Scholarships to Study Abroad in 2026 – Fully Funded Programs for Indian Students
Scholarships to Study Abroad in 2026 – Fully Funded Programs for Indian Students
The dream of Study Abroad is more accessible than ever in 2026 with hundreds of fully funded scholarships available for Indian students. From government-backed programs to university-specific awards, this comprehensive guide reveals the most lucrative Scholarships to Study Abroad in 2026 across UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
At Vibedu, we've helped 3,500+ Indian students secure international scholarships worth over ₹200 crores. Whether you're aiming for Study in uk with scholarship, Study in usa with scholarship, or Study in Germany with scholarship, this 2026 guide provides accurate, researched, and actionable information to fund your global education.
Get Free CounsellingScholarships Guide 2026: Complete Contents
- 🇬🇧 UK Scholarships 2026
- 🇨🇦 Canada Scholarships 2026
- 🇺🇸 USA Scholarships 2026
- 🇦🇺 Australia Scholarships 2026
- 🇩🇪 Germany Scholarships 2026
- 🌏 Commonwealth Scholarships
- 🏛️ Government Scholarships Abroad
- 📝 How to Get Scholarship
Why 2026 is the Best Year for Indian Students to Win Scholarships
International universities are actively recruiting Indian talent with enhanced scholarship budgets for 2026. According to British Council reports, India is now the second-largest source of international students globally, and institutions have responded with dedicated funding.
2026 Scholarship Landscape: UK offers 120 GREAT Scholarships (£10,000 each) for Indian students [citation:3]. Canada's Vanier CGS provides $50,000/year for PhD scholars [citation:8]. Australia's UNSW offers 20% tuition fee reduction automatically [citation:9]. Germany's DAAD provides €992/month living stipends plus full tuition coverage [citation:5].
Study in UK with Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded & Partial Options
GREAT Scholarships 2026
£10,000 towards tuitionEligibility: Indian passport holders, one-year postgraduate taught programs at 60+ UK universities [citation:3][citation:6].
Benefits: Minimum £10,000 tuition fee reduction. Over 120 scholarships available across UK institutions including University of Surrey, King's College London, and more [citation:6].
Application Deadline: Varies by university (typically March-June 2026)
British Council STEM Scholarships for Women
Up to £40,000 fully fundedDetails: 25 fully funded scholarships for women from South Asia (including India) in STEM fields. Covers full tuition, living allowance, travel, visa, and health costs [citation:2].
Partner Universities: University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, Queen Mary University of London, Brunel University London [citation:2].
Applications Open Now for 2026-27
Imperial College London – India Future Leaders Scholarship
£10,000 tuition feeEligibility: Indian domicile students applying for one-year full-time MSc or MRes in Faculty of Engineering, Natural Sciences, Medicine, or Business School [citation:1].
Value: 10 awards of £10,000 each for 2026/27 academic year. No separate application – faculties nominate top-ranked candidates [citation:1].
Offer by 6 April 2026; English requirement by 30 June 2026
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation PhD Scholarships at King's College London
$120,000 valueBenefits: Three years full stipend, four-year tuition fee waiver, one-way airfare, healthcare, visa costs – up to $120,000 per scholar [citation:10].
Eligibility: Indian citizens applying to PhD programs in Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy or Arts & Humanities at King's [citation:10].
Applications open mid-February 2026
Study in Canada with Scholarship 2026 – Top Awards for Indian Students
Canada offers some of the most generous Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. According to Government of Canada resources, Indian students received over CAD 45 million in scholarships in 2025 [citation:8].
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
$50,000/year for 3 yearsEligibility: PhD students in health research, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences. Must be nominated by Canadian university [citation:8].
Value: $50,000 per year for three years – one of Canada's most prestigious doctoral awards [citation:8].
November 2026 (annual)
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
$70,000/year for 2 yearsDetails: For postdoctoral researchers in health, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences. Must have PhD between 2021-2026 [citation:8].
Value: $70,000 per year for two years for salary and research expenses [citation:8].
September 2026
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship – University of Toronto
Full tuition + living expensesEligibility: Exceptional undergraduate applicants from India with leadership qualities. School nomination required [citation:8].
Benefits: Covers full tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence support for four years [citation:8].
School nomination: November 2025; Student application: January 2026
UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)
Varies (up to full tuition)Eligibility: International undergraduate applicants with outstanding academic achievement and leadership [citation:8].
Selection: Based on grades, personal profile, and references.
January 15, 2026
University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
$15,000/year (renewable)Eligibility: First-year undergraduate students with study permit, exceptional grades [citation:8].
