Pursuing a master’s degree can be a transformative step for your career and personal development. However, the financial burden often deters many promising students. Fortunately, numerous fully funded scholarships and fellowships exist worldwide to cover tuition, living expenses, and more, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies and professional growth.
This post highlights some of the most competitive and prestigious fully funded master’s programs available in the U.S. and internationally, spanning fields such as public health, engineering, international development, education, humanities, and beyond.
Why Pursue a Fully Funded Masters Program?
Fully funded scholarships typically cover tuition, provide a living stipend, and often include additional benefits like leadership training, hands-on work experience, and professional development opportunities. These programs enable you to:
- Gain advanced expertise without incurring debt
- Build a global professional network
- Access unique career paths in academia, government, industry, and nonprofits
Notable Fully Funded Master’s Programs in the U.S.
Bloomberg Fellows Program – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Supports MPH or DrPH candidates focused on critical public health issues such as addiction, environmental challenges, adolescent health, and violence. Fellows study full-time or part-time and commit to working with their sponsoring organization after graduation.
CyberCorps: Scholarships for Service
Provides scholarships for students in cybersecurity and information assurance, covering tuition, fees, and a stipend. Recipients commit to working for the federal government post-graduation.
Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Laboratory Residency Graduate Fellowship
Offers doctoral students in physical sciences, engineering, and related fields a stipend, full tuition coverage, and lab residencies at NNSA facilities.
Emirates Leadership Initiative Fellowship
Supports students from the Arab League admitted to Harvard Kennedy School with full tuition, stipend, and health fees for two years.
Frank Knox Memorial Fellowships
Awarded to students from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK pursuing graduate study at Harvard University, covering tuition and living expenses.
GEM Fellowship
Focuses on increasing diversity in engineering and science graduate programs with tuition, stipends, and paid internships.
Georgetown Global Human Development Master’s Scholarships
Offers merit-based full or partial tuition remission for students working in international development fields.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars – Stanford University
Provides full funding and community living stipends for up to 100 graduate students annually across disciplines.
Select International Fully Funded Master’s Programs
Blakemore Freeman Fellowships
Supports intensive language study in East or Southeast Asia with tuition and living expense stipends.
Eisenhower Global Scholars
American graduates study abroad for a Master of Public Policy or International Relations at Oxford or IE University.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Enables individually designed study or research abroad in approximately 140 countries for recent graduates and young professionals.
Schwarzman Scholars
A highly selective one-year program at Tsinghua University in China, covering tuition, room and board, and travel for study in public policy, economics, or international studies.
Thouron Award
Supports graduate exchange study between the University of Pennsylvania and UK universities, covering tuition and living stipends.
Yenching Scholarship – Peking University
Fully funds a multidisciplinary master’s program focusing on China studies.
Other Prestigious Fellowships
- National Urban Fellows: Offers graduate degrees and mentorship for future urban leaders.
- Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows: Two-year full tuition MBA fellowships with leadership training.
- SMART Scholarship for Service Program: STEM scholarships with employment at the Department of Defense.
- Tillman Scholars Program: Supports veterans and military spouses in graduate education.
- Trinity Fellows: Develops urban leaders through graduate study and service.
- Zuckerman Fellowship: Supports public service graduate studies at Harvard with tuition and stipend.
How to Choose and Apply
- Identify your field and career goals: Many programs are specialized; pick one aligned with your aspirations.
- Check eligibility and requirements: Each program has unique criteria, including citizenship, academic background, and experience.
- Prepare your application materials: Typically including transcripts, CV, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
- Apply early and thoroughly: Competition is intense, so tailor your application and meet all deadlines.
Conclusion
Fully funded masters programs offer unparalleled opportunities to advance your education and career without financial burdens.
Whether you aim to study public health, engineering, international policy, or the humanities, there’s likely a fellowship or scholarship program suited to your ambitions. Take the time to research, prepare, and apply; it could be the most important investment in your future.