Top Scholarship Programs Offered by UN, OSCE, EU, ASEAN: Many study bursaries, grants, financial aid programs, and scholarships are awarded annually to students all over the world to help them pay for their education and degrees. Aspiring students, young professionals, and future leaders can benefit greatly from the chances provided by international organizations like the UN, OSCE, EU, and ASEAN.
Students from both European and non-European backgrounds are welcome to apply and benefit from tuition-free programs offered by prominent universities across the globe in a variety of subject areas. Some focus on nationality or the topic of study, while others are unique to the degree of study (training courses, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD).
The top 10 scholarship programs offered by UN, OSCE, EU, ASEAN, and other international organizations are included in this article.
Also Check: List of Top Scholarships 2024-2025 | Fully Funded
Top Scholarship Programs Offered by UN, OSCE, EU, ASEAN
United Nations University – Visiting PhD Fellowship
The Visiting PhD Fellowship, formerly known as the PhD Internship Programme, gives aspiring doctorates the chance to advance their research in a UN international research institute. After being accepted, fellows have the opportunity to work with scholars from different universities in a field of shared interest and stay at UNU-WIDER for three months straight.
Fellows write research articles while they are in Helsinki, which may be included in the WIDER Working Paper Series. Applicants need to demonstrate their research skills and be enrolled in a PhD program in order to be accepted. Selected applicants get financial aid consisting of medical insurance, airfare, and a monthly allowance of EUR 1,600 to cover living expenses in Helsinki for the duration of the fellowship.
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United Nations University Scholarships
The United Nations University (UNU) is a postgraduate teaching organization that works with prestigious universities and research institutes in UN Member States. It is made up of the UNU Center, as well as numerous other institutions and programs. Master’s and doctorate level scholarships are available from the UN. Every UNU program has a different tuition schedule, therefore prospective students are encouraged to click on the links on the official websites that correspond to the particular program they are interested in.
Tuition waivers and scholarships are two ways that financial aid is provided to students who have demonstrated academic excellence. Since there are only a few scholarships available, interested candidates should submit a request to the admission office during the application period.
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L’Oréal – UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowships
Fellowships are available to young female academics who are using their work to address contemporary global issues from UNESCO and the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation. The program’s objective is to support and uplift women by giving them the tools and information they need to advance their careers in science.
The UNESCO-L’Oréal alliance represents 53 national and regional fellowship programs, spanning 117 countries, each year. On the official website, prospective candidates can obtain additional details.
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OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security
An annual training course on conflict prevention, weapons control, disarmament, and non-proliferation is arranged for young professionals by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). Since the program focuses specifically on women’s participation in policymaking in this area, women are strongly encouraged to apply.
For cooperation, 100 scholarships are given to young professionals from participating OSCE nations and partners. Female participants only are allowed to attend the in-person course. Visit the OSCE website to learn more about the application procedure and deadlines.
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Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) is a global study program that is offered in association with a global network of universities. Students who successfully complete the program will receive several degrees or a joint degree.
A student must complete at least two of the program nations in order to be eligible for EMJMD; however, if a partner country university is involved, some of the study may also be completed there.
This degree program has a minimum duration of 12 months and a maximum duration of 24 months, with 60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits available. Worldwide Master’s level students with their first higher education degree are welcome to apply.
EU-funded scholarships are available to the top candidates through EMJMD. The candidate must be accepted into the organizing consortium’s course and then be chosen for an EMJMD scholarship in order to be eligible for Erasmus+ financial support.
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Directorate General Bursaries for conference interpreting students
Study grants are available from the Directorate General for students who want to work as conference interpreters. Applicants may be nationals of any EU member state as well as one of the candidate nations (North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, or Albania). With a maximum of EUR 2.400, the bursary will cover the cost of tuition for the 2019–2020 school year and be awarded in the form of a single payment. Candidates who currently hold a university degree or an equivalent credential, or who are enrolled in a program that leads to one, are eligible.
The formal call, which is accessible on the website of the European Commission, contains exceptions to these requirements. When awarding study bursaries, consideration will be given to candidates whose language combination best fits the demands of DG Interpretation both now and in the future. The Bursaries Evaluation Committee will convene at the end of October 2019 and make the final decision regarding eligible candidates.
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ASEAN Scholarships for Studies in ASEAN countries
Outstanding ASEAN students can study in Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam with the help of ASEAN scholarships. At one of these universities, prospective students will have the opportunity to expand their academic knowledge, widen their perspectives, and—most importantly—develop their leadership, communication, and life skills. For additional information, prospective candidates can visit the ASEAN Scholarships website as the eligibility requirements for the scholarships vary per nation.
A selection test is typically the first step in the process, and candidates who do well are invited to the interview, which is the last one. The scholarship will subsequently be given to the selected students. You can choose to be alerted as soon as the applicable scholarship becomes available.
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Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)
With the goal of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and, more crucially, reducing poverty in the emerging ASEAN countries, the Canada-ASEAN SEED initiative offers scholarships and educational exchanges. The initiative specifically targets SDG Goals 13—take immediate action to prevent climate change and its impacts—and Goal 5—achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Institutional cooperation and collaboration agreements between ASEAN and Canadian universities make SEED scholarships possible. Students must be enrolled full-time in their home university at the time of application and for the duration of their study or research in Canada in order to be eligible to apply.
