Top 25 Fully Funded Scholarships for Developing Countries 2027: Verified Deadlines, Stipends and Eligibility

Updated: October 13, 2026 | Reading time: 22 min | Written by: StudyTribune Team

Scholarships for developing countries are awards that cover tuition and living costs for students from lower- and middle-income countries, and the best ones also pay travel and insurance. No single list defines which countries qualify. Every funder keeps its own, so a scholarship open to Nigerians may exclude Pakistanis. This guide to scholarships for developing countries compares 25 fully funded options for the 2027 intake, plus five more routes with deadlines in the next few months. Every deadline, stipend and eligibility rule below comes from the official provider or a university page, and we flag the few that we could not confirm.

Quick answer: the closest deadline is the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship on 20 October 2026, followed by ETH Zurich, Yenching and the Swiss Government call (30 November), Wageningen (1 December) and Gates Cambridge (8 December). Chevening and Knight-Hennessy closed on 6 October. Most 2027 deadlines for Hungary, Sweden, Türkiye and Eiffel fall between January and February.

What Scholarships for Developing Countries Really Mean

Two phrases in this topic cause confusion. Fully funded normally means tuition plus a living allowance plus travel or an equivalent, but not every award labelled that way meets the test. And developing countries has no legal definition for scholarships. The table shows how each scheme decides who counts.

We group the 25 scholarships by what they pay:

What Changed Since 2023

• Vanier is gone. The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship, Doctoral replaced it.
• The Orange Knowledge Programme has ended. Wageningen’s scholarships and the NL Scholarship are the Dutch routes now.
• New Zealand’s Commonwealth scholarships became Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships.
• Stipends changed: the Swedish Institute stipend is SEK 12,000, DAAD EPOS pays €992 to master’s students, Eiffel pays €1,200 and €2,100, and Swiss Government fellowships pay CHF 2,450.
• The Swiss scholarship no longer funds postdocs and does not cover semester fees.
• A Knight-Hennessy error was corrected. Earlier guides said the scholarship was “worth $400 million”. It funds up to 100 scholars a year.
• Hungary’s list grew to more than 100 sending partners.

Scholarships for Developing Countries: Deadline Calendar, October 2026 to September 2027

Dates marked expected follow the previous cycle. Confirm each on the official page.

UK Scholarships for Developing Countries (Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon)

1. Chevening Scholarship (UK)

The UK government’s flagship award funds one-year master’s degrees for future leaders. You apply to three eligible UK courses and need at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience. A university offer is not needed when you apply, but you must hold one unconditional offer by July 2027 if selected.

Level: Master’s. Covers: Tuition, a monthly stipend, travel and visa costs. Who can apply: Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries. Next deadline: Closed on 6 October 2026. The next round normally opens in early August 2027.

2. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

Funded by the UK Government, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships support citizens of eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. You cannot apply to the Commission directly. You apply through a nominating agency, and some set earlier dates.

Level: Master’s (PhD and split-site awards run separately). Covers: Tuition, airfare and a living allowance. Who can apply: Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries, via a nominating agency. Next deadline: 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST (master’s).

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)

About 70 full-cost scholarships a year for students from outside the UK to study a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. You apply through the Cambridge graduate application, and PhD scholars receive maintenance for up to four years.

Level: Master’s and PhD. Covers: Tuition, a maintenance allowance of £23,152 for 12 months (2026-27), an economy flight at each end and visa costs including the Immigration Health Surcharge. Who can apply: All non-UK nationals. Next deadline: 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on your course.

4. Clarendon Scholarship (UK)

Oxford’s flagship graduate award has no separate application. Applying for a master’s or DPhil by the course’s funding deadline puts you in the pool automatically.

Level: Master’s and DPhil. Covers: Full funding for selected students. Who can apply: All nationalities. Next deadline: The Oxford course deadline in December 2026 or January 2027.

North American Scholarships for Developing Countries

5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (Africa-focused, partner universities in several countries)

The programme supports academically strong young people from financial hardship, mainly from Africa, to study at partner universities in Africa and abroad. You apply directly to a partner university, and each partner sets its own deadline and level of study.

