If you’re planning to pursue a master’s degree or PhD abroad, there are scholarship opportunities that can help cover tuition, living expenses, travel, and research costs.
This list includes government-funded scholarships, university programs, and international foundations. Some are open to applicants from many countries, while others have specific nationality, work experience, academic, or field-of-study requirements.
1. International Graduate Scholarships
| Scholarship | Country | Award | Who Can Apply? | 2026–2027 Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarship | United Kingdom | Fully funded one-year master’s degree, including tuition, living allowance, travel, and other eligible costs | Citizens of eligible countries, including Ethiopia, with an undergraduate degree, at least 2,800 hours of work experience, and a commitment to return home for at least two years | Varies by country; check the next application cycle |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Multiple European countries | Full scholarships can cover participation costs, travel, visa expenses, and a living allowance | Students worldwide with a bachelor’s degree or who are in their final year of undergraduate study | Usually October–January; individual programs set deadlines |
| DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) | Germany | Monthly stipend, insurance, travel allowance, and possible additional benefits | Graduates from eligible developing countries with at least two years of relevant professional experience applying to selected development-related master’s or doctoral programs | Varies by course; check each program’s 2027–2028 deadline |
| Australia Awards Scholarships | Australia | Tuition, return airfare, living allowance, health coverage, and other approved benefits | Citizens of participating countries, including Ethiopia, who meet country-specific academic, professional, and development requirements | April 30, 2026, for the 2027 intake |
| MEXT Research Scholarship | Japan | Tuition, monthly stipend, and airfare | International graduates seeking master’s or doctoral study or research at Japanese universities; eligibility and academic requirements apply | Usually April–May of the preceding year; check the Japanese Embassy in your country |
| Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-G) | South Korea | Tuition, airfare, monthly allowance, Korean-language training, and other benefits under the program | International applicants seeking master’s or doctoral degrees at participating Korean universities | Usually January–February; 2027 dates not yet announced |
| Türkiye Scholarships – Graduate Program | Türkiye | Tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, health insurance, flight ticket, and university placement | Citizens of eligible countries, including Ethiopia, applying for master’s or PhD programs; academic and age requirements apply | Typically January 10–February 20; confirm the 2027 dates |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Tuition-free education, monthly stipend, accommodation contribution, and medical insurance | Applicants from countries with an eligible sending-partner agreement; available programs depend on the agreement | 2027–2028 application period expected to begin November 2026; deadline not yet announced |
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | Switzerland | Research scholarship support, including a monthly stipend and other benefits depending on scholarship category | Postgraduate researchers with a proposed research project and a Swiss academic supervisor; eligible scholarship categories depend on nationality | Nov. 13, 2026, for Ethiopian applicants |
| Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) | Participating countries, including the U.S. and other destinations | Tuition, monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance | Nationals of eligible developing countries with relevant professional experience and admission to a participating development-related master’s program | 2027 Window 1: Jan. 18–Feb. 26, 2027; Window 2: Mar. 29–May 21, 2027 |
| ADB–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) | Selected countries in Asia and the Pacific | Tuition, monthly subsistence allowance, housing, books, medical insurance, and travel | Applicants from eligible ADB developing member countries with relevant work experience and admission to a participating postgraduate program | Varies by participating institution |
| Rotary Peace Fellowship | Multiple countries | Tuition, fees, accommodation, meals, internship, and field-study expenses | Applicants with a bachelor’s degree, relevant work experience, and a commitment to peace and development; professional experience requirements vary by program | Typically May 15 for the following academic year’s cohort; confirm the 2028 cohort deadline |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | Multiple African and international partner institutions | Comprehensive support may include tuition, accommodation, living expenses, books, mentoring, and career development | Academically talented students facing financial barriers; eligibility, degree level, and nationality requirements vary by partner university | Varies by university and program |
| Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future | Multiple countries | Fellowship funding for PhD or postdoctoral study in STEM fields | Women from eligible developing and emerging countries, including Ethiopia, pursuing STEM research abroad | Nov. 7, 2026, for the 2027–2028 cycle |
| AAUW International Fellowships | Multiple countries | Master’s: $20,000; doctoral: $25,000 | Women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing eligible graduate study in the United States; included here as a reference for international graduate funding, not a scholarship to study outside the U.S. | Sept. 17, 2026, for the 2027–2028 cycle |
2. More About the Major Opportunities
Chevening Scholarship – United Kingdom
Chevening is a UK government scholarship designed to support future leaders. It provides funding for a one-year master’s degree at an eligible UK university.
The scholarship typically covers tuition, a monthly living allowance, travel to and from the UK, and other approved expenses.
Applicants need an undergraduate degree, at least two years of work experience (2,800 hours), and a commitment to return to their home country for at least two years after completing the scholarship.
Official website: https://www.chevening.org/
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters – Europe
One of the best opportunities to explore if you want to study in more than one European country.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are collaborative master’s programs offered by groups of universities in different countries. Students may study at multiple institutions during the degree.
Full scholarships are available to outstanding applicants worldwide and can cover participation costs, travel, visa expenses, and a living allowance.
Official website: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters
DAAD EPOS – Germany
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for graduates from developing countries who want to pursue postgraduate studies in development-related fields.
Programs include areas such as economic development, public policy, engineering, environmental studies, public health, and related disciplines.
Applicants generally need at least two years of relevant professional experience. You must apply to one of the participating postgraduate courses.
Official website: https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarships/
Australia Awards Scholarships – Australia
Australia Awards are government-funded scholarships designed to support development in participating countries.
Ethiopia is included among the eligible African countries. The awards can cover tuition, return airfare, living expenses, health coverage, and other approved costs.
