Top 20 Fully Funded European Government Scholarships 2026/2027

If studying in Europe has always felt out of reach, this is your chance to make it happen. Across the continent, countries like Sweden, Hungary, Finland, Poland, Germany, Belgium, and Denmark are opening their doors to international students through generous, government-funded scholarships.

According to the European Commission, over 100,000 scholarships and grants are awarded each year to students who want to study in Europe tuition-free. Many of these programs cover not just tuition, but also accommodation, travel costs, and living expenses.

In this guide, we’ve carefully curated the Top 20 Fully Funded European Government Scholarships for 2026/2027, each designed to help you achieve your academic goals while exploring Europe’s rich culture, innovation, and world-class education system.

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship is one of Europe’s most respected study programs, funded by the European Commission. It gives students the chance to study at two or more top universities across Europe, earning a joint degree while experiencing new cultures and building global connections.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s (some PhD options available)
• Study format: Joint program across 2–3 universities in different European countries
• Funding: Covers full tuition, monthly living stipend, travel costs, and health insurance
• Duration: 1–2 years
• Eligibility: Open to students from all countries

Official Link: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

2. DAAD German Government Scholarships (EPOS)

The DAAD EPOS Scholarship is one of Germany’s leading government-funded programs, designed to support talented graduates from developing countries. It offers the chance to study at top German universities, especially in fields that contribute to sustainable development and global progress.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s, MPhil, MBA, LLM, PhD
• Funding: Fully covers tuition, monthly living stipend, travel costs, health insurance, and accommodation support
• Eligibility: Open to applicants from developing and emerging countries

Official Link: DAAD EPOS Scholarship

3. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is a flagship program of the French Government, created to attract outstanding international students to pursue Master’s and PhD degrees in France. Funded by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, it supports future leaders who aim to make an impact in fields such as science, engineering, economics, law, and political science.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s and PhD
• Funding: Covers full tuition, monthly allowance, health insurance, and travel costs
• Awards: Around 350 scholarships are granted each year
• Eligible fields: Engineering, science, economics, law, and political science
• Duration: 12–36 months, depending on the study level

Official Link: Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

4. Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarship

The Swedish Institute (SI) Scholarship is a prestigious program funded by the Government of Sweden, created to support future global leaders who demonstrate strong academic performance and leadership potential. It offers the opportunity to study a Master’s degree in Sweden while engaging with a community focused on sustainability, innovation, and equality.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s
• Funding: Covers full tuition, monthly living allowance, insurance, and a travel grant
• Availability: Around 250 scholarships are awarded each year
• Focus areas: Sustainability, innovation, and equality

Official Link: Sweden Government Scholarship

5. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship (Hungary)

The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship is Hungary’s top scholarship program, offering thousands of fully funded study opportunities each year to international students. It’s designed to promote cultural exchange and academic excellence while giving students the chance to earn a degree at some of Hungary’s top universities.

Key Details

• Degree level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• Awards: Over 5,000 scholarships granted annually
• Funding: Covers full tuition, housing, monthly stipend, and medical insurance

Official Link: Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship

6. Netherlands Government Scholarship (NL Scholarship)

The NL Scholarship, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, supports international students who want to study in the Netherlands at the bachelor’s or master’s level. It’s open to applicants from outside the EU/EEA and helps make studying in one of Europe’s most innovative education systems more accessible.

Also Apply: Fully Funded Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Sciences Po 2026–2028

Key Details

• Degree level: Bachelor’s, Master’s
• Eligibility: Open to international students from outside the EU/EEA
• Funding: Covers part of the tuition fee and contributes to living expenses

Official Link: NL Scholarship

7. Ireland Government Postgraduate Scholarship

The Ireland Government Postgraduate Scholarship is one of the country’s most competitive national awards, designed to support exceptional students conducting master’s or PhD research across all academic disciplines. It encourages original thinking and research that contribute to Ireland’s global reputation for innovation and excellence.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s, PhD
• Funding: Covers tuition fees, provides a living stipend, and supports research-related expenses
• Availability: About 60 scholarships are awarded each year

Official Link: Ireland Government Postgraduate Scholarship

8. Finland Government Scholarship

The Finland Government Scholarship offers international students from outside the EU the opportunity to study in one of the world’s most student-friendly environments. Managed through the Study in Finland portal, it provides generous funding for a range of bachelor’s and master’s programs at Finnish universities.

Key Details

• Degree level: Bachelor’s, Master’s
• Funding: Covers full tuition and includes a living allowance.
• Availability: Around 500 scholarships awarded each year

Official Link: Finland Government Scholarship

9. ARES Belgium Government Scholarship

The ARES Scholarship Program, funded by the Government of Belgium, supports students from developing countries who want to pursue master’s degrees or short training courses. The program focuses on building skills and knowledge that contribute to sustainable development in students’ home countries.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s and short training courses
• Availability: Around 200 scholarships are offered each year
• Funding: Fully covers tuition, travel, insurance, and a monthly living allowance

Official Link: ARES Scholarship Program

10. Austria Government Scholarship

The Austria Government Scholarship, managed by OeAD, provides full funding for international students who wish to study or conduct research in Austria. It’s open to students across all academic levels and offers the chance to experience Austria’s strong academic and cultural environment.

