10 Fully Funded US-Based and USA-Focused Scholarships With Stipends Open to International Students Right Now
The United States is home to some of the most generously funded scholarship programmes in the world for international students. But the US is not the only place offering life-changing stipends; several of the best scholarship programmes globally are either based in the US, funded by US institutions, or explicitly target international students with monthly living allowances that rival professional salaries in many countries.
This post covers 10 scholarships, all currently listed and detailed on this site, that are fully funded, open to international applicants, and include a monthly stipend. Every title is a clickable link to the full detailed guide.
What “Fully Funded With Stipend” Actually Means
Before the list, a quick clarification that matters. A fully funded scholarship typically covers tuition, which is the minimum. A scholarship with a stipend goes further — it pays you a monthly living allowance so that your day-to-day expenses are covered while you study.
The difference is significant. A scholarship that covers tuition but not living costs still requires you to fund your accommodation, food, transportation, and daily expenses — often £1,000–£2,000 per month in major cities. A stipend removes that pressure, making the opportunity genuinely accessible rather than theoretically funded.
Every scholarship on this list includes a stipend.
The 10 Scholarships: All Detailed on This Site
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship 2027
Stipend: Monthly living allowance (varies by country programme)
Location: United States
Level: Master’s, PhD, non-degree research
Open to: International students from Fulbright-eligible countries worldwide
The Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship is the US government’s flagship international scholarship. It funds international students to pursue graduate-level study at US universities — covering tuition, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a study allowance. Administered through US Embassies and binational commissions in over 160 countries, Fulbright is genuinely global in reach. The stipend amount varies by country programme but is calibrated to cover US living costs. This is one of the most prestigious scholarship brands in the world and opens doors in the US and globally for the rest of your career.
2. Chevening Scholarship 2027
Stipend: Monthly living allowance (London and non-London rates)
Location: United Kingdom
Level: Master’s (one year)
Open to: Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries with two years of work experience
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s equivalent of Fulbright — and like Fulbright, it is one of the most recognised scholarship programmes globally. It funds a full one-year Master’s at any UK university, covering tuition, a monthly stipend, return airfare, arrival and departure allowances, and visa reimbursement. Applications open in August 2026 for the 2027-2028 cycle. Over 160 countries are eligible.
3. Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship 2026 — University of Birmingham
Stipend: £1,592 per month for 18 months.
Location: United Kingdom + London internship
Level: Master’s + one-year internship
Open to: African nationals under 30 with a First Class degree
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship at the University of Birmingham is one of the most generous scholarship packages available for African students anywhere in the world. It covers full tuition, return airfare, visa costs, and pays £1,592 per month for 18 months — plus an arrival allowance of £1,082. The scholarship includes a one-year internship split between the University of Birmingham and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s London office, with the final six months funded directly by the Foundation. One scholarship per year — highly competitive.
4. IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Scholarship 2026
Stipend: €1,220 per month
Location: Netherlands
Level: Master’s in Water and Sustainable Development
Open to: Nationals from Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iraq, Uganda, and other listed countries
The IHE Delft Scholarship is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and covers full tuition, international travel, insurance, accommodation, and a €1,220 monthly living allowance. It is specifically designed for water and environment professionals from the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Middle East regions. Nigerian applicants are explicitly eligible. The deadline is 1 June 2026 — apply immediately.
5. FIAS Fellowship Programme 2027-2028
Stipend: €2,200 per month
Location: France (seven cities)
Level: Postdoctoral researchers and senior scientists
Open to: All nationalities with PhD + 2 years post-doctoral experience
The FIAS Fellowship is one of the highest-paying research fellowships available to international academics. It offers 29 ten-month fellowships across seven French institutes for advanced study, paying €2,200 per month alongside accommodation, social security coverage, covered travel, research budgets, and full library and IT access. Open to all nationalities in social sciences, humanities, and adjacent fields. Deadline is 25 June 2026.
6. GREAT Scholarships 2026 — UK
Stipend: £10,000+ toward tuition and living costs
Location: United Kingdom
Level: Master’s
Open to: Students from Ghana, Nigeria, and other GREAT programme countries
The GREAT Scholarships 2026 are a partnership between the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, offering £10,000 or more per student toward Master’s study at participating UK universities. Nigerian and Ghanaian applicants are specifically eligible. While not a full monthly stipend in the traditional sense, the award substantially offsets living costs alongside tuition.
7. KTU Lithuanian State Scholarship 2026
Stipend: €592 per month
Location: Lithuania (EU)
Level: Master’s
Open to: Selected nationalities including Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, the USA, Vietnam, and others
The KTU Lithuanian State Scholarship pays €592 per month plus full study cost coverage for eligible Master’s students. Lithuania is an EU member state, meaning your degree carries EU academic recognition. The cost of living in Lithuania is significantly lower than in Western Europe, making the stipend go further. Applications closed April 2026 — prep now for 2027.
8. UCL IMPACT Scholarship 2026
Stipend: Up to £20,500 toward tuition and living
Location: United Kingdom (London)
Level: Master’s in Public Health
Open to: International students admitted to eligible UCL programmes
The UCL IMPACT Scholarship offers up to £20,500 for international students pursuing public health Master’s programmes at University College London — one of the world’s top 10 universities. The award covers a substantial portion of tuition and can be applied toward living costs. Specifically for public health — ideal for candidates in medicine, epidemiology, global health, or health policy.
9. MSc Development Policy and Politics — Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship 2026
Stipend: £1,592 per month for 18 months + internship funding
Location: University of Birmingham + London
Level: Master’s + internship
Open to: African nationals under 30 with a First Class degree
Listed separately from the main Mo Ibrahim post because this version covers a specific programme — the MSc Development Policy and Politics — with detailed programme breakdown, module information, and application guidance. If governance and development policy is your field, this is your most detailed resource.
10. Fully Funded SIDS Scholarship 2026 — Netherlands
Stipend: €1,220 per month
Location: Netherlands (IHE Delft)
Level: Master’s in Water and Sustainable Development
Open to: Nationals from Small Island Developing States and other eligible countries
The SIDS Scholarship 2026 is a sister programme to the IHE Delft Water scholarship, targeting Small Island Developing States alongside other eligible regions. It covers the same package — full tuition, €1,220 monthly allowance, travel, insurance, and accommodation, for the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft in the Netherlands. If you did not qualify for the main Water and Development Partnership Scholarship, check whether your country is eligible under SIDS.
How to Maximise Your Chances
Do not apply to just one. Scholarship selection is competitive and often unpredictable — the strongest candidates apply to multiple programmes simultaneously.
For the two with June 2026 deadlines — IHE Delft and FIAS — you need to move immediately. Everything else is worth beginning preparation for now, so you are ready when the next cycle opens.
Browse all scholarship posts at 👉 jobs.iammagnus.com/category/scholarship
FAQ
Which of these scholarships is open to the widest range of nationalities? Fulbright and Chevening are the broadest, with over 160 countries each. FIAS is open to all nationalities with no country restrictions. The others have more specific eligibility lists.
Which has the highest monthly stipend? FIAS pays €2,200 per month, the highest on this list. Mo Ibrahim pays £1,592 per month. IHE Delft and SIDS both pay €1,220 per month.
Can I apply to more than one of these at the same time? Yes, and you should. Applying to multiple scholarships simultaneously is standard practice and significantly increases your chances.
Are any of these still open for 2026? IHE Delft closes 1 June 2026. FIAS closes 25 June 2026. UCL IMPACT — check the site directly. All others are preparing for the 2027 cycles.
