Indian Government Scholarships to Studying Abroad for Indian Student

Published date: 11 Feb 2019 Updated on: 28 Mar 2020

The importance of education can be perfectly summed up in Nelson Mandela’s following quote – “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. This simple sentence sums up the importance of education in our life of not only individuals but nations too and this is the precise reason why there are many organizations that have started offering scholarships to deserving and meritorious students. Now, with the help of study abroad scholarships available for practically every course, deserving students can now pursue their choice of course at their choice of University. 

However, many Indian students are unaware of how to get a scholarship in India to study abroad, and thus many deserving candidates miss out studying at some of the premier universities across the world. 

To help students find external scholarships (i.e. not provided by the university) for studying abroad, we have listed a few in this article. So whether you were digging for information on scholarship for engineering students or for scholarships for MBA in Europe or the USA, you will find information pertaining to scholarships here. 

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees 

• Amount - The scholarship amount varies and depends on the country, the course being pursued and its tuition fee. However, the scholarship mostly covers course fees, travel, and living expenses and insurance.
• Requisites -  The programs are open to students from any part of the world. The student should hold an undergraduate degree from a recognized institute. They can also have a recognized equivalent level of education.
• Duration - 1-2 years
• Other Details - EMJMDs are Masters level study programs at institutions across Europe and scholarships are awarded for these programs. Each program has a different deadline for scholarships and hence interested students should keep a check on the official scholarship portal Read More.

2. Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships

• Amount - Tuition fee and living and related costs.
• Requisites - They must have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree with 55% aggregate marks. They should also have demonstrated leadership qualities and have 3 years of work experience apart from being committed to return to India and contribute to their community. .
• Duration - 1-2 years
• Other Details - This scholarship is meant for exceptional Indian students desirous of pursuing a Masters in the U.S.A. The deadline for this applying to this scholarship is June of the previous year. For example, for the year 2019-2020, the deadline was June 15th, 2018. Read More.

3. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship

• Amount -  A monthly stipend, J-1 Visa Support, round-trip economy class air travel, Accident and Sickness Program and modest settling in allowance.
• Requisites - This scholarship is given to Indian scholars who are registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution and have an affiliation with a U.S Host institution during the grant period. The expected Ph.D. thesis submission date should not be earlier than three months after the Fulbright Nehru grant end date. The online application form requires an applicant to upload a copy of an article or paper published or presented. Extracts from the Master's/M. Phil Thesis can also be uploaded.
• Duration - 6-9 months
• Other Details - The application deadline is July of the previous year. For example, for the scholarship 2018, the last date was in July 2017 Read More.

4. Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships

• Amount -  A monthly stipend, J-1 Visa Support, round-trip economy class air travel, Accident and Sickness Program and modest settling in allowance.
• Requisites - Indians applying to this scholarship to study in the USA must be registered for Ph.D. at an Indian institution. Since this scholarship is meant for Indian Ph.D. students to conduct research essential to their dissertations/thesis; therefore, the expected Ph.D. thesis submission date should not be earlier than three months after the Fulbright Nehru grant end date. The online application form requires an applicant to upload a copy of an article or paper published/presented or extracts from the Master's/M.Phil. Thesis.
• Duration - 0-9 months
• Other Details - The deadline for application is June of the previous year. The scholarship 2017 had its deadline in June 2016 Read More.

5. Great Wall Program

• Amount - This is a full scholarship and hence covers tuition fees, accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance, and a stipend.
• Requisites - Students applying to this scholarship must be less than 45 years of age and must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree or their equivalent.
• Duration - 1 year
• Other Details - This scholarship is aimed at students, from developing countries, who want to study or conduct research in China. It was established by the Chinese Ministry of Education for UNESCO to sponsor students and scholars Read More.

6. Inlaks Scholarship

• Amount - The maximum amount of scholarship awarded is US$100,000.
• Requisites - Students applying for the scholarship should be an Indian citizen and have a good first degree from a recognized Indian University. They should also be less than 30 years of age and must have got admission to a reputed institution.
• Other Details - This scholarship is for students applying to North American or European Universities. It is only for students applying to courses such as Architecture, Applied Arts and Conservation, Business Administration, Communications (Film, Television, Journalism), Design and Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Theatre and Dance, Special Education and Law, Music and Composition. The deadline for applying for this scholarship is April. Read More.

7. National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Government

• Amount - This Government of India scholarship for higher studies abroad covers the tuition fees as well as other educational expenses such as contingency allowance, maintenance, travel expenses, and others.
• Requisites - The scholarship is awarded to applicants who meet the following criteria:
  1. Belong to Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Laborers and Traditional Artisans.
  2. Scored 55% marks in under graduation (for those applying to Masters) or 55% in Post-Graduation (for those applying for Ph.D.).
  3. Be below 35 years of age.
  4. Have a combined family income that is less than Rs. 6, 00,000.
  5. Not have more than one sibling who got the same scholarship.
• Other Details - This Government scholarship is meant for students applying to Masters and Ph. D in the following fields: Engineering and Management; Pure Sciences and Applied Sciences; Agricultural Sciences and Medicine; International Commerce, Accounting and Finance; Humanities and Social Science Read More.

