Difference Between Scholarships And Fellowships

Financing higher education can be one of the biggest challenges for students aspiring to study in top universities around the world.

Scholarships and fellowships are two of the most effective ways to reduce costs while gaining recognition for academic excellence, talent, or research potential.

Whether you are an undergraduate looking for tuition support or a postgraduate aiming to fund advanced research, understanding the difference between scholarships and fellowships can help you target the right opportunities.

This blog explores the difference between scholarship and fellowship, their global options and how to apply to them effectively to maximise your chances of success.

Scholarship Vs Fellowship: An Overview

Criteria	Scholarship	Fellowship
Who It’s For	Students (mostly undergraduate or master’s) seeking financial aid for study.	Graduates, researchers, or professionals pursuing specialised research or training.
Main Goal	Reduce the cost of education and reward academic or other merit.	Fund advanced study/research and build expertise in a field.
Type of Support	Covers tuition fees, living costs, books, or travel.	Provides stipend, salary, or grants for research and professional projects.
Career Impact	Opens access to better academic opportunities and future jobs.	Builds subject-matter expertise, research credentials, and leadership profile.
Examples	Chevening, Fulbright, Rhodes.	ETH Zurich Postdoctoral, Yale Emerging Climate Leaders, Forrest Foundation.

What Is A Scholarship?

A scholarship is a financial award or grant given to students to support their education. Unlike loans, scholarships do not require repayment, making them one of the most ideal forms of financial aid. They are usually awarded based on specific criteria such as academic achievement, talent, financial need, athletic ability, or unique qualifications like community service or leadership.

Scholarships can cover tuition fees, books, accommodation, travel, or living expenses, depending on the programme. In addition to easing financial burdens, they also recognise and reward merit, helping students access better academic opportunities and increasing career prospects.

Types Of Scholarships

Scholarship	About
Merit-Based Scholarships	Awarded for outstanding academic performance, leadership, artistic talent, or athletic achievements.
Need-Based Scholarships	Designed for students from low-income backgrounds who demonstrate financial need.
Subject-Specific Scholarships	Targeted at students pursuing studies in specific fields such as STEM, Arts, Law, or Medicine.
Government-Funded Scholarships	Provided by national or state governments to encourage education in specific countries or fields.
University-Specific Scholarships	Offered directly by universities to attract talented students.
Minority/Community-Based Scholarships	Granted to students from underrepresented communities, such as women in STEM or first-generation students.
Athletic Scholarships	For students excelling in sports, often covering tuition and training costs.

Top Global Scholarships

Below is a list of some of the most renowned scholarships worldwide, known for their generous benefits and competitive selection processes.

Scholarship	Country	Coverage	Key Highlights
Australia Awards Scholarships	Australia	Tuition, living expenses, airfare, health insurance	Fully funded for students from developing countries
Chevening Scholarships	UK	Tuition, living allowance, airfare, additional allowances	Requires 2+ years of work experience, open to 160+ countries
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme	France	Tuition and living expenses ( Euro 1,181)	French government-funded, for excellent international students
Fulbright Scholarships	USA	Tuition, living costs, travel	Prestigious; available to students, teachers, and professionals from 155+ countries
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	UK	Tuition, stipend, health insurance, academic development	Fully funded, for international students at University of Cambridge
Rhodes Scholarship	UK (Oxford University)	University and college fees, stipend, travel	Emphasises leadership and academic excellence
Stanford University Scholarships	USA	Tuition, living allowance, travel, academic expenses	Fully funded for graduate students
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship	Canada	Tuition, books, and residence	University of Toronto scholarship for exceptional international students
Imperial College London PhD Scholarship	UK	Tuition and maintenance costs	Supports research students at Imperial College London

Also Read: Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students (2025)

What Is A Fellowship?

A fellowship is a competitive, merit-based award that supports advanced study, research, or professional development.

Unlike scholarships, fellowships usually provide a stipend or grant rather than just covering tuition, enabling recipients to focus on their projects or training.

They are commonly offered for graduate, doctoral, or postdoctoral studies and may also fund internships, research costs, or living expenses.

Fellowships are funded by universities, governments, or private organisations and are valued for the prestige, skill-building, and career opportunities they provide.

Types Of Fellowships

Fellowship	About
Doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships	Support research scholars during or after their PhD programmes.
Medical Fellowship	Offers advanced clinical training and research opportunities to medical graduates.

Top Global Fellowships

For students, researchers, and professionals aiming to advance their expertise or lead impactful projects, global fellowships provide an excellent pathway.

These programmes not only offer financial support and research opportunities but also foster leadership, networking, and professional growth on an international scale.

Below are some of the most prestigious fellowships worldwide, known for their generous benefits and competitive selection.

