๐Ÿ”ด Priority Zero UCL Sparck AI โ€” deadline May 1, 2026 (17:00 BST) ยท No work-exp required ยท Apply now โ†— ยท MEXT Japan Embassy window opens April 2026 โ€” start Research Plan now ยท โš  Fulbright & Chevening blocked โ€” work experience requirements not met yet
๐ŸŽ“ MPP Sem 2 โ†’ World-Class AI Policy Programs

Your Map to Global
AI Policy Study

10 programs ยท 7 countries ยท fully funded routes ยท direct links to apply.
Research compiled February 2026 for Vikas, Jindal Global University.

See the Full Map โ†’ When to Apply

๐Ÿ“– All links go to official program and scholarship pages

10
Programs
7
Countries
6
Fully Funded Routes
2027
Your Start Year
The Full Map

All Routes at a Glance

Every program, matched to its best scholarship. Read left to right โ€” country โ†’ program โ†’ scholarship โ†’ what it covers.

YOU (MPP Sem 2, Jindal) โ€” Graduating May/June 2027 โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต JAPAN โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€ Rikkyo Univ, Graduate School of AI & Science โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€ MEXT Scholarship โ†’ ยฅ143k/mo + full tuition [ APPLY: Apr 2026 ] โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท KOREA โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€ KDI School of Public Policy โ€” Master of Data Science (MDS) โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€ Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) โ†’ โ‚ฉ1M/mo + full tuition [ Apr 2026 ] โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ USA โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ฌ CMU Heinz โ€” MSPPM Data Analytics / AIM / MS-DSPP โ”‚ โ”œ Harvard Kennedy School โ€” MPP (IGA Track) โ”‚ โ”” Georgetown McCourt โ€” MPP / MS-DSPP โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€ Fulbright-Nehru Master's โ†’ ~$2k/mo + full tuition [ APPLY: May 2026 ] โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง UK โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ฌ UCL โ€” MPA Digital Technologies & Policy โ”‚ โ”œ Oxford Blavatnik โ€” MPP (Digital Policy & AI spec.) โ”‚ โ”” LSE โ€” MPA Data Science for Public Policy โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ Chevening โ†’ full tuition + ยฃ1.1k/mo [ Aug 2026 ] โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ Commonwealth (via India MoE) โ†’ full tuition [ Sep 2026 ] โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€ Sparck AI Scholarship (UCL) โ†’ tuition + ยฃ22k [ CHECK NOW ] โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช GERMANY โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ฌ Hertie School โ€” MPP (Digital Governance spec.) โ”‚ โ”” Willy Brandt School โ€” MPP (Digital Policy & AI spec.) โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€ DAAD Helmut Schmidt โ†’ full tuition + โ‚ฌ992/mo [ Junโ€“Jul 2026 ] โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช EUROPE โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ฌ EMILDAI โ€” MA Law, Data & AI (Dublin/Rotterdam/Brazil) โ”‚ โ”” EMAI โ€” Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in AI (Barcelona) โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€ Erasmus Mundus Cat A โ†’ full tuition + โ‚ฌ1,400/mo [ Nov 2026 ] โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ SINGAPORE โ”€โ”€ NUS Lee Kuan Yew School โ€” MPP / MPA / MIA โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€ Hinrich Trade Scholar + NUS merit [ Watch 2027 ] โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€ ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ AUSTRALIA โ”€โ”€ ANU Crawford โ€” Master of Technology Governance โ””โ”€โ”€ JJ/WBGSP (World Bank) + ANU internal [ Rolling ]
๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Japan

Rikkyo University โ€” Graduate School of AI & Science

One of the only universities in the world where a Master's in AI mandates ELSI (Ethical, Legal & Social Implications) as a core subject โ€” not an elective. Perfect intersection of AI + governance.