Value: $15,000 per year for up to four years ($60,000 total) [citation:8].
December 1, 2025
York University – Global Leader of Tomorrow / International Entrance
Up to $35,000/yearDetails: Two awards: Global Leader of Tomorrow (up to $20,000/year) and International Entrance (up to $35,000/year). Renewable up to 4 years [citation:8].
February 1, 2026
Study in USA with Scholarship 2026 – Opportunities for Indian Students
UCSC Silicon Valley International Student Merit Scholarship
$1,000 one-time awardEligibility: New F-1 international students enrolling full-time in eligible certificate programs at UCSC Silicon Valley [citation:7].
Requirements: 300-500 word personal statement outlining academic objectives and career aspirations [citation:7].
Fall: June 15, 2026; Winter: Oct 15, 2026; Spring: Jan 15, 2027; Summer: April 1, 2026 [citation:7]
Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
Full fundingDetails: Prestigious program for Indian students to pursue Master's degrees in US universities. Covers tuition, living costs, airfare, health insurance.
Eligibility: Bachelor's degree, 3+ years work experience, strong leadership potential.
May-June 2026 (typically)
Study in Australia with Scholarship 2026 – UNSW & Beyond
UNSW International Student Award
20% tuition fee reductionDetails: All Indian students are eligible for 20% tuition fee scholarship for every year of undergraduate or postgraduate program at UNSW Sydney starting in 2026 [citation:9].
Can combine with other international student scholarships [citation:9].
Apply early for 2026 intake
UNSW International Scientia Coursework Scholarship
Full tuition or $20,000/yearBenefits: Full tuition fee scholarship OR $20,000 AUD per year contribution. Includes professional development opportunities [citation:9].
Criteria: Academic merit, leadership, extracurricular activities [citation:9].
Check UNSW website
Australia's Global University Award (UNSW)
$10,000 for one yearDetails: Automatic consideration for students with outstanding academic merit. $10,000 payment plus professional networking opportunities [citation:9].
Automatic consideration upon application
Study in Germany with Scholarship 2026 – DAAD & Fully Funded Options
Germany Advantage: Public universities charge €0 tuition. Scholarships cover living costs! The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is the world's largest funding organization for international students [citation:5].
DAAD Study Scholarships – All Disciplines
€992/month + full benefitsBenefits: €992 monthly stipend for Master's students, full tuition waiver (since German public unis are free), health insurance, travel allowance, €460/year study allowance [citation:5].
Eligibility: Top 30% of graduating class, degree not older than 6 years, IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+ [citation:5].
August-October 2026 (for 2027 intake)
DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses)
€992/month + full coverageFocus: Sustainable Energy, Public Health, Environmental Engineering – aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals [citation:5].
Requirement: Minimum 2 years relevant work experience [citation:5].
August-October 2026
Helmut-Schmidt Programme (Public Policy & Good Governance)
Full fundingDetails: For future leaders in social, political, and economic development. Master's degrees in disciplines relevant to public policy [citation:5].
July 2026
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships 2026 – Fully Funded Master's
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) 2026
Fully Funded – 2 Year Master'sBenefits: Full tuition fees, living allowance (stipend), return economy flights, one-off arrival allowance, research support grant [citation:4].
Eligibility: Citizen of Commonwealth country, upper second-class honors (2:1) or equivalent, apply for master's at participating universities [citation:4].
Participating Countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Bangladesh, Barbados, Eswatini, Jamaica, Kenya, etc. [citation:4]
Host Universities Include: BRAC University (Bangladesh), University of West Indies, University of Eswatini, Technical University of Kenya [citation:4].
Applications Closed for 2026 cycle (Nov 2025 – Jan 2026). Next cycle opens late 2026 for 2027 intake.
How to Get Scholarship to Study Abroad – 2026 Expert Strategy
Vibedu's 5-Step Scholarship Success Framework:
- Early Research (12-18 months before): Identify scholarships matching your profile – government, university, and private.
- Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades (minimum 7.0+ CGPA or 60%+). Most scholarships require top 30% of class [citation:5].
- Language Proficiency: IELTS 7.0+ / TOEFL 95+ for competitive scholarships. DAAD requires 6.5+ [citation:5].
- Strong SOP & References: Demonstrate leadership, community impact, and clear career goals. Get academic/professional references on letterhead.
- Apply Early & Track Deadlines: Most deadlines are 8-12 months before intake. Create a spreadsheet with all deadlines and requirements.
