Deadline:
March 01, 2026
Location(s)
Worldwide
Overview
Highly competitive scholarship opportunity for students in developing countries. Scholarships support students who are earning their first certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree. Scholarship award lasts throughout all years of undergraduate education
Details
The scholarship awards are determined by the board of directors of the Wells Mountain Initiative and awarded once a year. Applications must be received by April 1 of each year to be considered for the following academic year. The selected WMI Scholarship recipients will be emailed on August 1. Their names will also be published on our website homepage and the WMI Facebook page. Those who do not receive a scholarship will also be notified after August.
Applications must be received by March 1 of each year to be considered for the following academic year. WMI Scholars are selected through an in-depth multi-step review process. The selected WMI Scholars will be emailed on August 1. Their names will also be published on our website homepage and the WMI Facebook page. Those who are not selected will also be notified after August 1.
Family members of WMI Staff and of WMI Scholars are not eligible to apply.
Please note: Use of uncredited ideas and content created by other persons and use of uncredited AI-generated content is plagiarism and goes against the policies and ideals of WMI. Any applicants found to have plagiarized their essays will be considered ineligible for a scholarship.
Tips for Becoming a Competitive Applicant
The following are suggestions to enhance your application:
- Record all of your service activities (dates, activities, time spent, photographs, etc.)
- Collect your secondary school transcript, national exam results and grading keys to interpret your results
- Request two letters of recommendation on official stationery from two people who know you professionally/personally and can showcase the reasons you deserve this scholarship
- Have all of your documents translated into English
Important Dates
- December 1, 2025 – The 2026 WMI Scholars Program application will be available on our website. Completed 2026 applications will start to be accepted on this date.
- March 1, 2026 – The 2026 WMI Scholars Program application deadline.
WMI Scholars Program 2026
Applications from qualified applicants will be accepted until March 1, 2026. Before applying, we strongly encourage you to read the WMI Scholar Program Information Sheet and also the Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Scholars document. These two documents will assist you in determining your eligibility and guide you in the application process.
The following are required elements for an application to be considered complete:
- Clear personal photo
- Essay (topic is stated on application form)
- 2026 application form
- Personal essay statement
- Two recommendation letters*
- Official transcript of grades from secondary school
- Official grading key to interpret secondary school grades**
- Official transcript of grades from tertiary studies (if applicable)
- Official grading key to interpret tertiary grades**
- Official results from your national exam
- Official grading key to interpret scores on your national exam**
* Recommendation letters vary throughout cultures. We have created Guidelines for Effective Application-Recommendation Letters to assist applicants in seeking letters that will be supportive of their application.
** Official grading keys must be provided by the school issuing the grades or the government issuing the national exam. Grading keys that are not official will result in your application being disqualified. Contact your secondary school, university, or government for this document.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Our Ideal Candidate – A student, male or female, from a country in the developing world who:
- Will be 35 years of age or younger as of August 1, 2025
- Has completed or is in the final year of secondary education, with above-average to excellent grades
- Is applying to university or is currently enrolled and taking classes towards completion of their first undergraduate degree
- Will be studying in their home country or another country in the developing world
- Plans to live and work in their own country after graduation
- Has participated in volunteer service before applying for this scholarship and is committed to volunteering within their community during their studies
- Has some funding available for their education but will not be able to go to university or continue without assistance. The WMI scholarship does not always cover the full cost of tuition and associated educational expenses. The scholarship is not intended to be a full scholarship.
- Applications must be received by March 1 of each year to be considered for the following academic year. WMI Scholars are selected through an in-depth multi-step review process. The selected WMI Scholars will be emailed on August 1. Their names will also be published on our website homepage and the WMI Facebook page. Those who are not selected will also be notified after August 1.
* Scholars planning to study in the United States, Canada, Australia, UK or Western Europe will not qualify for a WMI Scholarship.
Dates
Deadline: March 01, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
We award 20-40 scholarships per year. Our maximum scholarship is $3,000 USD per year.
The scholarship supports:
- Tuition and fees
- Books and materials
- Other related costs
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
