LGBTQ+ scholarships around the world

A growing number of scholarships aimed at supporting members of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community are becoming available. While LGBTQ+ scholarships are relatively common in some countries, such as the US, they’re rare or unheard-of in other countries.

This type of funding may or may not be available, depending on your intended study destination.

For an overview of some of the scholarships for LGBTQ+ students currently on offer, check out our country-by-country breakdown below. Bear in mind that some schemes require you to be a resident or current student.

LGBTQ+ scholarships to study in the US

• The Pride Foundation – Scholarships for current and future leaders in the LGBTQ+ community from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
• The LEAGUE Foundation – Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students entering their first year at an institution of higher learning in the US. You must be a US citizen to apply.
• National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals – Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students or active allies of the LGBTQ+ community, to support undergraduate or graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Successful applicants will be awarded each Fall.
• The Point Foundation  – A large scholarship-granting organisation aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ students, assessed on academic merit. Successful applicants are awarded financial support and are paired with a mentor and given opportunities to participate in leadership development events.
• PFund – LGBT scholarships for students in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa, who are enrolled in or admitted to a post-secondary academic programme.
• Roy Scrivner Research Grants – A US$9,000 grant for graduate students to conduct research which encourages the study of LGBT family psychology and LGBT family therapy.
• Human Rights Campaign Scholarship Database  – A good resource for searching for LGBTQ+ scholarships and other funding opportunities by state.
• Stonewall Foundation Scholarships – A foundation that focuses on the important needs of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in New York, and provides scholarships that offer unique learning experiences and opportunities. Applications for the 2023 cycle open in spring.
• The Gamma Mu Foundation – Provides grants and scholarships for gay men who want to further their education at a college, university, or through a vocational or professional training program. Preference is given to students who come from rural or undeserved areas and those who have overcome issues of discrimination/marginalisation within their community. 
• The Kay Longcope Scholarship Award – Provides up to $3,000 tuition assistance to an LGBTQ+ student of color who plans a career in journalism and is committed to furthering NLGJA’s mission of fair and accurate coverage of the LGBTQ+ community. The Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award is also available for LGBTQ+ students planning a career in journalism.
• NMU ALLIES Scholarship – provides scholarships for full-time students at Northern Michigan University with a top academic record who have shown documented leadership, support or involvement in organizations, activities or issues that promote awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community at the university.
• Acorn Equality Fund - Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students who are attending any accredited, post-secondary educational institution. To be eligible, applicants must retain permanent residence in the Acorn Equality Fund service area of downstate Illinois (all Illinois counties except Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will).

LGBTQ+ scholarships to study in the UK

• Positive action for LGBTQ+ MSc Scholarship at University of Edinburgh Business School – The University of Edinburgh Business School offers a £10,000 scholarship to fund any of their taught masters’ degrees, for students who are committed to making a difference to the LGBT+ community, especially within the business environment.
• Jeremy Round LGBTQ Scholarship at the University of Hull – Three scholarships are available for students who identify as LGBTQ+, are not in their first year of study, and have a household income of less than £25,000 or a disability. Named in memory of cookery writer and journalist (and University of Hull alumnus) Jeremy Round, each £1,000 award will support students with the costs of study.
• Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) Fellowship at Imperial College Business School – Imperial College Business School is partnered with Reaching Out MBA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to educating, inspiring, and connecting the LGBTQ+ MBA community. All successful applicants to the Imperial Full-Time MBA programme are eligible to apply.

LGBTQ+ scholarships to study in Canada

• The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose – Bursary awards for LGBTQ+ and two-spirited students in any accredited post-secondary education program within the province of Alberta.
• The Bill 7 Award – Scholarships are available for LGBTQ+ and two-spirited students who are in financial need and studying at any post-secondary institution in Ontario. Applications for the 2023-2024 cycle opens in April. 
• The LOUD Foundation – Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students enrolled at Canadian universities, who are also Canadian citizens or residents. Applications open in November and close in January.
• Lambda Foundation Scholarship in LGBT Studies - A scholarship of $1,000 for students at the University of Guelph who are producing a thesis, research essay, independent research project, or coursework related to LGBTQ+ studies. A preference will be given to those involved in the LGBTQ+ community.

LGBTQ+ scholarships to study in Australia and New Zealand

• The Pinnacle Foundation – Scholarships for young LGBTQ+ people between the ages of 18 and 26, who desire to undertake full-time education at a public or private secondary school (final year) or public institution of higher education in Australia. 
• Monash Queer Leaders Scholarship – Two scholarships are available to an Australian or Kiwi student who identifies as LGBTIQ and is enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at Monash University. 
• Rainbow New Zealand – Scholarships for LGBTQ+ students enrolling in a full-time degree course at a recognized tertiary-level institution. Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents and have lived in New Zealand for at least the previous two years.
• First Nations Pride Scholarship - Worth up to $30,000, this scholarship offered by the University of Melbourne supports an undergraduate or graduate studying a degree within the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music. Students must either identify as LGBTIQA+ or are of Australian Indigenous descent, or both. 
• LGBTIQ+ Leadership Bursary - This scholarship awards $1,500 to one student who identifies as LGBTQ+ and is enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at the University of the Sunshine Coast. 
• LGBTQIA+ Shaping Futures Scholarship - This scholarship from the University of Newcastle awards up to $4000 for one student who identifies as LGBTQ+ and who is managing study alongside personal circumstances such as carer responsibilities. Students must be enrolled in any year of an undergraduate degree programme at the university. 

Other LGBTQ scholarships:

• Crossing Borders – A summer academic program in Mexico which connects students of various backgrounds and ethnicities and includes Spanish language training. Includes a Diversity Scholarship for ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ students. 
• The National Gay Pilots Association Education Fund – Provides scholarships for students who are actively involved in the LGBTQ+ community, have earned at least a private pilot certificate, and are enrolled in an accredited US college or university. It is not necessary to be a US citizen to apply.