Duke University Scholarships for International Students 2026-27

Planning to pursue higher education abroad can be a significant financial challenge, especially for international students. Duke University, a top-tier private research institution in the US, recognizes the value of a diverse, global student body and offers several avenues of financial support for non-US citizens for the 2026-2027 academic year. Important programs include the Karsh International Scholars Program for undergraduates, a merit-based scholarship that is fully funded, covering tuition, room, board, mandatory fees, and provides three summers of funding for research or internships. While need-based financial aid is generally available for admitted international undergraduates who apply for it at the time of admission, funding for international graduate students (Master’s and Ph.D.) typically comes through departmental assistantships, grants, and specialized fellowships. For Ph.D. students, The Graduate School provides a competitive package covering stipend, tuition, fees, and health insurance for up to five years.

In this blog, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of the various scholarship opportunities, application requirements, and financial aid policies specific to international students applying to Duke University for the 2026-2027 intake.

Types of Duke University Scholarships

Duke University offers various forms of financial aid and scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students. These are broadly categorized into merit-based scholarships, need-based aid, and a variety of other awards and fellowships.

Category	Type of Scholarship / Aid	Target Student Level
Merit-Based	Need-Blind Merit Scholarships (e.g., A.B. Duke, University Scholars)	Undergraduate
Merit/Need Hybrid	Karsh International Scholars Program	Undergraduate (International)
Need-Based	Need-Based Financial Aid/Grants	Undergraduate (Domestic & International)
Merit/Program-Based	Robertson Scholars Leadership Program	Undergraduate
Graduate Funding	Graduate School Fellowships	Ph.D. & Master’s
Graduate Funding	Research Assistantships (RA)	Ph.D. & Master’s
Graduate Funding	Teaching Assistantships (TA)	Ph.D. & Master’s
External Funding	External/Private Scholarships	Undergraduate & Graduate

List of Duke University Scholarships for International Students

Duke University offers a robust system of financial aid, primarily focused on need-based grants for undergraduates and a range of merit-based scholarships and fellowships for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Type of Program	Name of Scholarship/Aid	Student Level	Coverage / Value	Important Eligibility
Need-Based Aid	Institutional Need-Based Grant	Undergraduate (Domestic & International)	Meets 100% of Demonstrated Financial Need. A combination of grants, work-study, and loans (loans may be substituted with grants for low-income families).	Crucial: Must submit the FAFSA (domestic) and CSS Profile (all applicants) and indicate financial aid interest upon admission application. International students who do not apply for aid initially are ineligible later.
Full-Ride Merit Scholarship (International)	Karsh International Scholars Program	Undergraduate	Full Coverage: Tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board for four years. Includes three summers of research/enrichment funding.	International students (not U.S. citizens/dual citizens). Based on exceptional merit and demonstrated financial need. Automatic consideration upon admission and financial aid request.
Full-Ride Merit Scholarship (Joint Program)	Robertson Scholars Leadership Program	Undergraduate (Domestic & International)	Full Coverage: Tuition, fees, room, and board. Includes generous funding for three summer enrichment experiences and a leadership curriculum at both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill.	Highly selective, merit-based. Requires a separate application and/or nomination.
Duke Merit Scholarship Cohorts	A.B. Duke Memorial Scholars	Undergraduate	Full tuition, fees, room, and board, plus enrichment funding.	Highest academic distinction, intellectual curiosity, and leadership. Primarily for domestic students, but a select few may be international. Automatic consideration.
	Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholars	Undergraduate	Full tuition, fees, room, and board, plus enrichment funding.	Recognizes academic achievement, community engagement, and commitment to service among students of color. Automatic consideration.
	University Scholars Program (USP)	Undergraduate	Full tuition, fees, room, and board, plus enrichment funding.	Focuses on interdisciplinary research, collaborative thinking, and innovative scholarship. Often requires demonstrated financial need. Automatic consideration.
	Alumni Endowed Scholars Program	Undergraduate	Varies, can range up to full tuition, fees, room, and board.	Merit-based, with preference given to children or grandchildren of Duke alumni who demonstrate some financial need. Automatic consideration.
	B.N. Duke Scholars Program	Undergraduate	Full tuition, fees, room, and board, plus enrichment funding.	For students from North or South Carolina who excel academically and demonstrate leadership.
Graduate Funding	Graduate School Fellowships (e.g., Centennial, Dean’s)	Ph.D. & Master’s	Typically includes a stipend, full tuition waiver, fee coverage, and health insurance.	Awarded by The Graduate School or the specific department based on academic merit and research potential. Primarily for Ph.D. students.
Graduate Funding	Teaching/Research Assistantships (TA/RA)	Ph.D. & Master’s	Includes a stipend and a tuition waiver in exchange for service (teaching or research).	Standard funding for Ph.D. students. Managed by the department and faculty research grants.
Current Student Aid	Karsh Funds for Current International Students	Undergraduate (Current, International)	Supplemental funding for specific, unexpected needs (e.g., medical, research supplies, graduate school application fees).	Must be a current international undergraduate who is already receiving Duke need-based aid. Separate application to the financial aid office is required.

