Winter break doesn’t have to mean Netflix marathons and empty promises to “finally” read those books you bought last year. What if it meant studying international refugee law in Amsterdam, unlocking the secrets of Western esotericism with scholars from Stanford, or earning a DAAD certificate in Germany, all without paying out of pocket? Fully funded winter programs are one of the most underutilized opportunities in the academic calendar. They’re short, they’re intense, and for the right person, they can completely change the trajectory of a career. If you have been exploring fully funded summer school programs but always felt the timelines were too tight, winter programs are worth your serious attention. Here’s a roundup of 15 of the best, covering scholarships, stipends, and all.
Quick definition before we dive in: a “fully funded” winter program means the organizers cover your major costs, whether that’s tuition, accommodation, or both, often through scholarships, grants, or institutional support. Some programs cover everything including flights; others cover tuition and accommodation while you handle travel. We’ll be specific about what each one covers.
1. Hague Academy of International Law – Winter Courses
Host: Hague Academy of International Law |
Location: The Peace Palace, The Hague, Netherlands
When it runs: January (3 weeks)
Field: Public and private international law
The Hague Academy is one of the most respected institutions in the world for short-term legal education, and its Winter Courses deliver the same calibre of instruction as the famous Summer Courses, but in a single three-week block covering both public and private international law. The courses are held at the Peace Palace and feature a General Course spanning all three weeks, plus six Special Courses of one week each. Guest lecturers include former presidents of international courts, senior diplomats, and leading academics from every part of the world.
On funding, a programme of scholarships based on merit criteria, including academic level, scientific publications and professional experience, allows approximately 15% of promising attendees, students, young lawyers or diplomats, to benefit from financial support. The scholarships are funded by public and private bodies, including the Academy itself as well as distinguished individuals from various countries.
For the 2027 edition, registration for full-fee applicants runs from 1 May to 1 October 2026. Scholarship applicants must apply between 1 May and 31 July 2026. If you are reading this in June 2026, that window is open right now and closes in about four weeks.
Who it’s for: Students and practitioners with a solid prior grounding in international law. This is not a beginner’s introduction.
Apply at: hagueacademy.nl/scholarships-winter-courses
2. DAAD University Winter Course Grant – Germany
Host: DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
Location: Various German universities
When it runs: January–February (up to 6 weeks)
Field: German language and culture
Applications open: 1 September annually. Deadline: ~30 October annually.
The DAAD Winter Course Grant is one of the most practical fully funded language programs available to international students. It funds attendance at intensive German language and cultural studies courses at state-recognised German universities. Everything is covered: the DAAD transfers the tuition fee directly to the course organizer, and participants receive a one-time scholarship payment of €2,151 (students from Least Developed Countries receive €2,326 instead).
Applications are open to students in Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes as well as doctoral candidates in any subject area. Undergraduate students must have completed at least two academic years when the scholarship period starts. You must demonstrate at least B1 German proficiency, verified through the DAAD’s own language test, which is only available in a specific window after you register on the portal. The key catch is that the portal requires you to register before the test becomes available, so you can’t leave this until the last minute.
The programme is restricted to selected eligible countries. Check the DAAD database to confirm your country qualifies before investing time in the application.
Who it’s for: Students with intermediate German who want an immersive language upgrade, open to all academic disciplines.
Track the opening at: daad.de scholarship database
3. University of Amsterdam Winter Programmes – Netherlands
Host: University of Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam (in-person) and online
When it runs: January
Field: Multiple disciplines
Applications open: October 1 annually (MAS courses) / September – November (online courses).
The UvA runs a full portfolio of winter programmes every January, and they cover more ground than almost any other university doing this. The Medical Anthropology and Sociology winter school course takes place annually in January. These short, intensive courses are designed to offer participants both an overview of and insight into the state of the art of medical anthropological research in essential themes in health care.