๐Ÿง 
FULLY FUNDED ยท MEXT

Master of Artificial Intelligence Sciences

2 years ยท Ikebukuro, Tokyo ยท English track ยท April & October intakes
  • ELSI of Artificial Intelligence โ€” mandatory core, unique globally
  • Ethics on Advanced Scientific Technology
  • AI and Society โ€” governance & social design
  • Research in AI Sciences (faculty supervised)
  • Natural science + social science dual lens
Program page โ†—
๐Ÿ’ด
MEXT โ€” What You Receive

Full Coverage, Every Year

ยฅ144,000
per month (~โ‚น80,000) + 100% tuition waived
  • Round-trip airfare India โ†” Tokyo
  • Japanese national health insurance
  • Research allowances
  • Total value: ~โ‚น20โ€“21 lakh/year for 2 years

Backup: Rikkyo Promising Future Scholarship โ€” apply simultaneously at admission

MEXT Embassy India โ†—
MEXT Step-by-Step

Embassy Recommendation Route โ€” Full Process

STEP 1 โ”‚ April 2026 โ€” Embassy of Japan, New Delhi opens MEXT applications โ”‚ Download forms โ†’ https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/scholarship.html โ”‚ Documents needed: โ”‚ โ—† MEXT Application Form (download from embassy) โ”‚ โ—† Field of Study & Research Plan โ† MOST IMPORTANT (2โ€“3 pages) โ”‚ Write it around: "AI Governance in Indo-Pacific Policy Frameworks" โ”‚ โ—† Transcripts: BA + current MPP (+ Jindal enrollment certificate) โ”‚ โ—† 2 Letters of Recommendation (academic, AI policy focus) โ”‚ โ—† Medical Health Certificate โ”‚ โ—† Valid Passport copy โ”‚ STEP 2 โ”‚ May 2026 โ€” Submit to Embassy before deadline โ”‚ โ˜… DO NOW: Email a Rikkyo faculty member working on AI ethics/governance โ”‚ Faculty list โ†’ https://english.rikkyo.ac.jp/academics/graduate/artificial_intelligence_and_science.html โ”‚ One faculty member who informally agrees = dramatically stronger application โ”‚ STEP 3 โ”‚ Mayโ€“July 2026 โ€” Embassy Primary Screening โ”‚ Written exam: English proficiency + General Aptitude โ”‚ Personal interview at Embassy of Japan, New Delhi โ”‚ STEP 4 โ”‚ Julyโ€“August 2026 โ€” Embassy Nominates You to MEXT Tokyo โ”‚ โ†’ Contact Rikkyo Intl Center for Letter of Provisional Acceptance โ”‚ Rikkyo Intl โ†’ https://english.rikkyo.ac.jp/ โ”‚ STEP 5 โ”‚ November 2026 โ€” MEXT Announces Final Scholars List โ”‚ STEP 6 โ”‚ April 2027 โ€” You arrive in Tokyo ๐ŸŽŒ โ””โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea

KDI School โ€” Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Korea Development Institute's school offers one of the only degrees in the world entirely dedicated to data science applied to public policy โ€” combined with the Global Korea Scholarship, which has 78 India-specific seats annually.

๐Ÿ“Š
MDS Program

KDI School, Sejong City

~1.5 years ยท Trimester ยท 36+ credits ยท 100% English
  • AI and Machine Learning applied to policy
  • Data Analytics for Public Management
  • Policy Evaluation with quantitative data
  • Translating complex data into governance decisions
MDS Program โ†—
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
FULLY FUNDED ยท Global Korea Scholarship

78 Seats Reserved for India

University Track (50 seats) + Embassy Track (28 seats)
  • Full tuition, all years
  • โ‚ฉ1,000,000/month (~โ‚น62โ€“65k)
  • Round-trip airfare to Korea
  • Korean language training (waivable for English-track programs)
  • Health insurance + settlement allowances
GKS Official Page โ†—

โฐ GKS official notice: ~March 2026 ยท Embassy Track: Korean Embassy New Delhi ยท Deadline: ~April 2026

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States

Three Perfect Programs โ€” One Scholarship Route

The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship is your single key โ€” it unlocks any eligible US university. Apply once, get placed at CMU, Harvard, or Georgetown.

