Finding a scholarship that covers tuition, living expenses, travel, visa costs, and other study-related expenses can make studying abroad much more realistic for women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The good news is that several universities, governments, foundations, and international organizations offer fully funded scholarships for women in STEM.
These opportunities are designed to help women overcome financial barriers and increase female representation in fields such as computer science, engineering, artificial intelligence, mathematics, environmental science, biotechnology, physics, and other STEM disciplines.
For students planning to study abroad in 2027, now is an important time to start preparing. This guide highlights some of the strongest fully funded STEM scholarships for women, including opportunities for international students, women from developing countries, African women, and applicants from Nigeria.
Quick Summary: Fully Funded Scholarships for Women in STEM
| Scholarship | Study Level | Destination | Funding | Key Eligibility |
| British Council Women in STEM Scholarships | Master’s | UK | Full funding | Women from selected eligible countries |
| SI Pioneering Women in STEM | Master’s | Sweden | Fully funded | Women from 10 eligible countries, including Nigeria |
| HS Chau Foundation Scholarship | PhD | UK | Full funding | International female STEM PhD students |
| Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future | PhD/Postdoctoral | Overseas | Major STEM funding | Women from developing/emerging economies |
| Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship | PhD | Worldwide | US$12,000 | Women in aerospace/space sciences |
| Imperial Women in STEM Scholarships | Master’s | UK | Full funding | Depends on participating country/cycle |
| Durham British Council Women in STEM | Master’s | UK | Full funding | Women from eligible countries |
| University of Glasgow Women in STEM | Master’s | UK | Full funding | Women from selected countries |
| University of Edinburgh Women in STEM | Master’s | UK | Full funding | Women from eligible South Asian countries |
| AAUW International Fellowship | Master’s/PhD | USA | $20,000–$25,000 | International women in STEM |
Important: Eligibility, participating countries, available courses and deadlines vary by scholarship and academic year. Always check the official scholarship page before applying.
Fully Funded Scholarships for Women in STEM 2027
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SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship
The SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship is one of the most interesting opportunities for women from eligible developing countries who want to pursue a master’s degree in Sweden.
The scholarship is particularly important for African applicants because Nigeria is among the eligible countries.
The Swedish Institute launched the programme to increase women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The programme has supported women from countries including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The University of Gothenburg describes the scholarship as a fully funded scholarship for women in STEM and lists 14 eligible master’s programmes for the 2026/27 academic year.
The Swedish Institute’s published scholarship records also show Nigerian recipients studying areas such as AI and machine learning, electrical engineering, mathematics and modelling, biomedical surface science, sustainable energy systems, biology, ecology, space science and technology, and other STEM disciplines.
Who can apply?
The programme is intended for women who:
- Are citizens of one of the designated eligible countries.
- Meet the academic requirements for an eligible master’s programme.
- Apply to one of the approved STEM programmes.
- Meet the Swedish Institute’s scholarship requirements.
Nigeria is particularly relevant for applicants searching for fully funded scholarships for Nigerian women in STEM.
What can you study?
Eligible programmes can include areas such as:
- Computer science
- Artificial intelligence
- Software engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Biotechnology
- Biomedical engineering
- Data science
- Cybersecurity
- Sustainable energy
- Mathematics
- Environmental science
- Physics
The Swedish Institute’s published list of eligible programmes includes Computer Science, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Systems and Cybersecurity and other STEM programmes.
Why this scholarship stands out
For Nigerian women looking for fully funded master’s scholarships abroad, this should be one of the programmes to watch closely for future application cycles.
Official scholarship: Swedish Institute Pioneering Women in STEM
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British Council Women in STEM Scholarships
The British Council Women in STEM Scholarships are among the best-known opportunities for women seeking postgraduate STEM education in the United Kingdom.
The programme supports women from selected countries to study one-year master’s programmes at participating UK universities.
The British Council states that the scholarship provides full scholarships, including tuition fees, living stipends, travel and visa costs, health-related costs and English-language support.
The programme has worked with dozens of UK universities and has awarded hundreds of scholarships.
