INSEAD Scholarships: How to Apply & Maximize Your Chances

Seize the opportunity of a lifetime by availing your golden ticket to one of the most renowned business schools in the world with an INSEAD scholarship. INSEAD offers over 110+ scholarship funds, recognising both merit and genuine financial need. With around 40% of the MBA class receiving aid and an average award of €22,200, these scholarships truly make access possible regardless of your income or location. 

This is why the school has a broad portfolio of merit- and need-based scholarships, intended to capture the best talent from around the world. Such financial opportunities are not limited to easing the financial burden. This is how INSEAD ensures that people like you can obtain a world-class education, regardless of your financial status.  

If you’ve been accepted to the January 2026 intake (Class of December 2026), you’ll also be automatically considered for many of these awards. It does not matter whether you are a mid-career professional in Mumbai, the founder of a startup in Sao Paulo, or a consultant in Manchester; there is probably a scholarship pathway that suits your profile and background. 

Types of Scholarships Available at INSEAD

INSEAD’s scholarship landscape is refreshingly diverse, designed to support candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. Scholarships are grouped into several categories- Need-Based, Merit & Leadership, Diversity / Special Profile, Geography-Based, Women’s Scholarships, and Sustainability & Social Impact. They aim to address financial hardship, recognise leadership potential, highlight under-represented profiles, and reward social impact and sustainability commitments.

Students may receive up to two INSEAD scholarships and typically should apply for no more than five. Internal scholarships are awarded through INSEAD’s admissions process, while external scholarships come from external partners and require separate applications.

Below are the key scholarships in each category available to MBA applicants.

1. Geography-Based

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount	Application Format
El Wakil-Lahham Scholarships	Citizens of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Turkey; preference for Egyptian nationals and women	Up to €25,000	Apply via the INSEAD Middle East Scholarship form; include essays (~250 words on relevance + objectives, ~300 words on finances, ~250 words on leadership in the region)
MBA Endowed Scholarship for Mauritius	Mauritian nationals; intent to return home preferred; financial need	Approx. €20,000-€25,000	Financial Aid application; essay
Saïd Foundation Scholarship Fund for Syrian and Palestinian MBA Students	Syrian/Palestinian nationality; need preferred	Up to 100% of tuition	Financial Aid application; essay
Ian Potter '93D and Family Endowed Asia Scholarship	Asian nationals; financial need; preference for candidates from developing countries and Singaporeans	Approx. €15,000-€20,000	Financial Aid (Diversity) form; essay

2. Financial Need Scholarships 

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount	Application Format
INSEAD Financial Aid Award	Financially challenged candidates; preference for those from emerging economies	€8,000-€18,000	Financial Aid application; essay
INSEAD Diversity Scholarships	Candidates demonstrating significant difficulty in raising sufficient finances; priority to those with socio-economic disadvantage	Varies; based on need	Financial Aid application; supporting documents
INSEAD Bowden Scholarship for African Women	Female African women candidates; financial need	Minimum 50,000€	Financial Aid application; essay
INSEAD Aleph Scholarship	Jewish and Israeli students  demonstrating financial need	€15,000 - €20,000	Financial Aid application; essay

3. Women’s Scholarships 

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount	Application Format
INSEAD Women’s Scholarship	Meritorious female candidates	€18,000-€25,000	Submit application online; essay
INSEAD Women’s Scholarship Group	Meritorious female candidates	Awards from €15,000-€25,000	Submit application online
INSEAD MBA'81 Scholarship for Women	Female candidates; leadership potential; commitment to social impact	€50,000	Submit application online; interview
INSEAD Forté Fellowship	Female candidates demonstrating exemplary leadership	Varies; averages 10% of tuition fees	Submit application online; essay