Level: Undergraduate and master’s, depending on the partner. Covers: Full tuition, accommodation, a stipend and leadership support, as set by the partner. Who can apply: Mainly young people from African countries with financial need. Next deadline: Varies by partner university.

6. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

About 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright grants each year for graduate study or research in the US. You apply through the Fulbright Commission or US Embassy in your country, and the exact funding differs by country.

Level: Master’s, PhD and research. Covers: Tuition, a maintenance allowance, health insurance and travel, varying by country. Who can apply: Citizens of participating countries. Next deadline: Set by country, usually February to July. Plan now for the 2028-29 round.

7. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (USA)

Stanford’s graduate scholarship funds up to three years of study in almost any programme. Up to 100 scholars are selected each year. You must also apply separately to a Stanford graduate programme. The scholarship is open to all countries, so you compete with applicants from everywhere.

Level: Master’s, PhD and professional degrees. Covers: Tuition, a living and academic stipend, an annual travel stipend and a relocation stipend, plus leadership programming. Who can apply: All nationalities. Next deadline: Closed on 6 October 2026 for the 2027 cohort. Expect the next deadline in early October 2027.

8. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship, Doctoral (CGRS-D) (Canada)

This is the successor to the Vanier scholarship, which no longer takes applications. It pays $40,000 a year for up to three years. International students can apply only if they are already registered in a doctoral programme at an eligible Canadian institution by the deadline, and up to 15% of awards go to them. See our Canada scholarships guide.

Level: PhD. Covers: $40,000 a year for three years. Who can apply: International students already enrolled at an eligible Canadian institution. Next deadline: Through your university, with internal deadlines usually between August and October.

European Scholarships for Developing Countries

9. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe)

EU-funded joint master’s degrees taught in at least two European countries. You apply to each programme through its consortium, and no programme may charge an application fee.

Level: Master’s. Covers: Tuition and participation costs, travel and installation costs, and €1,400 a month. Who can apply: All nationalities, with some programme-specific rules. Next deadline: Set per programme; most 2027/28 deadlines fall between December 2026 and February 2027.

10. DAAD EPOS Scholarship (Germany)

The German government funds master’s and PhD study in development-related courses for professionals from developing and newly industrialised countries. It applies only to courses on DAAD’s official list.

Level: Master’s and PhD. Covers: A monthly allowance of €992 for master’s students (higher for doctoral candidates), insurance and a travel allowance. Public universities in Germany charge little or no tuition. Who can apply: Citizens of eligible countries with relevant professional experience. Next deadline: Set by each course, usually between August and November.

11. Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals (Sweden)

SISGP pays full tuition, SEK 12,000 a month and a SEK 15,000 travel grant for master’s study on SI’s list of more than 400 eligible programmes. Applicants need at least 3,000 hours of work or leadership experience. SI lists 34 eligible countries for 2026/27, and older guides show a different list, so check si.se. See our scholarships in Sweden guide.

Level: Master’s. Covers: Full tuition, a monthly stipend and a travel grant. Who can apply: Citizens of eligible countries. Next deadline: Apply to your programme by 15 January 2027, then to SI in a February window (9 to 25 February in 2026).

12. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)

Hungary’s flagship scholarship works through bilateral agreements with more than 100 sending partners. You apply online and also through your country’s sending partner, which nominates candidates. Selection includes a university entrance exam with a minimum of 56 out of 100. Read our full Stipendium Hungaricum guide.

Level: Bachelor’s, master’s and PhD. Covers: Tuition, HUF 43,700 a month for bachelor’s and master’s students, housing support and medical insurance. Travel is not covered. Who can apply: Citizens of partner countries, nominated by a sending partner. Next deadline: Opens in November 2026; mid-January 2027 expected.