The active course portfolio includes Global Mental Health, Visual Anthropology of Health, Thinking with the Planet (environmental humanities), AI Ethics and Decision-Making, Migration and Integration: Refugees, Rights and Realities, Forbidden Knowledge: Introduction to Western Esotericism, Key Topics in Urban Studies, the Digital Methods Winter School, and an Intensive Dutch Language Course. Each course has its own scholarship tab with financial support available.
Course fees range from €425 (self-paced urban studies) to €1,525 (international professionals taking in-person health courses). For the Medical Anthropology and Sociology courses specifically, applications open on 1 October each year and the hard deadline is 1 November. Online courses like Migration and Integration and AI Ethics typically accept applications until 5 January.
Who it’s for: Graduate students, PhD candidates, health professionals, and working professionals, depending on the course. Most require a bachelor’s degree minimum.
Bookmark the full portfolio at: uva.nl winter programmes
4. JINR START Winter Program – Russia
Host: Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR)
Location: Dubna, Russia
When it runs: February–June (6–8 weeks)
Field: Physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, IT
Applications open: ~September annually. Deadline: ~30 October annually.
This is the most comprehensively funded program on the list in terms of what it actually covers. The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research is one of the world’s leading centres for nuclear science, and its START (Student Advanced Research Training) program brings in young scientists from all over the world to work on real research projects under JINR expert supervision. It is fully funded in the complete sense: JINR covers flights from your home city to Dubna and back, visa and medical insurance costs, accommodation in student housing on campus, and a daily allowance of 2,000 Russian roubles per day.
The program runs two sessions per year: a winter session (February through June) and a summer session. For this post, the winter session is the relevant one. Participants work on projects in nuclear and theoretical physics, engineering, information technology, data science, and mathematics. At the end of the stay, each participant submits a written report that is published on the program’s website.
Eligibility requires being in your 3rd year of undergraduate studies through your 1st year of PhD, under 30 years old, specializing in STEM or IT, and not having previously participated in the program. No IELTS is required. The program is open to all nationalities.
Who it’s for: STEM students with a serious interest in research who want hands-on experience at an internationally recognized scientific institution.
Program website: students.jinr.ru
When to Apply
| Month | What to do |
| Now (June–July 2026) | Apply for the Hague Academy 2027 scholarship. Deadline is 31 July 2026. Check Osnabrück’s website – the 2027 application may already be open. |
| September 2026 | DAAD Winter Course Grant applications open (deadline ~30 October). JINR START applications open. ASU Winter School application expected. UvA September-intake online programmes begin accepting applications. |
| October 2026 | DAAD deadline (~30 October). JINR deadline (~30 October). USTC Winter Camp 2027 applications open. UvA Medical Anthropology and Sociology courses open (1 October) with a 1 November deadline. |
| November 2026 | USTC deadline (~mid-November). MSU VIPP Winter School applications open (1 November). AYFN Japan Winter Camp applications expected. UvA MAS deadline (1 November). |
| December 2026 | MSU VIPP deadline (~mid-December). AYFN Japan deadline (~30 November). Hague Academy full-fee registration closes 1 October – only late registrants at this point. |
5. USTC International Winter Camp – China
Host: University of Science and Technology of China
Location: Hefei, Anhui Province, China
When it runs: Late December (10 days)
Field: STEM, Chinese language, cultural immersion
Applications open: ~October annually. Deadline: ~mid-November annually.
USTC ranks among Asia’s top universities for science and engineering research, and this camp is one of the most accessible ways to get inside that ecosystem without committing to a degree program. The 10-day format packs in academic lectures from USTC professors, guided tours of national research laboratories, daily Chinese language classes, and cultural excursions around Hefei. The camp is open to undergraduate and master’s students as well as recent graduates from all academic backgrounds.
On funding: all participants receive a standard package that covers tuition, twin-room accommodation, and field trips. The program fee is 3,000 CNY, which is covered by the fellowship for selected students. Outstanding applicants qualify for the USTC Fellowship, which can extend to travel support, medical insurance, and a living allowance, essentially making it fully funded. Only students who have never previously attended a USTC International Winter or Summer Camp are eligible.
