In 2026, environmental science scholarships will focus on climate adaptation, water security, and the switch to renewable energy. There is a lot of money available for the 2027 intake because of the global “Green Deals”. However, some well-known programmes, like Erasmus Mundus, are having tough times right now.
1. Fully Funded Top “Full-Ride” Prizes
These programmes are the most complete because they pay for all of your tuition, allow you to travel abroad, and give you a monthly living allowance.
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP)
- The prize includes full tuition, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and $600 for travel.
- Environmental Focus: Specifically aims at master’s degrees in climate change, water management, and sustainable development.
- Window 2 in 2026 The deadline is May 29, 2026.
- Must be a professional in the middle of their career from a developing country with at least three years of relevant experience.
Commonwealth Master’s and Shared Scholarships (UK)
- The prize is full tuition, airfare, and a monthly allowance of about £1,347 (more in London).
- 2027 Intake: Usually, applications for the 2027 cycle open in September 2026 and close in October 2026.
- The main tracks for environmental students are “Strengthening Resilience and Response to Crises” and “Science and Technology for Development”.
DAAD EPOS Scholarships in Germany
- The prize is a monthly payment of €992 (for a master’s degree) or €1,300+ (for a PhD) plus insurance and travel.
- The University of Freiburg’s MSc Environmental Governance (MEG) programme is among the most important.
- 2027 Cycle: You need to send in your application for the 2027 intake by October 15, 2026.
- Requirement: You must have at least two years of professional experience (after getting your bachelor’s degree) when you apply.
2. Fellowships for Research and Leadership at Prestige
Fellowships for Rotary Peace (2027)
- The Prize: A fully paid master’s degree or professional certificate from one of our partner universities, like the University of Queensland in Australia or Uppsala University in Sweden.
- Focus: Great for students who are keen to learn about the link between environmental conflict and peacebuilding.
- Deadline: Applications are open now and will close on May 15, 2026.
Competition and Awards for Green Talent (2026)
- The Prize: A research stay in Germany and a lot of attention.
- 2026 Status: The current round of the Edupro Global Green Talent Awards has a team submission deadline of March 30, 2026. The Grand Finale will be held at the University of Leeds on October 21, 2026.
3. Erasmus Mundus: An Important Update for 2026
Several major Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) are currently in a “gap year” because they need to find new funding.
- 2026–2027 Status: There aren’t any scholarships available for the 2026 intake for programmes like IMETE (Environmental Technology) and COASTHazar (Climate Change Adaptation).
- Full scholarships (about €1,400 per month) are likely to come back for the 2027–2029 intake. Applications will be accepted again in October 2026.
4. How to Avoid IELTS for Environmental Apps in 2026
Some universities offer flexibility in environmental science because it often involves field work and data collection.
- Medium of Instruction (MOI): If you got your bachelor’s degree in English, the German (DAAD) and UK (Commonwealth) committees will usually accept a MOI letter.
- Many US and UK universities accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) as a faster, $59 option.
- Work Experience Waiver: If you have worked for a global environmental NGO (like WWF or UNEP) for more than three years, some UK universities will not require you to take the test for master’s applicants.
5. Important Timeline for 2026 and 2027
- The deadline for the Rotary Peace Fellowship (2027 intake) is May 15, 2026.
- The World Bank (JJ/WBGSP) Window 2 is due on May 29, 2026.
- Apply for the Commonwealth (UK) and DAAD (Germany) 2027 intake from September to October 2026.
- The new Erasmus Mundus 2027 scholarship portal usually goes live on October 1, 2026.
Final Thoughts
The World Bank scholarship is your top priority right now because it has a May deadline for master’s relocation in 2026. The Rotary Peace Fellowship (closing May 15) is a world-class chance for 2027 if you are a working professional who wants to switch to policy. The 2027 funding committees will be most interested in climate resilience and resource security, so make sure to focus your application on these areas.
