If studying abroad on a fully funded scholarship has been on your 2026 vision board, this is the update you’ve been waiting for. As the new year begins, several major government-backed and internationally recognised scholarships are confirmed to open or remain active before 28 February 2026, offering foreign applicants a real chance to study overseas with tuition, living costs, travel, and health insurance covered.
This article brings together the most important fully funded opportunities worldwide that are either opening or accepting applications during January–February 2026, based on confirmed annual timelines and official program cycles. If you’re planning for the 2026–2027 academic intake, these are the scholarships you should be preparing for right now.
Why January–February 2026 Is a Critical Window
Many of the international most competitive fully funded scholarships do not wait until mid-year. Instead, they will open early in the calendar year 2026, with short application windows and strict deadlines. Missing February 2026 deadlines often means waiting an entire year! This early window is especially important because:
- Government scholarships follow fixed annual cycles
- University placements and scholarships are often linked
- Early applicants are typically better prepared and more competitive.
Fully Funded Scholarships Opening Before 28 February 2026
Below are the full list of global scholarships confirmed or expected to open before the end of February 2026, based on consistent historical timelines and official announcements for admissions into their undergrad or postgrad programmes:
1# Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
One of the most sought-after fully funded opportunities globally, the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are expected to open in February 2026 for most participating countries.
These scholarships support Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD studies at approved New Zealand universities and institutes. Successful applicants receive:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Establishment allowance
- Return airfare
- Medical insurance
For many regions, February is the only application window, making early preparation essential.
2# Australia Awards Scholarships
Among the world’s most prestigious fully funded government scholarships, the Australia Awards Scholarships continue to be a flagship opportunity for international students aiming to study in Australia with complete financial support. For the next available cycle, applications are expected to open on 1 February 2026 for eligible participating countries, following the program’s established annual timeline.
Australia Awards support full-time undergraduate, master’s, and selected postgraduate qualifications at Australian universities and TAFEs in priority development-focused fields aligned with partner countries’ needs.
Successful Australia Awards recipients receive a comprehensive funding package, which typically includes:
- Full tuition fees for the duration of the program
- Return international airfare
- A one-time establishment allowance on arrival
- A fortnightly living expense contribution (stipend)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full study period
- Academic and pastoral support throughout the program
3# Finland Scholarships
Finland’s scholarship ecosystem operates differently from centralized government programs, but January 2026 is a major application period due to the national joint admission round.
During this window:
- Over 400 English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs are open
- Many universities offer full tuition waivers + relocation grants
- Scholarships are awarded automatically or via linked applications
For students targeting Nordic education with strong post-study opportunities, Finland remains one of the most reliable January intakes.
4# Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Multiple Erasmus Mundus programs close their applications between January and mid-February 2026, with some final deadlines falling before 28 February 2026.
These are among the most generous scholarships in the world, covering:
- Full tuition across multiple European universities
- Monthly stipend
- Travel and relocation allowance
- Insurance
Each program has its own deadline, making early January–February tracking critical.
5# Türkiye Scholarships
Türkiye Scholarships traditionally open on 10 January 2026 and accept applications till 20 February 2026, making them one of the most accessible fully funded options during this period.
This Turkiye Government scholarship will support:
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD studies
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend
- Accommodation
- Health insurance
- Return airfare
This Turkish government scholarship is particularly attractive for applicants who are seeking university admissions in a wide range of disciplines with no application fee.
6# DAAD Scholarships (Selected Programs)
While DAAD runs multiple calls throughout the year, several fully funded Master’s and research programs accept applications in January and February 2026, especially for:
- Development-related Master’s programs
- Research fellowships
- Short-term academic exchanges
- Deadlines vary by program, but early-year calls are common and competitive.
7# Chinese Government Scholarship (Early Window Programs)
In major good news for international students planning 2026 admissions, 200+ Chinese universities have already opened undergraduate, master’s, and PhD admissions under fully funded China Government Scholarship routes. These opportunities are being sponsored through three main channels: individual Chinese universities, provincial governments, and the Chinese central (federal) government under the CSC framework.
Across these universities, applicants can currently apply to English-taught and Chinese-taught degree programs with funding that typically covers full tuition fees, on-campus or subsidised accommodation, monthly living stipends, and comprehensive medical insurance. Many programs also include research funding and academic supervision support, especially at the postgraduate level.
Importantly for 2026 planners, these fully funded scholarship admissions will remain open at most participating universities until the end of March 2026, making China one of the widest and longest-running fully funded scholarship windows available globally this cycle. Early applicants benefit from broader program availability, better supervisor matching for PhD routes, and stronger chances of securing university-recommended or government-endorsed funding slots.