The top 3 scholarships in Europe 2026 still open for international students provide real opportunities to study in Europe with government-backed or university-backed funding. This shortlist is strict: it includes only scholarships that are officially active and not expired as of 20 March 2026.
These are not expired or speculative listings — each option below is based on an active 2026 application window. In this article, we cover the top 3 scholarships in Europe 2026 still open for international students: UNICORE 8.0 in Italy, the Romania Government Scholarship 2026-27, and the Italian Government MAECI Scholarships 2026-27.
If you are exploring more options, you can browse fully funded scholarships.
Scholarships in Europe 2026 Still Open
If you are searching for scholarships in Europe 2026 still open, the options below are currently active and officially confirmed.
Scholarships in Europe 2026 still open are funding opportunities that are actively accepting applications and have not passed their official deadlines. These include government scholarships and university-backed funding routes with confirmed 2026 application windows.
Quick Overview Table of Scholarships in Europe
| Scholarship | Country | Funding | Application Status | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNICORE 8.0 | Italy | Tuition exemption, study grant, plane-ticket support, visa-expense support | Open | 17 April 2026 |
| Romania Government Scholarship | Romania | Tuition, monthly scholarship, preparatory year, dormitory accommodation support | Open | 31 March 2026 |
| Italian Government MAECI Scholarship | Italy | €10,800 grant, health insurance, possible tuition exemption depending on institution | Open | 26 March 2026 |
Below are the top 3 currently open scholarships in Europe for 2026, with verified deadlines and official application routes.
1. UNICORE 8.0 Scholarship in Italy
Benefits
The UNICORE 8.0 route is one of the strongest currently open scholarship options in Europe for refugee students. According to the official platform, selected students:
- receive tuition fee exemption
- receive financial support for plane tickets
- receive support for visa-related expenses
- receive a study grant to support their stay in Italy
Official links:
- Main platform: https://universitycorridors.unhcr.it/
- Admission criteria: https://universitycorridors.unhcr.it/admission-criteria/
Eligibility
- Must be officially recognized as a refugee in one of the eligible countries listed by UNICORE.
- For the 2026 cycle, eligible countries include Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Must hold a qualification valid for admission to the chosen second-cycle degree programme.
- Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent.
- Must hold a degree obtained in or after 2021, unless the university-specific call states otherwise.
- Must meet the admission requirements of the selected programme.
- Must not have been enrolled before at any partner university in the UNICORE network.
- Must show English proficiency.
- Can apply to a maximum of 2 universities.
Required Documents
- Refugee ID card or proof of refugee registration
- Qualification certificate
- Transcript of records
- GPA documentation
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Any extra document required by the selected university
How to Apply
- Go to the official UNICORE platform.
- Review the participating universities and eligible courses.
- Read both the central admission criteria and the university-specific calls.
- Create your account.
- Select up to 2 universities.
- Upload all required documents.
- Submit by 17 April 2026 at 12:00 noon (UTC+2).
- Complete any extra university-specific application step if required.
Selection Criteria
UNICORE uses a two-step process:
- Step 1: evaluation of documents
- Step 2: online interview for shortlisted candidates
The official scoring model includes:
- academic background and GPA
- CV and personal skills
- coherence between previous studies and the chosen programme
- interview performance, including technical knowledge and English level
Why It Ranks High
This is one of the best scholarships in Europe 2026 that is still open because it combines tuition exemption, grant support, and relocation-related funding in one route. Among the currently open scholarships in Europe 2026, it is the strongest match for eligible refugee applicants.
2. Romania Government Scholarship 2026-27
Benefits
The Romania Government Scholarship 2026-27 is officially open for non-EU students and remains one of the strongest government-funded options in Europe. According to the official platform, scholarship holders receive:
- financing of tuition expenses
- a monthly scholarship
- financing of the Romanian language preparatory year, where applicable
- financing of accommodation expenses in student dormitories, within the allocated subsidy
Official links:
- Scholarship page: https://scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro/scholarship-about
- Main portal: https://scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro/
Eligibility
- Must be a non-EU citizen.
- Must submit a complete file.
- Must present study documents issued by accredited or recognized institutions.
- Must have good academic results, usually at least the equivalent of 7/10 or “Good”.
- Must comply with the official submission methodology.
- Scholarships are not awarded for Medicine, Dental Medicine, or Pharmacy.
- For Bachelor’s and Master’s, study is available only in Romanian, with a preparatory year if needed.
- For PhD, students may study in Romanian or in a foreign language set by the doctoral school.
Required Documents
- Diplomas obtained and authorized translations where required
- Transcripts and authorized translations where required
- Birth certificate and translation where required
- Copy of the first three pages of the valid passport
- CV in English, French, or Romanian
- For PhD applicants:
- letter of intent
- research project description
- written agreement of the doctoral tutor
- Additional category-specific documents if applicable
- Apostille or authentication for study documents, as required
How to Apply
- Create an account on the official Romania scholarship portal.
- Complete the online form.
- Upload each required document in .pdf format.
- Submit only through the official platform.
- Apply between 16 February 2026 and 31 March 2026.
- Wait for the result announcement, expected around 15 July 2026.
Selection Criteria
The Romania Government Scholarship is awarded through a file-based competition. The official platform emphasizes:
- academic performance
- completeness of the application
- compliance with submission rules
- eligibility for the selected cycle of study
For PhD applicants, the supervisor agreement and doctoral admission requirements make the process more selective.
Why It Ranks High
This is one of the best scholarships in Europe 2026 that is still open because it is government-funded, nationally open to non-EU students, and still has a live 2026 application window. For students searching for open scholarships Europe 2026, it is one of the broadest official options.
You can also explore more opportunities under Europe scholarships.