Fellowship	Country	Coverage / Benefits	Key Highlights
Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship	USA & France	Fully funded, covers all programme costs	Climate leadership programme, deadline: August 1, 2025
Forrest Foundation Fellowship	Australia	Fully funded; salary, accommodation, research, and travel allowances	Supports doctoral/postdoctoral research
ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship	Switzerland	Full salary, research and travel allowances	Prestigious programme for postdoctoral researchers
ISTA Postdoctoral Fellowship	Austria	Salary includes travel, daycare, social security, and research costs	Supports postdoctoral research at ISTA

Key Difference: Scholarships Vs Fellowships

While both scholarships and fellowships provide financial assistance to students, their goals, eligibility, and benefits differ significantly. Scholarships are primarily aimed at reducing educational costs for students based on merit or need.

In contrast, fellowships focus on advanced study, research, or professional projects and often include stipends for living or research expenses.

The table below highlights the difference between scholarships and fellowships. 

Aspect	Scholarship	Fellowship
Purpose	Provides financial support to students, often recognising merit, talent, or need to make education affordable and accessible.	Enables students to pursue advanced study, research, or professional projects, enabling leadership and skill-building while expanding networks and career opportunities.
Eligibility	Depends on academic achievement, financial need, course/level of study, nationality, and maintaining good academic standing; exclusions may apply.	Varies by programme; usually requires a bachelor’s or higher degree, relevant experience, possible age/nationality limits, and demonstrated motivation or research fit.
Duration	Usually one academic year, renewable annually; some extend up to 3–5 years for full programme coverage.	Typically, the duration ranges from 6 months to 2 years, with some research fellowships extending up to 3 years. The duration is fixed and rarely extendable.
Financial Aid & Coverage	Can range from partial tuition or specific costs (books, fees) to full-ride scholarships covering tuition, living expenses, and travel. For example, in the USA, the scholarship amount can be approximately $7,400, however, this can vary based on several factors such as the university, the student’s profile, etc.	May provide stipends or grants for living, research, and travel; sometimes covers tuition, insurance, and project costs; can be partial or full funding.
Application Process	Involves researching scholarships, submitting forms, documents, and personal statements, followed by verification or interviews; renewal requires proof of performance.	Involves researching opportunities, submitting forms and documents (CV, proposals, references), undergoing assessments/interviews, and meeting reporting requirements post-award.

How to Apply for Scholarships and Fellowships?

Both scholarships and fellowships follow similar steps but differ in requirements. Scholarships mainly focus on academic merit or financial need, while fellowships often require a research proposal or professional experience.

Steps to Apply for Scholarships

1. Research Opportunities: Explore official university sites, government portals, and scholarship search engines.
2. Check Eligibility: Review academic, financial, and course-specific criteria carefully.
3. Prepare Documents: Common documents include transcripts, admission proof, ID, and recommendation letters.
4. Submit Application: Fill out online forms and upload supporting documents accurately.
5. Selection Process: Some may involve interviews, tests, or verification stages.
6. Track & Renew: Monitor status online; renew annually if multi-year.

Also Read: How to Apply For Study Abroad With Scholarship?

Steps to Apply for Fellowships

1. Find Relevant Fellowships: Focus on programmes aligned with your research or professional goals.
2. Review Requirements: Fellowships often demand advanced degrees, research experience, or publications.
3. Draft Proposal/Statement: Prepare a clear research/project proposal and motivation letter.
4. Submit Documents & Apply: Include CV, recommendations, certificates, and published work if needed.
5. Assessments & Interviews: Shortlisted candidates may face written assessments or panel interviews.
6. Accept & Deliver: Review offer terms and later submit required progress reports or outputs.

Scholarships and fellowships open doors to great education, advanced research, and unmatched professional opportunities. By identifying the right programmes, preparing strong applications, and applying early, students can significantly reduce financial burdens and enhance their academic and career trajectories. 

If you are planning to fund your international studies, UniCreds can help you secure education loans at the lowest interest rates, guide you through the application process, and ensure you combine scholarships, fellowships, and financial aid for maximum benefit.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a grant and a fellowship?

A grant is financial support given to fund a specific project, research, or purpose, usually without ongoing obligations beyond delivering results. A fellowship, on the other hand, provides both funding and structured professional or academic development opportunities, often including mentorship, training, or leadership programmes.

2. When to apply for a scholarship?

You should apply for a scholarship as early as possible, ideally 6–12 months before your course start date, since many programmes close well in advance of admissions deadlines. Check each scholarship’s official website for exact dates, as timelines vary by country, university, and funding body.

3. How to apply for a fellowship?

To apply for a fellowship, research programmes that align with your academic or professional goals, check eligibility criteria (degree, experience, nationality), and prepare key documents like your CV, recommendation letters, and a strong research or project proposal. Submit your application through the fellowship’s official portal, and be ready for assessments or interviews if shortlisted.

4. What is the difference between scholarships and fellowships?

The key difference between scholarships and fellowships is that scholarships are financial awards given to students to support their education, usually based on merit or need, and typically cover tuition or living expenses. Fellowships, on the other hand, are grants offered mainly to graduates or researchers to support specialised research, training, or professional projects.