What types of scholarships are available for Bangladeshi students?

What types of scholarships are available for Bangladeshi students, particularly for those seeking undergraduate or postgraduate studies in engineering, computer science, or medicine, both within Bangladesh and abroad? I’m also interested in government-funded programs (e.g., Bangladesh government, foreign governments like USAID or Chevening), university-specific scholarships, private sector initiatives, and international organizations like the World Bank or UNDP. Could the response cover eligibility criteria such as academic merit, financial need, standardized test scores (e.g., SAT, GRE), language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), and field-specific requirements, along with typical application timelines and whether opportunities include full tuition, living stipends, or research grants?

Scholarships for Bangladeshi students are diverse and offered by various entities. Here is a comprehensive categorization:

1. Government Scholarships:

• Bangladeshi Government Scholarships:
  • Presidential Scholarship: Prestigious merit-based awards for top academic achievers at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels within Bangladesh.
  • Prime Minister’s Scholarship: Awards for outstanding students in various fields, often covering tuition and living costs at home and abroad.
  • Ministry of Education Scholarships: Targeted support for secondary, higher secondary, university students, and teacher training; includes need-based and merit-based criteria.
  • Ministry of Science and Technology Scholarships: Specifically for students pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
  • Ministry of Religious Affairs Scholarships: Funding for students studying Islamic theology, Quranic studies, and related subjects in recognized institutions.
  • Bangladesh Scholarship Trust Fund: Established to provide scholarships for deserving students facing financial constraints.
  • Shikkha Suroksha Kormosuchi (SSK): A need-based scholarship program funded by the government for undergraduate students.
• Foreign Government Scholarships:
  • Commonwealth Scholarships: (e.g., Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, Commonwealth PhD Scholarship) Funded by UK government, for Master’s and PhD studies in the UK.
  • German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships: Various programs for Master’s, PhD, research stays, and short courses in Germany (e.g., DAAD Scholarship for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses, in-Country/In-Region Scholarships).
  • Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC): Funded by Chinese government, covering tuition, accommodation, and living stipends for Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and Chinese language programs.
  • Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship: Includes scholarships for research students, undergraduate students, college of technology students, specialized training college students, and Japanese language students.
  • APEC Scholarship: Funded by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies, for study in APEC economies.
  • Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP): Covers tuition, living allowances, round-trip airfare, and Korean language training for undergraduate and Master’s/PhD programs in Korea.
  • Turkish Government Scholarship (Türkiye Bursları): Comprehensive scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, insurance, flight, and monthly stipend for undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, and Research programs in Turkey.
  • Russian Government Scholarship: Covers tuition, accommodation, and monthly stipend for studies in Russian universities (often requires preparatory Russian language study).
  • Malaysian Government Scholarship (e.g., MyBrainSc Scholarship – MyPhD, MoHE Fellowships): Support for Malaysian and international students pursuing postgraduate studies.
  • Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarships: For undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD studies in India, covering tuition, accommodation, and living allowance.
  • ASEAN Scholarship, Brunei Darussam Scholarship, etc.: Country-specific scholarships offered by various ASEAN nations.

2. University Scholarships:

• Bangladeshi Universities: Public universities (e.g., University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology – BUET, Jahangirnagar University) and private universities (e.g., North South University, BRAC University, American International University Bangladesh – AIUB) offer merit-based, need-based, or department-specific scholarships for their enrolled students. These often cover tuition waivers or partial fee reductions.
• Foreign Universities: Universities worldwide offer significant scholarships. These include:
  • Merit-Based Scholarships: Automatic or competitive awards based on academic excellence (e.g., scholarships at Harvard, Yale, University of Oxford, University of Melbourne).
  • Need-Based Financial Aid: Awards based on the student’s demonstrated financial need (more common in the USA, some UK/Australian universities).
  • Departmental Scholarships: Awards funded by specific faculties or departments for students in particular fields of study.
  • International Student Scholarships: Specific scholarships targeting non-resident students (e.g., Global Scholarships at various UK/Australian/Canadian universities).
  • Research Assistantships (RA): Ph.D. and sometimes Master’s positions where students conduct research for a professor in exchange for tuition waiver + living stipend.
  • Teaching Assistantships (TA): Positions where students assist with teaching duties (grading, tutorials) in exchange for tuition waiver + living stipend.

