External Scholarships for
Indian Students
Table of Content
About External Scholarships for Indian Students
Many Indian students planning to study abroad look beyond university aid to explore external scholarships for Indian students offered by reputed trusts and foundations. Programs such as the JN Tata Endowment, the Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship, and the K. C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad are designed to support academically strong students who need financial assistance for overseas education. These scholarships typically consider merit, future goals, and leadership potential while offering partial funding or loan support.
In addition, international initiatives like the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship and the S. N. Bose Scholars Program provide valuable support for postgraduate study and research at leading global universities. By applying to these well-established external funding options, Indian students can reduce financial pressure and focus on their academic journey with greater confidence and clarity.
1. K. C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
Eligibility –
- Applicants must possess a First Class degree or equivalent diploma of similar standard from a recognised University.
- Applicants must be Indian candidates who have secured admission or have applied for admission in reputable foreign universities for courses commencing from August 2025 but not later than February 2026.
Amount –
Application Process – https://www.kcmet.org/IMAGES/legal-certificates/List-of-documents-for-MAITS.pdf
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs – Not mentioned
Deadlines – Not updated on the page.
Timeline – Not updated on the page.
2. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship for Higher Studies
Eligibility –
- Applicant must be an Indian national, residing in India
- Applicant must be below 30 years of age as of January 31, 2026
- Applicant must have graduated from an accredited Indian University
- Students in their final year of the degree course or those awaiting results are also eligible.
- Applicants planning to pursue Postgraduate studies at institutions in India and abroad from Fall 2026.
- Applicants who have applied and are awaiting an acceptance from the university are also eligible to apply.
- The award of scholarship is subject to securing admission.
Amount – Not Mentioned
Application Process –
https://pg.nsfoundation.co.in/application-process/
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs – University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Oxford, Harvard University, Michigan Technological University, University of Cambridge, Berkeley, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Northwestern
Deadlines –
January for every academic year.
Timeline – January-March
3. JN Tata Scholarships
Link – JN Tata Scholarships
Eligibility –
- Candidates should be Indian citizen, not older than 45 years as on June 30, 2026, and graduates of a recognised Indian university with at least 60% marks on average in their undergraduate or post-graduate studies. Candidates are not eligible to apply if their undergraduate degree is not from a recognised University in India.
- Candidates who are admitted to the course, must be recognised as a Graduate Program (post – graduate in Indian terminology).
- Candidates who did not get selected in the previous year/earlier for the J N Tata Endowment loan scholarship and candidates who could not avail of the loan scholarship when they were selected, are eligible to apply afresh.
- Candidates who are already pursuing postgraduate studies abroad may apply either at the end of their first year of studies or at the commencement of the second year, provided there is a minimum of one full academic year (12 months) remaining to be completed at the time of the loan scholarship award, typically in July of any calendar year.
- Candidates who are currently on break for CPT or OPT training must have two full semesters or three quarters remaining to complete their program.
- Candidates in the final year of their degree courses and those awaiting results are eligible to apply. Candidates may apply, even if they do not have the admission/offer letters from the universities to which they have applied for the academic year 2026-2027, at the time of filling out the application form. However, they must update their application status with the Endowment once they secure admission by sending an appropriate email to jnteapplication@tatatruts.org, quoting the reference number which appears on the top left side of the form.
- J N Tata scholars who have fully repaid their existing loan scholarship amount are eligible to apply.
- Candidates going overseas for student exchange programme, seminars, conferences, training, workshops, paper presentation, undergraduate studies, and any post-graduate degree/diploma/certificates through Distance learning or online medium are not eligible to apply.
- Candidates planning to pursue postgraduate and undergraduate studies in India are not eligible to apply.
- Candidates who are planning to study for a diploma of at least 1 year duration, whose entry-level requirement is higher secondary level, are not eligible to apply.
Amount – The Endowment awards the loan scholarship of upto Rs.20 Lakhs. However, not all candidates qualify for the maximum amount.
Application Process – https://jntataendowment.org/selection-process/
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs –
Biology, Computer Science, Counselling Design, Economics, Education, Engineering Environment, Health & Healthcare Humanities, Mathematics,
Media & Technology, Medical, Miscellaneous, Neuroscience, Operations Research, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, Physics, Psychology, Public Administration, Pure Sciences, Security & Intelligence
Deadlines – Application forms for the J.N. Tata Endowment Fall 2026– Spring 2027 program will be available on our website From 5th January till 15rd March 2026.
Timeline – 5th January till 15rd March 2026
4. Aga Khan Scholarships
Link – Aga Khan Scholarships
Eligibility –
To be eligible for an AKF ISP award, you must:
- have excellent academic records;
- hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/professional experience;
- demonstrate genuine financial need;
- demonstrate a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan that covers all years of study;
- be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution;
- be starting the first year of the programme; and
- have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.
Note: preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.
- Awards are provided according to need, but please consider the AKF ISP a resource of last resort and secure multiple sources of funding to reduce the amount you request. See the section Examples of Other Scholarships and Financial Assistance Programmes below for a ‘starter’ list of other sources of funding that may be of interest.
- AKF ISP gives priority to Master’s programmes but will also consider applications for PhD studies. Local/regional universities and distance learning programmes are acceptable for ISP funding, only if the quality of the course is maintained. Applications for part-time programmes and short-term courses are not considered.
- Applicants must be entering their first year of study in a postgraduate programme. Students who have already enrolled in, or have commenced their postgraduate studies, are not eligible.
Amount –
The award covers tuition expenses and student living expenses. It does not cover, for example, the cost of international travel, clothing, furniture, or living expenses for family members.
