Miss an initial deadline in the 2026/2027 cycle and you haven’t missed your chance. Many of the larger programmes operate on a multi-cycle or rolling admissions basis, with doors opening multiple times a year for specific quotas or to match different intake semesters (Spring versus Fall).
Ready for a fresh start? Check out the top programmes that are reopening or have second-phase applications open now.
1. Big International “Two-Cycle” Awards
To accommodate the varied academic calendars of the world, these distinguished programmes are available with two distinct application periods each year.
- • Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS): This programme is known for its two-cycle approach. Cycle 1 usually takes place in November/December. Cycle 2 begins on April 9, 2026 and is in effect until June 3, 2026. This cycle focuses on two-year Master’s degrees in low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
- CFA Institute Access Scholarships: Interested in a career in finance? This scholarship opens four times a yefor the February window for February 2027 exams opens on 05 May 2026 and closes on 25 May 2026.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: The main “Scholarship” window closes in January, but many consortiums open up for “Self-Funded” or “Late-Bursary” applicants in May or June if there are vacancies in their initial scholarship cohort.
2. “Round-Based” University Scholarships
Many of the best universities, especially in the UK and Australia, have no single deadline. Instead, they have a “Staged” or “Round” system where the portal closes and reopens during the year.
- Aston University (UK) Aston provides International Community Scholarships through a multi-round process. The “Early Application Round” is open now, closing on May 10, 2026. If you miss it, the portal will generally open again for a second round after a short while.
- • University of Adelaide (Australia): They have an annual cycle and a big mid-year cut-off. The current window for the 2026 Global Academic Excellence Scholarship is open until May 22, 2026.
- • Glasgow University (ASBS Global Impact) The second major phase of this programme opens again with a deadline of May 18, 2026, for Master’s students starting in September 2026.
3. The “Yield-Based” Re-Opening Approach
Universities will often “silently” reopen scholarship applications in June and July if their initial awardees turn down their offers (the “Yield Gap”).
- The “Waitlist” Benefit If a university’s scholarship page reads “Closed”, check back in the first week of June 2026. Many schools find that at this time they have money left over and will open a “Late Call” for applications for 2-3 weeks.
- Departmental “Flash” Reopenings: Small departments (e.g., the Faculty of Arts or niche Engineering branches) often reopen internal grants in July once they know their final student numbers for the year.
4. Monthly Awards That “One-Click” Back Again
If you need immediate “top-up” funding, then these platforms are opening their applications on the first day of each month.
- Bold.org & ScholarshipOwl – These include “No-Essay” and “Monthly” scholarships that become available every 30 days. For example, the Bulkthreads.com “Let’s Aim Higher” ($515) scholarship has a window that resets frequently. The current deadline is June 16, 2026.
- • Be Bold Scholarship: This is a monthly recurring scholarship. If you did not win in April, your profile will automatically roll over, or you can reapply for the May 2026 window.
5. Summary: Reopening dates to follow
- May 5, 2026 CFA Institute Access Scholarship (Cycle 2) opens
- • Aston University International Community Scholarship (Round 1) opens/closes 10 May 2026
- • Glasgow University ASBS Global Impact Scholarship, Second Deadline May 18, 2026
- June 3, 2026: Deadline for Cycle 2 of the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS).
- Monthly (1st of every month) Reset for “No-Essay” and platform-based monthly grants.
Conclusion: The “Portal Watch” Methodology
The secret to late-season cash in 2026 is perseverance. Reopened scholarships are usually less competitive because most students think the “season” is over by April. If you pay attention to these key dates and check out university portals in June, you could be accessing high-value funding that others have not.
