Top 20 Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe for Indian Students (2026 Mega Guide)

Table of Contents

• 🏆 Top 20 Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe for Indian Students — Quick Overview
• Why Europe Is the Best Destination for Fully Funded Scholarships
• Detailed Guide to All 20 Scholarships
• 1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD) — EU
• 2. DAAD Scholarships — Germany
• 3. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship — France
• 4. Deutschlandstipendium — Germany
• 5. Charpak Scholarship — France
• 6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships — Switzerland
• 7. OeAD Scholarships — Austria
• 8. Holland Scholarship — Netherlands
• 9. Stipendium Hungaricum — Hungary
• 10. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) — Sweden
• 11. Italian Government Scholarships (Invest Your Talent in Italy) — Italy
• 12. VLIR-UOS Scholarships — Belgium
• 13. ETH Zurich Excellence Masters Scholarship — Switzerland
• 14. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship — Europe-wide
• Planning to Study Abroad?
• Related Articles
• Saumitra Rajput
• Quick Links
• Our Services
• Study Abroad

🏆 Top 20 Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe for Indian Students — Quick Overview

Source: Official scholarship programme websites, DAAD, Campus France, ESCI, Nuffic, British Council | Kadamb Overseas student placement records 2010-2026 | EUR 1 = ₹90 (approx.) | Updated: March 2026

Last Updated: March 2026 | Data verified against official scholarship portals (Erasmus+, DAAD, Campus France, Nuffic, ESCI, British Council, OeAD, Swedish Institute), government ministry announcements for 2026-27 cycle, and Kadamb Overseas student placement records (students placed since 2010)

“Indian students often believe that European scholarships are only for toppers or IIT/IIM graduates — that is absolutely false. Erasmus Mundus, DAAD, Chevening, and many others specifically value diversity, leadership potential, and real-world experience. I have seen students from tier-2 colleges in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan secure fully funded scholarships worth ₹20-40 lakh. The key is knowing which scholarships to target, when to apply, and how to present your profile. This guide covers exactly that.”

— Saumitra Rajput, Founder, Kadamb Overseas (Ahmedabad)

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD) — EU

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree is widely considered the gold standard of European scholarships for international students. Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme, it offers fully funded Master’s degrees delivered jointly by a consortium of at least three universities across different European countries. Indian students receive a monthly stipend of €1,400/month (₹1,26,000), plus full tuition coverage, travel allowance of €3,000/year for students from India, and health insurance. The total scholarship value over a 2-year programme typically exceeds €50,000 (₹45 lakh). There are approximately 170+ Erasmus Mundus programmes across fields like engineering, environmental science, public health, economics, data science, cultural studies, and more. Application deadlines typically fall between October and January each year, and you can apply to up to 3 programmes in a single application cycle. The programme’s multi-country structure means you study in 2-4 different European countries during your degree, giving you unparalleled international exposure. Acceptance rates vary by programme but typically range from 3-8% for Indian applicants.

2. DAAD Scholarships — Germany

The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst / German Academic Exchange Service) is one of the world’s largest scholarship organisations, offering multiple programmes for Indian students. The flagship programme — DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) — provides a monthly stipend of €934/month (₹84,060) for Master’s students, with full tuition waiver, health insurance, travel allowance, and a study/research grant. DAAD also offers separate programmes for PhD students (€1,300/month) and short-term research grants. Germany is particularly attractive because public universities charge no tuition fees (only a semester contribution of €150-350), so the DAAD stipend goes entirely towards living expenses. Key fields include engineering, computer science, environmental planning, public policy, economics, and development studies. DAAD India specifically runs programmes like the Bilateral Exchange of Academics (BiGS), A New Passage to India, and Working Internships in Science and Engineering (WISE). Application deadlines are typically July to October for the following academic year. Over 800 Indian students receive DAAD funding annually across all programme types.

3. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship — France

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme, managed by Campus France, is the French government’s flagship scholarship for attracting top international talent. For Master’s students, it provides a monthly allowance of €1,181/month (₹1,06,290), plus housing allowance, health insurance, cultural activities budget, and international return travel. PhD candidates receive €1,700/month. The total scholarship value for a 2-year Master’s programme exceeds €40,000 (₹36 lakh). India consistently ranks among the top 5 nationalities for Eiffel recipients. The programme focuses on three priority fields: science and technology, economics and management, and law and political science. A unique feature is that the French institution must nominate you — you cannot apply directly. This means you must first secure admission to a participating French university, then request your department to nominate you for the Eiffel scholarship. Approximately 400 scholarships are awarded globally each year, with Indian students typically receiving 25-40 awards. The nomination deadline is typically January 10-12 each year.

4. Deutschlandstipendium — Germany

The Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship) is a unique public-private scholarship offering €300/month (₹27,000) to high-achieving students at German universities. While the monthly amount is lower than DAAD, it has three major advantages: it is available to students already enrolled in Germany (not just new applicants), it can be combined with other funding sources like BAfoG or part-time work, and applications are handled directly by each university — making it more accessible. Half the funding comes from the German federal government and half from private donors (companies, foundations, alumni). Over 28,000 students receive this scholarship annually across more than 300 German universities. International students including Indians are fully eligible. Since German public universities charge no tuition, the €300/month effectively covers a significant portion of living costs (rent in smaller German cities can be €250-350/month). Application timelines vary by university — some accept applications in summer, others in winter semester. Check your target university’s Deutschlandstipendium page for exact dates.

5. Charpak Scholarship — France

The Charpak Scholarship is an India-specific programme offered by the French Embassy in India and managed by Campus France. Named after Nobel laureate Georges Charpak, it comes in several variants: Charpak Master’s Scholarship (€700/month for Indian students pursuing a Master’s in France), Charpak Exchange Scholarship (for semester exchange students), Charpak Lab Scholarship (for research internships), and Charpak Lab/Master’s combined. The monthly stipend of €700/month (₹63,000) for the Master’s variant covers a significant portion of living costs in French cities outside Paris. Unlike the Eiffel scholarship, students can apply directly through the Campus France portal — no university nomination required. The programme is designed specifically for Indian passport holders and typically receives 3,000-5,000 applications annually from India, with 150-200 scholarships awarded. Priority fields include science, technology, management, law, humanities, and social sciences. France’s low tuition fees at public universities (€243/year for Master’s since the differentiated fee policy exemptions apply to scholarship holders) make this an exceptionally good deal for Indian students.

“France is severely underrated among Indian students. Everyone talks about Germany and UK, but France offers some of the most generous scholarships — Eiffel gives €1,181/month, Charpak is India-exclusive, and French public university tuition is under €300/year for scholarship holders. Add the 2-year post-study work permit (APS), and France becomes arguably the best value-for-money destination in Europe. At Kadamb Overseas, we have seen a 200% increase in France-bound applications from Indian students since 2023.”

— Saumitra Rajput, Founder, Kadamb Overseas (Ahmedabad)

6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships — Switzerland

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (ESKAS/FCS) are among the most prestigious and financially generous scholarships available to Indian students. Offered by the Swiss Confederation through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students, this programme provides a monthly stipend of CHF 1,920/month (approximately ₹1,82,400) — one of the highest monthly allowances of any European scholarship. The scholarship also covers tuition fees, health insurance (mandatory Swiss health insurance valued at CHF 300+/month), and provides a one-time settling-in allowance. The programme primarily supports PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, although some Swiss universities also accept research Master’s candidates. The Indian Embassy in Bern processes applications — candidates must apply through the Indian nominating authority. Switzerland is home to ETH Zurich and EPFL, both consistently ranked in the world’s top 20 universities. Competition is fierce — typically 15-20 Indian students receive this scholarship annually from over 500 applications. Application deadline is usually August to November through the Indian nominating authority.

