Often times raising funds to study abroad can be a tall order to crack if not planned well if not planned well. Between expensive tuition that is priced in foreign currency and living costs that keep climbing every year, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and probably give up the dream. 

However, it doesn’t always have to be most particularly if you are in STEM, which usually requires large funding for research. There are scholarships open for 2026 that can take a huge chunk of that pressure off.  

Here are 6 STEM scholarships still open for applications in 2026 that are worth your attention right now. 

/1. IMM Astronomy Scholarship 

Host: Bold.org (funded by Gary Imm, astrophotographer) 

Scholarship Duration: One-time award 

Who It's For: High school seniors and undergraduate students with a passion for Astronomy 

Location: Open internationally (platform-based in the US) 

Eligibility: Any undergraduate interested in and/or currently studying Astronomy, Astrophysics, Science, or Engineering. Students with a strong interest in Astronomy will be given preference. 

Benefits: $6,000 

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026. Winners will be announced on June 23, 2026.  

/2. Mark Caldwell Memorial STEM/STEAM Scholarship 

Host: Bold.org (funded by Rick Caldwell, in memory of Mark Caldwell) 

Scholarship Duration: One-time award 

Who It's For: First-generation, low-income high school seniors pursuing STEAM degrees 

Location: California or Ohio, USA 

Eligibility: Must be a low-income, first-generation high school senior in CA or OH with a minimum 3.0 GPA who plans to pursue a STEAM degree. Preference will be given to students from Springboro High School in OH or Woodlake Union High School in CA. Active involvement in F.I.R.S.T Robotics, Destination Imagination, or the maker community is a plus. 

Benefits: $1000 

Application Deadline: June 12, 2026. Winners will be announced on July 11, 2026

/3. Flight PS752 Commemorative Scholarship Program  

Host: Global Affairs Canada  

Scholarship Duration: 1 academic year (2026–2027), with option to reapply  

Who It's For: International and Canadian students studying at Canadian post-secondary institutions  

Location: Canada  

Eligibility: Applicants must be fully enrolled students at a recognized Canadian college or university, with plans to continue for at least two more academic terms.  

  • You need to have spent a minimum of one complete academic year in your current program before the deadline, or have previously finished another diploma or degree at a Canadian institution right before enrolling in your present one.  
  • You must also have a full year of study left before completing your program.  
  • Students already receiving funding through any Government of Canada scholarship are not eligible to apply.  
  • Canadian applicants must hold Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or protected person status under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act at the time of the deadline. International applicants must possess a valid Canadian Study Permit.  

Benefits: Scholarships average $25,000 and are intended to cover expenses for one school year. Roughly 70% of awards go to international applicants.  

Application Deadline: June 9, 2026. 

/4. MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship (MTNF STS)  

Host: MTN Foundation Nigeria  

Scholarship Duration: Annual, renewable until graduation (subject to academic performance)  

Who It's For: 300-level students in Science & Technology courses at Nigerian Public Tertiary Institutions  

Location: Nigeria  

Eligibility: Open to eligible 300-level students studying Science & Technology-related courses in Nigerian Public Tertiary Institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education). Also includes 400-level medical students in public tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals. Minimum CGPA of 3.5 for STS recipients.  

Benefits: 400 successful applicants will receive an annual scholarship award of ₦300,000. 

Application Deadline: Applications close on May 31, 2026. 

/5. Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarship 2026  

Host: Petroleum Technology Development Fund — a Federal Government of Nigeria agency  

Scholarship Duration: Annual, renewable through program completion  

Who It's For: Nigerian undergraduate and postgraduate students in oil, gas, and energy-related disciplines

Location: Nigeria (In-Country scheme) | UK, Germany, France, Malaysia (Overseas scheme)  

Eligibility: Open to Nigerians applying for 2026/27 Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD scholarships in Nigerian public universities only. Undergraduate applicants must have a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0, and be a 2nd year university student. Courses must align with oil, gas, geosciences, engineering, and related fields. Must have a National Identity Number (NIN).  

Benefits: Undergraduate students receive about ₦500,000 annually, while postgraduate students receive ₦700,000 annually, plus a laptop. The overseas scheme covers return flights, health insurance, tuition, and living allowances.  

Application Deadline: May 29, 2026, for the In-Country scheme and June 5, 2026, for the overseas scheme.  

/6. Sallie Mae® STEM Award (via MPOWER Financing)  

Host: MPOWER Financing (in partnership with Sallie Mae®)  

Scholarship Duration: Monthly rolling award  

Who It's For: Full-time STEM students at MPOWER-eligible US or Canadian schools

Location: United States or Canada  

Eligibility: This monthly essay scholarship is specifically designed to support students in STEM fields. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time degree program at an MPOWER-eligible U.S. or Canadian school. International students and DACA students are eligible.  

Benefits: $1,000 per month awarded to deserving STEM students. 

Application Deadline: Rolling/ongoing.