13. Wageningen Africa Scholarship Programme and Anne van den Ban Fund (Netherlands)

These replace the ended Orange Knowledge Programme as the Netherlands’ best-funded route. The Africa Scholarship Programme is for African citizens, and the Anne van den Ban Fund for listed developing countries including Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria and Pakistan. Both need a first-class degree or a GPA of 80%, and a lottery decides the final recipients. See our NL Scholarship guide.

Level: Master’s. Covers: Tuition, a living allowance and travel for 24 months, plus visa and health insurance. Who can apply: African citizens (ASP) or citizens of listed countries (ABF). Next deadline: Complete master’s application by 1 December 2026.

14. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)

France’s government scholarship for master’s and PhD students. You cannot apply yourself. A French higher education institution must nominate you. Read our Eiffel guide.

Level: Master’s and PhD. Covers: €1,200 a month (master’s) or €2,100 (PhD), plus insurance and transport, but not tuition. Who can apply: Nominated candidates from eligible countries. Next deadline: Campus France deadline in early January 2027; your institution’s internal deadline is earlier.

15. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)

The Swiss Confederation funds research fellowships for master’s degree holders and PhD study. Postdoctoral scholarships have been removed, and applications are online. You need a Swiss academic supervisor for research and PhD awards.

Level: Research fellowship and PhD. Covers: CHF 2,450 a month, health insurance, a housing deposit grant and a flight allowance. Semester fees are not covered. Who can apply: Citizens of eligible countries. Next deadline: Call open until 30 November 2026; your country’s deadline may be earlier.

16. Italian Government (MAECI) Scholarships (Italy)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs funds nine-month scholarships at Italian institutions for foreign students from a listed set of countries, and they are renewable for multi-year courses.

Level: Master’s, PhD, arts and music, research. Covers: €1,200 a month for nine months (€10,800). Who can apply: Citizens of listed countries; check the Study in Italy portal. Next deadline: The 2026/27 call closed on 26 March 2026. The next call is expected around March 2027.

For more European options, read our Europe scholarships hub and our guide to Schengen scholarships.

Asia-Pacific Scholarships for Developing Countries, Including Türkiye

17. Türkiye Burslari (Türkiye)

The Turkish government scholarship covers placement, tuition, accommodation, health insurance, airfare and a Turkish language course. The 2026 stipends were 4,500 TL for undergraduates, 6,500 TL for master’s students and 9,000 TL for PhD students.

Level: Undergraduate, master’s and PhD. Covers: Tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a stipend and airfare. Who can apply: International applicants within the age limits (under 21, 30 and 35). Next deadline: Applications ran from 10 January to 20 February in 2026; expect a similar window in early 2027.

18. Australia Awards Scholarships (Australia)

The Australian Government funds study for citizens of eligible countries in the Indo-Pacific, Africa and South and West Asia. You apply through the OASIS portal, and recipients must leave Australia for two years after finishing.

Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate. Covers: Tuition, return airfare, living expenses, health cover and academic support. Who can apply: Citizens of eligible countries; fields vary by country. Next deadline: The 2028 intake is expected to open on 1 February 2027 and close in late April.

19. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (New Zealand)

New Zealand’s government development scholarship (it replaced the New Zealand Commonwealth scholarships) covers study in priority development fields for citizens of more than 80 partner countries.

Level: Master’s and PhD. Covers: Tuition, a living allowance, an establishment allowance, medical insurance and return travel. Who can apply: Citizens of partner countries. Next deadline: Applications usually open on 1 March and close in late March or early April.

20. ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (Asia-Pacific)

Funded by Japan and run by the Asian Development Bank, it supports master’s study in development-related fields at designated institutions. You apply to a participating university, which nominates you. Applicants are normally under 35 with at least two years of work experience.

Level: Master’s. Covers: Tuition, a monthly living allowance, books, medical insurance and travel. Who can apply: Citizens of ADB developing member countries. Next deadline: Set by each university; the East-West Center accepts applications until 1 December 2026.

21. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (Worldwide)

A master’s scholarship in development-related subjects at participating universities. You need three years of paid development-related work experience and unconditional admission.