7. OeAD Scholarships — Austria

OeAD (Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation) manages several scholarship programmes for Indian students seeking to study or research in Austria. The flagship Ernst Mach Grant provides a monthly stipend of €1,050/month (₹94,500) for Master’s and PhD students, while the Franz Werfel Scholarship and Richard Plaschka Scholarship cater to specific fields. Austria’s public universities charge very low tuition fees (€726.72/semester for non-EU students), making the OeAD stipend highly adequate for comfortable living. Austria offers exceptional quality of life — Vienna has been ranked the world’s most liveable city multiple times. The scholarship covers monthly living costs, and students can supplement income with part-time work (up to 20 hours/week during semester). OeAD also provides pre-departure orientation support and connects scholars with an alumni network. Applications are processed through the OeAD online portal with deadlines typically falling between November and March. Indian students can study in English at many Austrian universities, particularly at technical universities and in business programmes.

8. Holland Scholarship — Netherlands

The Holland Scholarship is a one-time award of €5,000 (₹4,50,000) offered by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in collaboration with Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. While it is not a full-ride scholarship, it serves as an excellent entry point — many Indian students combine it with university-specific tuition waivers and part-time work to make studying in the Netherlands affordable. The Netherlands is home to world-class institutions like TU Delft, University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Wageningen University. The country offers the highest concentration of English-taught programmes in continental Europe, with over 2,100 programmes fully in English. The Holland Scholarship is available for both Bachelor’s and Master’s students from non-EEA countries. You must have been accepted at a participating Dutch institution and must not have previously studied in the Netherlands. Application is made through the chosen Dutch university, with deadlines typically between February and May. The Netherlands also offers an Orientation Year visa allowing graduates to stay for 12 months to find work after their studies.

9. Stipendium Hungaricum — Hungary

Stipendium Hungaricum is the Hungarian government’s flagship scholarship programme and one of the most accessible fully funded scholarships for Indian students. It covers tuition fees completely, provides a monthly stipend of HUF 43,700/month (approximately ₹10,800) for Master’s students and HUF 140,000/month for doctoral students, includes free dormitory placement or a housing contribution of HUF 40,000/month, and provides health insurance. India has a bilateral agreement with Hungary for this programme, meaning there is a dedicated quota for Indian students — typically 100-200 places per year. The application goes through the Indian nominating partner (typically UGC or a designated body). Hungary offers programmes in medicine, engineering, computer science, agriculture, business, and arts. Budapest and other Hungarian cities have very low living costs compared to Western Europe — a student can live comfortably on HUF 100,000-150,000/month (₹25,000-37,000). The programme accepts applications for Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s (medicine, law), and doctoral programmes. Application deadline is typically November to January.

10. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) — Sweden

The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) is one of the most competitive and rewarding scholarship programmes in Europe. It covers full tuition fees at Swedish universities, provides a monthly living allowance of SEK 10,000/month (approximately ₹82,000), travel grant of SEK 15,000, and insurance coverage. Sweden is known for innovation-driven education, sustainability focus, and progressive work culture. Swedish universities like KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Lund University, Uppsala University, and Chalmers University of Technology are globally renowned. The SISGP targets professionals with demonstrated leadership experience and a commitment to contributing to the development of their home country. India is on the list of eligible countries. Applicants must have a minimum of 3,000 hours of work/leadership/voluntary experience. The programme emphasises sustainability, democracy, and human rights in its selection criteria. Approximately 300 scholarships are awarded globally each year. Application deadline is typically December to February through universityadmissions.se. Sweden also allows international graduates to stay for 12 months after studies to seek employment.

“The biggest mistake I see Indian students make is applying to only one scholarship and then waiting. Europe has 20+ major scholarship programmes with staggered deadlines from July to April. A smart student applies to 5-8 scholarships simultaneously — DAAD in September, Chevening in November, Erasmus Mundus in January, Charpak in March. This multiplies your chances dramatically. At Kadamb Overseas, we create a personalised scholarship calendar for every student, and our multi-application strategy has a success rate three times higher than single-application approaches.”

