Europe remains one of the most attractive destinations for international students and researchers seeking financial support for higher education. From prestigious postgraduate scholarships at Oxford to German research fellowships and European Union-funded research programmes, applicants can explore a wide range of opportunities for 2026–27.
But there is an important distinction applicants should keep in mind. Not every opportunity commonly described online as a “fully funded European scholarship” is actually a scholarship. Some cover tuition fees and living expenses, some provide a fixed financial award, while others are doctoral or postdoctoral fellowships, institutional research programmes, or major research grants.
This guide brings together 30 scholarships, fellowships and research funding opportunities in Europe, with their current application timelines and the type of applicants they are intended for.
Note: Deadlines and eligibility requirements may vary by nationality, programme and participating university. Applicants should always check the current official call before submitting an application.
1. Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government’s flagship international scholarship programme. It supports outstanding candidates from eligible countries who wish to undertake an eligible one-year taught Master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
Chevening generally covers university tuition fees and provides financial support towards living and other eligible expenses. Applicants are expected to demonstrate leadership potential and meet the programme’s academic and work-experience requirements.
For applicants from India, applications for the 2027–28 Chevening Scholarships are open, with the application deadline falling on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Country: United Kingdom
Level: Master’s
Deadline: 6 October 2026
2. Commonwealth Fellowships 2027
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) administers several scholarship and fellowship programmes for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries.
For the relevant Commonwealth Professional and Academic Fellowship application cycle, the official closing date is 25 August 2026 at 16:00 BST.
Applicants should note that “Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships” is an umbrella description. Master’s scholarships, PhD scholarships, Shared Scholarships and Fellowship schemes can have different eligibility rules and application schedules.
Country: United Kingdom
Level: Fellowship / postgraduate and professional development, depending on scheme
Deadline: 25 August 2026 for the relevant Fellowship round
Funding: Varies by CSC programme
3. Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship enables exceptional students to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.
It is one of the world’s best-known fully funded postgraduate scholarships. Selection is highly competitive and considers academic excellence alongside qualities such as leadership, character and commitment to service.
Deadlines differ between Rhodes constituencies. For the India constituency, applications for the 2027 Rhodes Scholarship opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 23 July 2026 at 23:59 IST.
Country: United Kingdom
University: University of Oxford
Level: Postgraduate
India deadline: 23 July 2026 — closed
Funding: Fully funded scholarship
4. Clarendon Scholarships
The Clarendon Fund is one of Oxford University’s major graduate scholarship programmes. A major advantage is that eligible graduate applicants generally do not submit a separate Clarendon application. Candidates who apply for an eligible Master’s or DPhil course by the relevant December or January graduate funding deadline are automatically considered.
Clarendon scholarships cover course fees in full and provide full-time students with a grant towards living expenses.
Country: United Kingdom
University: University of Oxford
Level: Master’s / DPhil
Deadline: Relevant December 2026 or January 2027 course deadline
Funding: Full course fees + living-cost grant
5. Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships
The Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships are designed for outstanding applicants to Oxford’s 1+1 MBA programme.
The programme combines an eligible Master’s degree with the Oxford MBA. Successful scholars receive significant financial support while participating in leadership and professional-development opportunities.
Because the scholarship is linked to the 1+1 MBA, applicants must check both the eligibility requirements and the application deadline applicable to their chosen Master’s programme.
Country: United Kingdom
University: University of Oxford
Level: Master’s + MBA
Deadline: Programme-specific for the relevant admissions cycle
Funding: Major graduate scholarship
6. Mastercard Foundation AfOx Graduate Scholarships
The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Graduate Scholarships are offered through the Africa Oxford Initiative at the University of Oxford.
They are intended for eligible students from Africa and therefore should not be treated as a scholarship open to applicants of every nationality.
Country: United Kingdom
University: University of Oxford
Level: Graduate study
Eligibility: Primarily eligible African applicants
Funding: Comprehensive graduate support, subject to programme conditions
7. DAAD EPOS Scholarship
The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) programme supports professionals from developing and newly industrialised countries who wish to undertake selected development-related postgraduate courses in Germany.
