October 2026 scholarship and opportunity deadlines for students
If you are searching for scholarship and opportunity deadlines in October 2026, this list brings together the main options closing on 18 October. It includes fully funded study, internships, hackathons, mentoring, and competitions, so you can scan quickly and apply before the deadline passes.
Because many northern-hemisphere programmes are moving through early autumn deadlines, this is a useful week to act fast. Some opportunities are for postgraduate students, some for recent graduates, and some for young innovators or researchers. Check each eligibility rule carefully and submit early.
Browse every deadline in October 2026 →
1. Martingale Foundation Scholarship
The Martingale Foundation Scholarship is a strong option for students aiming for Master’s or PhD study in the United Kingdom. It is fully funded and focuses on Mathematical Sciences and Artificial Intelligence, which makes it especially valuable if your research interests match these fields. The added leadership development, mentorship, and research community support make it more than just financial aid.
2. UNU Junior Fellows Internship
The UNU Junior Fellows Internship is worth considering if you want hands-on exposure to the United Nations University in Tokyo or another UNU location. It is designed for postgraduate students or recent graduates, and the stipend can help if you are not already funded elsewhere. The chance to work close to UNU’s activities and projects adds real value to your CV.
3. Assistant Professor of Public Policy — Market-Based Solutions to Societal Challenges
This University of Wisconsin–Madison role is not a student award, but it can matter for early-career academics watching public policy opportunities. The appointment is based at the La Follette School of Public Affairs and looks for research on market-based solutions to societal challenges. If your work is theoretically grounded and empirically rigorous, this is a serious faculty-level opening.
4. Spotlight Initiative SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026 for Young African Innovators
This hacklab is a useful match for young African innovators, social entrepreneurs, and digital rights advocates who want to turn ideas into action. It focuses on SafeTech solutions and on three priority themes, so applicants with practical projects in this space should pay attention. Because it supports incubation, funding, and scaling, the opportunity has clear follow-on potential.
5. Emile Boutmy Scholarship (Sciences Po)
The Emile Boutmy Scholarship is one of the best-known funding options for international students admitted to Sciences Po. It supports both Bachelor’s and Master’s study and can cover either full tuition or partial tuition waivers. If you are aiming for a highly competitive French policy school, this scholarship can make the plan financially realistic.
6. MAXMINDS 2.0 Mentoring Programme 2026/27
MAXMINDS 2.0 is a valuable mentoring programme if displacement has affected your academic path. It pairs researchers with current or former Max Planck Institute researchers and offers tailored guidance on jobs, fellowships, research stays, CVs, and proposals. For anyone rebuilding an academic career, that one-to-one support can be especially practical and encouraging.
7. Google Cloud AI Builder Cup 2026
The Google Cloud AI Builder Cup 2026 is a good fit for working professionals, entrepreneurs, startups, and developers from the JAPAC region who can build a prototype as a team. The live finale in Singapore gives the competition a concrete showcase stage, and the focus on Google Cloud AI makes it especially relevant for people already working in applied tech.
8. SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026: Innovating for Safe Spaces, Digital Sovereignty and Rights
This SafeTech Africa HackLab is designed for African young innovators who want to address technology-facilitated violence, digital rights, and the safety of women and girls. The seed grants of US$5,000 to US$10,000 for four winning teams make it more than a recognition prize, and the finalist mentorship adds another layer of support for promising ideas.
9. Stipendije Fondacije porodice Bećirević
These scholarships from the Bećirević Family Foundation are a direct funding option for students studying at public higher education institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the 2026/2027 academic year. The annual stipend of 3,000 KM is paid in ten monthly instalments, which can help with steady living costs during the year.
10. Architecture & Design Collection Awards
The Architecture & Design Collection Awards can be useful if you want visibility for a creative project across architecture, interiors, landscape, product design, fashion, photography, communication, or related fields. It accepts a wide range of creators, including students, and can help build a portfolio with international recognition.
If one of these deadlines fits your profile, do not wait until the last day. Prepare your documents now, check the eligibility rules carefully, and submit as early as you can. For more deadline-focused browsing, you can also look at Fully Funded Scholarships Closing Before March 2027 and Paid International Internships Closing in October and November 2026.
Questions students ask
What scholarships are closing on 18 October 2026?
On 18 October 2026, the list includes the Martingale Foundation Scholarship, the Emile Boutmy Scholarship at Sciences Po, and Stipendije Fondacije porodice Bećirević. Each has different eligibility rules, so students should check the study level, location, and funding type before applying.
Are there internships or fellowships with an 18 October 2026 deadline?
Yes. The UNU Junior Fellows Internship closes on 18 October 2026 and is for postgraduate students or recent graduates. The University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty opening also closes on the same date, although it is an academic job rather than a student internship.
Which opportunities on this list are fully funded?
The Martingale Foundation Scholarship, the UNU Junior Fellows Internship, and the Bećirević Family Foundation scholarships are listed as fully funded. Other options on the page are partially funded, not funded, or competition-based, so it is important to read the funding details for each one.