Terms like fellowship and scholarship often come up when you plan your educational journey. While it is known that they are the types of financial assistance, they cater to different academic and professional needs. Scholarships focus on easing the financial barriers to education, while fellowships are for advanced learning, research, and professional growth. Let’s understand key differences and break down all the details on fellowship vs scholarship to help you make informed decisions about your education and career.
Table of contents
What is a Fellowship?
A fellowship is a financial award given to individuals, often for graduate or postgraduate studies, research, or professional development. It usually comes with opportunities for hands-on experience in specific fields, networking, and mentorship. Fellowships are merit-based and emphasize building skills or advancing knowledge in a particular discipline.
| Purpose | Fellowships aim to support research, advanced education, or specialized training. |
| Eligibility | Mostly awarded to postgraduate or doctoral students and early-career professionals. |
| Funding | Covers research expenses, tuition, living stipends, and sometimes travel costs for conferences. |
Also Read: Check here all about managing scholarships and foreign exchange together for abroad studies. Know how to transfer the money at the best rates.
What is a Scholarship?
A scholarship is a financial award designed to help students pursue undergraduate or postgraduate education by offsetting tuition fees and related costs. Scholarships are typically merit-based, need-based, or awarded for specific achievements, such as academic excellence, athletic performance, or leadership skills.
| Purpose | Scholarships aim to make education more accessible by reducing financial barriers. |
| Eligibility | Primarily for high school, undergraduate, or postgraduate students. |
| Funding | Generally covers tuition fees, books, and partial living expenses. |
Difference Between Fellowship and Scholarship
Fellowships and scholarships both provide financial aid for education. However, they differ in their goals, eligibility criteria, and scope.
A scholarship primarily helps students pay for their tuition and other education-related expenses, often based on merit, need, or achievements. In contrast, a fellowship focuses on supporting advanced studies, research, or professional development. It usually includes a stipend and additional resources for specific projects or training.
Check out the table below to understand the differences between the two-
| Aspect | Fellowship | Scholarship |
| Purpose | Supports research, professional growth, or advanced education. | Provides financial aid for tuition and related educational costs. |
| Eligibility | Typically for postgraduate students, researchers, or professionals. | Open to high school, undergraduate, and postgraduate students. |
| Funding Coverage | Includes stipends, travel, research expenses, and sometimes full tuition. | Covers tuition fees and may include books and partial living expenses. |
| Focus | Research, teaching, or skill development in specialized fields. | Academic merit, financial need, or extracurricular achievements. |
| Requirements | Requires participation in research, teaching, or professional projects. | Often requires maintaining good academic standing, with minimal obligations. |
| Duration | Generally short-term, lasting a few months to a few years. | Covers the duration of a degree program, typically 1-4 years. |
| Additional Benefits | Offers mentorship, networking, and professional exposure. | Primarily provides financial relief without additional professional benefits. |
| Examples | Fulbright FellowshipRhodes FellowshipDAAD Research Fellowship, etc. | Chevening ScholarshipCommonwealth ScholarshipGates Cambridge Scholarship, etc. |
Fellowship vs Scholarship- Which is Right for You?
Now that you have understood the differences between a fellowship and a scholarship, it is easier to make the right choice. Choosing between them depends on your academic goals, career aspirations, and financial needs.
Applying for a scholarship is the right choice if you are at the beginning of your academic journey. It provides you the financial assistance for tuition and other educational expenses. However, it is best to apply for a fellowship if you are seeking to expand your expertise in a specific field, engage in research, or enhance your professional skills.
Which one should you choose?
Choose a Fellowship if-
- You are pursuing specialized research or professional training.
- You want mentorship and networking opportunities.
- You seek funding that goes beyond tuition to support research or development.
Choose a Scholarship if-
- You need financial assistance to access education.
- You have a strong academic or extracurricular background.
- You want a simpler funding option without research or professional commitments.
Also Read: Check out this comprehensive guide on the financial mistakes to avoid while studying abroad.