Who it’s for: Undergraduate and master’s students interested in China’s scientific community and willing to commit to 10 days in Hefei over the winter break period.
Program website: ic.ustc.edu.cn
6. MSU VIPP Global Virtual Winter School – USA (Online)
Host: Michigan State University – Visiting International Professional Program
Location: Online
When it runs: January (2 weeks)
Field: Media, digital storytelling, AI, professional skills
Applications open: 1 November annually. Deadline: ~mid-December annually.
The MSU VIPP Global Virtual Winter School is built specifically for international students who want a structured US university experience without the visa, cost, and logistics of travelling to campus. The program runs two weeks each January and has consistently run on this schedule for multiple years. Courses have included digital media campaigns, AI and the digital mind, global entrepreneurship, and international communications.
On funding: VIPP offers ten scholarships for each Virtual Winter School cycle, each valued at $400, applied as a tuition reduction. These are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, so applying early is not just good practice, it directly increases your chance of receiving one. Students who complete the winter school also receive a $300 discount toward any VIPP summer school program, making it a useful gateway into a longer MSU experience.
The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students at any accredited university, or high school seniors, and does not require IELTS.
Who it’s for: Internationally-minded students in any discipline who want structured learning, a US university certificate, and the time zone flexibility of online delivery.
Program website: vipp.isp.msu.edu/winterschool
7. AYFN Japan Winter Culture Camp – Japan
Host: ASEAN Youth Friendship Network (AYFN)
Location: Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, Japan
When it runs: February (6 days)
Field: Cultural exchange, Japanese language, international networking
Applications open: ~November/December annually. Deadline: ~30 November annually.
Running since 2015, the AYFN Japan Culture Camp is one of the most consistently delivered fully funded youth exchange programs targeting global participants with no academic field restrictions. The one-week program covers six days across three cities — Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara — with pre-departure online Japanese language classes, heritage walking tours, cultural workshops including a kimono experience, and structured networking with other international participants.
The scholarship covers flight expense support (up to USD 750), program fees, accommodation, activities and tours, local transportation, and a certificate of participation. It does not cover visa costs or personal spending. Applicants do not need prior Japanese language ability. The only requirements are being aged 17 to 40, having an interest in travel and cultural exchange, and being able to communicate in English.
The 2026 edition ran in February and the camp has reliably announced a new edition each autumn for the following February. Watch the AYFN Academy website from October onwards for the 2027 cycle. There is also a self-funded participation option for those who do not receive a scholarship.
Who it’s for: Youth aged 17–40 from any academic background who are genuinely curious about Japan and comfortable with group cultural immersion.
Program website: ayfnhq.org
8. Osnabrück University International Winter School – Germany
Host: Osnabrück University
Location: Osnabrück, Germany
When it runs: January–February (3–4 weeks)
Field: German language, culture, and history
Applications open: ~May–September annually. Deadline: ~October annually.
Osnabrück University has hosted international students for short-term programs for over a decade, and the Winter School is a well-established part of that offering. The inceptive open-application winter program focuses on German culture and traditions in the Osnabrück area and combines classroom instruction with projects, excursions and activities. The 2027 edition is confirmed for January/February 2027.
The program has DAAD backing, which signals institutional funding support for eligible participants. Osnabrück also has a separate closed winter school run in partnership with Costa Rica’s UTN for that institution’s students specifically. The open-application version covered here is accessible to international students broadly. Based on prior cycles, the application window opens around May and closes in September to October, meaning the 2027 window should be either just opening or due to open shortly.
Who it’s for: International students interested in an immersive German cultural experience in a mid-sized German city with a strong international office and support infrastructure.
