Every year, hundreds of international students from developing countries get the chance to pursue their academic dreams through fully funded scholarships offered by prestigious institutions, governments, and international organizations. These scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, travel, health insurance, and sometimes even family support, making them a golden opportunity for talented individuals to access world-class education and training abroad. Whether you’re aiming for a Master’s, PhD, or even an undergraduate degree, fully funded scholarships eliminate financial barriers and allow you to focus on academic and professional growth. In this detailed guide, we highlight the top 25 fully funded scholarships for developing countries in 2025, with complete information on benefits, eligibility, and how to apply
1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Chevening is the UK government’s global scholarship program offering full financial support for one-year Master’s degrees at UK universities. It includes tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel costs, visa fees, and more. Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential and return to their home country after study
2. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers a variety of fully funded scholarships for postgraduate study in Germany, especially through its Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) program. It covers tuition, a monthly allowance (€934+), health insurance, travel, and accommodation support for students from developing countries
3. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
The Fulbright Program provides full funding for graduate study in the United States, covering tuition, airfare, living allowance, and health insurance. It’s open to international students from over 155 countries and focuses on cultural exchange and academic excellence
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe)
Funded by the European Union, this program offers fully funded scholarships to pursue joint Master’s degrees at multiple universities across Europe. It includes tuition, travel, living expenses, and installation allowance. Selection is based on academic merit and motivation
5. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
Targeted at students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries, this scholarship covers full tuition, airfare, living expenses, and other study-related costs for Master’s and PhD programs in the UK. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and academic potential
6. Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards offer fully funded opportunities for students from developing countries to study at Australian universities. The package includes full tuition, return airfare, living allowance, health insurance, and language training if needed. Applicants must return home for at least two years after study
7. Japanese Government MEXT Scholarships
The MEXT Scholarship is funded by the Government of Japan and offers fully funded undergraduate and graduate opportunities. It covers tuition, accommodation, travel, and monthly living allowance. Applicants are selected through Japanese embassies or consulates
8. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Offered by the Swiss Federal Government, this program provides research and postgraduate scholarships to foreign scholars and artists. It includes full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and housing allowance for PhD and postdoctoral studies
9. New Zealand Manaaki Scholarships
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are offered to students from developing countries to study full-time in New Zealand. These scholarships cover tuition, living allowance, travel, medical insurance, and additional study support
10. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (USA)
Offered by Stanford University, this highly competitive program provides full funding for graduate degrees in any field. It covers tuition, stipend, travel, and additional academic enrichment funds. Scholars must demonstrate leadership and commitment to global progress
11. Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, these scholarships are awarded to outstanding international students to pursue full-time postgraduate degrees at the University of Cambridge. It covers tuition, living costs, airfare, visa fees, and research grants
12. Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarship Program
The IsDB offers fully funded scholarships to students from member countries and Muslim communities worldwide. It supports Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral research, covering tuition, monthly stipend, medical care, and travel expenses. Scholars must commit to development work in their home country
13. Orange Knowledge Programme (Netherlands)
Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this scholarship supports short courses and Master’s degrees in the Netherlands. It covers tuition, travel, insurance, and a monthly living allowance. Applicants must be from eligible countries and show leadership potential
14. Schwarzman Scholars Program (China)
This fully funded Master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing focuses on leadership and global affairs. It covers tuition, room and board, travel, and a personal stipend. Applicants from all countries are eligible, and the program is modeled after the Rhodes Scholarship
15. VLIR-UOS Scholarships (Belgium)
These scholarships are aimed at students from 31 eligible developing countries who want to study in Belgium. The program offers fully funded Master’s degrees in fields linked to development, covering tuition, travel, insurance, accommodation, and monthly allowance
16. OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) Scholarship
The OFID Scholarship provides full support to students from developing countries to pursue graduate studies in any discipline at an accredited university. It covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, books, accommodation, and travel expenses
17. University of Oxford Rhodes Scholarships (UK)
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world. It offers full funding for international students to pursue postgraduate degrees at the University of Oxford, including tuition, travel, stipend, and research support. Scholars are chosen for academic brilliance and leadership
18. Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarships
The Rotary Foundation offers scholarships of up to $30,000 for graduate-level coursework or research in one of Rotary’s focus areas. It covers tuition, room and board, travel, language training, and other associated costs
19. Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program (ADB–JSP)
This program supports students from ADB’s developing member countries to study postgraduate programs in economics, management, science, and technology. It includes full tuition, a monthly stipend, housing, travel, and medical insurance
20. Korean Government Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
The GKS program provides full support for international students to study undergraduate, Master’s, or PhD programs in South Korea. The scholarship includes tuition, airfare, monthly allowance, language training, and research support
21. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
This scholarship targets academically talented but economically disadvantaged students from Africa. It provides full funding for undergraduate and graduate study at partner universities such as the University of Edinburgh, McGill, and the University of Cape Town. It covers tuition, living, and travel costs
22. Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Postgraduate Scholarship (Thailand)
The CGI offers fully funded Master’s programs in science and technology-related fields to students from developing countries. It covers tuition, airfare, accommodation, monthly stipend, book allowance, and health insurance
23. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Administered by the Chinese Ministry of Education, this program offers fully funded opportunities for international students at over 280 Chinese universities. It covers tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance
24. University of Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships (UK)
This program offers full tuition coverage for outstanding international students pursuing PhD research at the University of Edinburgh. Some programs may offer partial living allowances or additional research funding
25. Turkiye Burslari Scholarship (Turkey)
This government-funded scholarship offers full support for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in Turkish universities. It covers tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, Turkish language course, and international travel
Common Eligibility Requirements Across Most Scholarships
Although each scholarship has its own unique eligibility criteria, many fully funded international scholarships share common elements such as: applicants must be citizens of a developing or low-income country (based on OECD-DAC list), must demonstrate strong academic performance in previous studies, English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or other test scores) is often required, for postgraduate programs, at least 1–2 years of professional or volunteer experience is usually preferred, a clear motivation letter or statement of purpose, explaining how the program aligns with development goals, letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees. Meeting the basic criteria is not enough—selection is highly competitive, and successful applicants are often distinguished by their leadership qualities, commitment to social impact, and potential to drive change in their communities
Application Tips for a Successful Scholarship Outcome
Here are several strategies to improve your chances of winning a fully funded scholarship: start early—begin preparing documents at least 6 months before the application deadline, tailor your personal statement and motivation letter to each scholarship program, focus on your achievements, career goals, and alignment with the scholarship’s mission, secure strong recommendation letters from professors, employers, or mentors, prepare for possible interviews and be able to speak clearly about your goals, highlight how your work or study will impact your home country or community, pay close attention to document formatting, deadlines, and submission instructions. Consider reaching out to alumni of specific scholarship programs on platforms like LinkedIn to gain insider tips
Final Thoughts: Your Future is One Scholarship Away
For students in developing countries, fully funded scholarships offer more than just academic opportunities—they provide access to global networks, career mobility, and the chance to become agents of positive change. With determination, preparation, and the right information, you can position yourself to take full advantage of these life-changing programs. Whether your dream is to study public policy in London, climate science in Australia, development economics in Berlin, or technology in South Korea, the resources are available—you just need to take the first step. Explore these 25 scholarship opportunities, start preparing your application documents today, and commit to investing in your future. Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change your world—and the world around you