3. Italian Government MAECI Scholarships 2026-27
Benefits
The Italian Government MAECI Scholarships 2026-27 are officially open and remain one of the strongest current Italy-focused funding routes. According to the official English call, selected students receive:
- a total grant of €10,800
- payment in 3 instalments
- collective health insurance
- possible tuition fee exemption at some universities, depending on institutional rules
- funding period of 9 months for the main study categories
Official links:
- Main call page: https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/ListaBandi
- English call PDF: https://www.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Bando-26-27-ENG.pdf
- FAQ: https://studyinitaly.esteri.it/Static/FAQ
Eligibility
- Must meet the academic qualification requirement for the chosen programme.
- Must meet the age limits set in the official call.
- Must meet the relevant language requirement under the call.
- For Italian-taught programmes, minimum B2 Italian is required.
- For English-taught programmes, minimum B2 English is required.
- Applicants with an entirely English-taught bachelor’s degree may use that as an accepted document route.
- Must not already be enrolled in or have obtained certain Italian qualifications listed in the call.
- Must apply for the first year of the chosen programme, unless applying for renewal.
Required Documents
- Academic qualification certificate
- Transcript or academic records
- Language certificate or accepted language document
- For PhD:
- admission letter or supervisor invitation letter, depending on status
- Additional supplementary documents where the call allows later upload
- Portal-based declarations and identity documentation as required
How to Apply
- Go to the official Study in Italy portal.
- Open the MAECI scholarship call for 2026-27.
- Create or log in to your account.
- Fill in the application form.
- Upload the mandatory documents.
- Submit by 26 March 2026.
- If shortlisted, upload supplementary documents later where the portal allows it.
Selection Criteria
The MAECI route is a merit-based government scholarship. The official call and FAQ make clear that selection depends on:
- compliance with the call rules
- correct academic qualifications
- language qualification
- later document completion where allowed
- merit ranking and final award decision
The scholarship also requires continued enrollment and satisfactory academic progress for later instalments.
Why It Ranks High
This is one of the best scholarships in Europe 2026 that is still open because it is a live national government call with a confirmed deadline, a substantial grant, and an official public application system. Among scholarships in Europe 2026 still open, it is one of the strongest Italy-focused options.
Currently Open Scholarships in Europe 2026
These currently open scholarships in Europe 2026 are based on verified deadlines and official application systems.
Which of these Scholarships in Europe Is Most Competitive?
Most Competitive
- UNICORE 8.0
- Italian Government MAECI Scholarships
These are the most competitive because they are highly visible, selective, and tied to strong public funding structures.
Strongly Competitive but More Document-Based
- Romania Government Scholarship
This is also competitive, but the biggest filter is often document completeness and compliance with the official language-of-study rules.
Real Chances Analysis of these Scholarships in Europe
Best Chance Right Now
UNICORE 8.0 is the clearest current open route if you fit the refugee eligibility profile.
Best Broad Government Option
Romania Government Scholarship is the strongest open option for many non-EU students who are flexible on language of study and can use the Romanian preparatory-year route.
Best Italy Government Route
MAECI Scholarships 2026-27 are the strongest option for students who want Italy specifically and meet the official conditions.
Which Scholarship Should You Choose?
If you are eligible for UNICORE 8.0, it is the strongest option because it combines tuition exemption with relocation support.
If you are a non-EU student looking for a broad government-funded option, the Romania Government Scholarship is the most accessible route in this shortlist.
If your goal is to study in Italy specifically, the MAECI Scholarships 2026-27 are the most relevant route because they are officially open now and backed by the Italian government.
Common Mistakes
- assuming a scholarship is open without checking the exact deadline
- confusing university admission with scholarship selection
- ignoring official document format requirements
- uploading incomplete translations or unauthenticated academic records
- applying too late and losing time for supplementary documents
- assuming “government scholarship” automatically means every cost is covered
- not checking language-of-study rules before applying
FAQ
Are these scholarships really still open?
Yes. This shortlist includes only scholarship routes that were still officially active on 20 March 2026.
Are these scholarships updated for 2026 deadlines?
Yes. The deadlines and application status in this article are based on official 2026 scholarship pages, portals, or published calls.
Do all scholarships in Europe have fixed deadlines?
No. Some scholarships follow strict deadlines, while others depend on admission cycles or nomination processes. Always verify the official timeline before applying.
Which scholarship is easiest to get in Europe?
There is no universal easiest option. The easiest one is the scholarship that best matches your profile and documents.
Which are the top 3 scholarships in Europe 2026 that are still open?
As of 20 March 2026, the corrected shortlist is:
- UNICORE 8.0
- Romania Government Scholarship 2026-27
- Italian Government MAECI Scholarships 2026-27
Is UNICORE 8.0 fully funded?
It is a strong full-support route. The official platform confirms tuition exemption, study grant support, plane-ticket support, and visa-expense support.
Can I apply directly to the Romania Government Scholarship?
Yes. It is a direct online state application through the official Romanian scholarship portal.
Is MAECI still open?
Yes. The official 2026-27 MAECI call shows an expiry date of 26 March 2026.
Which scholarship is best for refugees?
UNICORE 8.0 is the strongest option in this article for refugees who meet the official criteria.
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Conclusion
The top scholarships in Europe 2026 that are still open provide real opportunities for international students, but they serve different applicant profiles. UNICORE 8.0 is the strongest route for eligible refugee students, the Romania Government Scholarship is the broadest current government-funded option for non-EU students, and the MAECI Scholarships 2026-27 remain one of the strongest Italy-focused open calls. These are among the most reliable open scholarships in Europe right now based on confirmed 2026 deadlines.
Deadlines and availability can change quickly, so always verify the official scholarship pages before applying.