๐Ÿšซ
FULBRIGHT-NEHRU โ€” ELIGIBILITY BLOCKED (2026/27)
Requires 3 years of full-time paid professional work by application deadline (USIEF official). Not enough time post-graduation. Come back in 2029/30 after accruing work experience.
โšก FULBRIGHT-NEHRU MASTER'S FELLOWSHIP (BLOCKED โ€” 3yr work req)
~$2,000โ€“2,500/month + full tuition
Round-trip airfare ยท US health insurance ยท book allowance ยท Total value: $60โ€“90k
๐Ÿ”ด Deadline ~May 15, 2026
Apply at usief.org.in โ†—
FULBRIGHT-NEHRU โ€” HOW THE PROCESS WORKS Feb 2026 โ†’ usief.org.in portal opens (may already be open โ€” CHECK TODAY) May 2026 โ†’ Application deadline (~May 15) โ€” submit at https://www.usief.org.in Aug 2026 โ†’ USIEF written test: Verbal + Analytical reasoning Sep 2026 โ†’ Panel interviews with USIEF selection committee Nov 2026 โ†’ Final Fulbright selections announced Jan 2027 โ†’ Fulbright assists with university applications (CMU, Harvard, Georgetown) Aug 2027 โ†’ Begin studies in the USA What Fulbright Covers: โœ“ Full tuition (arranged with university โ€” no cap) โœ“ Monthly stipend: ~$2,000โ€“2,500 (city-indexed) โœ“ Round-trip economy airfare India โ†” USA โœ“ Comprehensive US health insurance โœ“ Book + incidental allowances + baggage allowance Eligibility: โœ“ Indian citizen โœ“ Bachelor's or higher degree (your MPP in progress counts โ€” apply as final year) โœ“ No prior Fulbright award โœ— GRE not required by Fulbright (check specific university requirements)
BEST FIT ยท AI + Policy

CMU Heinz College

Pittsburgh ยท World's #1 CS school next door ยท STEM designated
MSPPM Data Analytics MS-AIM MS-DSPP
  • Responsible AI: Principles, Policies, Practices (94-885)
  • Generative AI: Applications & Governance (94-816)
  • Machine Learning for Public Policy Lab (94-489)
  • AI Engineering for Policy & Climate (90-746)
  • Introduction to AI (95-891) ยท Operationalizing AI (94-879)
MSPPM-DA โ†— Aid & Scholarships โ†—
PRESTIGIOUS

Harvard Kennedy School

Cambridge, MA ยท 12โ€“15% acceptance ยท 2 years
  • MPP โ€” IGA (Int'l & Global Affairs) concentration
  • IGA-550: Policy & Geopolitics of AI โ€” taught by Jake Sullivan
  • Science and Technology Policy focus
  • Carr Center, Belfer Center fellowships available
  • Tuition: ~$63k/year
MPP Program โ†— Financial Aid โ†—
STEM DESIGNATED ยท DC

Georgetown McCourt

Washington DC ยท STEM OPT eligible ยท 2 years ยท 48 credits
  • PPOL 6814: Policy Issues of Big Data & AI
  • PPOL 6707: Disruption, Innovation & Democracy
  • McCourt Scholar Award: full tuition + stipend (few seats)
  • TPP Scholars: up to $35k + paid research assistantship
  • Also: MS-DSPP (data science for policy)
MPP Program โ†— TPP Scholars โ†—
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง United Kingdom

Three Programs ยท Three Scholarship Routes

UK has the richest scholarship ecosystem for you. Chevening and Commonwealth both give full funding to any UK master's. Sparck AI is explicitly for AI+policy. Apply to all three simultaneously.

UK SCHOLARSHIP DECISION TREE You (Indian citizen, MPP grad 2027) โ”‚ โ”Œโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ผโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ” โ–ผ โ–ผ โ–ผ CHEVENING COMMONWEALTH SPARCK AI (FCO/FCDO) (UK โ†” India MoE) (UCL only) Augโ€“Nov 2026 Sepโ€“Oct 2026 Oct 2025โ€“Jun 2026 Full tuition Full tuition Full tuition ยฃ1.1โ€“1.3k/month ยฃ1,236/month + ยฃ22,780 stipend Any UK uni Any UK uni UCL MPA only โ”‚ โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ฌโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”˜ โ–ผ Apply to 3 UK universities simultaneously: 1. UCL โ€” MPA Digital Technologies & Policy 2. Oxford โ€” Blavatnik MPP (Digital Policy & AI spec.) 3. LSE โ€” MPA Data Science for Public Policy
FULLY FUNDED ยท UCL

