Guide to LGBTQ+ Postgraduate Scholarships Around the World

LGBTQ+ scholarships for postgraduate study in the US

The Point Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship is granted based on leadership and community involvement as well as academic achievement. If you win, you’ll be paired with a mentor and enrolled on the leadership development programme. The financial reward is provided on a needs basis and can be renewed. Applications open in November.

Pride Foundation Scholarship

This award connects students to a community of support during their studies. If you’re a US student, currently resident in one of the northwest states (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington) then you could be eligible for a Pride Foundation Scholarship. While there are many different opportunities on offer, you only need to make one application and will be considered for the relevant scholarships available. Applications open in October.

APIQWTC Scholarship

The APIQWTC (Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Community) Scholarship is an award of USD $2,500 each to two Asian/Pacific Islander lesbian, bisexual, or queer women or transgender individuals who are looking to study a technical, professional, or trades certification or other tuition-based learning. Applications open in February.

Stonewall Foundation scholarships

There are a number of scholarships available through the Stonewall Foundation.

• The Aritzia Scholarship – USD $5,000 to four students with an interest in fashion design, retail management, mental health, or social justice advocacy.
• Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship – USD $4,000 to several students who identify as lesbian.

Applications open in the spring.

PFLAG national scholarships

The PFLAG network spans the US, with different groups (or chapters) offering different levels of scholarship and support. There are different eligibility criteria for each and usually successful applicants will receive around USD $1,000 to $2,000. The application deadline is typically around June.

Out to Innovate scholarships

The Out to Innovate scholarships are for LGBTQ+ students planning to do a postgraduate degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) subjects. You must have a GPA of at least 3.0 for this award. Applications open in April and close in June.

Gamma Mu scholarships

Gamma Mu offers a number of scholarships to those in the LGBTQ+ community. Their own scholarship supports gay men in particular, but they also offer the Folisi & Goodwin Scholarship in Memory of Ray Williams and The Phil Papel Memorial Scholarship to two students from the broader LGBTQ+ community. Applications close in March.

LGBTQ+ scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK

Positive Action for LGBT+ MSc Scholarship

The Business School at the University of Edinburgh offers two LGBTQ+ scholarships for those interested in their taught Masters degrees. The award is specifically designed to support people who are committed to making a difference in the community in a business environment.

Imperial College Business School International LGBTQ+ scholarships

Imperial College Business School is offering scholarships of £15,000 to students who are part of, or allies to, the LGBTQ+ community. You’ll need to demonstrate a strong track record of promoting diversity and inclusion in your application and be driven to champion equality in business education and beyond.

LGBTQ+ scholarships for postgraduate study in Australia / New Zealand

Monash Queer Leaders Scholarship

Offered by the Monash University group, this scholarship is available for postgraduate taught courses at a Monash campus in Australia. You must be from Australia and New Zealand to apply and the scholarship is worth AUD $6,000.

LGBTQ+ scholarships for postgraduate study in Canada

University of Alberta

If you plan to study at the University of Alberta, there are two scholarships on offer.

• Ronald Gordon Roswell-O’Connor Graduate Award – Two students can receive CAD $4,200 each. Applicants are judged on their academic standing and significance of research to the advancement of LGBTQ+ communities.
• Stephen and Lynn Mandel Graduate Scholarship - One student will receive CAD $1,200. The award is based on the quality of their research and its role in advocating for diverse voices.