There is no single EPOS application deadline. For the 2027–28 intake, deadlines are determined by the participating postgraduate courses.
Applicants should therefore first identify an eligible EPOS course and then check that programme’s official deadline.
Country: Germany
Level: Postgraduate
Deadline: Varies by participating course
Funding: DAAD scholarship support according to programme conditions
8. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship
The Heinrich Böll Foundation supports eligible students and doctoral researchers who demonstrate strong academic performance as well as social and civic engagement.
For the current cycle, the application period runs from 15 July to 1 September 2026.
Country: Germany
Level: Graduate / doctoral, depending on applicant category
Deadline: 1 September 2026
Funding: Scholarship support according to applicant category
9. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) provides scholarships for eligible international students and doctoral candidates pursuing higher education or research in Germany.
Academic achievement is important, but applicants are also generally expected to demonstrate social or political engagement.
Country: Germany
Level: Postgraduate / doctoral
Deadline: Depends on programme and application route
Funding: Scholarship support
10. Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship
The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) provides scholarships to eligible students and doctoral researchers. The Foundation places importance on academic ability as well as social commitment. Application requirements and deadlines depend on the applicant’s academic status and funding programme.
Country: Germany
Level: Higher education / doctoral
Deadline: Programme-specific
Funding: Scholarship support
11. Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom provides scholarship opportunities for eligible students and doctoral candidates.
Applicants should check the current eligibility conditions relating to their academic stage, university status, nationality and language proficiency.
Country: Germany
Level: Master’s / doctoral and other eligible study categories
Deadline: Depends on programme/application round
Funding: Scholarship support
12. Hanns Seidel Foundation Scholarship
The Hanns Seidel Foundation provides scholarships for eligible students and doctoral candidates. The current Germany application portal lists an application period for international students and doctoral candidates from 15 December 2026 to 15 January 2027. Different procedures may apply through overseas offices and regional programmes.
Country: Germany
Level: Higher education / doctoral
13. Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship
The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation supports eligible students and doctoral candidates demonstrating strong academic performance and social engagement.
The current application round opened on 20 August 2026 and closes on 1 October 2026 at 23:59.
Country: Germany
Level: Graduate / doctoral, subject to programme
Deadline: 1 October 2026
Funding: Scholarship support
14. KAAD Scholarship
The Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) supports postgraduate students, academics and researchers, particularly from developing and emerging countries.
The programme has specific regional and academic requirements, and applications can involve KAAD’s partner structures in applicants’ home regions.
Country: Germany
Level: Postgraduate / doctoral / research
Deadline: Depends on region and programme
Funding: Scholarship/research support
15. DAAD Research Grants
DAAD administers numerous research grants for doctoral candidates, young academics and researchers. Applicants should not treat “DAAD Research Grants” as a single rolling scholarship. DAAD maintains multiple research-funding programmes, each with its own eligibility requirements, funding period and deadline.
Country: Germany
Level: Doctoral / research
Deadline: Depends on the particular DAAD grant
Funding: Research funding
16. Humboldt Research Fellowship
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Humboldt Research Fellowship enables highly qualified researchers from abroad to conduct research in Germany with an academic host.
Applications can generally be submitted throughout the year, with applications considered in connection with the Foundation’s selection process.
This is a research fellowship rather than a Master’s or PhD degree scholarship.
Country: Germany
Level: Postdoctoral / experienced researcher
Deadline: Applications accepted throughout the year
Funding: Research fellowship
17. Expatrio Scholarship 2026
The Expatrio Scholarship is aimed at international students planning to study in Germany. Applications for the 2026 scholarship close on 30 September 2026.
Importantly, it should not be described as fully funded. The 2026 competition provides multiple prizes, with the top awards valued at €15,000, €12,000 and €9,000, alongside other prizes and forms of support.
Country: Germany
Level: International students
Deadline: 30 September 2026
Top award: €15,000
Funding: Fixed scholarship prizes; not universally fully funded
18. EPFL CYD Fellowships
The CYD Fellowships are specialised research fellowships associated with EPFL and the Cyber-Defence Campus. They are particularly relevant to researchers working in cybersecurity and cyber-defence-related fields.
