The 2026 Scholarship Application season is fast approaching. “I missed the deadline” should no longer be your excuse in this new year. Do not miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime simply because you are unfamiliar with the timelines for scholarships.
In this article, you will find that we have listed the four common scholarship application seasons and the top scholarships that are available in these seasons. Read on to find out when to expect your dream scholarship to be open for the 2026 scholarship application season.
Scholarship Application Seasons
Scholarships open well before the start of the academic year for two reasons:
1. To give you enough time to find the scholarship, start your application, submit your documents and qualify.
2. To give the panel enough time to review applications, conduct interviews and announce scholarship winners.
Generally, there are 4 scholarship application seasons in a year.
1. Fall Season – AUGUST – NOVEMBER
2. Spring Season – FEBRUARY– MAY
3. Summer Season – JUNE – AUGUST
4. Winter Season – DECEMBER - FEBRUARY
Fall Application Period(AUGUST - NOVEMBER)
The fall season is the busiest time for international scholarship applications. Most major scholarships with a one-year cycle accept applications in this period. The deadlines for many programs usually fall between October and November.
Top 5 Undergraduate & Postgraduate Scholarships in the Fall Period
Here are some of the most popular undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to look out for within August and November 2026
Undergraduate Scholarships in Fall Application Period
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WAAW
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Carleton University Prestige Scholarship
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University-Based Sanctuary Scholarships
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Rosa Luxemburg Scholarship (RLS)
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Chinese Government Scholarship
Postgraduate Scholarships in Fall Application Period
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Rosa Luxemburg Scholarship (RLS)
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Commonwealth Scholarships
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Gates Cambridge
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University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarship
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France Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
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Rhodes Trust Scholarship
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Chevening Scholarship
Application Timeline for Scholarships in the Fall Season
Applications open: August
Applications close: December 2026
Scholarship awards released: 2027–2028 Academic Session
Spring Application Period(FEBRUARY - MAY)
The spring season marks another active period for international scholarship applications. The deadlines for many spring-cycle opportunities typically fall between March and May.
Top 5 Undergraduate & Postgraduate Scholarships in the Spring Period
Check below for some of the most popular undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to look out for within February and Ma 2026.
Undergraduate Scholarships in Spring Application Period
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Romanian Government Scholarship
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Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) Scholars Program for young Nigerian Undergraduates
Postgraduate Scholarships in Spring Application Period
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Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship Program
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African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Master’s Programme
Application Timeline for Scholarships in the Spring Season
Applications open: February 2026
Applications close: May 2026
Scholarship awards released: 2026/2027 Academic Session
Summer Application Period(JUNE - AUGUST)
The summer season represents a significant window for international scholarship applications. The deadlines for many SUMMER-cycle opportunities typically fall between June to August.
Top 5 Undergraduate & Postgraduate Scholarships in the Summer Period
Here are some of the most popular undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to look out for within June and August 2026.
Undergraduate Scholarships in Summer Application Period
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David Oyedepo Foundation Scholarships
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Petroleum Development TrustFund (PDTF) Scholarship
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Shell Nigeria SNEPCo/NNPC National University Scholarship Award
Postgraduate Scholarships in Summer Application Period
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Cambridge Trust Scholarship
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University of Manchester Equity and Merit Scholarship
Application Timeline for Scholarships in the Summer Season
Applications open: June 2026
Applications close: August 2026
Scholarship awards released: 2026/2027 Academic Session
Winter Application Period(December - February)
The spring season marks another active period for international scholarship applications. The deadlines for many WINTER-cycle opportunities typically fall between January and February.
Top 5 Undergraduate & Postgraduate Scholarships in the Winter Period
See below for some of the most popular undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to look out for within December and February 2026.
Undergraduate Scholarships in Winter Application Period
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Turkey Government Türkiye Scholarships
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Romanian Government Scholarship
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Federal Government Scholarship (BEA)
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Shanghai Government Scholarships for Bachelors, Masters and PhD International Students
Postgraduate Scholarships in Winter Application Period
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Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship Program
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Shanghai Government Scholarships for Bachelors, Masters and PhD International Students
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Maastricht University Scholarship (Netherlands)
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Chinese Government Scholarship
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Romanian Government Scholarship
Application Timeline for Scholarships in the Winter Season
Applications open: December 2026
Applications close: February 2027
Scholarship awards released: 2027/2028 Academic Session
Other Popular Scholarships You Should Know
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Great Scholarships (University of Bristol, University of Cardiff, University of Southampton)
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Mastercard Scholarship
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DAAD Scholarship (German Government)
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Fulbright Scholarship
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Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (European Union)
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Islamic Development Bank (ISDB)
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Shanghai Government Scholarship
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NNPC/SEPLAT National Undergraduate Scholarship for Nigerian Students
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Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships
Conclusion
These scholarship application seasons and timelines were derived from our research on the times they have been open in previous years. Scholarship organisations can change their application timelines at any time. To avoid missing the application period or deadline, subscribe to our channels so you can always get updates.
