Are you looking to pursue a masters degree abroad in 2026? If you are an engineer then here is your chance because you are on the right track to enhancing your career. And here is something that does not get said enough. One in three engineering roles stays unfilled every year globally. Engineering roles take an average of 58 to 62 days to fill. And over 25% of working engineers plan to retire within five years. That is a massive, growing gap in one of the most important workforces on the planet. According to ManpowerGroup’s 2026 Talent Shortage Survey of 39,000 employers across 41 countries, engineering is now the third hardest skill to find in the world, sitting right behind AI skills and just ahead of sales and manufacturing. What this means for you is simple. If you have an engineering background and you are thinking about a Masters degree, the timing could not be better. Companies are not just looking for engineers. They are desperate for them. And right now, in 2026, you can get Fully Funded Masters Scholarships in Engineering if you apply right now.
Hardest skills to find globally in 2026 – % of employers reporting shortage (ManpowerGroup, 2026)
To help you, here are 15 of the best fully funded scholarships in engineering accepting international students that you can start your application with:
1. Erasmus Mundus RESCO – Renewable Energy and Sustainable Construction (Europe)
Deadline: Programme starts September 2026.
Host: Consortium of European universities.
This is one of the most relevant engineering programmes on this list for 2026. The Erasmus Mundus RESCO programme is open to students from any country in the world. It accepts applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Architectural Engineering, or Energy Engineering.
You study across multiple European countries and graduate with a joint degree. The scholarship covers full tuition, travel, insurance, and a monthly living allowance of €1,400 for the full 24 months of the programme. That is €33,600 in living support alone on top of free tuition.
Green energy and sustainable construction are two of the fastest-growing engineering fields in the world right now. If your interest sits in that space, this programme was built for you.
Apply at: opportunitydesk.org/erasmus-mundus-resco
2. Erasmus Mundus MS2 – Mechanics of Sustainable Materials and Structures (Europe)
Deadline: June 15, 2026.
Host: TU Dortmund (Germany), University of Trento (Italy), École Centrale de Nantes (France).
This one is for civil and structural engineers who want to work on the buildings and infrastructure of the future.
The Erasmus Mundus MS2 is a two-year master’s programme focused on sustainable, smart, and resilient buildings and materials. Students cover advanced mechanics, metamaterials, machine learning for structures, green concrete, and how to design against earthquakes and climate change. You study in Germany, then Italy, then France, and graduate with three official master’s degrees – one from each university.
Three degrees from three countries in two years. Fully funded. If you are a civil or structural engineering graduate, do not sleep on this one.
Apply at: erasmusscholarship.com/ms2
3. Erasmus Mundus ME3+ – Management and Engineering of Environment and Energy (Europe)
Deadline: The 2027 cycle opening October 2026.
Host: IMT Atlantique and partner European universities.
This programme sits at the intersection of engineering and sustainability. The ME3+ programme accepts students with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Energy Engineering. It also accepts Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Environmental Engineering graduates who have a documented background in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Mechanics.
The scholarship package is the full Erasmus Mundus offer: tuition covered, €1,400 monthly stipend, travel, and insurance across all host countries.
Apply at: imt-atlantique.fr/me3plus
4. Erasmus Mundus Multiphase – Sustainable Multiphase Systems (Europe)
Deadline: April 2026 for the September 2026 intake.
Host: Universities across France, Italy, and Germany.
This programme teaches green technology and smart computer modelling of mixture systems in chemical and green industrial processes. It is aimed at students with backgrounds in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or mathematics with strong academic grades. You graduate with three degrees from three European institutions.
If you are a chemical or process engineer interested in sustainable industrial systems, this programme is a direct match.
Apply at: erasmusscholarship.com/multiphase
5. KAUST Fellowship – Engineering in Saudi Arabia
Deadline: May 7, 2026.
Host: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
Every student admitted to KAUST gets the fellowship automatically. You do not apply for funding separately. Get in and the money comes with you. KAUST offers engineering programmes including Environmental Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and more. The fellowship provides a living stipend of $20,000 to $30,000 annually depending on qualifications and progression, plus free on-campus housing, full tuition coverage, and relocation support.
What make this scholarship special is the fact that there no GRE required and there is no application fee. This is one of the highest-value engineering fellowships in the world right now.