MPA Digital Technologies & Policy

1 year ยท London ยท Overseas tuition ~ยฃ39โ€“43k
  • Emerging Dilemmas in Digital Technology Policy (core)
  • Foundations in Digital Technologies and Policy (core)
  • Analytic Methods for Policy + Evidence for Decision Making
  • Optional: Digital Rights, Applied Data Science, Science Diplomacy
  • MPA Group Project or Individual Project
Sparck AI Scholarship: Full tuition + ยฃ22,780 stipend ยท Window closes May 1, 2026 (17:00 BST)
UCL MPA โ†— Sparck AI โ†—
PRESTIGIOUS ยท OXFORD

Blavatnik School โ€” MPP

1 year ยท Oxford ยท ~8โ€“10% acceptance ยท ยฃ36โ€“38k/year
  • Digital Policy & AI specialisation within Applied Policy modules
  • AI ethics and algorithmic governance
  • Data governance + digital inclusion
  • Platform economies, smart cities, e-government
  • Oxford Programme for Cyber & Technology Policy (OxCTP)
Blavatnik MPP โ†— Oxford Scholarships โ†—
DATA-FIRST ยท LSE

MPA Data Science for Public Policy

2 years ยท London ยท Built around data from day 1 ยท ~ยฃ30โ€“33k/year
  • Pre-sessional: Python + maths bootcamp (funded)
  • Year 1: Data Science for Public Policy (core)
  • PP415: Technology, Data and Policy โ€” AI, governance, law lens (mandatory Y2)
  • 6-month Capstone: real policy project for external client + code
  • Electives from Statistics, Methodology, Mathematics depts
LSE MPA โ†— LSE Funding โ†—
๐Ÿ†

Chevening Scholarship BLOCKED โ€” Work Exp

  • Full tuition (no cap) at any UK uni
  • ยฃ1,100โ€“1,300/month living stipend
  • Round-trip airfare + visa fee
  • Apply to 3 UK unis concurrently
  • Need 2 yrs (2,800 hrs) work experience
Chevening India โ†—
๐Ÿค
Govt-to-Govt ยท India MoE First

Commonwealth Master's Scholarship

  • Full tuition + ยฃ1,236/month + airfare
  • Apply via India MoE SAKSHAT portal first
  • MoE portal opens ~Sep 2026
  • MoE nomination deadline ~Oct 14, 2026
CSC UK โ†— SAKSHAT Portal โ†—
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany

Hertie & Willy Brandt โ€” DAAD Helmut Schmidt

Both schools have a dedicated Digital Policy + AI specialisation. Both are DAAD Helmut Schmidt partners โ€” one scholarship application window (Jun 1โ€“Jul 31, 2026) covers both.

DAAD HELMUT SCHMIDT PROGRAMME โ€” WHAT IT COVERS
โ‚ฌ992/mo
monthly stipend (~โ‚น88,000)
100%
tuition waived
4 months
funded German language course before degree
+ extras
health insurance, round-trip, rent subsidy
๐Ÿ“… Apply: Jun 1 โ€“ Jul 31, 2026 ยท directly to participating universities
DAAD Official โ†—
DAAD ยท DIGITAL GOVERNANCE SPEC.

Hertie School, Berlin

2 years ยท 100% English ยท ~โ‚ฌ16k/year tuition
  • Governance and Politics of AI โ€” Prof. Joanna Bryson (AI ethics & governance)
  • Tech Companies & Public Interest: Regulating Social Media โ€” Prof. Daniela Stockmann
  • Individual and Collective Intelligence: Biology & Technology
  • Policy Process: Digital Governance & Platform Regulation
  • Certificate in Digital Governance (bonus credential)
  • Also: Digital Governance Scholarship โ‚ฌ37,500 (2 seats, apply Dec 2026)
Apply to Hertie โ†— Centre for Digital Gov โ†—
DAAD ยท MOST GLOBAL COHORT

