NGO Scholarships – ‘NGO scholarships’ are a broad category of scholarships that are being offered by various Non-Government Organisations in our country. Apart from the scholarships financed by the state and central government, there are several NGOs that are offering scholarships to provide financial means to deserving students, so that they can accomplish their educational dreams and ambitions. There are hundreds of students all over the country who have had to give up their higher education due to a lack of financial stability. In such a case, scholarships are nothing short of a blessing.
Which top NGOs are offering scholarships to students? What kind of scholarships is being offered? Who can avail of benefits under these scholarships? Get a detailed overview of all NGO scholarships in this article.
NGO Scholarships – List of top NGOs offering scholarships
A vast number of NGOs work towards the common objective of providing access to education to underprivileged students. The list of such NGOs is huge. However, some of the most prominent NGOs or foundations that offer scholarships for Indian students have been listed hereunder –
- Sitaram Jindal Foundation
- Swami Dayanand Education Foundation
- North South Foundation
- Aga Khan Foundation
- Dr. Reddy’s Foundation
- ONGC Foundation
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
- Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation
- Lady Tata Memorial Trust
- Tata Trust
- Science Olympiad Foundation
- Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
- Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation
- Azim Premji Foundation
- Nilam Patel Bahushrut Foundation
- Assam Foundation
- Fair and Lovely Career Foundation
- G P Birla Education Foundation
- Sanskriti Foundation
- Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF)
NGO Scholarships – Sitaram Jindal Foundation
About the foundation – Sitaram Jindal Foundation is a prominent charitable organisation established in Bangalore with an objective to lend a helping hand in the social and moral upliftment of weaker sections of society. Started in 1969 by Dr. Sitaram Jindal, the foundation has set up a large number of educational institutions, hospitals and NGOs within the country. It has also made a significant contribution to the infrastructural development of rural areas.
Scholarship/s offered – The foundation also offers a scholarship for underprivileged students pursuing education in Class 11 to post-graduation level with the name of ‘Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship’. Applications for this scholarship are accepted throughout the year. The students who find themselves eligible can avail of benefits up to INR 2,000 per month.
NGO Scholarships – Swami Dayanand Education Foundation
About the foundation – Swami Dayanand Education Foundation (SDEF) is a dedicated organisation that aims to inspire and transform the lives of academically brilliant and economically backward students.
Scholarship/s offered – The foundation offers a number of merit-cum-means scholarships for students pursuing studies at the school and college level in India and the USA. The main objective of these scholarships is to empower underprivileged students through education. The key scholarships offered for students in India include –
- Swami Dayanand School Scholarship for Delhi/NCR – Open for students from Delhi/NCR region who are studying in Classes 9 to 12 (CBSE Board).
- Swami Dayanand College Scholarship for Delhi/NCR – Open for Class 12 passed students of the Delhi/NCR region pursuing professional courses.
NGO Scholarships – North South Foundation
About the foundation – Established with the key objective of providing college scholarships to disadvantaged students in India, the North South Foundation is a US-based non-profit organisation with a headquarter in Illinois. The foundation runs a number of activities to promote the education of students in both the US and India.
Scholarship/s offered – This foundation offers the ‘North South Foundation Scholarship’ for Class 12 passed students who are entering into engineering, medicine or 3-year polytechnic diploma (in engineering). This is merit-cum-means based scholarship that helps meritorious and underprivileged students pursue their education with uniformity. Around 1,500 students get a benefit of up to INR 25,000 through this scholarship every year.
NGO Scholarships – Aga Khan Foundation
About the foundation – Aga Khan Foundation is an international body which is working to provide community support for students and individuals in numerous countries for developmental problems and issues related to sectors like healthcare, education, rural development, civil society and so on.
Scholarship/s offered – The foundation has started to provide financial help to students in selected developing countries so that they can continue and flourish in their educational endeavours. The name of the scholarship being provided for Indian students is – ‘Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship’. Under this scholarship, the students who have graduated and are willing to pursue a master’s level course are provided with tuition fees and living expenses to complete their education. The age of the candidates should be less than 30 years.
NGO Scholarships – Dr. Reddy’s Foundation
About the foundation – Founded in 1996, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation endeavours to enhance the well-being and dignity of economically and socially vulnerable people.
