Alexander S. Onasis Public Benefit Foundation - Scholarships for Hellenes

Onassis Scholarships for Hellenes

You will receive a monthly grant as well as a one-off lump sum to fund a full-time Master’s degree or PhD programme abroad. The amount of the monthly grant depends on where you are studying: 1,000 EUR in Europe, around 1,110 EUR (1,200 USD) in the USA, Canada and other countries, and around 980 EUR (800 GBP) in the United Kingdom. In addition, you will receive a one-off payment of 5,000 EUR (3,500 GBP in the UK) to cover tuition fees and relocation costs. If you are staying in Greece as part of a Greek-foreign cooperation programme, the scholarship amounts to 600 EUR per month. PhD students may also apply for up to 1,000 EUR for printing costs and up to 2,000 EUR for the publication of their thesis. Funding is provided for a Master’s programme for up to 24 months and for a PhD for up to 36 months. A PhD may be extended by a further 12 months if good progress is made, meaning the total duration can reach 48 months. The funding is provided by the non-profit Alexander S. Onassis Foundation, which has been running this programme since 1978. In this round, up to 80 scholarships will be awarded.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You hold Greek citizenship. This also includes Greek Cypriots and Greeks living abroad. If you are not a Greek citizen, you may still apply provided you have obtained a degree from a Greek university, hold a Greek school-leaving certificate and have a valid residence permit for Greece.
• Level: You are starting a full-time Master’s or PhD programme leading to an official qualification. Distance-learning programmes are excluded from this.
• Where you study: You are studying abroad or, as part of an official Greek-foreign cooperation programme, are studying partly abroad. PhD students at a Greek state university may apply if they are carrying out part of their research abroad and still have at least two research semesters remaining.
• Age: To enrol on a Master’s programme, you must have been born in the year 1991 or later. To enrol on a PhD programme, you must have been born in the year 1986 or later.
• Field of study: Your field of specialisation must fall within the areas specified for this round, which include the humanities, social sciences, engineering, natural and agricultural sciences, and medicine and health sciences. You may only apply for one field of specialisation.
• Grades: To be eligible for a Master’s programme, you need a Bachelor’s degree with an average mark of at least 8.00/10 on the Greek grading scale (or an equivalent mark, e.g. 2:1 in the United Kingdom, 3.2/4.0 in the USA). For a PhD, a Master’s grade point average of at least 8.50/10 is also required. If you are among the top 5% in your graduating cohort, this may compensate for a lower grade point average.
• Language: You must hold an official certificate in the language of your degree programme, at least at level C1, unless the university specifies otherwise.
• Military service: If you are male, you must have completed your military service or hold a valid deferment or exemption.

How to apply

Registration and submission of documents take place via the Onassis online platform. You will first complete a short initial phase. Once this has been successfully completed, you will receive the full application form; please attach two letters of recommendation and submit your application by 28 February. Some applicants will be invited to a telephone or online interview between May and mid-June. The results will be announced by email in July.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a well-known, generously funded scholarship with up to 80 places; however, it is restricted to Greek nationals studying in a specified list of subject areas, which means that the pool of applicants remains small. Selection is based strictly on academic criteria, taking into account your grade point average (GPA), your ranking within your year group, the reputation of your chosen university and your letters of recommendation. Outstanding academic achievement and a clear alignment with one of the specified fields of study are the most important factors. If you meet the minimum GPA requirements and have already received an unconditional offer of admission – which is preferred by the foundation – your prospects are good.