What does the scholarship cover?
Depending on the participating university and country programme, funding can include:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living stipend
- Return international airfare
- Visa costs
- Health or NHS surcharge
- English-language testing costs
- Other study-related expenses
For example, participating universities have published awards covering full tuition, monthly stipends, return flights, visa expenses and health-related costs.
Who can apply?
Eligibility varies according to the specific country and university. Applicants generally need:
- A bachelor’s degree.
- A background suitable for the selected STEM master’s programme.
- Citizenship or permanent residence in an eligible country.
- An offer or application to an approved UK university.
- A strong academic record.
- Evidence of financial need.
- A commitment to return to the applicant’s country or region in accordance with the programme conditions.
2026/27 application status
The British Council’s central page currently states that applications for the 2026/27 academic year are closed and that submitted applications are being reviewed by participating universities.
Therefore, applicants planning for 2027 should monitor the official British Council page and participating universities for the next announcement rather than assuming that the 2026 deadlines will remain the same.
Official scholarship: British Council Women in STEM Scholarships
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HS Chau Foundation Scholarship for Women in STEM at Cambridge
For women looking for a fully funded STEM PhD scholarship in the UK, the HS Chau Foundation Scholarship at Newnham College, University of Cambridge, deserves special attention.
Newnham College lists the scholarship as a full STEM PhD scholarship for international female students.
For October 2027 entry, two scholarships are available for female students with international fee status pursuing a PhD in any STEM subject.
What does it cover?
The scholarship covers:
- Full University Composition Fee
- Maintenance costs at the UKRI stipend rate
- Immigration Health Surcharge
For the 2026/27 academic year, Newnham lists the maintenance rate as £21,805 and the Immigration Health Surcharge component as £3,492.
The scholarship is scheduled for 3.5 years.
Who is eligible?
The scholarship is specifically aimed at:
- Female students
- International fee-status students
- Applicants pursuing a STEM PhD
- Academically outstanding candidates
This makes it particularly attractive to international women who want to pursue advanced research at Cambridge.
Official information: Newnham College postgraduate scholarships
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Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future
The Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future programme is another major opportunity for women in STEM from developing and emerging economies.
Unlike many master’s scholarships, Faculty for the Future focuses on women pursuing PhD and postdoctoral research.
The programme’s goal is to increase the number of women who become leaders, researchers and university faculty members in STEM fields.
2027 application cycle
The Foundation has announced that applications for its 2027 PhD and postdoctoral funding opened on September 1, 2026.
The published application information states that applicants should:
- Be women from eligible low- or middle-income countries.
- Be pursuing a PhD or postdoctoral research in STEM.
- Be enrolled, admitted or have applied to a university or research institute abroad.
- Have an excellent academic record.
- Intend to return to their home country and contribute to its socioeconomic development.
- Demonstrate leadership and community engagement.
- Have a history of encouraging women and girls in STEM.
The programme is particularly interested in areas including:
- Physical sciences
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Mathematics
2027 deadline
The Foundation’s application information lists November 6, 2026 as the application deadline for the 2027 fellowship cycle, while its application portal currently states a closing date of November 7, 2026 at noon Central Standard Time, with reference letters due November 14. Applicants should therefore follow the live application portal for the final deadline and time zone.
Official programme: Faculty for the Future
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Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship
Women interested in aerospace engineering and space sciences should look closely at the Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship.
The fellowship supports women pursuing doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences.
For the 2027 fellowship cycle, Zonta states that applicants must submit their applications by November 15, 2026.
What is the award worth?
The current Zonta programme page states that up to 30 women will receive a US$12,000 fellowship.
It can be used at an accredited university or college offering postgraduate degrees in the relevant fields.
Who can apply?
Women of any nationality can be considered if they:
- Are pursuing a PhD/doctoral degree.
- Are studying aerospace engineering or space sciences.
- Have a strong academic record.
- Meet the programme’s doctoral-progress requirements.
Unlike a scholarship that pays all tuition and living expenses, this is best described as a major STEM fellowship, not a guaranteed full-cost scholarship.