— Saumitra Rajput, Founder, Kadamb Overseas (Ahmedabad)

11. Italian Government Scholarships (Invest Your Talent in Italy) — Italy

The Italian Government offers scholarships for international students through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a monthly grant of €900/month (₹81,000). The scholarship covers tuition fee waiver at Italian public universities, health insurance (enrollment in the Italian National Health Service — SSN), and the monthly living stipend. Italy offers world-class education in design, architecture, engineering, fashion, food science, cultural heritage management, and the arts. The “Invest Your Talent in Italy” programme specifically targets students from selected countries including India, focusing on ICT, engineering, economics, and management. Italian public university tuition is already very affordable (€0-4,000/year depending on ISEE/income calculation), and many universities offer additional fee waivers for scholarship holders. The application deadline is typically April to June for the following academic year. Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, University of Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, and Bocconi University are popular choices among Indian scholarship recipients.

12. VLIR-UOS Scholarships — Belgium

VLIR-UOS (Flemish Interuniversity Council — University Development Cooperation) offers fully funded scholarships for students from developing countries, including India, to pursue Master’s programmes and training courses at Flemish universities in Belgium. The scholarship provides a monthly allowance of €1,075/month (₹96,750), full tuition coverage, round-trip airfare, insurance, and a one-time settling-in allowance. Belgium’s Flemish universities — KU Leuven, Ghent University, University of Antwerp, Vrije Universiteit Brussel — are among Europe’s best research institutions. KU Leuven has been ranked the most innovative university in Europe by Reuters. VLIR-UOS programmes focus on development-relevant fields including water and sanitation, food technology, public health, ICT for development, environmental technology, and governance. Applicants must be nationals of an eligible country (India qualifies), have relevant professional experience (minimum 2 years preferred), and demonstrate motivation to contribute to development in their home country. Applications typically open in November with a February deadline. Approximately 180 scholarships are awarded globally each year.

13. ETH Zurich Excellence Masters Scholarship — Switzerland

The ETH Zurich Excellence Masters Scholarship (ESOP) is offered by one of the world’s top 10 universities — ETH Zurich, consistently ranked alongside MIT and Stanford. The scholarship provides CHF 12,000 per semester (₹11,40,000/semester) as a living stipend, plus a complete tuition fee waiver (tuition at ETH is CHF 730/semester — already very low). The total value over a 2-year Master’s programme is approximately CHF 49,500 (₹47 lakh). ETH Zurich is particularly renowned for engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, architecture, and environmental sciences. The Excellence Scholarship is awarded to the top 3-5% of admitted Master’s students based on academic excellence, and selection is extremely competitive — typically fewer than 50 students globally receive it each year. Indian students have historically been among the top nationalities for ESOP recipients. To apply, you must submit your Master’s application to ETH Zurich by December 15, and simultaneously apply for the Excellence Scholarship through the same portal. There is no separate interview — selection is based purely on your academic profile, research experience, and recommendation letters.

14. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship — Europe-wide

The Inlaks Scholarship is an India-exclusive scholarship offering funding of up to $100,000 (₹83 lakh) for Indian students to study at top universities across Europe and North America. For European destinations, it covers universities in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, and other leading European countries. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel, with the total amount depending on the university’s cost structure. Inlaks specifically targets young Indians under 30 who have demonstrated exceptional talent and potential in their field. The foundation has supported over 1,500 Indian scholars since its inception. Unlike government scholarships, Inlaks is a private foundation — the selection process includes rigorous interviews and emphasises intellectual curiosity, leadership, and the candidate’s plan to contribute to India after returning. Fields supported include humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, fine arts, and performing arts. The application deadline is typically February to April, and applicants must already have an admission offer from a recognized university. Inlaks scholars join a prestigious alumni network that includes CEOs, policymakers, academics, and cultural leaders across India.

Planning to Study Abroad?

Get free expert guidance from our experienced counselors

Related Articles

• Study in USA Scholarships for International Students
• Can I Study in France Without IELTS
• How Long Does German Student Visa Take from India in 2026? Complete Timeline & Fast-Track Tips
• Study in Britain: Your Guide to UK Education
• Charpak Scholarship 2026: How to Apply from India (Complete Guide)