Applicants should not treat the programme as a general scholarship available across all disciplines.
Country: Switzerland
Institution: EPFL / Cyber-Defence Campus
Level: Research
Area: Cybersecurity and cyber-defence
Funding: Research fellowship
19. EPFL Excellence Fellowships
EPFL offers Excellence Fellowships to outstanding applicants admitted to eligible Master’s programmes. These awards are highly competitive and provide financial support to selected Master’s students. Applicants should distinguish the fellowship amount from a guarantee that every tuition and living expense will necessarily be covered.
Country: Switzerland
Institution: EPFL
Level: Master’s
Application timeline: Linked to EPFL Master’s admissions
Funding: Merit-based fellowship
20. France–South Africa Scholarship Programme
The France–South Africa Scholarship Programme supports eligible candidates pursuing postgraduate studies in France.
The scholarship is geographically restricted and should therefore not be presented as a general international scholarship available to applicants from every country.
Country: France
Level: Postgraduate
Eligibility: Applicants covered by the France–South Africa programme
Funding: Scholarship support according to the current call
21. Danish State Scholarships at Aarhus University
Eligible highly qualified non-EU/EEA applicants to Aarhus University may be considered for Danish state-funded scholarships.
There is an important application point: applicants generally do not apply for the scholarship through a universal separate 15 September scholarship application. Scholarship consideration is connected to admission and depends on the relevant programme and intake.
Country: Denmark
University: Aarhus University
Level: Master’s
Deadline: Relevant Master’s admission deadline
Funding: Depends on scholarship awarded
22. Danish Government Scholarships
Danish universities receive a limited number of government scholarships for highly qualified students from outside the EU/EEA.
There is no single nationwide 10 September 2026 application deadline for every such scholarship. Individual universities administer their awards and determine applicable procedures.
Depending on the institution and scholarship, support may consist of a full or partial tuition waiver and/or assistance towards living expenses.
Country: Denmark
Level: Higher education, primarily eligible non-EU/EEA students
Deadline: University/programme-specific
Funding: Can include tuition waiver and/or living grant
23. A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship
The A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship is associated with BI Norwegian Business School and supports eligible students meeting its academic and programme requirements.
For relevant MSc applicants, BI lists 1 March as an important scholarship application deadline.
Country: Norway
Institution: BI Norwegian Business School
Level: Master’s
Deadline: 1 March 2027 for the relevant cycle
Funding: Scholarship support subject to BI’s current terms
24. BI Presidential Scholarship
The BI Presidential Scholarship is one of BI Norwegian Business School’s prominent merit-based awards. It is intended for candidates with an outstanding academic record who are admitted to eligible Master’s programmes.
Country: Norway
Institution: BI Norwegian Business School
Level: Master’s
Deadline: 1 March 2027 for relevant MSc applicants
Funding: Merit-based scholarship; coverage depends on applicant category
25. ERC Starting Grant 2027
The European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant supports promising researchers who are developing independent research careers.
The 2027 Starting Grant call opened on 22 July 2026, with applications closing on 14 October 2026.
This is a substantial research grant awarded through an eligible host institution rather than a student scholarship.
Region: EU / associated eligible institutions
Level: Researcher / Principal Investigator
Deadline: 14 October 2026
Type: Research grant
26. ERC Advanced Grant 2026
The ERC Advanced Grant supports established research leaders with a significant record of research achievement.
The 2026 deadline is 27 August 2026.
This opportunity is intended for established researchers and should not be included among scholarships for Master’s or ordinary PhD applicants.
Region: EU-wide research funding
Level: Established researchers
Deadline: 27 August 2026
Type: Research grant
27. ERC Plus Grant 2026
The ERC Plus Grant is designed to support exceptionally ambitious and potentially transformative research projects that go beyond the normal scope of existing ERC funding schemes.
For the 2026 call, applications close on 2 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.
