Sustainable Development Scholarships 2027 – 7 Options

Sustainable Development Scholarships 2027 can help you study the challenges that shape everyday life, from climate change and clean energy to inequality and environmental policy. If you want to build a career around these issues, finding financial support is an important part of planning your next step.

The opportunities cover different paths. Some fund degrees directly focused on sustainable development, while others support related areas such as environmental engineering, international law or sustainability research. Your choice will depend on your academic background and the kind of work you want to do.

In this guide, we have gathered seven relevant scholarship listings from Scholarship Union. You can compare their study levels, funding benefits, eligibility requirements and published deadlines, then follow the links to read the full details.

List of Sustainable Development Scholarships 2027

1. University of Notre Dame Doctoral Program in Sustainable Development 2027

The University of Notre Dame offers a funded doctoral programme in sustainable development through its Keough School of Global Affairs. It brings together research on climate change, environmental governance and development policy.

This programme is worth considering if you want to investigate a development challenge in depth and produce research that can inform policy or practice. The academic approach combines coursework, research methods and dissertation study.

• Country: USA
• Host: University of Notre Dame, Keough School of Global Affairs
• Study level: PhD
• Funding: Fully funded
• Benefits: Full tuition scholarship, a stipend covering 12 months of living expenses, a health insurance subsidy and up to $4,000 for conference presentations and professional development
• Key eligibility: A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent, a strong academic background and a commitment to sustainable development
• Published deadline: 1 December 2026

View the University of Notre Dame Sustainable Development PhD details.

2. Erasmus Mundus ILSPSD Scholarship 2027 in Europe

The Erasmus Mundus ILSPSD Scholarship supports a joint master’s degree in International Law of Security, Peace and Sustainable Development. It connects sustainability with international law, human rights, politics and global governance.

The programme includes study across partner institutions in Europe. It offers a route for applicants interested in how legal frameworks and public institutions can address development challenges.

• Location: Europe, with mobility across partner universities
• Host: ILSPSD university consortium
• Study level: Master’s
• Duration: 24 months
• Funding: Fully funded Erasmus Mundus scholarship
• Benefits: €1,400 per month, tuition fee exemption and insurance, with support towards travel, visa, installation and living costs as described in the listing
• Key eligibility: An accredited undergraduate degree equivalent to at least 180 ECTS, appropriate academic preparation and the required English proficiency
• Published deadline: 4 January 2027

Applicants should check the requirements of their chosen study track and distinguish admission to the programme from selection for a scholarship.

View the Erasmus Mundus ILSPSD Scholarship 2027 details.

3. University of Vechta Doctoral Scholarship 2027 in Germany

The University of Vechta Doctoral Scholarship focuses on justice within sustainability transitions in rural areas. It supports research into how communities experience change and how the benefits and burdens of that change are shared.

The doctoral college is connected to the Vechta Institute of Sustainability Transformation in Rural Areas and funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation. Relevant academic backgrounds include human geography, social sciences, economics, applied ethics, psychology and sustainability science.

• Country: Germany
• Host: University of Vechta
• Study level: PhD
• Duration: Up to three years, with funding starting between June and September 2027
• Funding: Listed as fully funded
• Benefits: €1,650 monthly, comprising a €1,550 basic stipend and €100 for research costs, plus possible health insurance and family support
• Key requirement: A research proposal that fits the doctoral college’s theme
• Language requirements: At least B2 German and C1 English
• Published deadline: 2 November 2026

View the University of Vechta Doctoral Scholarship 2027 details.

4. Commonwealth Masters Scholarship 2027 in the UK

The Commonwealth Masters Scholarship supports applicants from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford postgraduate study in the UK.

It is a broader development scholarship rather than an award for one specific sustainability degree. Applicants should choose a suitable course and explain how the knowledge they gain will contribute to development in their home country.

• Country: UK
• Funder: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Study level: Full-time taught master’s
• Funding: Fully funded
• Benefits: Tuition fees, approved return airfare, a living stipend and additional allowances where applicable
• Key eligibility: Eligible citizenship or status, permanent residence in an eligible Commonwealth country, the required academic qualifications and financial need
• Published deadline: 20 October 2026
• Application route: An approved nominating body and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online system

Nominating organisations may set their own deadlines, so applicants should check both processes.

View the Commonwealth Masters Scholarship 2027 details.

Additional 2027 Scholarships with Expired Deadlines

The following opportunities are relevant to sustainability, but their published application deadlines have passed. They are included for reference and to help readers understand programmes they may want to monitor for future calls.

5. Arizona State Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027–28

The Arizona State University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program supports African students pursuing selected master’s programmes. Its eligible fields include areas connected to clean energy, environmental engineering, sustainable engineering and technology for development.

The programme combines graduate education with leadership development and practical experience. Applicants must select from the specific programmes approved for the scholarship cycle.

