Top 20 Fully-Funded Scholarships Closing in 2025

Why this matters – As of April 27 2025 these 20 marquee awards are still accepting applications for the 2025/26 academic year. Most award tuition, living stipend, flights and health cover—but their portals slam shut anywhere from 30 April 2025 to 15 Dec 2025. Bookmark this guide, set calendar reminders and submit early.

Why this matters – As of April 27 2025 these 20 marquee awards are still accepting applications for the 2025/26 academic year. Most award tuition, living stipend, flights and health cover—but their portals slam shut anywhere from 30 April 2025 to 15 Dec 2025. Bookmark this guide, set calendar reminders and submit early.

Quick‑view Deadline Table

#ScholarshipStudy LevelHost Country/RegionBenefits (USD equiv.)Application Deadline*
1Fulbright Foreign Student ProgramMaster’s/PhD160+ Countries → USAFull tuition, stipend, insurance, airfareVaries by country (May–Oct 2025) (us.fulbrightonline.org)
2Rotary Peace FellowshipMaster’s/PG DiplomaUSA, Japan, UK, Aus, SwedenTuition & fees, room/board, field study15 May 2025
3Italian Government ScholarshipsUG/PG/ResearchItalyTuition waiver, €900/mo9 Jun 2025 (scholarships365.info)
4Schwarzman ScholarsMaster’sChinaTuition, accommodation, stipend, travel12 Sep 2025
5Knight‑Hennessy ScholarsMaster’s/PhDUSA (Stanford)Up to $140 k/yr incl. tuition & living9 Oct 2025
6Rhodes ScholarshipMaster’s/DPhilUK (Oxford)Tuition, stipend, economy flightsJuly–Oct 2025 (varies by constituency)
7Fulbright‑Nehru Master’s FellowshipMaster’sUSATuition, stipend, airfare, J‑1 visa support15 Jun 2025
8DAAD EPOS (selected courses)Master’sGermany€934/mo + travel + insurance30 Aug–15 Oct 2025 (course‑specific)
9Gates Cambridge Scholarship (Intl.)PhDUKFull cost + £20 k stipend, visa, flights2 Oct 2025 (Round 1)
10Erasmus Mundus Joint MastersMaster’sEurope (multi‑campus)Tuition, €1 100/mo, travel, insuranceProgramme windows Oct–Dec 2025
11Australia Awards (DFAT)UG/PGAustraliaTuition, OSHC, stipend, airfare30 Apr 2025 (Round 2)
12Vanier Canada Graduate ScholarshipPhDCanadaCAD 50 000/yr ×3 yrs1 Nov 2025
13AAUW International FellowshipsMaster’s/PhDUSA$20 k–$50 k + travel15 Nov 2025
14Lester B. Pearson Int’l ScholarshipUGCanadaTuition, books, residence, support8 Nov 2025 (school nom); 13 Dec 2025 (student)
15Commonwealth Shared ScholarshipMaster’sUKTuition, stipend, thesis grant, flights18 Dec 2025
16Humphrey FellowshipNon‑degreeUSAFees, living stipend, insurance, travel1 Oct 2025 (most posts)
17Joint Japan/World Bank JJ/WBGSPMaster’sUSA, Europe, JapanTuition, $500 travel, monthly stipend24 May 2025
18SINGA (Singapore)PhDSingaporeTuition, S$2 200–2 700 stipend, settling in1 Jun 2025
19Turkiye Success ScholarshipUG/PGTürkiyeTuition, monthly allowance, dorm, insurance15 Oct 2025
20Vanier CGS – CIHR StreamPhDCanadaCAD 50 000/yr ×3 yrs1 Nov 2025

*Always confirm on the official scholarship site—deadlines can move without notice.


Regional Deep‑Dive & Pro Tips

United States‑bound Awards

  • Fulbright: Start at your local U.S. embassy site for country‑specific requirements (GPA, return‑home clause). Many require TOEFL ≥ 100.
  • Knight‑Hennessy: Prep both the KHS application and your separate Stanford program app. GRE/GMAT optional for some schools, but plan ahead.
  • AAUW: Women only; proof of intent to return home is crucial.

United Kingdom & Europe

  • Rhodes & Gates Cambridge: Academic excellence + leadership + service. Secure compelling recommendation letters early—it’s 60 % of the score.
  • Chevening & Commonwealth: Government‑funded, looking for future policymakers. Nail the “career plan” essay.

Asia‑Pacific Highlights

  • Schwarzman Scholars: Requires a 1‑minute video intro—film in daylight with clear audio.
  • Australia Awards: Must return for 2 years post‑study; prepare Development Impact Plan.

How to Maximize Your Chances

  1. Create a deadline tracker (spreadsheet or Trello) sorted by earliest closing.
  2. Batch your documents: passport, transcripts, IELTS/TOEFL, CV, research proposal.
  3. Draft core essays first, then tweak per program—saves 30–40 hours.
  4. Find mentors/alumni via LinkedIn; request a 15‑minute call.
  5. Polish your online presence—admissions teams do Google you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply to more than one scholarship at a time?
A: Yes, applications are non‑exclusive—just ensure you can accept only one fully‑funded award to avoid double‑dipping issues.

Q: Do I need IELTS if I studied in English?
A: Many programs waive language tests for degrees taught in English—upload medium‑of‑instruction proof.

Q: How competitive are these awards?
A: Acceptance rates range from 0.7 % (Rhodes) to ~10 % (Vanier). Boost your profile with leadership and community service.

Updated 27 April 2025.


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