Also Read: Study in USA For Free: A Guide to Study in America for Free

Details of Top Duke University Scholarships

Duke University offers a number of prestigious merit scholarships for undergraduates, along with its commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students (including international students who applied for aid).

Here are the detailed profiles for the top, full-ride merit scholarships:

Robertson Scholars Leadership Program

The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program is a highly competitive, full-ride scholarship awarded to exceptional students for four years of undergraduate study at either Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). This program’s defining feature is the “dual citizenship” it grants, allowing scholars to take courses and use resources at both universities, including a mandatory residential semester at the sister campus during the sophomore year. Beyond covering full tuition, fees, room, and board, the scholarship includes generous funding for three summer enrichment experiences (internships, research, or service) and is the only Duke merit scholarship requiring a separate, competitive application.

Student Level	Incoming Undergraduate First-Years
Type of Award	Merit-Based, Full-Ride, and Leadership Development
Nationality	Domestic (U.S.) and International Students
Coverage (Full-Ride)	Full tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board for four years at either Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill.
Additional Benefits	Generous funding for up to three summer experiences (research, internships, service). Full funding for two semesters of study abroad. A unique leadership development curriculum. Mandatory residency on the sister campus (Duke or UNC) during the second semester of the sophomore year.
Important Eligibility	Academic excellence, proven leadership potential, integrity, and a desire to collaborate between Duke and UNC.
Application Process	Requires a separate application. Applicants must also apply to either Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill.
Deadline	November 15 (for U.S. students) December 1 (for New Zealand students)
Official Link	https://robertsonscholars.org/

Karsh International Scholars Program

The Karsh International Scholars Program is Duke’s premier, fully funded scholarship dedicated exclusively to international undergraduate students who demonstrate both exceptional merit and confirmed financial need. This award provides a full scholarship covering tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board for all four years, along with three dedicated summers of funding for research, unpaid internships, or global enrichment experiences. The scholarship aims to bring a diverse cohort of global leaders to Duke and requires no separate application outside of indicating interest in financial aid and submitting the necessary financial documents (like the CSS Profile) during the admissions process.

Student Level	Incoming International Undergraduate First-Years
Type of Award	Merit-Based with Demonstrated Need Requirement (Full-Ride)
Nationality	International Students Only (Non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents)
Coverage (Full-Ride)	Covers all costs for eight semesters (four years): Full tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board.
Additional Benefits	Full financial assistance for three summers of enrichment experiences (e.g., unpaid internships, research, service work). Dedicated academic community and faculty mentorship. Funds available to cover essential, proven need that exceeds standard costs.
Important Eligibility	Outstanding academic potential, leadership qualities, and a commitment to global impact. Crucially, applicants must also demonstrate financial need (by submitting the CSS Profile and indicating interest in financial aid).
Application Process	Automatic Consideration: No separate application is required beyond the Duke admissions application and the required financial aid documents.
Deadlines	Same as Duke’s Undergraduate Admissions Deadline
Official Link	https://ousf.duke.edu/merit-scholarships/karsh-international-scholars-program/

A.B. Duke Memorial Scholars Program

The A.B. Duke Memorial Scholars Program is Duke’s flagship academic merit scholarship, targeting students who exhibit outstanding intellectual accomplishment and exceptional potential for academic leadership and world-changing impact. This is a full-ride scholarship covering tuition, fees, room, and board, and it provides generous enrichment funding for unique summer experiences, including the opportunity for funded study at Oxford University the summer before sophomore year. Selection is based purely on the admissions application, meaning there is no separate application required, with scholars chosen for their deep intellectual curiosity and ability to engage in innovative, self-directed study.