Check the current status at: uni-osnabrueck.de/international-winter-schools
9. ASU Winter School on Emerging Technologies and Society – USA
Host: School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University
Location: Arizona, USA
When it runs: January (~1 week)
Field: Social and ethical dimensions of science and technology
Applications open: ~September annually. This is the 12th annual edition.
Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation with additional support from the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure Coordinating Office, the ASU Winter School gives junior scholars and scientists an introduction to and practical experience with methods and theory for better understanding the social dimensions of emerging technologies. Accepted participants attend at no cost – the Sloan Foundation funding covers participation, making this a fully funded experience for selected attendees.
The program sits at an unusual intersection: it is designed for STEM PhD students and early postdocs who want to think seriously about the societal implications of their work, rather than for humanities or social science students. Each year’s edition focuses on a specific theme. The 12th annual edition in 2026 examined the broad notion of impact, and participants engaged in interactive sessions with academics across disciplines to explore how research can generate positive social outcomes beyond the immediate study.
Who it’s for: PhD students and early postdocs in STEM fields who are ready to engage with interdisciplinary questions about technology, ethics, innovation, and society.
Program website: sfis.asu.edu/events/winter-school
Quick Reference Table
| Program | Location | Runs | Apply Deadline | Funding |
| Hague Academy Winter Courses | The Hague, Netherlands | January | 31 July (scholarships) | ~15% of participants funded |
| DAAD University Winter Course Grant | Germany | Jan–Feb | ~30 October | €2,151 one-time payment |
| UvA Winter Programmes | Amsterdam / Online | January | 1 Nov (MAS) / 5 Jan (online) | Scholarship tab per course |
| JINR START Winter Program | Dubna, Russia | Feb–June | ~30 October | Fully funded (flights, housing, stipend) |
| USTC International Winter Camp | Hefei, China | Late December | ~mid-November | USTC Fellowship (partial to full) |
| MSU VIPP Global Virtual Winter School | Online | January | ~mid-December | 10 scholarships at $400 each |
| AYFN Japan Winter Culture Camp | Osaka/Kyoto/Nara, Japan | February | ~30 November | Up to USD 750 flight + program costs |
| Osnabrück University Winter School | Osnabrück, Germany | Jan–Feb | ~October | DAAD-supported |
| ASU Winter School (Tech & Society) | Arizona, USA | January | ~September | Sloan Foundation funded |
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Apply
The Hague Academy is the most time-sensitive right now. The scholarship deadline for the 2027 edition is 31 July 2026, which is about four weeks away. If you have a background in law, diplomacy, or international relations, this is where your energy should go first. Everything else on this list opens from September onward.
JINR covers everything. Flights, visa, insurance, accommodation, daily allowance. For students from developing countries looking for a genuinely all-expenses-paid research experience, this one deserves serious attention. The only real requirement beyond academic eligibility is that you haven’t done it before and you work in a STEM or IT field.
UvA is a family of programs, not a single one. The nine or so courses they run each January serve very different audiences. A health professional targeting the Global Mental Health course needs to apply by 1 November. A graduate student interested in AI Ethics and Decision-Making can apply until 5 January. Read the individual course pages carefully and check the scholarship tab on each one.
AYFN’s scholarship is competitive and the self-funded option exists. Not everyone who applies gets the flight support. If you don’t receive a scholarship, you can still participate by paying your own way, which is worth knowing if Japan is a genuine priority for you.
Country eligibility matters for DAAD. African students are well represented on the DAAD eligible countries list, but confirm your specific country is included on the programme page before building your application.
If you are planning a longer academic path alongside these short programs, our round-up of fully funded scholarships to study in Europe is a useful companion read for identifying the degree-level funding that could follow a winter program experience.
Know a fully funded winter programme we missed? Drop it in the comments.
More on The Lantern post:
- 40 Fully Funded Scholarships to Study in Europe for International Students
- 30 Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships for International Students in 2026
- 40 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships for International Students in 2026
- 10 Paid Global Internships Open in 2026