Level: Master’s. Covers: Tuition, a living stipend, health insurance and travel. Who can apply: Nationals of eligible developing countries. Next deadline: Two windows a year; the 2026 windows were 15 January to 27 February and 30 March to 29 May.

22. MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship (Japan)

MEXT funds undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and research study. You apply through the Japanese embassy in your country (Embassy Recommendation) or through a Japanese university. Monthly stipends are ¥144,000 for master’s students, ¥145,000 for doctoral students and ¥117,000 for undergraduates.

Level: Undergraduate, master’s, PhD and research. Covers: Tuition, airfare and a monthly stipend. Who can apply: Citizens of eligible countries. Next deadline: Embassy applications usually open in April and close in May or June; university routes often fall between September and January.

23. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) (China)

The China Scholarship Council funds undergraduate, master’s and PhD study at Chinese universities. You apply through your Chinese embassy (Type A) or directly to a participating university (Type B). Monthly stipends are ¥2,500 for undergraduates, ¥3,000 for master’s students and ¥3,500 for PhD students.

Level: Undergraduate, master’s and PhD. Covers: Tuition, accommodation, a monthly allowance and medical insurance. Who can apply: International applicants. Next deadline: Usually between January and April; the 2027/28 dates are not yet confirmed.

24. KAIST International Scholarship (South Korea)

KAIST funds international graduate students with full tuition, health insurance and a monthly stipend that varies by department. Scholarship consideration is part of the graduate application.

Level: Graduate (undergraduate funding also exists). Covers: Full tuition, a monthly stipend and health insurance. Who can apply: International applicants admitted to KAIST. Next deadline: Fall 2027: Early Track 2 to 16 December 2026; Regular Track 3 to 17 March 2027.

25. Rotary Peace Fellowship (Global)

Fully funded master’s and certificate programmes at Rotary Peace Centers in peace and conflict studies. You need three years of relevant experience, cannot study in your home country, and apply through the Rotary application system.

Level: Master’s and certificate. Covers: Fully funded study. Who can apply: All nationalities. Next deadline: Applications open in February 2027 and close on 15 May 2027.

5 More Scholarships for Developing Countries With Deadlines Coming Up

These five routes are not in the main 25, but each has a deadline in the next few months. Check the official page for each before you apply.

• Yenching Academy (Peking University). A fully funded two-year master’s in China Studies for all nationalities. The application closes on 30 November 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Beijing time.
• ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP). A tuition waiver plus a living stipend (reported as CHF 12,000 a semester) for master’s students from all nationalities. The window runs from 1 to 30 November 2026.
• MBZUAI (UAE). The AI university funds PhD students with a stipend and, in some cases, master’s students. Applications close on 15 December 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Gulf time.
• ICCR Scholarships (India). Tuition, a stipend, housing and airfare for students from many developing countries, with country quotas set by Indian missions. The 2026 round closed on 15 April, and the 2027 portal is expected in late February.
• TaiwanICDF. Fully funded master’s and PhD study for citizens of partner countries. The window runs from 1 December 2026 to 15 March 2027.

The Czech Government scholarships (closed on 30 September 2026) and the Schwarzman Scholars programme (closed on 9 September 2026, reopening in April 2027) are worth putting in your calendar for next year.

How to Choose Among Scholarships for Developing Countries

How to Apply for Scholarships for Developing Countries

1. Choose your level, subject and destination. Decide whether you need an undergraduate, master’s or PhD award and which countries suit your field. This narrows the 25 scholarships to a shortlist.
2. Check your country against each list. Open the official eligible-country or sending-partner page and confirm your citizenship. Do not rely on older guides.
3. Match the deadline calendar. Note which scholarships close first and which need a nomination, a sending partner or a university offer before you apply.
4. Gather references and documents. Request recommendation letters early and prepare transcripts, a CV and your English-language proof.
5. Write a tailored statement for each scheme. Link your goals to the funder’s mission and to your plans after returning home. Avoid reusing one essay for every scholarship.
6. Submit early and track every application. Submit at least a few days before each deadline, keep records of confirmations and note interview or result dates.
7. Plan your visa and finances. If you win, apply for the right visa and plan for costs the scholarship does not cover, such as travel or semester fees.