Southeast Asian applicants who are interested in the scholarship should get in touch with their home institution to let them know about it, ask if there is already an institutional partnership with a Canadian institution, and ask for more details regarding the application procedure and particular selection standards.
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World Bank Scholarships Program
The World Bank Scholarships Program seeks to create innovative methods for building capacity and advancing economic growth via educational investment. Since the program’s inception in 1982, more than 6,000 seasoned development professionals from various nations have received training. Currently, the World Bank Scholarships Program provides mid-career professionals and researchers with two financing options for graduate studies in development-related fields: the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSMFP) and the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP).
Each call for applications contains information regarding the eligibility requirements. Generally speaking, candidates must be citizens of poor nations that are members of the World Bank, not hold dual citizenship with any developed nation, be in excellent health, and possess a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) that was obtained at least three years before the application deadline.
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United Nations University – FTP Six-Month Training Programme
United Nations University offers the Fisheries Training Program in Iceland every year. The goal of this postgraduate, six-month training program in the fisheries industry is to better equip FTP fellows to apply knowledge in their companies or countries of origin. In addition to lectures, site visits, and a variety of activities, fellows are expected to collaborate with a supervisor to perform a research project linked to their job at home at the conclusion of the training program.
Former UNU-FTP fellows who are accepted to any Icelandic university and wish to pursue graduate studies in fisheries are eligible to apply for scholarships.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For whom is the Asean Scholarship available?
Be nationals of one of the ASEAN member nations, omitting Singapore. possess the capacity and strength of a leader. Display a strong record of extracurricular activities. Have exceptional high school performance.
Is competition for Asean Scholarships high?
As there are only a few chosen pupils, there is intense competition. Because of this, receiving this scholarship is an incredible accomplishment that may provide access to some of the top academic institutions and programs in the area.
Is it simple to get hired by the UN?
For a number of primary reasons—including language proficiency requirements, intense competition, specialized experience, and a demanding selection process—getting hired by the UN is widely regarded as difficult.
Ways to Obtain a Scholarship on Your First Try
1. Look in the Correct Places for Scholarships:
Finding the scholarship and submitting an application are prerequisites for winning one in the first place. The first step is to know where to look for those scholarships. There are various ways to accomplish this, but we suggest using scholarship search engines like WorldScholarshipVault to find a wide range of opportunities that could work for you.
Such highly ranked platforms are easily found on Google with a quick search. Reputable sites will always direct you to the legitimate scholarship application websites. Steer clear of websites that demand payment to submit an application.
2. Making Advance Arrangements:
“If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail” is a proverb. Given the intense competition for fully funded scholarships, it is expected that applicants should prepare for these contests. It is imperative that you get ready for events such as essay competitions and interviews.
Some universities may invite students to the campus to interview with a faculty member about their goals and aspirations. If you are required to attend this interview, make sure you are well-prepared, wear nice clothes, and be prepared to respond to their questions in a correct and accurate manner.
3. Determination and Hard Work:
Scholarships that are fully financed and need-based are primarily given to students who excel academically. Thus, the best course of action is to work hard and study diligently to be at the top of the class if you want to win one easily. Extensive reading and cross-disciplinary study can broaden your perspective and position you to be the most successful applicant for your ideal scholarship.
4. Displaying Extraordinary Features:
It is advisable to invest in self-development projects in order to stand out from the hundreds of candidates and win one of the fully financed scholarships. Engaging in activities such as giving of your time to acquire leadership and extracurricular activities would probably endow you with some remarkable attributes.
Maintaining positive relationships with well-positioned educational mentors can help you develop personally and will raise your chances of being awarded fully financed scholarships.
5. Following the Guidelines for the Application:
More than 90% of applicants who applied for scholarships and were unsuccessful did so because they disregarded the guidelines. The first thing you should always do when applying is to read between the lines, comprehend each step provided, and then follow those instructions to submit your application. Send a message or text to the provider asking for clarifications if you feel that there are any instructions that are unclear to you.
6. Peer Evaluation of Your Statement of Purpose and Scholarship Essays:
Your statement of purpose, cover letter, or essay for a scholarship must be of the highest caliber and must be brief and unambiguous. Ensure that it is formatted appropriately, using the appropriate phrases and headings, and that the introduction is excellent, with perfect grammar and evidence. Make sure your work is flawless by reading it several times over.
Above all, have it reviewed by a couple of your smart friends or mentors. By doing so, you can virtually guarantee that if it makes sense for them, it probably will for the scholarship sponsor conducting the evaluation.
7. Being Who You Really Are:
The harsh reality, which has been underlined numerous times, is that fully financed scholarships are highly sought for! That implies that a candidate who does not fulfill the prerequisites will not be given consideration.
However, the best thing you can do for yourself is make every effort to show yourself as who you really are. Don’t mix things up; for example, match your academic performance on your cover letter. The fact that you project a sense of leadership in your documentation but exhibit a lack of calmness during interviews may be cause for concern.
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