Scholarship/s offered – It runs a number of initiatives and programmes to educate and skill young people. One of its most prominent programmes is ‘Dr. Reddy’s Foundation Sashakt Scholarship’ which particularly aims to encourage young women across the country to prepare for and pursue a career in Science.
Girl students, especially from rural India and low socio-economic backgrounds can avail scholarships up to INR 80,000 per annum for their 3-years of study at the undergraduate level in listed science colleges. This scholarship is applicable only for BSc programmes in the pure/natural science stream.
NGO Scholarships – ONGC Foundation
About the foundation – Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is a pioneer Oil and Gas company in India. As part of its vision to impact and socially transform the lives of the underprivileged, the company has created a trust named ONGC Foundation that looks after the activities, initiatives and projects related to the company’s CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The foundation is working across different states in India in domains like health, education, skill development and livelihood and others.
Scholarship/s offered – The foundation also runs a number of scholarships and fellowships for SC, ST, OBC and General category students. The list of scholarships and fellowships offered by the ONGC foundation is mentioned below –
- ONGC Foundation Fellowship for Fellows
- ONGC Foundation Fellowships for Coordinator
NGO Scholarships – Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
About the foundation – Founded by Indoo Shivdasani in 1976, the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation primarily focuses on providing scholarships, grants and awards to young Indian citizens in varied fields such as art, theatre, music, dance, sport, film and TV and more. The key objective of introducing such grants and scholarships is to enable young individuals to develop their scientific, professional, cultural and artistic abilities.
Scholarship/s offered – The list of scholarships, grants and awards offered by the foundation includes –
- Inlaks Research and Travel Grant
- Inlaks Fine Arts Awards
- Inlaks Theatre Awards
- Inlaks Fellowships for Indian Classical Music
NGO Scholarships – Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation
About the foundation – Started with an aim to support actions that accelerate change, the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation enables social entrepreneurs and non-profit organisations to make a lasting, positive and sustainable impact on society. The foundation began its functioning in the year 2020 with an endowment from the philanthropist Mr. Narotam Sekhsaria. It has implemented a large number of initiatives in the sectors like education, livelihood, health, art and culture, governance and civic issues, etc. Furthermore, the foundation aims to promote academic excellence among students by enabling deserving students to access quality higher education.
Scholarship/s offered – The foundation offers a wide array of scholarships and fellowships for students who have demonstrated all-around development along with academic excellence. The list of scholarships offered by the foundation is given hereunder –
- Narotam Sekhsaria Higher Secondary Awards
- Scholarships for Children of Police Personnel
NGO Scholarships – Lady Tata Memorial Trust
About the foundation – Established in 1932 by Sir Dorabji Tata in memory of his wife Lady Meherbai, the Lady Tata Memorial Trust spends one-fifth of its income on scholars who are carrying out scientific investigations into diseases of the blood at Indian universities and institutes.
Scholarship/s offered – The trust offers a number of awards and institutional research grants for Indian researchers for alleviation of human suffering from diseases. These awards include –
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship
- Institutional Research Project Grant
NGO Scholarships – Tata Trust
About the foundation – Working for over 125 years, the Tata Trust has made a sustainable difference in the societal and economic development of the nation. Among the wide range of fields that it supports include health, nutrition, education, livelihoods, water and sanitation, skilling, social justice and inclusion, environment, digital literacy, sports, disaster management, etc. The trust has partnered with over 855 organisations across 638 districts in 33 states and union territories for different causes.
Scholarship/s offered – Since its inception, the trust has majorly focused on education. For this purpose, the JN Tata Endowment Fund was established in the year 1892 to offer scholarships to Indian students who wish to pursue studies abroad. Some of the key scholarships and grants offered by the Tata Trusts include –
- Professional Enhancement Grant
- Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship
NGO Scholarships – Science Olympiad Foundation
About the foundation – Science Olympiad Foundation, often referred to as SOF, is a popular educational organisation that conducts various academic competitions and assists the development of competitive spirit among school children. Established by leading scientists, academicians and media personalities, the foundation aims to promote Mathematics, Science, Computer Education, General Knowledge, English and professional courses.