4. Special Attributes Scholarships 

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount	Application Format
INSEAD Aleph Scholarship	Jewish and Israeli students; limited number of awards	€15,000-€20,000	Submit application online; essay
INSEAD Endowed Climate Change Scholarship	Candidates committed to addressing climate change	Varies; based on need and merit	Submit application online; essay
INSEAD Alumni of Switzerland Scholarship for Swiss Tech Entrepreneur Candidates	Swiss candidates with a Strong Technology Educational background that demonstrate the potential to become leading Tech Entrepreneurs	€40,000	Submit application online
INSEAD Bischoff Family Endowed Scholarship	Candidates from countries bordering South Africa and Southeast Asia (except Korea and Japan)	Varies; based on need	Submit application online; essay

5. Merit & Leadership Scholarships 

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount	Application Format
INSEAD Diversity Scholarships	Candidates with diverse backgrounds or financial needs	€13,000	Application via INSEAD Scholarship Portal
INSEAD Andreas Lehmann MBA'83J Scholarship	Outstanding academic records & professional accomplishments	€20,000	Automatic consideration via admission
INSEAD Asia Enterprise Fund Scholarship(s)	Support candidates on the Asia Campus who would consider building a career in Asia	€10,000	Application via INSEAD Scholarship Portal
INSEAD Syngenta Endowed Scholarship	Nationals of developing countries with financial need	€22,500	Online application with essays

6. Sustainability & Social Impact Scholarships 

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount	Application Format
INSEAD Endowed Climate Change Scholarship	Demonstrated commitment to climate initiatives.	€20,000	Application via INSEAD Scholarship Portal
INSEAD Hoffmann Institute Impact Internship Stipend	Students who pursue a summer internship in the public, not-for-profit sectors, or for-profit impact ventures with a clearly defined social or environmental purpose aligned with INSEAD’s mission of making a positive difference in the world	€1,500/month	Application via mail: social.enterprise.awards@insead.edu
INSEAD Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (Sylff)	Students showing strong motivation for community involvement, social engagement and/or social enterprise.	€40,000	Application via INSEAD Scholarship Portal

To view the exact scholarship and financial aid application deadlines, please visit the Financial Aid Calendar on the INSEAD website. It outlines all key dates by intake and round, including opening dates, submission deadlines, decision notifications, and final awards.

Common Struggles Applicants Face with Scholarships 

• Not knowing when to apply: Should you apply before admission or after? The answer is: to access most of INSEAD's scholarships, you must apply with your admission application, not afterwards so it would be the same deadline as for the round you are applying to. 

• Confusion between need‑based vs. merit‑based: It isn't just about money; merit can include leadership, international exposure, or country‑specific profiles. Misunderstanding this can dilute your case. 

• Crafting a strong scholarship essay: Many feel lost on where to start. Should you highlight hardship, achievements, or future goals? Knowing how to balance them is key. 

• Worrying, "Am I deserving enough?": It's common to underestimate your potential contribution. INSEAD wants impact, clarity, and authenticity, not perfection. 

Strategic Tips from Leadearly 

INSEAD offers one of the most diverse scholarship portfolios of any business school, catering to candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities, and career paths. Applying well, however, is about more than filling in forms. This is where Sadaf Raza, Leadearly’s award-winning INSEAD admissions expert with a 98% success rate, can make the difference. Having won an INSEAD merit scholarship herself, Sadaf has helped countless candidates secure funding by identifying what truly makes them stand out and then presenting it in a way that resonates with INSEAD’s selection committees. 

Leadearly scholarship guidance focuses on crafting narratives that resonate with scholarship committees. Rather than simply listing achievements, Sadaf helps you weave together your experiences into a compelling story that demonstrates both your potential and your alignment with INSEAD's values. 

The results speak volumes: Leadearly clients have secured scholarships at top European business schools, with many receiving multiple funding offers. This success stems from Leadearly’s application tips that go beyond surface-level advice to help you understand what scholarship committees truly value. 

Leadearly clients are more likely to receive MBA funding because of the quality of their MBA application with a focus on strategic positioning . Sadaf's approach helps you present your story in a way that makes it difficult for committees to overlook your potential, regardless of your GMAT score or traditional credentials. 

Mistakes Applicants Make in Scholarship Essays 

• Writing about financial need without demonstrating future potential ranks as the most common mistake. Explaining your financial constraints is sufficient, but scholarship committees want to see how funding will amplify your impact, not just solve your money problems. 