⚠️ Critical 2026 Deadlines: Imperial India Future Leaders: 6 April 2026 [citation:1]; UCSC Silicon Valley: varies by quarter [citation:7]; Vanier CGS: November 2026 [citation:8]; DAAD: August-October 2026 [citation:5].
Frequently Asked Questions – Scholarships to Study Abroad 2026
Which country offers the most fully funded scholarships for Indian students in 2026?
Germany and the UK lead in Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students. Germany's DAAD provides €992/month stipends plus free tuition at public universities [citation:5]. The UK offers GREAT Scholarships (£10,000) [citation:3], British Council STEM Women scholarships (up to £40,000 fully funded) [citation:2], and numerous university-specific awards. Canada's Vanier CGS ($50,000/year) and Banting ($70,000/year) are prestigious doctoral awards [citation:8]. Australia's UNSW provides automatic 20% tuition reduction [citation:9].
What are the application deadlines for 2026 study abroad scholarships?
Key 2026 deadlines: Imperial College India Future Leaders – 6 April 2026 [citation:1]; UCSC Silicon Valley – quarterly deadlines (June 15 for Fall, Oct 15 for Winter) [citation:7]; Vanier CGS – November 2026 [citation:8]; DAAD – August to October 2026 [citation:5]; GREAT Scholarships – March-June 2026 (varies by university) [citation:3][citation:6]. Most scholarships for Fall 2026 intake close between January-April 2026, so start applications immediately.
What GPA is required for fully funded scholarships in 2026?
Most competitive scholarships require you to be in the top 30% of your graduating class. For Indian students, this typically means:
- Undergraduate: 75%+ (or 8.0+ CGPA)
- Postgraduate: 60%+ (or 6.5+ CGPA) with strong research proposal
- DAAD specifically looks for top 30% of class [citation:5]
- Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships require 2:1 (upper second-class) equivalent [citation:4]
How does Vibedu help students win international scholarships?
Vibedu's scholarship support includes: 1) Personalized scholarship matching based on profile and target country (Study in uk with scholarship, Study in usa with scholarship, etc.). 2) Statement of Purpose and motivation letter writing assistance – critical for DAAD, Fulbright, and GREAT applications. 3) Interview preparation for shortlisted candidates. 4) Application tracking and deadline management. 5) Documentation review for scholarship applications. Our students have won ₹200+ crores in scholarships with a 35% higher success rate than independent applicants. Book your free counselling session.
Can I get a fully funded scholarship for undergraduate studies abroad?
Yes! Top undergraduate scholarships include: Lester B. Pearson at University of Toronto (full tuition + living) [citation:8]; UBC IMES (varies) [citation:8]; York University International Entrance (up to $35,000/year) [citation:8]; University of Calgary International Entrance ($15,000/year renewable) [citation:8]. Many US universities also offer need-based aid for international undergraduates. These are competitive and require exceptional academics (95%+ in 12th) and leadership.
Your 2026 Scholarship Action Plan – Start Today
The Scholarships to Study Abroad in 2026 landscape offers unprecedented opportunities for Indian students. With proper planning and expert guidance, you can secure funding for your dream education abroad.
- Immediate (February-March 2026): Finalize applications for GREAT Scholarships, Imperial India Future Leaders (deadline 6 April 2026) [citation:1].
- April-June 2026: Apply for UCSC Silicon Valley (Fall deadlines), prepare for DAAD applications opening August 2026.
- July-October 2026: DAAD peak application season – prepare IELTS/TOEFL, Europass CV, motivation letter [citation:5].
- Ongoing: Research university-specific scholarships – UNSW offers automatic 20% for Indian students [citation:9].
Vibedu Guarantee: Our scholarship experts have helped 3,500+ Indian students secure international funding. From Study in Germany with scholarship to Study in Canada with scholarship, we provide end-to-end support. Don't let funding stop your dreams – book your free counselling today.
Official Scholarship Resources 2026
🔗 Government & Official Links (Dofollow):
- DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
- British Council – Study UK Scholarships
- Government of Canada – Scholarships for International Students
- UNSW Sydney – India Scholarships
- Imperial College London – India Future Leaders
📊 Research & Database Links (Nofollow):
- ACU – Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
- WES – Scholarship Research
- University of Surrey – GREAT Scholarships
🎓 Vibedu Internal Scholarship Resources:
Disclaimer: This guide is based on official scholarship announcements as of February 2026. Deadlines and values are subject to change. Always verify on official websites. Vibedu provides education consulting and scholarship application assistance. Individual results may vary.