Key Details

• Degree level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• Funding: Covers tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and insurance
• Focus areas: Arts, sciences, engineering, and social sciences
• Duration: Varies by program and level of study

Official Link: Austria Government Scholarship

11. Poland Government Scholarship (NAWA)

The NAWA Poland Scholarship, offered by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, supports international students aiming to pursue master’s or PhD degrees in Poland. It’s designed to strengthen academic collaboration while giving students access to Poland’s growing research and innovation sectors.

Also Apply: 2026 Radboud Scholarship in the Netherlands

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s, PhD
• Funding: Includes tuition waiver, monthly stipend, and insurance coverage
• Eligibility: Open to students from developing countries
• Fields of study: Engineering, IT, social sciences, and humanities

Official Link: NAWA Poland Scholarship

12. Romania Government Scholarship

The Romania Government Scholarship, offered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provides international students the opportunity to pursue bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degrees at Romanian universities. It’s a fully funded program that supports academic excellence while encouraging cultural exchange.

Key Details

• Degree level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• Funding: Covers tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend
• Eligibility: Open to non-EU international students

Official Link: Romania Government Scholarship

13. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are designed to foster international research and academic cooperation between Switzerland and the rest of the world. They offer talented students and researchers the opportunity to pursue advanced studies or research at top Swiss institutions.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral
• Funding: Covers full tuition, provides a monthly living stipend, and includes a housing allowance
• Focus areas: Research and innovation across all disciplines

Official Link: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

14. Belgium Master Mind Scholarships

The Master Mind Scholarship, offered by the Flemish Ministry of Education, aims to attract exceptional international students to study in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. It recognizes academic excellence and encourages global exchange in higher education.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s
• Funding: €9,600 per academic year plus a tuition fee waiver
• Eligibility: Open to students of all nationalities

Official Link: Belgium Master Mind Scholarships

15. Denmark Government Scholarship

The Denmark Government Scholarship, funded by the Danish Ministry of Education, supports high-achieving students from outside the EU/EEA who wish to pursue a Master’s degree in Denmark. It offers financial assistance to help cover tuition and living costs in one of Europe’s most innovation-driven countries.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s
• Funding: Partial tuition waiver and a monthly grant
• Duration: Typically covers the full length of the master’s program (1–2 years)
• Eligibility: Open to non-EU/EEA students with excellent academic records

Official Link: Danish Government Scholarship

16. Slovak Republic Government Scholarship

The Slovak Government Scholarship provides opportunities for students from developing countries to study at Slovak universities. It’s part of Slovakia’s effort to promote education, cultural exchange, and sustainable development through academic partnerships.

Also Apply: 2026 GLOCAL Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for International Students (Fully Funded)

Key Details

• Degree level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• Availability: Around 70 scholarships awarded each year
• Funding: Covers tuition, accommodation, and a monthly living allowance
• Eligibility: Open to citizens from developing countries and selected partner states

Official Link: Slovak Republic Government Scholarship

17. Czech Republic Government Scholarship

The Czech Republic Government Scholarship supports students from developing countries who wish to pursue higher education at public universities in the Czech Republic.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s, PhD
• Funding: Fully covers tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend
• Focus areas: Engineering, sciences, and social development fields
• Eligibility: Open to students from eligible developing nations

Official Link: Czech Republic Government Scholarship

18. Estonia Government Scholarship

The Estonia Government Scholarship, funded by the Ministry of Education and Research, supports international students who wish to study or conduct research in Estonia. It’s open to a wide range of degree programs and promotes collaboration, innovation, and academic exchange.

Key Details

• Degree level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• Funding: Covers tuition waiver and provides a monthly stipend
• Focus: Research, technology, and innovation-driven studies
• Eligibility: Open to students worldwide

Official Link: Estonia Government Scholarship

19. Lithuania State Scholarship

The Lithuania State Scholarship program provides financial support for international students seeking to pursue master’s degrees in Lithuania. It aims to strengthen international cooperation in education while helping students experience Lithuania’s dynamic academic and cultural environment.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s
• Funding: Fully funded for selected applicants
• Coverage: Includes tuition fees and a monthly living allowance

Official Link: Lithuania State Scholarship

20. Malta Government Scholarship

The Malta Government Scholarship, offered by the Ministry for Education and Employment, supports international students pursuing postgraduate studies in Malta.

Key Details

• Degree level: Master’s, PhD
• Funding: Covers full tuition and provides a living allowance
• Focus areas: Education, arts, and science-related disciplines
• Eligibility: Open to outstanding international students

Official Link: Malta Government Scholarship

Application Timelines

Most European Government Scholarships open for applications between August and December 2025 for studies starting in the 2026/2027 academic year. Deadlines vary by country and program. Some close as early as October, while others remain open until March.

Also Apply: Fully Funded McDonnell International Scholarship for Masters and Doctoral Students

To stay prepared and avoid missing out:

• Check the official scholarship websites early.
• Gather and organise your academic documents and language test results ahead of time.
• Track and confirm the specific deadlines for each program you plan to apply for.