• Copying and pasting content from your admission essays into scholarship applications creates another red flag. Each document serves a different purpose and requires tailored messaging. Your scholarship essay needs to specifically address why funding matters and how it connects to your goals. 

• Failing to link your personal story to INSEAD's mission represents a missed opportunity. You might craft a beautiful narrative about your background, but if it doesn't connect to INSEAD's values of diversity, excellence, and global impact, it won't resonate with the committee. 

• Generic essays that could apply to any business school show a lack of research and genuine interest. INSEAD has a distinctive culture and approach- your scholarship application should reflect your understanding of and excitement about joining this specific community. 

• Starting your application journey with a clear roadmap of INSEAD’s MBA rounds, decision dates, and funding insights can sharpen your strategy; the INSEAD MBA Deadlines 2026-2027 guide provides an invaluable timeline and planning framework for prospective applicants. 

Important Update for January 2026 Applicants 

Please note that INSEAD has extended the Round 4 deadline for the January 2026 intake and reopened scholarship applications for this final round, doubling the number of opportunities available. This is a significant change from the usual policy where Round 4 candidates typically have no access to scholarship applications. 

Securing a scholarship at INSEAD requires a strategic approach, and your story must align perfectly with the school's core values. It's not just about having impressive credentials or genuine financial need. It's about presenting yourself as someone who will contribute meaningfully to the INSEAD experience and use that education to create a positive impact. 

Sadaf Raza from Leadearly helps applicants navigate this complex process with a clear, strategic approach that transforms your scholarship application from a simple request for funding into a compelling case for investment in your potential. Her unique combination of being an Interviewer for INSEAD Business School in London, her personal scholarship experience, and deep understanding of what makes applications successful gives candidates she works with, a significant advantage. Your scholarship journey starts with understanding that funding isn't charity - it's an investment in future leaders who will represent INSEAD's values globally. If you're ready to take the lead early in your MBA journey, explore your options and apply now to begin your path toward an INSEAD scholarship. 

FAQs 

1. When should I apply for INSEAD scholarships, before or after admission? 

You must apply at the same time as your admission application; INSEAD does not accept scholarship applications after admission decisions have been made. 

2. Can international students with mid‑level experience win INSEAD scholarships? 

Absolutely. INSEAD's merit-based awards value leadership potential and diversity. Those with mid-level experience and strong narratives about impact or growth make for competitive applicants. 

3. Do scholarship committees at INSEAD prioritise social impact or financial hardship? 

Both matters, but committees look for proof of potential, not just hardship. If you show real impact, leadership, and alignment with INSEAD's mission, you'll appeal to both need‑ and merit‑based evaluators. 

4. How much is the typical scholarship award, and what does it depend on? 

The typical INSEAD scholarship award ranges from approximately €8,000 to €25,000, although some can be higher or lower. The amount depends on factors such as the specific scholarship type, the candidate’s financial need, academic and professional achievements, leadership potential, and the availability of funds for that year. 

5. Are there industry-specific scholarships offered by INSEAD? 

Yes. INSEAD offers industry-linked scholarships, such as the Hinrich Foundation Scholarship, which is awarded to participants with at least five years of experience in global trade and a strong interest in Asia-linked sustainable trade, providing €30,000 each. 

6. Does INSEAD offer scholarships for specific nationalities or regions? 

Yes. INSEAD provides scholarships tailored by geography and region, e.g., the Bischoff Family Endowed Scholarship for candidates from Southern Africa and Southeast Asia and multiple regional awards such as the MBA Endowed Scholarship for Mauritius and Syngenta Endowed Scholarships for Emerging Country Leadership. 

7. Does INSEAD offer scholarships specifically for women? 

Absolutely. INSEAD has dedicated women’s funding such as the Forté Foundation Fellowship, which supports outstanding female candidates with leadership potential and awards between €10,000 and €20,000. Other scholarships offered to women include the INSEAD Women’s Scholarship, INSEAD’s Women Scholarship Group and INSEAD MBA’81 Scholarship for Women.