Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students: Eligibility & How to Apply

Every year, thousands of Indian students are seeking to pursue higher studies abroad. This is a good decision for gaining international experience and boosting career prospects, but it can be expensive as well. Here, Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students can reduce or eliminate tuition, living, travel, and other costs. For the 2026–27 intake, students can explore popular government and foundation scholarships across the world.

Go through this latest blog that covers all the major fully funded scholarships that make your study abroad experience better.

Apply for Scholarships

Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad 2026-27

A fully funded scholarship covers major costs, including tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, health insurance, and accommodation allowances. However, "fully funded" does not always mean every personal expense is covered. Top options are Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships in the USA, Chevening Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships in the UK, DAAD Scholarships in Germany, and the MEXT Scholarship in Japan.

Indian students must check the eligibility criteria, courses, age limits, academic requirements, work experience, English-language requirements, and application deadline before applying. The most competitive applications show academic performance, leadership, relevant experience, community involvement, a clear career plan, and a convincing reason for selecting the course and country.

Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students

Listed below are some of the most popular fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study abroad in 2026-27. The eligibility criteria and value of the scholarships vary, so applicants should review the latest official announcement.

Chevening Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships are UK Government-funded awards for professionals pursuing one-year master’s degrees in the UK. It is a fully funded scholarship that allows students to live and study in UK for a year. The scholarship covers tuition fees, an arrival allowance, a monthly personal living allowance, travel to and from the UK, and other approved expenses.

Applicants have to meet the eligibility criteria and other requirements of Chevening Scholarships. Application timelines for scholarships vary. For the 2027 intake, applications opened on 4 August 2026 and are set to close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Applicants will not be able to access the online application system after this date.

Australian Awards Scholarships

The Australia Awards Scholarships are fully funded international awards offered by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The scholarships provide financial support for eligible students from developing countries to study in Australia. Benefits of these scholarships include full tuition fees, return air travel, an establishment allowance, a contribution to basic living expenses, supplementary academic support, etc.

Indian students must note an important eligibility requirement. Applicants need to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia declaring that they will comply with the conditions of the scholarship. Scholars are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years after completing their scholarship.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships

The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships support Indian students pursuing master's degrees at universities in the USA. The United States-India Educational Foundation manages it for Indian professionals. It provides J-1 visa support, round-trip economy-class air travel, funding for tuition and fees, living and related costs, and other costs.

Applicants must demonstrate leadership qualities, have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, have at least three years of professional work experience, and be committed to returning and contributing to their communities in India. Applicants can apply for only ONE Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category during a competition cycle.

DAAD Scholarships

DAAD scholarships support over 100,000 German and international students and researchers around the globe. It supports students, graduates, and researchers seeking to research or study in Germany. DAAD is not one individual scholarship; it contains programmes with different academic, language, subject, and experience requirements. DAAD scholarships do not have to be paid back.

The scholarships provide a monthly stipend of €992 for Master's students and €1,300 to €1,400 for doctoral candidates. Depending on the scholarship programme, there are also additional benefits such as a one-off research allowance, family benefits,s or funds for language courses. Students should explore the DAAD Scholarship Database based on their nationality, program level, and desired program.

Italian MAECI

The Italian Government provides the MAECI Scholarship to support Indian students seeking to study in Italy. The 2026–27 call included master's degrees, AFAM programs, PhD programs, research projects, and intensive Italian language courses. The total scholarship value is €10,800 per year, which is delivered as a €1,200 monthly stipend for 9 months, alongside complete tuition fee exemptions and health/medical insurance coverage.

Applicants have to submit an application through the Study in Italy portal. They must have a current passport or identity card, and a clear photocopy of this document must be uploaded at the time of application to avoid disqualification. Indian students must check the next MAECI application cycle.

Rhodes Scholarships

The Rhodes Scholarship is the world's oldest and most prestigious program. It is a fully funded postgraduate award that supports Indian students to pursue a full-time degree at the University of Oxford. Applications for the Rhodes Scholarship 2027 are now open! Applying for the Scholarship can be difficult, yet it is an experience that has helped many people to succeed.