Willy Brandt School, Erfurt

2 years ยท 120 ECTS ยท 100% English ยท Integrated German courses
  • Choose specialisation: Digital Policy and Artificial Intelligence
  • Mandatory core: Fundamentals of Public Policy, Ethics in Public Policy, Research Design
  • Deliberately global, development-focused cohort
  • Highest proportion of DAAD scholarship students of all partner schools
Willy Brandt MPP โ†— DAAD at WBS โ†—
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ Europe โ€” Erasmus Mundus

EMILDAI & EMAI โ€” โ‚ฌ1,400/month + Full Tuition

Erasmus Mundus Category A (for non-EU students) is one of the most generous scholarship packages in the world. EMILDAI (Law+Data+AI) is the best fit for policy. EMAI (technical AI) is the best if you want hard ML skills.

EMILDAI โ€” MOBILITY TRACKS (Choose at application) Year 1 (all tracks): Dublin City University, Ireland โ€” Foundations of Law, Data & AI โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ Track A โ€” Data Governance โ”‚ Year 2: Universitat Autรณnoma de Barcelona, Spain [French/Spanish required] โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ Track B โ€” Cybersecurity โ”‚ Year 2: Universitร  di Pisa, Italy [Italian/Spanish required] โ”‚ โ”œโ”€โ”€ Track C โ€” Fundamental Rights & Sustainability โ† BEST FOR YOU (English only) โ”‚ Year 2: Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands โ”‚ Focus: AI governance, human rights law, sustainability regulation โ”‚ โ””โ”€โ”€ Track D โ€” Global Digital Regulation โ† ALSO GOOD (English only) Year 2: Fundaรงรฃo Getulio Vargas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Focus: Global AI regulation โ€” India-origin + Global South lens is valuable here Courses at DCU (Year 1, all tracks): โ—† Foundations of Law and Data Regulation โ—† AI Ethics and Algorithmic Governance โ—† Digital Sovereignty and Human Rights โ—† Machine Learning and Society โ—† EU and Global Data Governance โ—† Cybersecurity and Data Protection โ—† Legal Clinic / Policy Internship + Master's Thesis (Year 2)
ERASMUS MUNDUS ยท FULLY FUNDED

EMILDAI โ€” Law, Data & AI

2 years ยท 120 ECTS ยท Dublin + 1 European/global city ยท English (Tracks C & D)
โ‚ฌ1,400/month
non-taxable ยท 24 months = โ‚ฌ33,600 total in stipends alone
  • Full tuition waived across all partner universities
  • Health + accident insurance
  • Mobility, travel & installation allowances
  • Visa fees contribution
  • Application fee: โ‚ฌ50
Apply to EMILDAI โ†— Programme Details โ†—
ERASMUS MUNDUS ยท FULLY FUNDED
โš  EMAI Prerequisites Not Met: Requires 12 ECTS each in Mathematics, Programming, and Computer Science/Engineering (from an ICT/Engineering/Maths degree). A standard BA/MPP background triggers automatic rejection. Apply to EMILDAI instead.

EMAI โ€” Erasmus Mundus AI CS Prereqs Required

2 years ยท UPF Barcelona + Finland/France/Czech Republic
  • Technical AI: ML, deep learning, AI systems
  • Social impact and governance tracks (elective)
  • โ‚ฌ1,400/month + full tuition + insurance + travel
  • Choose EMAI for hard AI skills, then pivot to policy
  • Choose EMILDAI for law + governance focus

Application window (2027โ€“29 cohort): ~Novemberโ€“December 2026

EMAI Program โ†—

Your target cohort: 2027โ€“2029. Applications open ~November 2026. Scholarship round deadline ~January 2027. Admission: IELTS 6.5+, BA in law/poli sci/CS/related (your MPP qualifies).

