In 2026, winter scholarships (which usually cover programmes in January and February) will focus on short-term research, language immersion, and seasonal job training. These are excellent for students who want to travel abroad during their mid-term break.
1. The best active winter programmes (apply now)
- OIST Research Internship in Japan: Fall/Winter Cycle
- Due date: April 15, 2026 (the last day to meet today’s deadline).
- Dates for the programme: October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
- The deal is a fully funded research stay at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology for three to six months.
- Value: Includes a living allowance of about ¥2,400 per day, round-trip airfare, and furnished housing on campus.
- Target: STEM undergraduates in their last two years and master’s students.
- Winter School in Melbourne, Australia
- June 28 – July 10, 2026 (this period is “winter” in the Southern Hemisphere).
- Consult the websites of local university partners (usually in mid-April) for the deadline.
- The Deal: A short-course programme focused on sustainability and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Scholarship: Some students receive AUD 1,500 for travel expenses and free housing and cultural activities.
- Short-term Exchange for Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS)
- Period: 2026 to 2027.
- The Deal: Students from certain countries, like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Taiwan, can study or do research in Canada for a short time.
- Value: Up to $10,200 for at least four months of study or research starting in January 2027.
- Requirement: You must be a full-time student at your home institution; the Canadian host institution takes care of the application.
2. Special “Jan-Term” and Winter Grants
Many colleges and universities have “January Terms” or “Winterim” sessions. Funding for these often comes from grants for studying abroad in general.
- Early Bird Scholarship for API (January Term)
- Due date: September 15, 2026 (for programmes that start in January 2027).
- Value: Up to $500 for short-term winter sessions.
- Target: Students who want to take intensive courses for 3 to 4 weeks in places like Paris, Florence, or Seville.
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (Only for U.S. Citizens)
- Due date: October 2026 (for the winter/spring of 2027).
- The deal is for people who get Pell Grants. It provides up to $5,000 for winter break programmes in other countries.
- DAAD Winter University Classes in Germany
- Check the portal in June 2026 for status.
- The Deal: Students from the Southern Hemisphere (or those in certain regional exchange cycles) can go to Germany in the winter to take language and culture classes.
3. Research and Professional Fellowships in the Winter
- Institute Wirth Czech Doctoral Research Fellowship (in Canada)
- Dates: From October 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027.
- Due date: April 6, 2026 (closing soon).
- The deal is that PhD students can do research in Edmonton, Canada. Covers the whole winter semester.
- Global UN Internship Programme
- Status: Admissions are open all the time.
- The Deal: Starting in January, many UN agencies (like UNDP and UNICEF) will offer winter internships. Some “Diversity” or “Regional” scholarships, like those from Diversity Abroad, can provide students $500 to $1,000 to help pay for winter travel.
4. Plan for applying in the winter of 2026
- Southern Hemisphere Flip: Keep in mind that June and July are “winter” in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. If you want to find winter-themed programs during the summer break in the Northern Hemisphere, look at these areas:
- NIN and Visa Prep: For Nigerians, getting a winter visa (especially for Canada and the UK) can take 12 to 16 weeks. Make sure your NIN is correct and your passport is ready by August 2026 if you want to leave in January.
- The “Short-Term” Essay: Winter scholarship boards like students who learn quickly. In your essay, talk about how you will use the three-week break to learn a new skill that you can’t fit into your regular semester. The skill could be a coding language or a B1 German level.
Final Thoughts
The OIST Internship, which is due on April 15, offers the most immediate and fully funded winter research opportunity. If you’re interested in studying in Europe during the Jan-Term, be sure to monitor the API Early Bird deadline in September.
