Public Scholarships for Indian Students 

Scholarships primarily aim to ease the lives of students and reduce their financial burden allowing them to concentrate on their passionate major. Scholarships are funded by both private bodies like private institutions and organizations, charities, NGOs, and MNC social welfare foundations and governments at both state levels like Post Matric Scholarship Bihar, Digital Gujarat Scholarship, Odisha Scholarship and central level including Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme, Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses, National Scholarship Scheme, etc.

While Reliance JIO Infocomm Limited Scholarships, CCB Welfare and Scholarship Scheme, Tata Trust Vocational Scholarship, Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship, etc. are private scholarships, governments, and government institutions also offer scholarships based on various criteria for the welfare of the youth of the Nation leading to the betterment of the Nation itself. Government scholarships are either merit-based or need-based and at times awarded based on social call. This article enlists and describes a few arbitrarily selected state-sponsored scholarships and scholarships in public universities, both regional and international for Indian students who are willing to pursue a course in Architecture. 

AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF)- Government Scholarships

AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) aims to foster a rich transfer of knowledge in AICTE-approved institutions or AICTE-affiliated Universities via funding for research and scholarships for research fellows. ADF intends to encourage doctoral research in the fields of Engineering & Technology, Management, Design, Planning,  Applied Arts, Crafts and Design, Hotel Management and Catering Technology, and Computer Application and the subsequent formation of collaborative knowledge societies in the respective fields in AICTE-approved institutions.

Either the student or the concerned university can approach AICTE ADF authorities or visit the AICTE ADF portal to apply for the scholarship given they fulfill the eligibility criteria. In addition to qualifying from graduate and post-graduate courses from the AICTE-recognized universities from their respective fields, they have to attempt and obtain pass percentages in the qualifying examinations like GATE/SRF for Engineering and Technology, GATE/NET for Planning and CEED/NET for Design. 

Under the scheme, the Junior Research Fellow obtains a scholarship amount of Rs. 37,000 per month while the Senior Research fellow gains an amount of Rs. 42,000 per month. Further, the candidates are provided with housing allowance or hostel accommodations besides the Contingency Grant of Rs. 15,000 per year to fund the other expenses of the research. More information about the scholarship for students is available at https://www.aicte-india.org/schemes/students-development-schemes/ADF-Scheme. 

AICTE PG Scholarship (GATE/GPAT)

AICTE PG Scholarship aims to facilitate postgraduate education of needy meritorious students in the fields of Engineering, Technology, and Design in AICTE-recognized institutions. GATE/GPAT/CEED qualified students admitted as full-time students in Master of Engineering, Master of Technology, and Master of Design or enrolled in the 9th semester of dual degree integrated programs holding a valid Adhaar ID are eligible to apply for this scholarship. 

According to this scholarship, an amount of Rs. 12,400 per month is granted to the selected applicant for a period of 24 months if enrolled in Masters programs. More information about the scholarship for college students is available at https://www.aicte-india.org/schemes/students-development-schemes/PG-Scholarship-Scheme/General-instruction or https://www.aicte-india.org/schemes/students-development-schemes/PG-Scholarship-Scheme.  

Türkiye Scholarships

Türkiye Scholarships aims to extend equal opportunities for deserving students irrespective of their nationality to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral courses of their choice in prestigious Turkish institutions. Applicants who are citizens of any country except Turkey can apply for this scholarship provided they meet the age limit and minimum grade criteria. The applicants must not be above 21 years of age for undergraduate programs, 30 years of age for master’s programs, and 35 years of age for PhD programs. While undergraduate candidates require a minimum of 70% grade, graduate candidates require that of 75%.

The successful candidate receives 3.500 Turkish Lira per month if he/she has availed a scholarship for an undergraduate program, 5.000 Turkish Lira per month for a master’s, and 6,500 Turkish Lira per month for a Ph.d. More information is available at https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/. https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/about 

Study in Italy Grant, MAECI scholarships

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers this scholarship in an attempt to bolster its international presence and cooperation in cultural, scientific, and technological fields, in addition to nurturing the Italian language and culture and boosting its economy. Both Italian and international students residing abroad instead of in Italy willing to pursue a course in Italy can apply for this scholarship. Further, the applicants must be less than 28 years old at the time of applying, hold an undergraduate degree recognized in Italy, and have proof of proficiency in either English or Italian depending on the medium of instruction. 

