Where funding comes from
| Type | Examples | How you get it |
|---|---|---|
| Government scholarships | Fulbright, Chevening, Commonwealth, DAAD, MEXT, GKS, CSC, Australia Awards, Stipendium Hungaricum, Türkiye Bursları | Separate application, usually 8–12 months before the course starts |
| University scholarships | Merit awards, international fee waivers, graduate fellowships | Often automatic with admission; sometimes a separate form |
| Assistantships (RA/TA) | US and Canadian departments | Through the department or directly from a supervisor |
| Funded PhD / studentship | UK studentships, European salaried PhD positions, Australian RTP | Apply to the advertised position |
| Foundation and external | Aga Khan Foundation, Erasmus Mundus, OPEC Fund, Rotary, JDS | Separate applications with their own criteria |
What committees actually score
- Academic excellence — CGPA, awards, class position.
- Leadership and impact — what you started, led or changed, with numbers.
- A clear plan — why this course, why this country, and what you will do after.
- Development impact — for Chevening, Commonwealth, Australia Awards and Fulbright, how you will contribute to Bangladesh matters a lot.
- Networking and ambassadorship — can you represent the scholarship well?
The typical process
- 1
Check eligibility
Nationality, work experience (Chevening needs 2 years), age limits, return requirements (some require you to come back to Bangladesh for 2 years).
- 2
Choose courses
Many schemes ask you to name 1–3 courses; some require an offer letter by a set date.
- 3
Write essays
Leadership, networking, career plan and why this course. Draft early and get feedback from past winners.
- 4
Referees
Usually 2 references submitted online. Brief your referees with your goals and achievements.
- 5
Shortlisting and interview
Panel interviews test your essays. Prepare stories with the STAR method, and know your course modules.
- 6
Conditional award
Final award after you get an unconditional admission offer and clear medical/visa checks.
Scholarship interview questions to prepare
- Tell us about yourself — in two minutes, tied to the scholarship's goals.
- Why this course and this university? What modules interest you?
- Describe a time you led a team through a difficult situation.
- How will this degree help Bangladesh? What will you do in the first two years after returning?
- What will you do if you do not get this scholarship?
- How will you build and use your network?