By 2026, Greece will have become a lively center for international education, especially by adding more English-taught undergraduate and graduate programs. The Greek government and private foundations have started a number of “Full-Ride” programmes to bring in talented people from all over the world, with a focus on students from the US, the Balkans, and developing countries.
1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Greece Grants
This is the main “full ride” that the government pays for international students. Its goal is to improve diplomatic and cultural ties through education.
- The Prize: 100% Paid for.
- Benefits: No tuition, €650 a month, and free books.
- The Language Perk: If your programme is in Greek, you get a full year of Greek language courses for free.
- 2026/2027 Time frame:
- Time to apply: Usually starts in July.
- Due Date: Early September 2026 (for the 2026/2027 intake).
- Target countries: Nigeria, Egypt, Jordan, Armenia, Ukraine, and other countries in Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Central Asia.
- How to Apply: You must send your application to the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
2. IKY—Foundation for State Scholarships
IKY is Greece’s National Scholarship Body. They have a lot of programs that the European Union helps fund.
- Postgraduate and Research: Gives scholarships to foreigners to do research at Greek universities for their PhDs and postdocs.
- IKY-Fulbright Partnership: Only for U.S. citizens who are doctoral candidates or researchers.
- 2026/2027 Due date: October 7, 2025, for U.S. students and November 28, 2025, for PhD partnerships.
- Modern Greek Language & Culture: A special scholarship for international students to study Greek language and culture for a year.
3. Scholarships from the Onassis Foundation
One of Greece’s most prestigious private scholarships, it is based on high-level research and academic excellence.
- The award includes a monthly stipend of about €600 to €850, a settlement allowance of €1,000, and travel expenses.
- The humanities, social sciences, arts, and architecture are the main areas of study.
- 2027 Intake: The call for the 2027/2028 school year is likely to open in December 2026.
4. Global Awards for Specific Universities
The best Greek universities now offer merit-based scholarships to their own students as they increasingly teach more degrees in English.
NKUA, or the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- The first English-taught undergraduate program in Greece is called the “BA in Archaeology, History, and Literature of Ancient Greece.”
- The Award: Tuition waivers for international students based on merit.
- Deadline of 2026: This event usually happens when the rolling admission window closes in June 2026.
AUTh, or Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- The Award: Gives out different “Aristotle” scholarships for research and graduate school.
- Target: Has tracks for researchers from Africa and Latin America, thanks to the Coimbra Group.
5. How to Get Around the “Greek Language” Requirement
Greece has made many changes to its entry requirements for 2026:
- More than 140 Master’s programmes and a few Bachelor’s degrees now offer instruction entirely in English. Find them using the portal.
- MOI Waiver: If you got your high school or bachelor’s degree in English (for example, in Nigeria, the US, or India), almost all Greek universities will let you skip the English test (IELTS/TOEFL) if you have an official Medium of Instruction letter.
- English Proficiency: For tracks taught in English, a B2/C1 level (IELTS 6.5+) is usually all that is needed.
6. Important Timeline for 2026 and 2027
- From December 2025 to February 2026: The best time to look into programmes taught in English and get in touch with professors to help with research.
- Most master’s programs at universities will accept applications from March through May 2026.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) scholarship portal opens in July 2026.
- The MFA undergraduate scholarships are due on September 8, 2026.
Final Thoughts
The Hellenic MFA Scholarship is the best “full ride” for undergraduate international students, and the Onassis Foundation is the best for PhD and research students. The Fulbright-IKY partnership offers the most help to U.S. citizens. Greek committees value scholars who try to connect different cultures by using Greece’s unique historical context. So, when you apply, focus on your connection to Greek culture or the need for research.
