Fully Funded Master Scholarship in Europe

The Open Society Foundations works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. Through The Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA), they provide fully-funded scholarships for master’s degree study for individuals who clearly demonstrate academic and professional excellence and a deep commitment to leading positive social change in their communities.The scholarship programs are committed to equal opportunity, and exercise that policy in relation to all admissions processes. CSLA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, or disability.

The scholarships are offered within the following fields:

[1] Communications, Journalism & Media

[2] Culture, History & Society

[3] Development Studies

[4] Economics

[5] Education Management & Leadership

[6] Environment & Natural Resource Management

[7] Gender Studies

[8] Human Rights

[9] Law (including Human Rights law)

[10] Politics & International Studies

[11] Public Health Policy & Health Management

[12]  Public Administration

[13] Public Policy

[14] Social Work

[15] Social Policy

The successful candidates will be accepted in host universities across France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom, and the United States, depending on the program they choose.

Eligibility criteria:

[1] Be a citizen of an eligible country.

[2] Demonstrate maturity, flexibility, and civil society leadership potential.

[3] Have an earned bachelor's degree as of May 15, 2018 with an excellent academic record.

[4] Demonstrate professional experience related to your chosen field of study.

[5] Demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction (English, German or French) at a level required for admission by host universities.

[6] Be able to participate in an intensive pre-academic summer school in July or August 2019 and start their degree program in August or September 2019.

[7] Be able to receive and maintain a visa or study permit as required by the host country.

[8] Demonstrate a clear commitment to their home country or region to strengthen open society development.

Selection is based on an applicant’s fit with the program’s objectives as well as the graduate admissions criteria of the participating universities. Academic excellence, professional aptitude, leadership potential in the field of specialization, proven commitment to open society values, and appropriate language proficiency are all important factors in evaluation. Noncompetitive and ineligible applicants will be notified in late June. Those chosen to continue will be sent out for external review and notified of their results in early September, and will be invited to an interview to be scheduled in late September or October. Semi-finalists are required to secure two letters of recommendation which must be submitted directly to CSLA by referees by October 1, 2018. 

The CSLA will fully fund the program, including the travel fees, tuition fees, participation fees for all the additional activities and conferences, accommodation, monthly stipend for all living expenses, and accident and sickness insurance.