Top 2023/24 International Scholarships for Development-Related Studies

Numerous grants are available to support your academic goals and your desire to improve living conditions in underdeveloped nations. For students interested in development-related subjects, from food security to renewable energy, there are numerous scholarships available. Whether you have a passion for public health, development economics, or another specialized area, you can find kind sponsors and fellowships to help fund your academic studies. To learn more about the best international scholarships for degrees related to development, read on.

Meanwhile, more international scholarship opportunities are being created to encourage students to study development-related subjects as the global community becomes more aware of the urgent need to solve problems like poverty, starvation, and disease. Some of these scholarships, however, are intended for those who have already completed their undergraduate degrees and wish to continue their studies to seek professions in development. Others, on the other hand, are intended for high school graduates who intend to attend college and major in a field relevant to development.

20+ International Scholarships for Development-Related Studies

Scholarships are offered by numerous universities, foreign governments, and international organizations to support studies relevant to development (such as those in agriculture, education, global health, the environment, public policy, peace, water, sanitation, etc.). Other scholarships, however, fund broad academic fields of study that benefit the applicant's country of origin.

Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants (Any Country)

Through Rotary Foundation Global Grants, scholarships can be funded in one of the six development-related focus areas that Rotary has identified: peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, primary education, and literacy, and economic and community development. Additionally, the financing for the research is worth at least $30,000. In general, study grants may be applied for in any country where there is a Rotary club or district.

OFID Scholarship Award (Any Country)

Successful applicants planning to pursue a Master's degree from a reputable university anywhere in the globe in a discipline related to development are offered fully-funded scholarships by OFID (The OPEC Fund for International Development) (subject to approval). In addition to receiving up to $50,000 in tuition assistance, the recipient of the OFID Scholarship Award will also receive a monthly allowance to assist with living expenses, books, and housing fees.

Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Program (Multiple Countries)

Under the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, students from World Bank member countries can get financial aid to attend specific universities around the world and study topics linked to development. Additionally, the scholarships cover the costs of tuition, a living allowance, and travel for pursuing a master's degree or an equivalent.

ADB Japan Scholarship Program (Asian countries)

The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) aims to provide highly qualified citizens of ADB's developing member countries with the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in economics, management, science, and technology, as well as other fields related to development, by enrolling in academic institutions in the Asian and Pacific Region. The scholarship also covers the full cost of tuition, a monthly food, and housing allowance, a stipend for books and school supplies, health insurance, and travel expenses.

DAAD Scholarships for Development Related Postgraduate Courses (Germany)

German academic exchange service (DAAD) scholarships are available for international students who wish to enroll in a range of development-related postgraduate programs at German universities. The scholarships are intended to support young professionals from developing countries who have strong academic credentials in their pursuit of extra specialized training. Additionally, the scholarships cover contributions toward health, accident, and personal liability insurance as well as monthly payments of 750 euros for graduates and 1,000 euros for doctoral candidates. Travel expenses are not covered by the scholarships unless they are covered by the applicant's home country or another source of funding.

KAAD Scholarships for Developing Countries (Germany)

The KAAD scholarships are intended for postgraduates and academics with professional experience who are interested in the postgraduate study (or research stays) in Germany. The scholarship recipients must also be citizens of underdeveloped or rising countries from Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, or Africa. Despite the lack of a specific subject preference, studies that are "development-oriented" or significant for the applicant's native country are not typically preferred.

VLIR-UOS Scholarship Program (Belgium)

Students from developing countries who want to enroll in one of the 6 ITPs or one of the 15 ICPs in topics related to international development are eligible for scholarships from VLIR-UOS every year. In addition, the scholarships cover all related costs, such as wages, accommodation, travel, tuition, and insurance.

Hubert Humphrey Fellowships Program (USA)

A year of professional enrichment in the United States is provided to seasoned professionals from specific countries around the world by the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. Aside from providing practical professional experiences, the Fellowship also provides ten months of non-degree academic instruction in the United States. Most of the study areas that qualify are development-related. The Fellowship also includes tuition reimbursement, a living allowance, health and accident insurance, a book allowance, air travel, etc.

Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

Students from the Commonwealth's developing countries who want to pursue master's and doctorate degrees in the UK should apply for one of the Commonwealth Scholarships. All topic areas are accepted, although the CSC's selection standards favor ideas that demonstrate a clear link to development. Each scholarship also includes transport to and from the UK, tuition, testing fees, personal maintenance costs, a thesis award (if required), and the first month's worth of living expenses.

Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Masters Scholarships at University of Sheffield (UK)

The University of Sheffield offers three scholarships each year to residents of developing countries who wish to enroll in one of the courses offered by the Sheffield Institute for International Development, in collaboration with the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust and the latter organization. Each scholarship offers a full tuition remission, a monthly stipend, and support for on-campus living.

Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld Scholarship and Leadership Programme (UK)

The Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld Scholarship and Leadership Programme provides funding to exceptional students from impoverished countries in Africa, Asia, and South America so they can attend graduate school at Oxford University. Graduate degrees in fields like public policy, international relations, economics, water resource management, medicine, agriculture, and health care are all acceptable. In addition to covering all of the student's university and college tuition, the scholarship will also provide a grant for living expenses.

UEA International Development Full Fees Scholarships (UK)

Any full-time master's degree provided by the University of East Anglia qualifies students for competitive scholarships from the school of international development, which pay the entire tuition for students from the EU or outside. The stipend covers the entire £17,600 in tuition costs.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program (Any country)

The Aga Khan Foundation awards a small number of postgraduate scholarships each year to deserving students from a select group of nations (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, and Madagascar) who have no other means of paying for their education.

People who are citizens of one of the aforementioned poor nations, have a passion for learning about development, and have no other way to pay for their education in France, Portugal, the UK, the United States, or Canada are eligible to apply. A year after a rigorous application process, scholarships are awarded on a 50/50 grant/loan basis. The Foundation only provides aid for tuition and living expenses for students. Depending on clearance, the scholar is frequently free to choose any reputable university of his or her choosing.

Reach Oxford Scholarships (UK)

Reach Oxford Scholarships are available from several Oxford colleges for students from developing countries who are unable to complete their higher education in their native countries owing to political, economical, or other barriers. The applicants must intend to complete their education and return to the nation where they now reside permanently. Each year, the scholarships cover one round-trip ticket, a grant for living expenses, and tuition for colleges and universities.

Australia Awards Scholarships (Australia)

International students who intend to enroll in undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate programs at Australian universities may apply for Australia Awards Scholarships, formerly known as Australian Development Scholarships (ADS). Scholarship awardees are required to stay in their home countries for two years after completing their degree to assist in development efforts there. The benefits of scholarships often include full tuition fees, round-trip flights, an establishment allowance, a contribution toward living expenses (CLE), overseas student health insurance (OSHC), and other amenities.

New Zealand International Scholarships (New Zealand)

International students from specific developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean have the opportunity to study in New Zealand and gain knowledge and skills through post-graduate study in particular subject areas that will aid the development of their home country. This is made possible by the New Zealand International Scholarships. The scholarships pay for travel, insurance, and living costs.

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (USA)

The Emerging Global Leader Scholarship at American University is designed for exceptional international students who wish to earn a Bachelor's degree and are dedicated to bringing about positive social and political change. It is made for students who plan to return to their home countries to assist impoverished and underprivileged regions there. The AU EGL scholarship pays students all living and eating costs.

Developing Solutions Scholarships at the University of Nottingham (UK)

The Developing Solutions Scholarships are available to international students from Africa, India, or other developing Commonwealth members who want to study for a master's degree at the University of Nottingham and support the development of their home countries. A total of 105 scholarships are awarded each year, of which 30 pay for tuition in full and 75 pay for half.

University of West England Millennium Scholarships (UK)

The University of the West of England, Bristol, offers the Millennium Development Scholarship. It is intended for international students who desire to help their country accomplish the Millennium Development Goals. The winner of the scholarship must finish an internship with the International Development Office. The full cost of tuition is covered by the scholarship.

Bottom Line

If you are a student from a developing country, you may be eligible for several foreign scholarships. such as areas of the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The goal of these scholarships is to broaden the variety and inclusiveness of the student body at colleges all around the world. It could take some clever scholarship hunting and a little bit of flexibility to get a scholarship that works for you. as a result of the additional conditions for many scholarships for students from developing nations. such as a particular place of origin or destination, a particular area of study, or ties to a certain university.

However, there is no specific reason why you shouldn't start submitting applications for ten or more overseas scholarships right away. As always, particular universities and other outside groups might provide additional financing opportunities. Look into more opportunities online, and visit the websites of the schools you are thinking about to find out more about financial aid and international scholarships.