Application Process – https://the.akdn/en/what-we-do/developing-human-capacity/education/international-scholarships
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs – NOTE: The Foundation will not accept applications from students planning to attend universities in UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway and Ireland.
Deadlines – Applications are handled by contacts in countries where AKF ISP is available. To learn more, please visit our website in January 2026 and use the eligibility tool to verify your eligibility and learn how to contact our local team.
Timeline – January-March
5. S N Bose Scholars Program
Link – S N Bose Scholars Program
Eligibility –
- Indian citizens currently pursuing a Bachelors or Masters’ degree at a recognized institution of higher education and learning in India. Open to students of Atmospheric and Earth Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Engineering Sciences; Mathematical and Computational Sciences; and, Physical Sciences Note: Students with a biology background should consider applying to the Khorana Program for Scholars.
Amount – Stipend, Health Insurance, Airfare
Application Process –
https://iusstf.org/documents/35627/42091/Guidelines%20-%20Indian%20Application%20Guidelines
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs –
- There are no partner universities under the program. As part of the application, the students have to fill in their area of interest / potential research idea(s). If he student is selected, we try our best to make placements based on the area indicated by the student in the application form.
Deadlines – Not mentioned
Timeline – Not mentioned
6. SEG Scholarship (SEG Scholarships encourage the study of geophysics and related geosciences in universities around the world.)
Eligibility –
SEG Scholarships are based on merit. To qualify, you must be a student who:
- Is a high school senior planning to attend college next year or an undergraduate or graduate college student;
- Has above average grades;
- Is intending to pursue a college curriculum directed toward a career in applied geophysics.
Amount – Scholarships range from US$500 to US$10,000 per academic year; average awards are approximately US$2,800.
Application Process –
- Is a high school senior planning to attend college next year or an undergraduate or graduate college student;
- Has above average grades;
- Is intending to pursue a college curriculum directed toward a career in applied geophysics.
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs – https://seg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-2025-Scholarship-Recipients-for-Website.pdf
Deadlines – Applications accepted 1 November to 1 March annually.
Timeline – Nov–Mar: applications accepted
Mar–May: applications reviewed and scholarships assigned
June: applicants notified of results
June–Sep: enrollments verified; acceptance documents completed; funds distributed
7. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
Link – Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
Eligibility –
- Must have completed an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 55% marks. Applicants must either possess a four-year bachelor’s degree or a completed master’s degree; or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognized Indian institution, if the bachelor’s degree is of less than four years’ duration;
- Must have at least three years’ full-time (paid) professional work experience relevant to the proposed field of study by the application deadline;
- Should demonstrate experience in leadership and community service;
- Must not have another degree from a U.S. university or be enrolled in a U.S. degree program; and
- If employed, should follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. If applicable, obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNMasters Employer’s Endorsement Form. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period.
- Employees of the Government of India and Indian State Governments are not eligible for any Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships. This includes civil servants in central services (such as IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, and allied services), state government services (including state civil services), and bureaucratic staff employed in central and state ministries or departments.
Amount – The fellowship will provide J-1 visa support, round-trip economy class air travel from fellow’s home city to the host institution in the U.S., funding for tuition and fees, living and related costs, and accident and sickness coverage per U.S. Government guidelines.*
The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships provide no financial support for dependents.
* USIEF funding may not cover all costs and the fellow may need to supplement grant benefits with other resources.
Application Process – https://apply.iie.org/apply/?sr=b29b205d-36bc-44e5-8e02-1d3e90c567a4
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs –
- These fellowships are awarded for up to two years to pursue a master’s degree at U.S. colleges and universities in the areas of Economics; Environmental Science/Studies; Higher Education Administration; International Affairs; International Legal Studies; Journalism and Mass Communication; Public Administration; Public Health; Urban and Regional Planning; and Women’s Studies/Gender Studies.
Deadlines – Not updated on the page.
Timeline – Not updated on the page.
8. Lotus Scholarship Trust
Link – Lotus Scholarship Trust
Eligibility –
- Postgraduate and Research Eligibility: Outstanding academic record.
Amount – Not mentioned
Application Process – Candidates must send their preliminary applications, together with complete bio-data, copy of mark sheets and if possible, copy of the admission offer in the following address
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs
Field of Study: Engineering, Technology, Sciences, Management Studies, Social Sciences and Medicine
Level: Postgraduate and Research Eligibility: Outstanding academic record.
Deadlines – Last Date: April/May
Timeline – Last Date: April/May
9. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS)
Link – P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS)
Eligibility –
- A woman is eligible for consideration for an International Peace Scholarship if she:
- is a woman outside the United States and Canada who is seeking an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada;
- will return to her home country to utilize her education to make a positive impact and foster global peace; and
- has a full year of formal coursework remaining and is enrolled and in residence in the U.S. or Canada for the entire school year; or
- is an international student attending Cottey College
Please note:
- Doctoral students who have completed coursework and are working only on dissertations are not eligible as first-time applicants.
- A student who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada is not eligible. A student with residency for tax purposes only is permitted.
- Scholarships are not given for online courses, research, internships or for practical training if not combined with formal coursework.
Amount –
- The maximum amount awarded to a student is $12,500. Lesser amounts may be awarded according to individual needs.
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs – Not mentioned
Deadlines – Not mentioned
Timeline –Applications will be accepted again starting September 15, 2026
10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships
Link – Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships
Eligibility –
- You must have a bachelor’s degree (first degree), or be in your last year of bachelor studies graduate before the master’s programme starts
Amount –
- Scholarships cover your participation costs and contribute to travel visa a living allowance
Application Process – The programme’s website will also take you through all the steps of the application process.
Participating Universities/Acceptable Programs – https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en
Deadlines – In most cases, you should submit your application between October and January for courses starting the following academic year.
Timeline – between October and January.
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