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Singapore ยท ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia

Asia-Pacific โ€” Proximity to Indo-Pacific Policy

NUS ยท ASIA'S BEST POLICY SCHOOL

Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

MPP (2yr) ยท MPA (1yr) ยท MIA (2yr) ยท Singapore ยท English
  • PP5546: AI and Governance โ€” Policy Challenges & Opportunities (MIA elective)
  • Python + R for big data policy analysis throughout MPP
  • Singapore = hub for Indo-Pacific AI governance policy
  • National AI Strategy + AI Governance Lab proximity
  • Hinrich Global Trade Leader Scholarship: full tuition for MIA (watch for 2027 cycle)
MPP โ†— Scholarships โ†—
ANU CRAWFORD ยท UNIQUE DEGREE

Master of Technology Governance

ANU Crawford School ยท Canberra ยท 1.5โ€“2 years
  • LAWS8405: Artificial Intelligence, Law and Society
  • REGN8049: Regulating Disruptive Technologies
  • REGN8014: Contemporary Issues in Technology Governance
  • LAWS8077: Cyber Law ยท INFS7040: Digital Transformation
  • Scholarship: JJ/WBGSP (Joint Japan/World Bank) โ€” covers tuition + living
Program โ†— JJ/WBGSP โ†—
Master Timeline

When to Do Exactly What

From today (Feb 2026) to program start (Sept/Oct 2027). Colour-coded by urgency.

MASTER APPLICATION TIMELINE โ€” Feb 2026 to Oct 2027 โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ•โ• 2026 โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€ FEBโ€“MAR [๐Ÿ”ด URGENT] โ”‚ โ—† Go to usief.org.in โ€” check if Fulbright-Nehru portal is OPEN now โ”‚ โ—† Begin writing MEXT Research Plan (takes weeks โ€” start today) โ”‚ โ—† Email 1 Rikkyo faculty member with a 1-page research outline โ”‚ โ—† Book IELTS/TOEFL if not done (target: IELTS 7.5+ or TOEFL 105+) โ”‚ โ—† Check UCL Sparck AI Scholarship (window closes May 1, 2026 (17:00 BST)) โ”‚ APRโ€“MAY [๐Ÿ”ด URGENT โ€” Japan + USA] โ”‚ โ—† MEXT Embassy application OPENS April โ€” submit before May deadline โ”‚ โ†’ https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/scholarship.html โ”‚ โ—† Fulbright-Nehru deadline: ~May 15 โ†’ https://www.usief.org.in โ”‚ โ—† GKS Korea: Embassy Track application opens ~Marchโ€“April โ”‚ โ†’ Korean Embassy New Delhi โ”‚ โ—† Request letters of recommendation from Jindal faculty NOW โ”‚ MAYโ€“JUN [๐ŸŸก PREPARE: Germany] โ”‚ โ—† DAAD Helmut Schmidt window: Jun 1 โ€“ Jul 31, 2026 โ”‚ Apply to Hertie โ†’ https://www.hertie-school.org/en/mpp/apply โ”‚ Apply to Willy Brandt โ†’ https://www.uni-erfurt.de/en/willy-brandt-school โ”‚ โ—† MEXT: Written exam + interview at Embassy of Japan, New Delhi (Junโ€“Jul) โ”‚ AUGโ€“SEP [๐ŸŸก UK Opens] โ”‚ โ—† Chevening applications open ~August โ†’ https://www.chevening.org/apply/ โ”‚ โ—† India MoE SAKSHAT portal opens ~Sep (Commonwealth route) โ”‚ โ†’ https://sakshat.ac.in/ โ”‚ โ—† Apply to UK universities directly: UCL, Oxford, LSE โ”‚ โ—† Contact Rikkyo for Letter of Provisional Acceptance (if MEXT shortlisted) โ”‚ OCTโ€“NOV [๐ŸŸก Big UK + Erasmus Deadlines] โ”‚ โ—† Chevening deadline: ~Octโ€“Nov 2026 โ”‚ โ—† Commonwealth/MoE deadline: ~Oct 14, 2026 via SAKSHAT portal โ”‚ โ—† MEXT final results announced: November 2026 โ”‚ โ—† Erasmus Mundus EMILDAI + EMAI rounds open ~November 2026 โ”‚ DEC 2026 โ€“ JAN 2027 [Germany final + Erasmus] โ”‚ โ—† Hertie MPP Early Bird: December 1, 2026 โ”‚ โ—† Hertie MPP Priority (non-EU): January 15, 2027 โ”‚ โ—† EMILDAI scholarship deadline: ~January 25, 2027 โ”‚ โ†’ https://www.emildai.eu/apply/ โ”‚ 2027 โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€ FEBโ€“MAY โ”‚ โ—† Chevening interviews (Febโ€“Apr); results May 2027 โ”‚ โ—† Georgetown + CMU admissions decisions โ”‚ โ—† Harvard Kennedy results โ”‚ โ—† Prepare for Jindal MPP dissertation submission + graduation โ”‚ MAYโ€“JUN โ”‚ โ—† Graduate from Jindal MPP โ€” collect official transcripts immediately โ”‚ AUGโ€“OCT โ””โ”€ Begin your chosen program abroad ๐ŸŒ
Scholarship Comparison

