Top 10 International Fellowships for Students, Researchers, and Professionals

International fellowships give students, researchers, and professionals the chance to study, conduct research, or gain professional experience at universities, institutions, and organizations worldwide. Some fellowships support academic work, others focus on research or professional development. A number are open only to specific fields or particular groups of applicants.

Below are ten fellowships split into two groups: professional development fellowships and academic and research fellowships. Each entry states who offers it, where it is based, and what it covers, so you can judge which ones fit your profile.

Professional Development Fellowships »

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program (USA)
The Humphrey Fellowship gives experienced professionals from designated countries a year of professional enrichment in the United States. It covers tuition fees, an allowance, accident and health insurance, and travel expenses. About 200 fellowships are awarded each year.

Endeavor Executive Fellowships (Australia)
This fellowship funds professional development of 1 to 4 months for high achievers in business, industry, education, or government. It is open to both non-Australians and Australians. Support includes a travel allowance, an establishment allowance, a monthly stipend, and health and travel insurance.

Commonwealth Professional Fellowships (UK)
Mid-career professionals from developing Commonwealth countries spend time with a UK host organisation in their field for a professional development programme. Placements are typically three months but can run from one to six months and may include limited time for short courses, conferences, or visits to other organisations. The fellowship pays living expenses, a return airfare to the UK, and the visa application fee.

Eisenhower Fellowships (USA)
Eisenhower Fellowships looks for a diverse mix of applicants aged 32 to 45 from a wide range of professional sectors. It offers a leadership development opportunity for people with a demonstrated record of significant professional and community achievements who want to tackle big challenges in the future. EF seeks ascendant leaders committed to making the world more peaceful, prosperous, and just.

Academic and Research Fellowships »

AAUW International Fellowships for Women (USA)
AAUW (formerly the American Association of University Women) awards International Fellowships for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not US citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate study at accredited institutions are supported. Awards are $18,000 (Master’s/Professional Fellowship), $20,000 (Doctorate Fellowship), or $30,000 (Postdoctoral Fellowship).

CIMO Doctoral Fellowships (Finland)
The CIMO Fellowships programme is open to young doctoral-level students and researchers from all countries and all academic fields who want to pursue a Doctorate (or Double Doctorate) at a Finnish university. The scholarship period varies from 3 to 12 months and includes a monthly allowance.

World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowship Program (Any Country)
This programme awards fellowships of up to $25,000 annually for developing country PhD candidates to conduct innovative, development-related doctoral research under a research advisor at a host institution abroad during a residency of 6 to 10 months.

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships for Women (Any Country)
Launched in 2004, Faculty for the Future awards fellowships to women from developing and emerging economies to pursue PhD or post-doctorate studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at leading universities worldwide. Grants are based on actual costs for eligible expenses up to a maximum of USD 50,000 per year.

Rotary International Peace Fellowships (Thailand, USA, Japan, UK, Australia, Sweden)
Each year Rotary selects up to 100 individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships for a Certificate Program or Masters Degree related to peace and conflict resolution and prevention at one of the participating peace centers. The fellowship includes tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship/field study expenses.

UNESCO Fellowships Programme (Japan, China, Czech Republic, Poland, Korea, Russia)
The UNESCO Fellowship Programme aims to strengthen human resources and capacity-building in Member States, especially developing countries. Fellowships support specially tailored training and/or studies in fields under UNESCO programme priorities. The fellowship covers study or research related costs.