Do you want to start your study adventure abroad in 2026? Good news! A wide range of fully funded scholarships are now available for international students who wish to study at top universities around the world. These scholarships are designed to remove financial barriers and allow talented students to focus fully on their academic and personal development.
In this article, we explain in detail what fully funded scholarships are, their benefits, and the step-by-step application process. We also present a carefully researched list of the most prestigious fully funded scholarships for international students in 2026, covering undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral programs across the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
More than 1,000 fully funded scholarships are available at the world’s top universities. On average, these scholarships provide a monthly stipend of around $1,000 or more, along with full tuition fees, accommodation, health insurance, and travel allowance.
Apply for fully funded scholarships and fulfill your dream of studying at world-class institutions such as Yale University, Oxford University, Cambridge University, Harvard University, Monash University, ETH Zurich, Stanford University, leading Chinese universities, and many more.
What Is a Fully Funded Scholarship?
A fully funded scholarship is a financial award that covers all major expenses related to studying abroad. Unlike partial scholarships, which may only reduce tuition costs, fully funded scholarships are designed to support students comprehensively throughout their study period.
Most fully funded scholarships include:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Monthly living allowance
- Accommodation or housing allowance
- Health or medical insurance
- Airfare or travel allowance
- Sometimes research and book allowances
These scholarships are commonly funded by governments, international organizations, or globally ranked universities seeking to attract outstanding students from around the world.
Step-by-Step Application Process
While requirements vary by scholarship and country, the general application process usually follows these steps:
- Research early and shortlist scholarships suitable for your academic level and field.
- Check eligibility criteria, including nationality, academic background, age limits, and language requirements.
- Prepare required documents, such as transcripts, recommendation letters, statement of purpose, CV, and language test scores.
- Submit online applications through official scholarship or university portals.
- Attend interviews or tests, if required.
- Wait for selection results, usually announced a few months after the deadline.
Fully Funded Scholarships 2026 for International Students
1. Yale University Scholarships – USA
The Yale University Scholarship is a fully funded, need-based scholarship for international students. It is available for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs. The award can range from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year, with the average Yale need-based scholarship exceeding $50,000.
Institution: Yale University
Study in: USA
Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
2. Chinese Government Scholarship – China
The Chinese Government Scholarship is a fully funded program for international students at more than 280 Chinese universities. It supports undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies and covers tuition fees, accommodation, basic medical insurance, and a monthly stipend of up to 3,500 Yuan.
Institution: Chinese Universities
Study in: China
Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
3. DAAD Scholarship – Germany
The DAAD Scholarship is one of Europe’s most respected fully funded scholarships. It is available for master’s and PhD studies at top German universities. The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of €934 for graduates and €1,300 for doctoral candidates, along with insurance and travel support.
Institution: German Universities
Study in: Germany
Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
4. MEXT Scholarship – Japan
The MEXT Scholarship is funded by the Japanese government and supports undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and training programs. It covers full tuition fees, accommodation, monthly living allowance, and round-trip airfare to Japan.
Institution: Japanese Universities
Study in: Japan
Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
5. Fulbright Scholarships – USA
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a prestigious fully funded scholarship for international students pursuing master’s and PhD degrees in the United States. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, accommodation, airfare, and health insurance.
Institution: USA Universities
Study in: USA
Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
6. ETH Zurich Excellence Master’s Scholarships – Switzerland
ETH Zurich offers Excellence Scholarships for outstanding international students pursuing master’s degrees. The scholarship provides a grant of CHF 11,000 per semester and a full tuition fee waiver.
Institution: ETH Zurich
Study in: Switzerland
Level of Study: Master’s
7. Ton Duc Thang University Graduate Scholarships – Vietnam
The Ton Duc Thang University Graduate Scholarships are fully funded for international master’s and PhD students. The scholarship covers full tuition fees and full accommodation costs throughout the study period.
Institution: Ton Duc Thang University
Study in: Vietnam
Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
8. Monash University Scholarships – Australia
Monash University offers fully funded scholarships for postgraduate research students. The scholarship provides an annual living allowance of AUD 35,600, a relocation allowance, and a research allowance.
Institution: Monash University
Study in: Australia
Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
9. Gates Cambridge Scholarship – UK
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship supports exceptional international students at the University of Cambridge. It provides a £17,500 annual stipend, health insurance, academic development funding, and family allowance where applicable.
Institution: University of Cambridge
Study in: UK
Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
10. Stanford University Scholarships – USA
Stanford University offers fully funded scholarships for international students pursuing master’s and PhD programs. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, travel allowance, living allowance, and academic expenses.
Institution: Stanford University
Study in: USA
Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
11. KAIST Undergraduate Scholarship – South Korea
The KAIST Undergraduate Scholarship covers full tuition fees, a monthly allowance of up to 800,000 KRW, medical insurance, and Korean language training support.
Institution: KAIST University
Study in: South Korea
Level of Study: Undergraduate
12. Chevening Scholarship – UK
The Chevening Scholarship is a fully funded UK government scholarship for master’s studies. It covers tuition fees, monthly living allowance, return airfare, and additional grants.
Institution: UK Universities
Study in: UK
Level of Study: Master’s
13. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship – Canada
This scholarship at the University of Toronto covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.
Institution: University of Toronto
Study in: Canada
Level of Study: Undergraduate
14. Melbourne Research Scholarships – Australia
The Melbourne Research Scholarship offers a living allowance of AUD 31,200 per year, full tuition fee offset, health insurance, and relocation grants.
Institution: University of Melbourne
Study in: Australia
Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
15. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Switzerland
This scholarship supports PhD and postdoctoral studies and includes a monthly stipend, tuition fee exemption, health insurance, airfare, and housing allowance.
Institutions: Swiss Universities
Study in: Switzerland
Level of Study: PhD / Postdoctoral
16. Turkey Government Scholarship – Turkey
Türkiye Burslari Scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation, health insurance, return flight ticket, and a monthly stipend.
Institutions: Turkish Universities
Study in: Turkey
Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
17. Hungary Government Scholarship
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, accommodation contribution, and medical insurance.
Institutions: Hungarian Universities
Study in: Hungary
Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
18. Italian Government Scholarship – Italy
This scholarship provides €900 monthly, tuition fee coverage, and medical insurance for master’s and PhD students.
Institutions: Italian Universities
Study in: Italy
Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
19. Indonesian Government KNB Scholarship – Indonesia
The KNB Scholarship provides settlement allowance, monthly living allowance, and health insurance for international students.
Institutions: Indonesian Universities
Study in: Indonesia
Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
20. Government of Ireland Scholarship – Ireland
This scholarship offers a €22,000 annual stipend, contribution to tuition fees, and research expenses.
Institution: Government of Ireland
Study in: Ireland
Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
21. Danish Government Scholarship – Denmark
The Danish Government Scholarship offers a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly living grant of DKK 6,090.
Institution: University of Southern Denmark
Study in: Denmark
Level of Study: Master’s
Final Thoughts
Fully funded scholarships in 2026 provide life-changing opportunities for international students to study abroad without financial burden. With early preparation, strong academic records, and well-prepared applications, you can secure a place at a top global university and begin your international education journey in 2026.