3. Private Sector / Corporate Scholarships:

• Local Bangladeshi Companies: Large corporations like Grameenphone, Robi Axiata, BRAC Bank, Summit Group, Beximco Group, Unilever Bangladesh, Square Group, and PRAN-RFL Group offer scholarships for outstanding students, often linked to their CSR initiatives or future recruitment. These typically cover tuition, books, and sometimes living costs.
• International Corporations with Bangladeshi Operations: Companies like Chevron, Shell, HP, IBM, and Microsoft may offer scholarships for students in relevant fields globally, including Bangladesh.

4. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Foundations:

• Local NGOs: BRAC, CARE Bangladesh, Save the Children Bangladesh, and others often provide educational support and scholarships focusing on underserved communities, girls’ education, or specific development goals.
• International NGOs: Organizations like the Aga Khan Foundation (offers selective postgraduate scholarships), Asian Development Bank (ADB)-Japan Scholarship Program (for Master’s studies in ADB member countries), World Bank-related scholarships (e.g., Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program – JJ/WBSP), and Rotary Foundation (Global Grants for graduate studies).
• Private Foundations: Foundations established by philanthropists or families (e.g., Ashoka University’s need-blind admission for qualified Bangladeshi students at undergraduate level, though this is specific to that Indian institution; other foundations exist but may be more localized or targeted).

5. Field-Specific and Subject-Based Scholarships:

• STEM Scholarships: Numerous scholarships target Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields, often funded by governments (like MoEST), universities, tech companies, and scientific organizations (e.g., IEEE scholarships may be available).
• Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: Offered by universities, foundations (e.g., Open Society Foundations, Ford Foundation), cultural institutes (e.g., British Council – Chevenning, though competitive), and research councils.
• Medicine and Health: Scholarships are common from government health ministries, universities (medical/dental), hospitals, and international health organizations (e.g., for specific programs like tropical medicine).
• Agriculture and Environment: Supported by agricultural ministries, research institutions, environmental NGOs (e.g., World Wildlife Fund – WWF may have specific grants), and development partners.
• ICT and Business Management: Offered by tech companies (as above), business schools, and industry associations.

6. Development Partner Funded Scholarships:

• United Nations Agencies: UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, etc., occasionally offer scholarships or fellowships, often linked to specific projects or capacity-building programs.
• World Bank: Through various trust funds, it supports scholarships for Master’s and PhD studies focused on development (e.g., JJ/WBSP).
• Asian Development Bank (ADB): Offers scholarships for postgraduate studies at participating universities in ADB member countries, prioritizing citizens of borrowing countries.
• USAID: Funds scholarships through various programs in Bangladesh, often aligned with US development goals (e.g., higher education in key sectors, workforce development).

7. Other Categories:

• Religious Scholarships: Offered by Islamic foundations, madrasas, or religious trusts for religious studies or Islamic education.
• Athletic Scholarships: Primarily relevant for studying abroad (especially USA), where universities offer scholarships to talented student-athletes. Limited availability for international students at undergraduate level in Bangladesh.
• Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships: Targeted scholarships for students from underrepresented groups, students with disabilities, or first-generation students.

Important Considerations:

• Eligibility: Requirements vary widely based on academic merit, financial need, field of study, country of destination, citizenship, and sometimes community background or leadership potential.
• Coverage: Scholarships can cover full tuition + living stipend + insurance + travel, partial tuition, tuition waiver only, or other combinations.
• Application Process: Requires research into specific opportunities, meeting deadlines, preparing academic transcripts, standardized test scores (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL, GRE/GMAT), letters of recommendation, personal statements, and sometimes interviews.
• Scams: Be extremely cautious of organizations demanding large application fees or guaranteeing scholarships with minimal effort. Genuine scholarships almost never require significant application fees. Verify the credibility of the offering institution.