Scholarship/s offered – With the existence of close to 25 years, the foundation has introduced a number of Olympiads and scholarships for students. These include –
NGO Scholarships – Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
About the foundation – The Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund came into existence in the year 1964 under the chairmanship of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the then President of India to commemorate the memory of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Over the years, the fund has undertaken a number of activities to protect and propagate the memory of one of India’s greatest leaders. It offers fellowships and scholarships for Indian students to support their education.
Scholarship/s offered – Named ‘Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships’, these scholarships support the PhD studies of students who hold a first-class postgraduate degree and are below 35 years of age. Under this scholarship, the selected students get a maintenance allowance of INR 18,000 per month and a contingency grant of INR 15,000 per annum.
Furthermore, the fund also offers a fellowship for students with the name of ‘Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships’ to support exceptionally talented scholars in every discipline. The fellows selected receive a monthly stipend of INR 1 lakh along with an additional contingency of up to INR 75,000 per annum.
NGO Scholarships – Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation
About the foundation – Instituted by the Federal Bank, Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation is a public charitable trust founded in the fond memory of the late K. P. Hormis, the founder of the bank. Since its inception in 1996, the foundation has worked on different areas such as poverty, healthcare, sanitation, education, gender equality, women empowerment, etc. Over the years, the foundation is striving hard to inculcate awareness and better knowledge about banking in people through training programmes.
Scholarship/s offered – The foundation also offers a scholarship for students studying in the first year of professional courses with the name Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation Scholarship. Under this scholarship, the students from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala state receive financial assistance of up to 100% tuition fee (subject to a maximum of INR 1 lakh per annum) for their MBBS, Engineering, BSc Nursing and agricultural courses.
NGO Scholarships – Azim Premji Foundation
About the foundation – The Azim Premji Foundation was created to initiate and sustain large-scale changes in the educational sector by working on empowering institutions and students to understand and embrace education itself in a new light. They have done a considerable amount of work by partnering with governmental entities, along with research centres and institutions across the country to bring about a wave of change in the educational sector as a whole.
Fellowship offered – The Azim Premji Foundation Fellowship is a chance for individuals to be a part of the change by joining hands with the foundation. This fellowship has been created to provide an experience in building a platform in the social and educational sector, for individuals from various backgrounds having 4 to 10 years of work experience. The two-year fellowship program has been designed to help people understand that they can make a change if they are passionate enough to avail the support of an entire community.
NGO Scholarships – Nilam Patel Bahushrut Foundation
About the foundation – Founded in 1993, the Nilam Patel Bahushrut Foundation is a public charitable trust that primarily focuses on working toward hearing-impaired students.
Scholarship/s offered – The foundation offers a number of scholarships, prizes and awards to promote the higher education of hearing-impaired students of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Applications for these scholarships are invited in the month of July and August. The key scholarships include –
NGO Scholarships – Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA)
About the foundation – A publicly supported not-for-profit organisation, Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA) has been operational since 1982. The foundation encourages and facilitates individual as well as organisational efforts to further mutual understanding between Assam and North America.
Scholarship/s offered – In view of its objective, the foundation also offers a scholarship with the name, ‘Assam Foundation of North America Akadamics Scholarship’. The scholarship supports the studies of higher secondary passed students of Assam. The students who are seeking or have already enrolled in a bachelor’s degree programme can avail of benefits under this scholarship.
NGO Scholarships – Glow and Lovely Career Foundation
About the foundation – An initiative of Unilever Limited, Glow and Lovely Career Foundation has been striving to empower women across various countries including India. The key objective of the foundation is to help women secure a better future through education.
Scholarship/s offered – The foundation has been running the Glow and Lovely Career Foundation Scholarship for many years now and has supported the career aspirations of thousands of girls.
The scholarship aims to promote and encourage girl education in India. Girl students who are in the age group of 15 to 30 years can avail of benefits under this scholarship for their higher education. The foundation has also run this scholarship in Nepal. Besides this, the foundation also runs several other programmes like career guidance, online courses and more for girl students in India.
NGO Scholarships – G P Birla Education Foundation
About the foundation – The G P Birla Education Foundation is a dedicated educational foundation that was established to fulfil the dream of the late Shri G. P. Birla to promote education, develop human resources and empower the youth of the nation.