Student Level	Incoming Undergraduate First-Years
Type of Award	Merit-Based, Full-Ride
Nationality	Primarily Domestic, but a select few may be international.
Coverage (Full-Ride)	Full tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board for four years.
Additional Benefits	Access to generous funding for domestic and international summer experiences, including the opportunity to study at Oxford University the summer before sophomore year. Encouraged to pursue independent research and develop unique curricula. Faculty mentorship and an exclusive intellectual community.
Important  Eligibility	Students with demonstrated outstanding intellectual ability, creative talent, and exceptional potential for academic leadership. Candidates are generally intellectually adventurous and curious.
Application Process	Automatic Consideration: No separate application is required. Selection is based entirely on the Duke admissions application.
Deadline	Same as Duke’s Undergraduate Admissions Deadline
Official Link	https://ousf.duke.edu/merit-scholarships/ab-duke-scholars-program/

Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholars Program

The Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholars Program is a full-ride merit scholarship that honors the legacy of Duke’s first African-American student body president by supporting students of African heritage who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to service and social justice. The award provides full coverage for tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board for four years. Like the A.B. Duke Scholarship, candidates are automatically considered based on their Duke admissions application and are integrated into a supportive network that promotes civic and community engagement.

Student Level	Incoming Undergraduate First-Years
Type of Award	Merit-Based, Full-Ride
Nationality	Domestic and International students of African heritage (Black/African-American).
Coverage (Full-Ride)	Full tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board for four years.
Additional Benefits	The program is tied to the Reggie Howard Leadership Program, which offers enrichment funding, faculty mentoring, and experiential learning activities, especially those focused on community engagement and service to Black communities.
Important  Eligibility	Exceptional academic and personal accomplishments, demonstrating a strong commitment to leadership and social justice, and a dedication to service within the community.
Application Process	Automatic Consideration: No separate application is required. Selection is based on the Duke admissions application.
Deadline	Varies
Official Link	https://ousf.duke.edu/merit-scholarships/reginaldo-howard-memorial-scholars-program/reggie-howard-leadership-program/

Tips for a Successful Duke University Scholarship Application

Successfully securing a Duke University scholarship, especially for international students (like the Karsh International Scholarship), relies on a holistic approach that demonstrates exceptional merit and often, documented financial need. Since most Duke merit scholarships do not require a separate application, your admission file must be extraordinarily strong.

• ESecure top grades in the most challenging curriculum available to you (e.g., IB, A-Levels).
• Accurately and promptly submit the CSS Profile and all required financial documents.
• Understand that for most merit scholarships (like Karsh and A.B. Duke), your admission application is the scholarship application.
• Use essays to reveal deep, genuine interest and critical thinking beyond the classroom.
• Focus on the measurable impact and results of your leadership and service, not just holding a title.
• Articulate how your unique international background will enrich Duke’s community.
• Show long-term dedication to a few extracurriculars or projects rather than a long, diverse list.
• Ensure recommenders provide specific, compelling anecdotes about your merit and character.
• If applicable, submit competitive scores (e.g., 100+ TOEFL) to prove readiness for a U.S. university.
• Tailor your application to reflect the scholarship’s core values (e.g., the Karsh’s focus on global impact and service).

Why Study at Duke University for International Students?

Studying at Duke University as an international student offers a unique combination of elite academics, world-class research, and unparalleled global support and connectivity. It’s an opportunity to join a diverse, high-achieving community with strong global engagement.

Here are the important reasons why Duke is an outstanding choice for international students:

• Duke encourages students to cross traditional academic boundaries, making it easy to pair majors, minors, and certificates across its schools, allowing international students to craft a unique, global-focused curriculum.
• The university has exceptional strength in areas like Public Policy (Sanford School), Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, and Computer Science.
• You’ll learn from faculty who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel and Turing Award winners, ensuring a world-class educational experience.
• Research is a core experience, and Duke offers numerous, mentored research opportunities across all majors, from the humanities to the sciences, often beginning in the first year.
• Nearly half of Duke students study abroad, with programs designed to fit any major.
• Duke actively promotes service learning and global outreach, helping students develop into “passionate changemakers” ready to tackle real-world problems.
• This dedicated center provides support for cultural acclimation, community building, and practical assistance with living essentials (like housing and banking).
• Duke Visa Services offers expert, localized assistance to help students navigate the complexities of F-1 visa status, travel, and work authorization (CPT/OPT).
• Duke offers need-based financial aid to a select number of international students who demonstrate high merit.

Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships in USA for International Students

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