That distinction is important when searching for fully funded scholarships.
Official fellowship: Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship
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Imperial College London Women in STEM Scholarships
Imperial College London has offered highly competitive Women in STEM Scholarships in partnership with the British Council.
For the 2026/27 programme, Imperial offered five full scholarships for eligible women from Egypt.
The scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Annual stipend
- Return economy-class flight
- Visa application costs
- Immigration Health Surcharge
- Eligible English-language testing costs
For the 2026/27 cycle, Imperial listed an annual stipend of £22,780.
The eligible departments included areas such as:
- Chemistry
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Design Engineering
- Earth Science and Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Mechanical Engineering
- Business School
The 2026 deadline has passed, so students should not assume that the same countries or number of awards will apply to 2027.
Official scholarship: Imperial College London Women in STEM Scholarships
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Durham University British Council Women in STEM Scholarships
Durham University has also participated in the British Council Women in STEM initiative.
For the 2026/27 academic year, Durham announced five fully funded scholarships for female students from eligible wider European countries.
The published award included:
- Full tuition fees
- 12-month stipend
- Return economy-class flight
- Visa application fee
- Insurance
- NHS surcharge
- Other relevant study costs
This is another example of why applicants should check the specific university’s scholarship page. The broad British Council programme has different participating universities and country groups, so eligibility isn’t identical everywhere.
Official information: Durham University Women in STEM Scholarships
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University of Glasgow Women in STEM Scholarships
The University of Glasgow has offered fully funded British Council Women in STEM scholarships for female students from selected countries.
For its published 2026 programme, Glasgow announced five fully funded scholarships.
The award included:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living stipend
- Return economy-class airfare
- IELTS examination costs where applicable
- Visa application costs
- NHS surcharge
The 2026 application cycle is currently closed, so prospective applicants should watch for the next official announcement.
Official information: University of Glasgow Women in STEM Scholarships
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University of Edinburgh Women in STEM Scholarships
The University of Edinburgh has partnered with the British Council to offer fully funded master’s scholarships for women from selected South Asian countries.
The published programme covers women from:
- India
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
The university describes the award as fully funded for women pursuing master’s degrees in STEM subjects.
However, the university currently states that funding for the 2027/28 academic year has not yet been confirmed.
This is an important warning for scholarship applicants: don’t copy an old deadline or assume that a scholarship will automatically return the following year.
Official information: University of Edinburgh Women in STEM Scholarships
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British Council Women in STEM Scholarships at Brunel University London
Brunel University London has also participated in the British Council Women in STEM programme.
For its 2026 programme, Brunel described the scholarship as fully funded, covering:
- Tuition fees
- Monthly stipend for up to 12 months
- Return economy-class travel
- IELTS examination fee where applicable
- Visa and insurance/NHS surcharge costs
- Child allowance where applicable
The 2026 application is closed, but the programme is worth monitoring for future cycles.
Are These Scholarships Really Fully Funded?
This is an important question.
A scholarship should not be called “fully funded” simply because it offers a large tuition discount.
A genuinely comprehensive scholarship may cover several components:
- Tuition fees
The scholarship pays all or most of the tuition charged by the university.
- Living expenses
A monthly or annual stipend helps pay for:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
- International travel
Some programmes provide a return flight between the student’s home country and study destination.
- Visa expenses
Some scholarships reimburse or directly cover visa-related costs.
- Health costs
This can include health insurance or the UK’s Immigration Health Surcharge/NHS surcharge.
- Academic expenses
Some awards also provide money for books, research, equipment, thesis printing or other study-related expenses.
Because individual scholarship packages differ, applicants should always read the official funding terms before describing an award as completely “fully funded.”
Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Women in STEM
If you are a Nigerian woman searching specifically for fully funded STEM scholarships for Nigerians, several opportunities in this list deserve special attention.
The SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship is particularly relevant because Nigeria is explicitly listed among its eligible countries. Previous scholarship recipients from Nigeria have studied fields including AI and machine learning, electrical engineering, mathematics, biomedical science, ecology, sustainable energy and space science.
The Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future is also highly relevant to women from developing and emerging economies who are pursuing PhD or postdoctoral STEM research abroad.
For UK study, Nigerian applicants should also monitor future British Council Women in STEM calls, but they should only apply where Nigeria appears on the specific participating-country list for that year’s programme.
STEM Subjects Covered by Women’s Scholarships
Women looking for funding should not search only for the phrase “Women in STEM scholarship.”
Universities may classify eligible courses differently.
Common STEM areas include:
Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Environmental science
- Earth sciences
- Biotechnology
- Biomedical sciences
- Materials science
Technology
- Computer science
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Data science
- Cybersecurity
- Software engineering
- Information technology
Engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Environmental engineering
Mathematics
- Pure mathematics
- Applied mathematics
- Statistics
- Mathematical modelling
- Computational mathematics
Always check the individual university’s eligible-course list before applying.
How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships for Women in STEM
Winning a fully funded scholarship is competitive, so preparation matters.
Step 1: Find scholarships that match your profile
Don’t apply randomly.
Check:
- Your nationality
- Degree level
- Academic background
- STEM subject
- Work experience
- Country of residence
- University requirements
- Scholarship requirements
Step 2: Check the scholarship’s official website
Scholarship information changes frequently.
Before applying, confirm:
- Opening date
- Deadline
- Eligible countries
- Eligible programmes
- Funding package
- Required documents
- English-language requirements
Step 3: Prepare your academic documents
Depending on the scholarship, you may need:
- Degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- CV
- Passport
- Personal statement
- Research proposal
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of English proficiency
- Admission offer
Step 4: Write a strong personal statement
Don’t simply say that you need money.
Explain:
Who you are → what you have achieved → what STEM problem you want to solve → why the programme matters → how you will use the opportunity to create impact.
This is particularly important for women-focused scholarships.
Step 5: Demonstrate leadership
Many women’s STEM scholarships aren’t looking only for excellent grades.
They may also want evidence that you:
- Mentor other women
- Volunteer
- Lead projects
- Participate in STEM communities
- Conduct research
- Teach others
- Build technology
- Solve community problems
- Encourage girls to enter STEM
Step 6: Start early
Don’t wait until the deadline.
Some scholarships require admission to a university before the scholarship application can be considered.
Others require recommendation letters, transcripts or research proposals that can take weeks to prepare.
FAQs
What are the best fully funded scholarships for women in STEM?
Some of the strongest opportunities include the SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship, British Council Women in STEM Scholarships, HS Chau Foundation STEM PhD Scholarship at Cambridge, and Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future.
The best scholarship depends on your nationality, degree level and STEM discipline.
Are there fully funded STEM scholarships for Nigerian women?
Yes. The SI Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship specifically includes Nigeria among its eligible countries. Previous Nigerian recipients have studied subjects ranging from AI and machine learning to electrical engineering, mathematics, ecology, biomedical science and space science.
Nigerian women should also monitor Faculty for the Future and other international programmes for which Nigeria is eligible.
Can women apply for STEM scholarships for master’s degrees?
Yes. Several Women in STEM programmes specifically target master’s students, including the British Council Women in STEM programme and SI Pioneering Women in STEM.
Are women-only STEM scholarships easier to win?
Not necessarily.
Women-focused scholarships can still be extremely competitive because they often receive applications from highly qualified candidates around the world.
Do I need work experience?
It depends on the scholarship.
Some programmes require professional experience, while others focus primarily on academic achievement and admission to an eligible degree programme.
Always check the official eligibility criteria.
Can undergraduate students apply?
Many of the major Women in STEM scholarships listed above target postgraduate study, particularly master’s and PhD programmes.
Undergraduate applicants should search separately for women-in-STEM undergraduate scholarships and university financial aid.
Is AAUW International Fellowship fully funded?
It provides significant financial support but should not automatically be classified as a full-cost scholarship.
AAUW currently lists awards of $20,000 for master’s students and $25,000 for doctoral students.
Therefore, applicants should calculate their total expected study and living costs before assuming the award will cover everything.
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