Chevening, other foreign scholarships for Nigerians in August 2026: how to apply

Nigerians seeking international study opportunities have several major scholarship programmes opening or accepting applications from August 2026 through the end of the year.

Among the most anticipated are the United Kingdom’s Chevening Scholarships, the Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project organised by the Global Universities Association, and the Knight-Hennessy Scholars programme at Stanford University in the United States.

Another opportunity, the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme of the U.S. Department of State, closes on July 31, making it the earliest deadline for eligible professionals.

Below is a guide to the major international scholarships, their application timelines, eligibility requirements and how Nigerians can apply.

What it covers: Full tuition, monthly living allowance, return economy flights, arrival and departure allowances, and visa costs.

1. Register on the Chevening online application system via your country page during the window.
2. Complete the eligibility checker.
3. Note your unique access code (save it securely).
4. Fill sections: Personal/immigration details, education & work history (up to 15 entries each; system calculates work hours), three UK course choices, two referees, and four essay questions (leadership, networking, study choice, career plans).
5. Submit before the deadline. Save progress regularly (session times out after 15 minutes inactivity).

Timeline Highlights:

• Applications sift: October 2026 onward.
• Interviews: March–April 2027.
• Results: Mid-June 2027.
• Studies begin: September/October 2027.

Prepare essays in a separate document first. Check chevening.org for full guidance and country-specific pages.