As of March 6, 2026 (Pune time), several international scholarships for students worldwide—including those from India—are approaching or hitting deadlines this month. March often features key cycles for study abroad funding, especially for programs starting in mid-2026 through 2027 (e.g., summer/fall 2026 or spring 2027).
This SEO-optimized guide lists prominent international scholarships closing in March 2026, focusing on opportunities open to international applicants (including fully funded or substantial awards). Deadlines vary by program, country, and time zone—always verify on official sites immediately, as some close mid-month or require advisor certification. Many are competitive, so act fast if eligible!
Key Scholarships Closing in March 2026
1. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (U.S. Department of State)
A top government scholarship for U.S. undergraduates to study or intern abroad (open to Pell-eligible Americans, but highly relevant for international exchange contexts).
Benefits:
- Up to $5,000 (plus Critical Need Language Award supplements)
- Covers tuition, living, travel for credit-bearing programs
Eligibility:
- U.S. citizens/undergrads receiving Pell Grant
- Programs May 2026–April 2027 (summer, fall, academic year, spring)
Deadline:
- Student application: March 5, 2026 (11:59 PM PT) — Closed as of today (March 6 IST, but confirm if extensions apply).
- Advisor certification: March 12, 2026.
If you’re a U.S. student or know one, this cycle is wrapping up—next opens later.
2. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Prestigious need-based/loan-scholarship for students from developing countries (including India) pursuing master’s/PhD.
Benefits:
- Partial to full funding (50% grant/50% loan in many cases)
- Covers tuition, living expenses
Eligibility:
- Citizens of eligible countries (focus on Asia/Africa)
- Excellent academics + financial need
- Age under 30 preferred
Deadline:
- March 31, 2026 (annual cycle)
Great for postgraduate study anywhere (including USA/UK/Canada).
3. KNB (Kemitraan Negara Berkembang) Scholarship (Indonesia)
Fully funded Indonesian Government scholarship for internationals from developing countries.
Benefits:
- Full tuition, living allowance, health insurance, airfare, books
- Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD
Eligibility:
- Citizens of developing nations (India eligible)
- Strong academics, English proficiency
Deadline:
- March 31, 2026
Ideal for studying in Indonesia with full coverage.
4. La Trobe University Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships (Australia)
For PhD candidates—Australian Government-funded.
Benefits:
- Full tuition offset + stipend (~AUD 32,000+/year)
- Health cover, relocation allowance
Eligibility:
- International students applying to La Trobe PhD programs
- High research potential
Deadline:
- March 31, 2026 (for certain rounds)
Strong STEM/health focus.
5. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
Fully funded for master’s/PhD in Ireland.
Benefits:
- Full tuition waiver + €10,000 stipend
Eligibility:
- Non-EU internationals (India eligible)
- Excellent academics + leadership
Deadline:
- Around March 12–31, 2026 (varies; check exact for 2026 cycle)
Supports any field at Irish universities.
6. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
New Zealand Government fully funded awards.
Benefits:
- Full tuition, living allowance, travel, insurance
- Undergraduate/postgraduate focus
Eligibility:
- Citizens of eligible Pacific/Asian/African countries (India often included)
- Commitment to home country development
Deadline:
- March 31, 2026 (annual)
Excellent for sustainable development fields.
Other Notable March 2026 Deadlines/Closings
- Umeå University Scholarships (Sweden): Master’s deadlines around March 4–15, 2026 (for August 2026 start).
- Gothenburg University Scholarships (Sweden): Mid-February to March 2026 cycles.
- Various University-Specific (e.g., some at Warwick, U.S. campuses like UT Austin internal scholarships): March 1–31 windows for international awards.
- Hillel International Scholarships: March 16, 2026 (for Jewish students, some international eligibility).
Note: Major programs like Chevening (closed October 2025 for 2026-2027), Fulbright Foreign Student (country-specific, many closed or vary—e.g., some extend to June), and Gates Cambridge (earlier rounds) are not closing in March 2026. Focus here is on active/end-of-month ones.
Urgent Action Steps for March 2026 Deadlines
- Verify Immediately — Visit official sites (e.g., gilmanscholarship.org, akdn.org for Aga Khan, kemdikbud.go.id for KNB, ireland.ie for Ireland, scholars4dev.com for aggregates).
- Prepare Quickly — Gather transcripts, essays, recommendations, financial docs—many require quick uploads.
- Time Zones Matter — Deadlines often 11:59 PM in sponsor’s zone (e.g., PT for Gilman).
- Apply Broadly — If one closes, pivot to April/May cycles (e.g., Australia Awards ~April 30).
- Use Resources — Scholars4Dev.com, Bold.org, IEFA.org for alerts; EducationUSA Pune for guidance.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss These March 2026 Opportunities
March 2026 is a crunch month for several international scholarships—from Gilman’s U.S. abroad funding (just closed) to Aga Khan, KNB, and New Zealand’s Manaaki (still open until end-month). For Pune/India-based students, prioritize need-based or developing-country-focused ones like Aga Khan or KNB.
Act today—many close by March 31! Bookmark official pages, set reminders, and tailor applications. Your funded study abroad path could start with one submission.
Ready? Head to the linked sites now. Comment for help with specific ones (e.g., India-eligible). Always confirm details—deadlines shift!
Note: Info based on current sources as of March 6, 2026; cross-check official websites for exact status and eligibility.