• Country: USA
• Host: Arizona State University
• Study level: Master’s
• Funding: Fully funded
• Benefits: Tuition and fees, accommodation, books, visa expenses, airfare, medical support and leadership development
• Additional opportunity: A two-month internship between the first and second years
• Key eligibility: African citizenship, a qualifying bachelor’s degree, strong academic performance, leadership and community service
• Published deadline: 27 September 2026
• Status: Deadline passed

The listing also includes age limits and restrictions concerning previous or current graduate study.

View the Arizona State Mastercard Foundation Scholarship details.

6. Toyo SDGs Scholarship 2027 in Japan

The Toyo SDGs Scholarship supports international undergraduate students who want to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals through university and community activities.

Selected students serve as SDGs Ambassadors. Alongside their academic studies, they receive guidance from faculty advisers and student mentors to plan and carry out relevant activities.

• Country: Japan
• Host: Toyo University
• Study level: Bachelor’s
• Funding: Tuition and dormitory support
• Benefits: A 100% waiver of tuition and other fees in the first year, followed by a 60% to 100% waiver in years two to four
• Accommodation: International dormitory fees covered by the university
• Key eligibility: Completion or expected completion of 12 years of education, admission eligibility and a willingness to lead SDGs activities
• Published deadline: 25 September 2026
• Status: Deadline passed

Although the listing labels the award fully funded, the stated fee waiver can vary after the first year. Applicants should review the detailed funding conditions.

View the Toyo SDGs Scholarship 2027 details.

7. CST Scholarship 2027 in South Africa

The CST Scholarship at Stellenbosch University focuses on the use and potential of artificial intelligence in sustainability transitions. It is relevant to applicants interested in connecting technology with social and environmental change.

The scholarship is hosted by the Centre for Sustainability Transitions. Applicants need an appropriate postgraduate background and a research interest that fits the call.

• Country: South Africa
• Host: Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University
• Study level: Master’s and PhD
• Funding: Full or partial funding, depending on the applicant’s category
• Benefits: NRF scholarship support, with tuition and reasonable research or travel expenses covered where possible
• Key eligibility: An honours degree for master’s applicants or a master’s degree for PhD applicants, with an average of at least 65%
• Study conditions: Full-time study, mainly based in Stellenbosch
• Published deadline: 16 June 2026
• Status: Deadline passed

The benefits distinguish Full Cost of Study funding for qualifying South African citizens and permanent residents from Partial Cost of Study funding for international applicants and other categories.

View the CST Scholarship 2027 details.

How to Choose Sustainable Development Scholarships 2027

Start with the issue you want to study. Sustainable development covers many subjects, and a scholarship’s name does not always tell you whether its courses or research themes match your interests.

For example, the Notre Dame programme centres on sustainable development research, while ILSPSD approaches the subject through international law. Vechta focuses on rural sustainability transitions and justice. Each offers a different academic direction.

Before adding an opportunity to your shortlist, check:

• Study level: Does it fund the qualification you want to pursue?
• Academic fit: Does your background meet the course or research requirements?
• Country restrictions: Are you eligible based on citizenship and residence?
• Funding coverage: Which costs are covered, and which would you need to meet yourself?
• Language requirements: Do you need English evidence, another language or both?
• Application timing: Is the call still accepting applications, and are there separate admission or nomination deadlines?

Read the full Scholarship Union listing, then follow its official application link to confirm the current requirements.

Tips for Preparing Your Scholarship Application

A clear application connects your previous experience, your proposed studies and the work you hope to do afterwards.

Explain the problem you want to address

Be specific about your interests. Instead of saying that you want to support sustainability, describe a challenge you understand, such as access to clean energy, water management or fair rural development.

Explain how the chosen programme would help you study that challenge.

Use examples from your experience

Relevant experience can come from coursework, research, employment, volunteering or community activities. Choose examples that show what you did, what you learned and how they shaped your goals.

You do not need to make every activity sound impressive. Clear evidence is more useful than broad claims.

Prepare a focused research proposal

For research scholarships, check the advertised theme before writing. Your proposal should present a manageable question, a suitable method and a realistic plan.

Show why the host institution is a good place to carry out the work.

Keep track of separate requirements

Scholarship selection and university admission may involve different forms, documents or deadlines. Create a checklist for each opportunity and request references early enough for your referees to respond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Sustainable Development Scholarships 2027 offer several routes into work on climate, inequality, environmental policy and other development challenges. The right opportunity depends on what you want to study, your qualifications and the contribution you hope to make.

Use this list to build a focused shortlist. Compare academic fit and funding conditions first, then check the deadlines and prepare the required documents. For opportunities whose deadlines have passed, watch for a new announcement before making plans around a future application.

Explore the linked Scholarship Union listings to find the programmes that suit your goals and understand what each application requires.