Every Scholarship โ€” Side by Side

Scholarship Country Tuition Monthly Airfare Insurance Deadline Urgency
Fulbright-Nehru ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ USA โœ“ Full ~$2,200 โœ“ โœ“ ~May 15, 2026 NOW
MEXT (Japan) ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ Japan โœ“ Full ยฅ143,000 โœ“ โœ“ Aprโ€“May 2026 NOW
GKS Korea ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท Korea โœ“ Full โ‚ฉ1,000,000 โœ“ โœ“ ~Apr 2026 NOW
Sparck AI (UCL) ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง UK โœ“ Full ยฃ22,780 total โ€“ โ€“ Jun 26, 2026 CHECK NOW
DAAD Helmut Schmidt ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany โœ“ Full โ‚ฌ992 โœ“ โœ“ Jul 31, 2026 Junโ€“Jul
Chevening ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง UK โœ“ Full ~ยฃ1,200 โœ“ โ€“ ~Nov 2026 Augโ€“Nov
Commonwealth ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง UK โœ“ Full ยฃ1,236 โœ“ โ€“ Oct 14, 2026 Sepโ€“Oct
Erasmus Mundus (EMILDAI) ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU โœ“ Full โ‚ฌ1,400 โœ“ โœ“ ~Jan 2027 Nov 2026
Erasmus Mundus (EMAI) ๐Ÿ‡ช๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ EU โœ“ Full โ‚ฌ1,400 โœ“ โœ“ ~Dec 2026 Nov 2026
NUS Hinrich (LKYSPP) ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Singapore โœ“ Full Varies โ€“ โ€“ Watch 2027 cycle Later
JJ/WBGSP (ANU) ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia โœ“ Full Included โ€“ โ€“ Rolling Rolling
McCourt Scholar (Georgetown) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ USA โœ“ Full + stipend โ€“ โœ“ Dec 1, 2026 Dec 2026
TPP Scholars (Georgetown) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ USA Up to $35k RA stipend โ€“ โ€“ With admission Later
Hertie Digital Gov. Schol. ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany โ‚ฌ37,500 total Partial โ€“ โ€“ Dec 1, 2026 Dec 2026
What to Build Now

Your Pre-Application Checklist

Academic Portfolio

  • Maintain strong GPA this semester โ€” every scholarship checks
  • Write 1 paper on AI governance โ†’ publish on SSRN, ORF, or CPR
  • Frame your MPP dissertation around AI policy โ€” it becomes your MEXT Research Plan
  • Identify your specific research question (e.g., "Algorithmic accountability frameworks in Indo-Pacific governance")
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Policy Credentials (for Chevening + DAAD)

  • Intern or volunteer at: ORF, CPR, CSEP, iSPIRT, IT for Change, NASSCOM Policy
  • Participate in MEITY / NITI Aayog AI working group consultations
  • Chevening needs 2 years (2,800 hrs) post-undergrad work โ€” document everything
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Documents to Prepare Now

  • Statement of Purpose (tailor per program + country)
  • MEXT Research Plan โ€” 2โ€“3 pages, specific AI policy research question
  • CV in academic format (education, research, internships, publications)
  • 2โ€“3 Letters of Recommendation โ€” ask Jindal faculty now, give 3 months
  • Writing sample: policy brief or research essay on AI governance
  • Official transcripts from all universities in English
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Language Tests

  • IELTS 7.5+ or TOEFL 105+ โ€” needed for UK, Germany, Europe, Singapore, Australia
  • Book the test now if not done โ€” results take 2โ€“3 weeks
  • JLPT N5 Japanese โ€” optional for MEXT but shows Embassy initiative
  • Fulbright: no specific test required at application stage