The successful candidate will receive a monthly stipend of 900 euros for either a six-month or nine-month study period. Additionally, they will not have to pay tuition fees, except for a regional tax of 140 euros and a duty stamp of 16 euros. More information about the scholarship for students is available at https://www.esteri.it/en/opportunita/borse-di-studio/per-cittadini-stranieri/borsestudio_stranieri/ or https://www.unipi.it/index.php/tuition-fees-and-financial-support/item/9725-maeci-scholarships. 

ASEM DUO-Sweden Fellowship

Established in 2010, the primary purpose of the ASEM-DUO Scholarship is to facilitate the exchange of students between those enrolled in Sweden universities and selected Asian countries’ universities which includes India. Unlike other scholarships discussed herein, this is an exchange fellowship and thus requires two willing students from different universities. For the same reasons, the eligibility criteria are complex and institutional-based, not just individual student-based.

The total scholarship amount is 8000 Euros and based on the scholarship, the Asian student is awarded either 3,500 or 4000 Euros, and the Swedish student is awarded either 3,500 or 3000 Euros depending on whether the Asian country is identified as a high or low-income country. More information about this fellowship is available at https://asem-education.org/news/asem-duo-sweden-programme-2024-open-call-for-applications/. 

IDEX Université Grenoble Alpes Master Scholarships, Université Grenoble Alpes

The one-year-long scholarship is funded by the government of France and offered to international students willing to pursue a postgraduate degree offered by specific departments of the Université Grenoble Alpes. The students must apply for master’s in architecture at École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Grenoble (ENSAG), Université Grenoble Alpes, a public research university, before applying for the scholarship.

The student is awarded 5,000 – 8,000 euros for one academic year based on the chosen program structure including internship period, academic performance, and demonstrated need.  More information about this scholarship for students is available at https://campusbourses.campusfrance.org/#/program/999. 

MartinSimmons Graduate Scholarship for Locally Focused Architecture, University of Waterloo

Deeply rooted and indebted to the Waterloo region, MSS Architects Inc. and the Amy Hallman Snyder Award Fund at Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, support the MartinSimmons Graduate Scholarship for Locally Focused Architecture with a noble cause of supporting and spreading local architecture.

This scholarship is available for graduate students registered full-time in the first term of their thesis work in the master’s program in the School of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering. Students whose thesis research focuses on a local project in Waterloo Region or Wellington County submit their research proposal and abstract to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and Research in Architecture for perusal. Upon selection, the student is notified in the Spring usually and awarded a scholarship worth $6,000.

More information about the MartinSimmons Graduate Scholarship for Locally Focused Architecture is available at https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/awards/mss-architects-graduate-scholarship-locally-focused  

AUT International Scholarships, Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies

The target recipients of this scholarship are international students who are enrolled in a program within the Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, Auckland University of Technology for the first time. Additionally, students must be enrolled full-time in a study program of 120 credits in order to apply for the scholarship. Deserving students from a master’s program are awarded an amount of 5000 Newzealand dollars for one year while undergraduate students are granted 5,000 Newzealand dollars in the first year, 3,000 Newzealand dollars in the second year, and 2,000 Newzealand dollars in the third year. More information about this scholarship for students is available at International scholarships and study with New zealand. 

Architecture Centenary Award, University of Auckland

On account of the centenary of the establishment of the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland, the alumni of the School initiated an Award; Architecture Centenary Award to recognize and applaud the accomplishment. This Award intends to financially assist a student pursuing a postgraduate degree in the field of Architecture and conducting research with an additional focus on innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to architecture and urban design within New Zealand.

The candidate is selected based on merit, and successful students usually possess a minimum GPA of 7.00. Both the regional and international students are eligible for the award irrespective of other scholarships they hold. According to the scholarship, a lump sum payment of $2,000 is given to the chosen student during the third week of the first semester when they start their thesis year. 

More information about the Architecture Centenary Award is available at https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/find-a-scholarship/architecture-centenary-award-p162-cai.html#:~:text=The%20main%20purpose%20of%20the,of%20rapidly%20evolving%20social%20diversity.   

Kevin Theobald Memorial Scholarship, Ball State University 

Unlike other scholarships discussed herein, the students don’t apply for this scholarship instead fellow students nominate students who deserve the scholarship at the end of the third year. The scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate caliber and brilliance in their field of study and display financial need. More information is available at https://www.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/architecture/applications-financial-aid/scholarships#accordion_kevintheobaldmemorialscholarship

FAQ

1. What is AICTE?

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is a national-level council overseeing technical education in India. Initially formed as an advisory body in November 1945, it was later granted statutory authority by an Act of Parliament in 1987. The AICTE plays a crucial role in planning and advancing the technical education and management education system throughout the country.