Most of these awards need references and a statement. See our guides to a recommendation letter for a scholarship, a personal statement for a scholarship, a scholarship CV and the English proficiency certificate.

Common Mistakes with Scholarships for Developing Countries

• Trusting an old eligible-country list. They change every year.
• Missing the nomination step. Commonwealth, Eiffel, Stipendium Hungaricum and ADB-Japan need a nominating body or sending partner.
• Calling a partial award “fully funded”. Eiffel and the Swiss award do not cover tuition or semester fees, and Stipendium Hungaricum pays a modest stipend.
• Applying only to famous awards. Chevening and Gates Cambridge are global contests. Country-specific schemes like Stipendium Hungaricum and Wageningen’s funds can be easier to win.
• Reusing one essay. Each funder asks for something different.
• Ignoring costs after the award. Travel, semester fees and visa costs vary.
• Paying a “scholarship agent”. Official schemes do not sell guarantees.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Developing Countries

What are fully funded scholarships for developing countries?

They are awards that cover tuition and living costs, and usually travel and insurance, for students from countries that a funder classifies as developing. Each scheme defines the eligible countries in its own list, so there is no single list.

Which scholarships are fully funded for students from developing countries?

Chevening, Commonwealth, Gates Cambridge, Erasmus Mundus, the Swedish Institute scholarship, Wageningen’s Africa Scholarship Programme, Australia Awards, Manaaki, MEXT, the Chinese Government Scholarship and Türkiye Burslari all cover tuition, living support and travel or an equivalent.

Which scholarship deadline is closest?

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships close on 20 October 2026. ETH Zurich’s ESOP, Yenching and the Swiss Government call close by 30 November, and Wageningen’s scholarships close on 1 December 2026.

Is the Vanier scholarship still available?

No. Vanier has been replaced by the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship, Doctoral, worth $40,000 a year for up to three years. International students can apply only if they are already registered in a doctoral programme at an eligible Canadian institution.

Is the Orange Knowledge Programme still open?

No. The Dutch government’s programme has ended. Wageningen’s Africa Scholarship Programme and Anne van den Ban Fund are the best-funded Netherlands routes for 2027 entry, and the NL Scholarship is a partial €5,000 award.

Do I need work experience for these scholarships?

For some, yes. Chevening needs two years, the Swedish Institute scholarship 3,000 hours, Joint Japan/World Bank three years and ADB-Japan two years. Stipendium Hungaricum, Erasmus Mundus and Türkiye Burslari do not require it.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

Yes. Each is a separate application, but watch for rules such as first-choice university rankings and the one-application limit in Stipendium Hungaricum.

Do scholarships for developing countries require IELTS?

It depends on the scheme and the university. Chevening and most UK awards require an English test, while some universities accept proof that your previous studies were in English. Check each programme page before you pay for a test.

Are there scholarships for undergraduates?

Yes. Türkiye Burslari, MEXT, the Chinese Government Scholarship, Australia Awards, Stipendium Hungaricum and the Mastercard Foundation partners fund undergraduate degrees. Most of the others are postgraduate.

How do I know if my country is eligible?

Open the official eligible-country or sending-partner page of each scheme. Lists change every year, and older guides often show outdated ones.

Related Reading

• 50+ fully funded scholarships guide
• Europe scholarships for international students
• Canada scholarships for international students
• Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship
• Scholarships in Sweden
• How to get a free master’s degree
• Scholarships without IELTS
• Scholarship deadlines: apply now

Official sources: the Chevening, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, Gates Cambridge, Stipendium Hungaricum and Wageningen websites, the NSERC CGRS-D page, the Knight-Hennessy Scholars site and each provider’s official page.

Conclusion

The strongest approach to scholarships for developing countries is to build a shortlist of five to eight awards that match your level, citizenship and experience, then work backwards from the deadline calendar. Confirm every date and country list on the official page before you apply, because they change each year.