Popular Fellowships for Indian Students
Fellowships provide exceptional professional growth. You can enhance your knowledge and contribute to global research and leadership initiatives. It is important to choose a fellowship that aligns with your field of study and career aspirations. However, you must qualify and fulfill the eligibility criteria. Let’s explore some of the popular fellowships for Indian students-
Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships
Fullbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship is one of the popular fellowships to pursue research in climate-related studies in the USA. Indian researchers and faculty with a PhD in climate science are eligible to apply. Successful candidates receive funding for research and academic exchange in US institutions.
- It supports research projects in the US related to climate change for 6-9 months.
- You get up to USD 4000 per month for research purposes.
- You can apply on the official website of USIEF.
Google PhD Fellowship Program
Google supports promising PhD students in computer science and related fields in their research projects. All PhD students pursuing research in AI, machine learning, algorithms, and more are eligible to apply for the Google PhD Fellowship Program. You get financial support, mentorship from Google researchers, and research opportunities.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
One of the prestigious Canadian fellowships for postdoctoral researchers is the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. Researchers with a completed PhD or equivalent degree, including Indians are eligible to apply for it. Recipients are entitled to CAD 70,000 per year for up to two years. The fellowship aims to attract top-tier talent to Canada for impactful research in health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
Popular Scholarships for Indian Students
Indian students aspiring to study in India or abroad have access to numerous scholarships that cater to diverse fields, levels of education, and countries. These scholarships, offered by governments, organizations, and universities, help reduce the financial burden and open opportunities for quality education globally. Below are some of the most popular scholarships for Indian students-
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships for Indian students lets you pursue a master’s degree in the UK. You must have 2,800 hours or 2 years of work experience and leadership potential to apply for the same. This is a fully funded scholarship that covers tuition, living expenses, and airfare. You need to submit an online application, including essays and references, followed by an interview. Applications for 2025 close in November 2024.
FAFSA Scholarships
US citizens or eligible non-citizens (including Indian students) can pursue higher education in the US. Financial need is a major criterion to avail of federal student aid under FAFSA Scholarships. The amount offered varies, but it covers tuition, living costs, and other educational expenses based on need. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online by federal and state deadlines.
British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
Women from select countries (including India) with a background in STEM, applying for a master’s degree in STEM fields can avail of financial assistance by applying for British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM.
Also Read: Check here all about the University of Manchester Scholarships 2025. Know the eligibility, universities, and application process.
Both fellowships and scholarships open doors to incredible opportunities, but they serve different purposes. Scholarships focus on easing financial barriers to education, while fellowships are tailored for advanced learning, research, and professional growth. Whether you’re starting your academic journey or diving into specialized fields, understanding these differences will help you make the most of the funding opportunities available.
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FAQs
A fellowship typically supports students, researchers, or professionals for advanced study, research, or professional development. A scholarship, on the other hand, is primarily awarded based on merit or financial need to fund educational costs at various levels.
While fellowships are commonly for graduate students, many fellowships are available for postdoctoral researchers, professionals, and even undergraduates in specific fields of study.
Yes, students can apply for both a fellowship and a scholarship, as they serve different purposes. However, your selection depends on the eligibility and guidelines of each program.
Yes, fellowships often involve a commitment to research, academic work, or professional development in exchange for funding. This is unlike most scholarships, which focus primarily on academic performance or financial need.
Both scholarships and fellowships can be highly competitive, depending on the field of study, funding amount, and specific requirements. Fellowships may be more selective due to their research and professional development nature.
Yes, many fellowships cover not only tuition but also living expenses, travel costs, and sometimes research materials. Scholarships may vary in this regard, with some covering only tuition.
Some common types include merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, athletic scholarships, community service scholarships, and departmental scholarships, each catering to different criteria.
Fulbright Fellowships (for global research and study) and Rhodes Scholarships (for academic excellence and leadership at Oxford) are two well-known examples. Fellowships are typically awarded based on academic merit, professional potential, and research goals.
If you are looking to fund a specific research project or further your career through professional development, a fellowship may be ideal. If you need financial assistance for your undergraduate or graduate degree, a scholarship is usually more suited.
Fellowships usually require a detailed proposal, references, and often an interview, focusing on your research plans or career development goals. Scholarships generally involve submitting academic transcripts, application forms, and essays based on merit or financial need.
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