Applicants should review the Ethiopia-specific priority fields and eligibility requirements before applying.
Official website: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards
MEXT Research Scholarship – Japan
The Japanese government’s MEXT scholarship supports international students pursuing postgraduate research and degree programs in Japan.
Depending on the route, students may apply through the Japanese Embassy in their country or through a university recommendation. The scholarship generally provides tuition, a monthly stipend, and airfare.
Official website: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/
Global Korea Scholarship – South Korea
The Korean government offers graduate scholarships to international students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees at participating Korean universities.
The scholarship package generally includes tuition, airfare, a living allowance, Korean-language training, and other benefits.
There are embassy and university application tracks. Check the annual guidelines and the application instructions for your country.
Official website: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/
Türkiye Scholarships – Türkiye
Türkiye Scholarships offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral opportunities to international students from eligible countries.
Graduate applicants can apply for programs in areas such as engineering, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. The scholarship can include tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, health insurance, airfare, and university placement.
Official website: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/
Stipendium Hungaricum – Hungary
This Hungarian government scholarship supports international students at participating universities.
The program offers tuition-free education, a monthly stipend, accommodation support, and medical insurance. Available degree programs depend on the agreement between Hungary and the applicant’s home country.
Official website: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Switzerland
Switzerland offers government scholarships to promote international research cooperation.
The program is particularly relevant to postgraduate researchers seeking research opportunities at Swiss universities and research institutions. Applicants generally need a research proposal and an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
Scholarship categories and eligibility differ by country. Ethiopian applicants should check the specific instructions from the Swiss Embassy in Ethiopia.
Official website: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship – Multiple Destinations
This scholarship supports students from eligible developing countries pursuing selected development-related master’s programs.
The program can cover tuition, living expenses, travel, and health insurance. Applicants generally need relevant professional experience and admission to one of the participating programs.
Ethiopia is included among the eligible countries for the 2027 cycle. Not every master’s program or university participates.
Official website: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – Participating Countries
The Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program provides funding for postgraduate study in development-related fields at participating institutions.
Funding can include tuition, a monthly subsistence allowance, housing, books, medical insurance, and travel.
Important: Eligibility is limited to citizens of eligible ADB developing member countries. Check the current country list and participating institutions before applying.
Official website: https://www.adb.org/work-with-us/careers/japan-scholarship-program
Rotary Peace Fellowship – Multiple Countries
The Rotary Peace Fellowship supports professionals committed to peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
It offers fully funded master’s degree and professional development opportunities at selected Rotary Peace Centers around the world.
Applicants should have relevant work or volunteer experience and a demonstrated commitment to peace and development.
Official website: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – Multiple Countries
The Mastercard Foundation partners with universities and institutions to support talented young people who face financial barriers to higher education.
Scholarships may include tuition, accommodation, living expenses, academic support, leadership development, and career preparation.
The available degree levels and eligibility criteria depend on the partner institution. Check each university’s scholarship page for graduate opportunities.
Official website: https://mastercardfdn.org/
Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future – STEM
This fellowship supports women from developing and emerging countries pursuing PhD or postdoctoral research in STEM fields abroad.
Ethiopia is included among the eligible countries. Applicants must meet the academic, professional, and program requirements.
Official website: https://www.facultyforthefuture.net/
3. Graduate Funding by Field of Study
If you already know what you want to study, consider searching for funding specific to your field.
| Field | Scholarships and Funding to Explore |
|---|---|
| Engineering, Computer Science & Technology | DAAD EPOS, Erasmus Mundus, MEXT, GKS, Schlumberger Foundation |
| Public Health & Medicine | DAAD EPOS, Erasmus Mundus, Australia Awards, JJ/WBGSP |
| Business, Economics & Finance | Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, DAAD EPOS, JJ/WBGSP |
| Agriculture & Environmental Studies | DAAD EPOS, Australia Awards, Erasmus Mundus, MEXT |
| Education & Social Sciences | Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, Türkiye Scholarships, DAAD EPOS |
| International Relations & Public Policy | Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, Rotary Peace Fellowship, JJ/WBGSP |
| Research & Doctoral Studies | MEXT, Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, Schlumberger Foundation, DAAD |
4. Don’t Overlook University Funding
Some of the best graduate funding opportunities are offered directly by universities rather than through national scholarship programs.
When researching universities, look for:
- Fully funded master’s programs
- Funded PhD positions
- Graduate research assistantships
- Teaching assistantships
- University merit scholarships
- Departmental fellowships
- Tuition waivers
- Research grants
In some countries, especially for research-based master’s and PhD programs, universities may offer funding packages that cover tuition and provide a living stipend.
5. Tips for Applying
- Start early. Some scholarships require you to secure university admission before applying for funding.
- Check the country requirements. A scholarship may be open to international students but restricted to specific nationalities.
- Build your experience. Work experience, research, volunteering, and leadership can strengthen your application.
- Prepare a strong statement of purpose. Explain your academic goals, why you chose the program, and how you plan to use your education.
- Contact potential supervisors. This is particularly important for research-based master’s and PhD scholarships.
- Check what is covered. A scholarship that covers tuition may not cover housing, food, travel, or other expenses.
- Apply to multiple opportunities. Don’t rely on just one scholarship.
Final Reminder
Studying abroad does not always mean paying for everything yourself. There are government-funded programs, university scholarships, research fellowships, and international foundations that support talented students.
For Ethiopian and Habesha students, I recommend starting with Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, DAAD EPOS, Australia Awards, MEXT, GKS, Türkiye Scholarships, and Stipendium Hungaricum.
Save this guide, start researching early, and share it with someone planning to pursue a graduate degree abroad!
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