Apply at: admissions.kaust.edu.sa
6. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP) -Global
Deadline: Window 2 closes May 29, 2026.
Host: World Bank and Government of Japan, 24 universities across US, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan.
This scholarship was built specifically for professionals from developing countries who want to go back and make a difference at home.
The JJ/WBGSP supports scholars enrolled in 44 participating master’s programmes at 24 universities across the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan in key areas of development, including infrastructure management. Infrastructure management is engineering. Environmental engineering, water systems, and energy infrastructure are all eligible entry points.
The scholarship provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance. After earning their degree, developing country scholars commit to returning to their home country to apply their skills.
The commitment to return home is not a penalty. It is the whole point of this scholarship. If you care about building your country, this one was designed for you.
Apply at: worldbank.org/jj-wbgsp
7. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP) – Switzerland
Deadline: November 2026 for the 2027 intake.
Host: ETH Zurich.
ETH Zurich is consistently ranked in the top 5 universities in the world for engineering. Its alumni include 22 Nobel Prize winners. And the ESOP scholarship makes studying there financially achievable for outstanding international students.
You get CHF 12,000 per semester (roughly $1,370 per month) plus a full tuition waiver for the entire duration of your programme. You need to be in the top 10% of your undergraduate class and submit a master’s thesis pre-proposal as part of your application.
ETH Zurich offers strong master’s programmes in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and more.
Apply at: ethz.ch/esop
8. EPFL Excellence Fellowship – Switzerland
Deadline: December 15 (Round 1) and March 31 (Round 2) annually.
Host: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.
EPFL sits right beside ETH Zurich in the global rankings for engineering. It has one of Europe’s strongest programmes in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and energy engineering. The Excellence Fellowship covers full tuition and a monthly stipend for up to four semesters.
The best part is that when you apply to an EPFL master’s programme, you are automatically considered for the fellowship. No separate application needed. No extra cost.
Apply at: epfl.ch/scholarships
9. Warwick Engineering Academic Excellence Scholarship – United Kingdom
Deadline: April 30, 2026.
Host: University of Warwick.
The University of Warwick School of Engineering is offering up to 20 Academic Excellence Scholarships worth £5,000 each to high-achieving students joining a taught master’s course in autumn 2026. Eligible programmes include MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering, MSc Biomedical Engineering, MSc Communications and Information Engineering, MSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering, MSc Electrical Power Engineering, and MSc Humanitarian Engineering.
The Warwick scholarship does not cover everything but £5,000 off your fees is a meaningful contribution. And Warwick is a top-20 UK university with direct links to industry in the Midlands, one of the UK’s strongest manufacturing and engineering regions.
Apply at: warwick.ac.uk/engineering-scholarships
10. DAAD Scholarship – Engineering in Germany
Deadline: October to January annually, varies by programme.
Host: German Academic Exchange Service.
Germany is arguably the strongest country in the world for engineering education. TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, and KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) are all globally ranked institutions for every major engineering discipline.
German public university tuition is essentially zero. The DAAD scholarship adds a monthly stipend of €992 (roughly $1,100) on top of that, plus health insurance and a travel allowance. What DAAD looks for in engineering applicants is a specific research proposal connected to a real problem. A general statement about wanting to study mechanical engineering gets rejected. A specific proposal about researching a solution to a named problem under a named professor at a named university gets funded.
Apply at: daad.de
11. Fulbright Foreign Student Program – Engineering in the USA
Deadline: February to October 2026, varies by country.
Host: US Government, top American universities including MIT, Stanford, and Georgia Tech.
The Fulbright programme funds around 4,000 international students every year to study at US universities. Engineering, environmental science, and infrastructure are all eligible fields. The scholarship covers full tuition, airfare, a monthly living stipend, and health insurance for the full duration of your degree.
The USA has some of the most advanced engineering research environments in the world, particularly in aerospace, civil infrastructure, and energy systems. A Fulbright gets you inside that ecosystem.
Check your local US Embassy or Fulbright Commission website for your country’s specific deadline.
Apply at: foreign.fulbrightonline.org
For more opportunities to study fully funded abroad, read our post on 16 Masters scholarships in Data Science and AI open in 2026.
12. Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship – Engineering in Japan
Deadline: May to June annually, via your local Japanese Embassy.
Host: Japanese Ministry of Education.
Japan is a global leader in robotics, automotive engineering, semiconductor manufacturing, and environmental engineering. Companies like Toyota, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, and Panasonic operate research partnerships directly with Japanese universities.
The MEXT scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, a monthly living allowance of around ¥147,000 (roughly $950), and a round-trip flight. Applications go through your nearest Japanese Embassy.
Apply at: studyinjapan.go.jp
13. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) – Engineering in South Korea
Deadline: February to March annually.
Host: Korean Government.
South Korea has POSTECH and KAIST, both of which are world-class institutions for mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. The country is also the global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, with Samsung and SK Hynix both operating research labs alongside university programmes.
South Korea’s semiconductor and electronics industries are among the most advanced in the world, and Korean universities have direct research partnerships with Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and SK Hynix. If you want to study engineering inside the world’s most advanced industrial ecosystem, South Korea deserves to be on your list.
The GKS covers full tuition, a monthly allowance of ₩900,000 (roughly $650), a round-trip flight, health insurance, one year of Korean language training, and thesis printing costs.
Apply at: studyinkorea.go.kr
14. Chevening Scholarship – Engineering at any UK University
Deadline: Next cycle opens October 2026.
Host: UK Government.
Chevening funds a full one-year master’s at virtually any UK university. For engineering, that opens the door to Imperial College London, UCL, Cambridge, Manchester, and Warwick – all of which have outstanding engineering departments.
The scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, flights, and a monthly living allowance. You need at least two years of professional work experience before applying.
The 2027/28 cycle opens October 2026. Start preparing your application now. The personal statement takes longer than most people expect.
Apply at: chevening.org
15. Australia Awards Scholarship – Engineering in Australia
Deadline: April to June annually, varies by country.
Host: Australian Government.
Australia has a serious need for engineers, particularly in mining, environmental, and infrastructure engineering. The Australia Awards Scholarship funds master’s level engineering students from developing countries, with a strong emphasis on applicants who plan to return and apply their skills at home.
The scholarship is fully funded, covering tuition, travel, living expenses, and health cover. African eligible countries include Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe among many others.
Apply at: australiaawardscholarships.dfat.gov.au
Quick Reference Table
| # | Scholarship | Country | Deadline |
| 1 | Erasmus Mundus RESCO | Europe | Sep 2026 intake |
| 2 | Erasmus Mundus MS2 | Europe | June 15, 2026 |
| 3 | Erasmus Mundus ME3+ | Europe | Oct 2026 (2027 cycle) |
| 4 | Erasmus Mundus Multiphase | Europe | April 2026 / 2027 |
| 5 | KAUST Fellowship | Saudi Arabia | May 7, 2026 |
| 6 | JJ/WBGSP (World Bank) | Global | May 29, 2026 |
| 7 | ETH Zurich ESOP | Switzerland | Nov 2026 |
| 8 | EPFL Excellence Fellowship | Switzerland | Dec 15 / Mar 31 |
| 9 | Warwick Engineering Scholarship | UK | April 30, 2026 |
| 10 | DAAD | Germany | Oct – Jan |
| 11 | Fulbright | USA | Feb – Oct (varies) |
| 12 | MEXT | Japan | May – Jun |
| 13 | Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) | South Korea | Feb – Mar |
| 14 | Chevening | UK | Oct 2026 |
| 15 | Australia Awards | Australia | Apr – Jun |
Final Thoughts
Let me be direct with you. Nearly 200,000 new engineers are needed annually just to keep pace with global demand. The retirement wave hitting civil infrastructure, aerospace, and defence engineering is removing decades of institutional knowledge in months. The world is not running out of engineering problems. It is running out of engineers to solve them. And the countries, companies, and institutions funding these scholarships understand that better than anyone. A fully funded Masters in Engineering in 2026 is not just a degree. It is a direct response to one of the most urgent workforce challenges on the planet. You come out the other side as someone the world actively needs.
Want more scholarship opportunities? Browse our full Education Page for daily updates. You may also want to read our posts on 17 Masters scholarships in Computer Science and IT open in 2026 and 30 Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships for International Students in 2026
