May 2026 is one of the busiest months in the scholarship calendar. Dozens of prestigious programmes — from fully funded government awards to university merit scholarships — are either open now or closing this month. Whether you are applying for a bachelor’s degree or a master’s or PhD programme, there is something here for you.
Deadlines below are specific to May 2026 (or the nearest available cycle). Always verify on the official website before applying.
Graduate & Postgraduate Scholarships
| Scholarship | Country / Host | Award | May 2026 Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program (Nepal) | USA | Full funding — tuition, living costs, airfare, health insurance | 31 May 2026 |
| MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship (Research Students) | Japan | Full funding — tuition waived, monthly stipend, travel | 31 May 2026 (Embassy recommendation, Nepal) |
| World Bank Joint Japan / World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP) — Window 2 | Various (development-related fields) | Full funding — tuition, living allowance, travel, health | 29 May 2026 |
| Rotary Peace Fellowship | USA / Japan / UK / Australia / Sweden / Thailand | Full funding — MA in peace and conflict studies or professional development certificate | 15 May 2026 |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees | Europe (multi-country programmes) | Full scholarship — tuition, monthly stipend (€1,400), travel allowance | Various (many close in May 2026) |
| GREAT Scholarships — UK Postgraduate (British Council) | UK (multiple universities) | Partial — minimum £10,000 towards tuition | Multiple May 2026 deadlines per university |
| UCL Global Master’s Scholarship | UK (University College London) | £5,000–£10,000 tuition reduction | 7 May 2026 |
| University of Glasgow World Changer Scholarship | UK | 50% tuition fee reduction for PG taught programmes | 4 May 2026 |
| University of Birmingham Business School Master’s Scholarship | UK | £5,000 tuition deduction | 31 May 2026 |
| Loughborough University Global Impact Scholarship | UK | 25–50% tuition fee reduction for PG programmes | 6 May 2026 |
| Durham University International Postgraduate Scholarship | UK | £5,000 tuition deduction | 29 May 2026 |
| ADB–Japan Scholarship Program | Japan / ADB member countries | Full funding — tuition, living allowance, travel, medical insurance | Early June 2026 (apply May for most institutions) |
| ICCR AYUSH Scholarship (India) | India | Full funding — Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy PG programmes | 15 May 2026 |
Undergraduate Scholarships
| Scholarship | Country / Host | Award | May 2026 Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship (Undergraduate) | Japan | Full funding — tuition waived, monthly stipend, travel | 14 June 2026 (Embassy shortlisting May 2026, Nepal) |
| GREAT Scholarships — UK Undergraduate (British Council) | UK (multiple universities) | Minimum £5,000 towards first-year tuition | Various May 2026 deadlines per university |
| Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) International Scholarship | UK | Up to £4,000 per year | 3 May 2026 |
| Loughborough University Future Leaders Scholarship | UK | 25–50% tuition fee reduction | 6 May 2026 |
| Durham University International Undergraduate Scholarship | UK | £3,000–£5,000 per year | 15 May 2026 |
| SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship | UK (SOAS University of London) | 50% tuition fee reduction | 31 May 2026 |
| University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship | UK | £5,000–£10,000 tuition deduction | 31 May 2026 |
| Sheffield Hallam Transform Together Scholarship | UK | £3,000 towards first-year tuition | 31 May 2026 |
| Bangor University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship | UK | Up to £5,000 per year | 29 May 2026 |
| Netherlands Government (NL Scholarship / Holland Scholarship) | Netherlands | €5,000 one-time grant | 1 May 2026 |
| ICCR General Cultural Scholarship (India) | India | Full funding — tuition, accommodation, stipend for undergraduate programmes | 15 May 2026 |
How to Apply — Quick Tips
- Check country-specific portals. Government scholarships like Fulbright and MEXT go through the Nepal Embassy or the respective country’s official application portal — not directly through universities.
- Prepare documents early. Most scholarships require: academic transcripts, a personal statement / research proposal, two or three reference letters, a valid passport, and English proficiency scores (IELTS/PTE).
- PTE Academic is widely accepted. All UK universities listed above accept PTE Academic scores. A score of 65+ typically meets the standard English requirement for postgraduate programmes.
- Apply to multiple scholarships. University merit scholarships (GREAT, Durham, Loughborough, etc.) often require nothing beyond your standard admission application — tick the scholarship box when you apply.
- Deadlines are firm. Scholarship offices rarely grant extensions. Set a reminder at least two weeks before the listed deadline.
Deadlines listed are based on information available as of May 2026. Always confirm on the official scholarship website before submitting your application.