Scholarship/s offered – To facilitate this objective, the foundation offers G. P. Birla Scholarship every year to Class 12 passed students. This scholarship is meant for meritorious students who are domiciles of West Bengal.
A student who is pursuing a course in any of these streams – Science, Arts, Commerce, Architecture, Engineering, Medicine, etc. is eligible to get this scholarship worth up to INR 50,000 per year. Every year, a total of 100 students receive variable benefits under this scheme based on their fulfilment of eligibility and selection criteria.
NGO Scholarships – Sanskriti Foundation
About the foundation – A renowned public charitable Trust based in Delhi, the Sanskriti Foundation aims to cultivate an environment for the development and preservation of cultural and artistic expressions of the country. It acts as a catalyst in revitalising cultural sensitivity in contemporary times. The foundation runs a number of programmes to promote, preserve and present the Indian traditional arts and culture. Furthermore, it also offers a number of scholarships and fellowships for Indian artists, writers and social entrepreneurs to promote traditional arts and culture.
Scholarship/s offered – The plethora of scholarships and fellowships offered by the Sanskriti Foundation include –
NGO Scholarships – Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF)
About the foundation – Inspired by the concept of service (Seva) in the Sikh religion, the Sikh Human Development Foundation offers selfless service to humanity and responds to the pain and needs of others.
Scholarship/s offered – This US-based non-profit charitable organisation provides scholarships to students who are studying in Punjab and its neighbouring states in more than 30 disciplines. The students who wish to pursue professional courses at a diploma, degree or postgraduate level can avail benefits under SHDF Scholarships. Over the last 20 years of its existence, the foundation has supported around 4,000 graduate students.
NGO Scholarships – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are NGO scholarships, and why are they important?
Which are the prominent NGOs offering scholarships to students in India?
Some of the well-known NGOs providing scholarships to Indian students include Sitaram Jindal Foundation, Swami Dayanand Education Foundation, North South Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, ONGC Foundation, Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, Lady Tata Memorial Trust, Tata Trust, Science Olympiad Foundation, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation, Azim Premji Foundation, Nilam Patel Bahushrut Foundation, Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA), Glow and Lovely Career Foundation, G P Birla Education Foundation, Sanskriti Foundation, Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF), among others.
What types of scholarships are offered by NGOs?
The scholarships offered by these NGOs vary in terms of eligibility criteria, award amounts, and areas of focus. Some scholarships are merit-based, while others are need-based. They may support students pursuing school, undergraduate, postgraduate, or even doctoral studies. It’s essential to check the specific details of each scholarship to determine which one aligns with your educational goals.
Who is eligible for NGO scholarships?
Eligibility criteria for NGO scholarships can vary widely. Some scholarships are open to students from specific regions, while others are available to candidates across India. Eligibility may also depend on factors like academic performance, financial need, or specific fields of study. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements for each scholarship to determine their suitability.
How can students apply for NGO scholarships?
The application process for NGO scholarships typically involves filling out an online application form on the respective NGO’s official website. Applicants are required to provide personal details, academic records, financial information, and sometimes essays or recommendation letters. It’s important to submit all necessary documents and meet application deadlines.
What is the timeline for applying for NGO scholarships?
The application timelines for NGO scholarships can vary. Some NGOs accept applications year-round, while others may have specific deadlines. Students are advised to check the official websites of the respective NGOs to find the most up-to-date information on application deadlines.
How are scholarship recipients selected?
What is the significance of NGO scholarships in the educational landscape of India?
NGO scholarships play a crucial role in enhancing access to education for underprivileged students and promoting academic excellence. By offering financial support, these scholarships enable deserving students to pursue their educational dreams and make a positive impact on their future and society as a whole.
Are there any age restrictions for applicants of NGO scholarships?
While many NGO scholarships do not have age restrictions, it’s essential to carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship to determine whether there are specific age requirements. Some scholarships may have age limitations for applicants.
What is the overall impact of these scholarships on students and society?
NGO scholarships not only empower individual students but also contribute to the overall development of society by fostering education and skill development. By supporting talented and deserving students, these scholarships help create a more educated and skilled workforce, ultimately leading to social progress and economic growth.
