Education Future Foundation - Education Future International Scholarship

What the Education Future International Scholarship gives you

You receive a one-off scholarship of INR 2 lakh to INR 10 lakh (about 2,200 to 11,100 EUR) to help pay for a degree abroad. The exact amount and the number of awards change every year and depend on the strength of the applications. The fund is unusual: past winners pay it forward, so the next group of students can study abroad too. UNESCO listed the programme among its top-5 impact scholarships worldwide in its 2022 Global Education Monitoring Report.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are an Indian national with a valid Indian passport.
• Where you study: You study at a recognised university or college outside India. You cannot use the award for studies inside India.
• Level: Any bachelor or postgraduate programme (master, MBA, PG diploma or certificate), plus medicine (MBBS/MD) and PhD.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Grades: You scored at least 60% in both Class 10 and Class 12 (your Indian board exams).
• Financial need: You cannot pay for studies abroad on your own. You plan to cover at least 50% of the cost through an education loan.

How to apply

You apply online through the foundation's portal. There are two forms: one if your university is in the USA, another for all other countries. Applications for courses starting in 2026 or 2027 open on 1 October 2025 and are accepted on a rolling basis. You do not need a university admission offer yet to apply. Shortlisted candidates are invited to a final interview, and results are announced around September each year.

How realistic are your chances?

The pool is large: past rounds drew thousands of applicants, and only a couple of dozen reach the final interview each year (23 in 2025). Grades get you in the door, but the scholarship rewards a clear, honest case of financial need alongside a real plan for studying abroad. Applying early on the rolling deadline and writing a focused 200-word motivation are your best levers.