have all your documents ready.

2. Make and update your resume

Your resume plays an integral part in securing a scholarship. Your resume needs to highlight your experience and your skills. 

3. Keep your references ready and informed

References in your scholarship application play an essential part in securing the scholarship. Let your references know what you're applying for, and then give them enough time to jot down a well-thought reference.

4. Write a unique essay

Write an inspiring, personal essay that expresses your passions, goals and dreams and about how the scholarship will provide you with an opportunity to achieve those.