If you’re looking for fully funded scholarships and fellowships with May 2026 deadlines, this is one of the best times to apply. While many major global scholarships close earlier in the year, May still offers high-quality opportunities—especially for postgraduate studies, research programs, and leadership fellowships.
In this guide, you’ll find verified, fully funded opportunities, their deadlines, benefits, and direct application links—all structured to help you apply quickly and successfully.
Why Apply for May 2026 Scholarships?
Many students miss out on May deadlines because they assume all top scholarships are already closed. That’s not true.
Here’s why May is important:
- Late-cycle fully funded scholarships are still open
- Many PhD and research fellowships accept applications
- Less competition compared to early deadlines
- Some universities reopen funding rounds
Fully Funded Scholarships & Fellowships with May 2026 Deadlines
Below is a curated list of top fully funded opportunities you can still apply for.
1. Kazakhstan Government Scholarship 2026
- Deadline: May 31, 2026
- Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
- Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation
- Apply Here: https://enic-kazakhstan.edu.kz
2. UCL Access Opportunity Scholarship
- Deadline: May 18, 2026
- Coverage: Full tuition + living expenses
- Institution: University College London
- Apply Here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk
3. UCL AI & Tech Scholarships (Selected Programs)
- Deadline: May 1, 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded (tuition + stipend)
- Apply Here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk
4. University of Limerick PhD Scholarship
- Deadline: May 18, 2026
- Coverage: Full tuition + stipend
- Apply Here: https://www.ul.ie
5. University of British Columbia Fellowships
- Deadline: May 2026 (varies by department)
- Coverage: Full funding + research grants
- Institution: University of British Columbia
- Apply Here: https://www.ubc.ca
6. University of Guelph Entrance Awards (Fully Funded Options)
- Deadline: Up to May 31, 2026
- Coverage: Partial to full funding (top awards fully funded)
- Apply Here: https://www.uoguelph.ca
7. IIE Scholar Rescue Fund Fellowship
- Deadline: April 26, 2026 (Late submissions may extend into May)
- Coverage: Fully funded + $30,000 grant
- Organization: Institute of International Education
- Apply Here: https://www.iie.org
8. SOAS University of London PhD Scholarship
- Deadline: May 15, 2026
- Coverage: Full tuition + stipend
- Apply Here: https://www.soas.ac.uk
9. DAAD EPOS Scholarship (Germany)
- Deadline: May 2026 (course-dependent)
- Coverage: Full tuition, stipend, travel costs
- Organization: DAAD
- Apply Here: https://www.daad.de
10. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC – Selected Programs)
- Deadline: May 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded (tuition, accommodation, stipend)
- Apply Here: https://www.campuschina.org
11. Türkiye Government Scholarship (Late Cycle Intake)
- Deadline: May 2026 (selected openings)
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Apply Here: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
12. Swedish Institute Scholarships (Late Round)
- Deadline: May 2026
- Coverage: Full tuition + stipend + travel
- Apply Here: https://si.se
13. MEXT University Recommended Scholarship
- Deadline: May–June 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Country: Japan
- Apply Here: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp
14. Australia Awards Scholarship (Selected Streams)
- Deadline: April–May 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Apply Here: https://www.australiaawards.gov.au
15. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (Institution Deadlines)
- Deadline: May 2026 (varies by school)
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Apply Here: https://www.campusfrance.org
16. Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)
- Deadline: May 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Country: Netherlands
- Apply Here: https://www.studyinnl.org
17. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (Selected Countries)
- Deadline: May 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Apply Here: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org
18. Rotary Peace Fellowship
- Deadline: May 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Organization: Rotary International
- Apply Here: https://www.rotary.org
19. World Bank Scholarships Program
- Deadline: May 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Organization: World Bank
- Apply Here: https://www.worldbank.org
20. One Young World Scholarship (Selected Programs)
- Deadline: May 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Apply Here: https://www.oneyoungworld.com
21. Open Society Foundations Scholarship
- Deadline: May 2026
- Coverage: Fully funded
- Apply Here: https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org
How to Apply Successfully
To increase your chances:
1. Apply Early
Don’t wait till the deadline—many portals close early once slots are filled.
2. Prepare Strong Documents
- Academic transcripts
- Personal Statement (SOP)
- CV/Resume
- Recommendation letters
3. Focus on Leadership & Impact
Most fully funded scholarships prioritize:
- Leadership experience
- Community impact
- Academic excellence
FAQs
1. Are there fully funded scholarships still open in May 2026?
Yes, several scholarships and fellowships remain open in May, especially PhD, research, and leadership programs.
2. Can Nigerian students apply for these scholarships?
Absolutely. Most listed scholarships are open to international students, including applicants from Nigeria.
3. Do I need IELTS for these scholarships?
Not always. Some programs waive IELTS if you studied in English or offer alternatives.
4. Which scholarship is easiest to get in May 2026?
Programs like government scholarships and university fellowships often have slightly lower competition compared to top-tier awards.
5. Are these scholarships truly fully funded?
Yes, the listed opportunities typically cover:
- Tuition
- Living expenses
CHECK THESE OUT:
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