The Rhodes Scholarship covers Oxford course fees and also offers an annual stipend. The stipend is £20,400 per annum, from which Scholars pay all living expenses, including accommodation. Indian applicants must meet specific citizenship, age, and academic criteria.

Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships are fully funded awards in the UK for master's and PhD students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. It covers full tuition fees, airfare, and a monthly living stipend. By funding postgraduate studies in a range of different study formats, the scheme helps to support future innovators and leaders.

Applicants must be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country. They must have basic qualifications based on the program. India is an eligible country. The scholarship aims to support full-time education in the UK. The 2026–27 application cycle is closed. Students need to check the upcoming announcements.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship supports young Indian graduates seeking education at top universities in the UK, Europe, and the USA. The value of the scholarships depends on the course and covers tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel, visa costs,s and a health allowance, up to USD 120,000.

Applicants generally must meet the entry requirements, be an Indian passport holder, be born on or after 1st January 1996, and hold a valid offer for the academic year 2026-27 to be eligible for the 2026 scholarships. The Foundation specifies minimum academic standards that vary by discipline.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program helps universities in Canada to attract highly qualified doctoral students. It is a major funding option for doctoral students in Canada, supporting research in fields such as health, natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences and humanities.

Candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institution with a quota* to host Vanier scholars. Up to 166 scholarships are awarded annually, and the value is CAD 50,000 per year. Students looking for fully funded PhD scholarships in Canada should focus on researching current university, provincial, and federal doctoral funding programmes.

Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship

The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship is another popular funding option for Indian students seeking to study in Japan. It is offered to students who are going to study undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and research degrees in Japan. Depending on the category, the scholarship offers ¥117,000 to ￥242,000 per month.

Applicants must meet the minimum age criteria and have the required qualifications as directed by the scholarship. Students can apply in one of two ways, either through an embassy or a university recommendation. It is advised to check the application requirements with the Japanese embassy or other Japanese diplomatic mission in your country.

Key Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students

Criteria for study abroad scholarships for Indian students vary. Satisfying the basic academic requirement does not guarantee selection because most of the scholarships are highly competitive. Applicants should check:

• Academic qualifications and minimum scores
• Age requirements
• Admission criteria of the host university
• English-language or other language requirements
• Work experience requirements
• Research proposal or statement of purpose requirements
• Letters of recommendation
• Financial-need criteria (if applicable)

Minimum Academic Percentage & CGPA Standards

Every fully funded scholarship has a different percentage or CGPA requirement for fully funded scholarships. Criteria vary based on the scholarship and program. A strong academic record is important for competitive scholarships, but factors like leadership, professional achievements, research potential, and community contribution can also affect the decision.

Required Standardised Tests (IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT)

International students, including Indians, have to meet the English language requirements through IELTS, TOEFL, or other English language tests. Requirements may vary based on the scholarship, university, and programmes. Some scholarships may nominate candidates for further examination or require them to meet admission conditions.

Work Experience Requirements: Freshers vs. Experienced Applicants

There are some specific scholarships that require at least two years of full-time work experience. The types of work experience include full-time employment, part-time employment, voluntary work, and paid or unpaid internships. Work experience requirements vary significantly.

How to Apply for Scholarships

Follow these steps to enhance your chances of securing a fully funded scholarship to study abroad:

• Explore a range of fully funded scholarships and choose the right one based on degree level, subject, country, and career goals.
• Check the official criteria for eligibility. Explore the academic scores, age, nationality, work experience, and language requirements.
• Gather all the necessary documents, including transcripts, passport, CV, test scores, and a well-written statement of purpose.
• Now, prepare your essays carefully and apply for admission if required. Some scholarships require a separate university application.
• Submit a complete application before the deadline. After submitting the application, prepare for interviews.
• Check your email for updates and double-check all the details, which may change frequently. Use the official scholarship website for the most accurate information.

Conclusion

Fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study abroad in 2026–27 can reduce the overall cost of studying. Chevening, Fulbright-Nehru, DAAD, Rhodes, Commonwealth, Inlaks, and MEXT are important fully funded scholarships. Applicants must explore other university-specific and government-funded scholarships. Most importantly, students have to check the eligibility requirements, prepare strong academic documentation, and submit applications before the deadline.