8. Orange Tulip Scholarship

• Amount - The scholarship amount varies and can be full study fee, 50% reduction in study fees or only 25% reduction. Scholarships are also given to offer only living expenses or visa fees, etc. Students should check their University to find out more about the OTS in their University.
• Requisites - Students applying for the scholarship should be an Indian resident and have been admitted to a Dutch university or be in the process of enrollment in The Netherlands.
• Other Details - Offered by higher education institutions, multinationals, and government institutions, this scholarship is aimed at talented Indian students desirous of studying a Bachelors or Masters program in the Netherlands. Since all Dutch Universities do not offer the Orange Tulip Scholarship, students should check before applying. Deadline for applying is April of the preceding year Read More.

9. GREAT Education Scholarships

• Amount - Full tuition scholarships.
• Requisites -  Students applying for the scholarship should be an Indian resident and have been admitted to the selected list of Universities in the U.K. They should also have demonstrated leadership qualities and potential.
• Duration - 1 years
• Other Details - This scholarship is offered by the British Council to prospective Indian students for their study in the U.K. The scholarship is awarded for full- time undergraduate and postgraduate studies Read More.

10. Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships

• Amount -  £8000, towards tuition fees
• Requisites - Students applying for the scholarship should be an Indian resident and have been admitted to the selected list of Universities in Scotland. They should also have proof that they can meet the costs of living in Scotland and the remaining tuition fees.
• Duration - 1 years
• Other Details -  “Offered by the Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish universities in the areas of science, technology, creative industries, healthcare, and medical sciences, and renewable and clean energy”, this scholarship is meant for students admitted to Post Graduate Masters program at any of Scotland’s higher education institutions Read More.

11. The Heinrich Böll Foundation scholarship

• Amount - €850 per month plus various individual allowances.
• Requisites - Students applying for the scholarship should have excellent academic records and be able to show written proof of German language proficiency. They should also have demonstrated social and political engagement.
• Duration - The regular period of study, may be extended by one semester.
• Other Details - This scholarship is given every year to graduates, and doctoral students of all subjects and nationalities. The deadline for application is March 1st Read More.

12. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Program

• Amount - Up to 20 lakhs.
• Requisites - This loan scholarship is given to Indian students desirous of pursuing a Postgraduate degree in Pure Sciences, Applied Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Law, Architecture and Management at prestigious U.S Universities. Some of the requisites for applying to this scholarship are:
  1. Applicant must be below 30 years of age and must be an Indian resident.
  2. Should have a Graduate degree from a recognized university Indian University. Students in their final year of degree can also apply to this program.
  3. Should have got admission to a postgraduate degree programme at any prestigious International University for the fall intake.
• Duration - 1-2 years
• Other Details - Students applying to this scholarship should remember to apply in January for every academic year Read More.

13. The JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians

• Amount - Between Rs.1,00,000/- and Rs.10,00,000
• Requisites - This is one of the most popular loan scholarships for Indian students. Students applying to it should be an Indian resident and should have a Graduate degree from a recognized university Indian University. Students in their final year of degree can also apply to this program and should have got admission to a postgraduate degree programme at any prestigious university aboard.
• Other Details - This scholarship is given to students who have a good academic record and have other achievements to their credit. It is a one-time loan scholarship that is given to students pursuing Postgraduate or Ph.D. or Postdoctoral studies, in any field, at the beginning of the course Read More.

14. Scholarships by The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust

• Amount - Varies
• Requisites -  Scholarships are given only to Indian women graduates who have got their degrees from recognized universities and want to pursue higher education abroad. Applicants should have a consistently good academic record and have 2 years of work experience in the required fields of study.
• Other Details - Mid-April is the last date of application for this scholarship Read More.

15. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

• Amount -  Financial assistance is given to students to take care of their tuition fees and living expenses only. However, this assistance is based on the needs of the students.
• Requisites -  Applicants must be below 30 years of age, have consistently excelled in academic, got admission to a highly reputable International university or programme.
• Duration - 2 Years
• Other Details - The foundation awards Scholarships 50% grant: 50% loan basis. A competitive application process, once a year in June or July. Determines this Read More.

16. Global Study Awards

• Amount -  Funding up to £10,000.
• Requisites -  Students applying to this competition must have been successful IELTS test takers, have shown the potential to contribute to society through their studies and have a strong commitment towards developing their career.
• Duration - 2 Years
• Other Details - The Global Study Awards is a competition for successful IELTS test takers who have shown exceptional promise. Applicants can participate in the competition if they plan to use their IELTS scores to apply for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in an English-speaking country. Read More.

Apart from the above-mentioned scholarships, there are many scholarships given by colleges and Universities to their deserving students. These can be found out directly from the college. Students can also get in touch with GyanDhan and get more information about how to get a scholarship in India to study abroad. 

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