Grants can reach up to €7 million for projects running between four and seven years.
That €7 million figure is research-project funding, not a personal scholarship payment to the researcher.
Region: European research institutions
Deadline: 2 September 2026
Maximum grant: Up to €7 million
Type: Major research grant
28. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships support researchers seeking international mobility, advanced training and career development after completing a doctorate.
The deadline for the 2026 Postdoctoral Fellowships call is 9 September 2026 at 17:00 CEST.
Region: European Union / eligible associated arrangements
Level: Postdoctoral researchers
Deadline: 9 September 2026
Type: Research fellowship
29. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks 2026
MSCA Doctoral Networks fund international doctoral training programmes involving universities, research organisations, businesses and other participating institutions.
Contrary to some online scholarship lists, the 2026 Doctoral Networks call is not simply “rolling.” The main call closes on 24 November 2026 at 17:00 CET.
Another important distinction is that prospective PhD students do not ordinarily submit the main network funding proposal. Participating organisations compete for funding and subsequently recruit doctoral candidates for individual funded positions.
Region: European Union / associated countries
Level: Doctoral training
2026 call deadline: 24 November 2026
Type: Institutional doctoral/research funding
30. EURAXESS PhD and Research Opportunities
EURAXESS should not technically be described as a scholarship.
It is a major European platform through which universities, laboratories and research organisations advertise PhD positions, postdoctoral appointments and research vacancies.
Individual vacancies may be funded or salaried and each carries its own eligibility conditions and closing date.
For prospective doctoral candidates, EURAXESS can nevertheless be extremely valuable because many European PhD opportunities function as paid research positions rather than conventional scholarships.
Region: Europe
Level: PhD / postdoctoral / researcher
Deadline: Varies by individual vacancy
Type: Research jobs and opportunities platform
How to Choose the Right Scholarship or Funding Programme
The easiest way to navigate these opportunities is to identify your current academic stage first.
Students seeking a Master’s degree should focus primarily on programmes such as Chevening, Clarendon, Rhodes, relevant DAAD programmes, EPFL fellowships and university scholarships.
Those seeking a PhD should investigate doctoral scholarships as well as funded doctoral positions. In Europe, many doctoral researchers are recruited as employees or researchers rather than being supported through a traditional scholarship.
Researchers who have already completed their doctorate should examine opportunities such as the Humboldt Research Fellowship and MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Established academics and independent researchers may instead be eligible for major programmes administered by the European Research Council.
A Word of Caution Before Applying
Scholarship information changes frequently. A deadline that applied in 2025 may not apply in 2026. Some programmes have different deadlines for different nationalities. Others use university admission deadlines rather than separate scholarship deadlines.
Applicants should therefore verify four things from the official source immediately before applying:
- Whether their nationality is eligible;
- Whether their intended degree or research level is covered;
- Exactly what expenses the scholarship or grant pays; and
- The current deadline, including the applicable time zone.
Applicants should also be cautious of social-media posts that describe every European funding opportunity as “fully funded.” A fixed €10,000 or €15,000 award, for example, may be extremely valuable but is fundamentally different from a scholarship covering full tuition, accommodation and living expenses.
Conclusion
The 2026–27 European scholarship and research funding landscape offers opportunities for applicants at almost every stage of an academic career, from students planning their first postgraduate degree to doctoral researchers, postdoctoral fellows and established academics leading major international research projects.
Scholarships such as Chevening, Rhodes and Clarendon remain attractive options for postgraduate study, while DAAD and Germany’s major foundations provide several routes for students and researchers. EPFL, Danish and Norwegian institutions offer further university-based opportunities.
For researchers, programmes such as the Humboldt Research Fellowship, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and European Research Council grants can provide access to significant funding and international research networks.
The key is to apply strategically rather than simply applying to every opportunity labelled “fully funded.” Start with your academic level and nationality, identify the programmes for which you are genuinely eligible, and then verify the current official call, funding coverage and deadline before preparing the application.
With several major deadlines falling between August and October 2026, candidates interested in the current cycle should begin checking eligibility and assembling their documents without delay.