You may already be aware of standard merit-based scholarships and need-based scholarships for attending university, but have you encountered the myriad of fun and unusual scholarships available for graduate students? Let’s take a look at some notable examples.

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Unigo $10K scholarship: win USD 10,000 with one creative question


Are you a US citizen currently enrolled or planning to enrol no later than fall 2031 in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education? If so, pay attention because this creative task assigned by Unigo might grant you USD 10,000 to finance your college or university studies. The current prompt is: “Would you rather be smart, funny or rich? Why?”

Applicants need to craft their winning answer in 250 words or less and submit it by 31 December 2026. The panel of judges at Unigo will consider the writing ability (25%), creativity (25%), originality (25%), and overall excellence (25%) of each entry. Make sure your text is well-written and grammatically flawless, but don’t be afraid to get your creative juices flowing.

As past winner Hayley H. recommends:

“When applying for scholarships, I think it’s important for students to ignore their first instincts. Whatever I think of first is most likely what everyone else will say, too. I would advise students to think longer about it and try to come up with something outside of the box.”

Starfleet International (SFI) scholarships: funding for graduate students who love Star Trek


Although not all scholarships for graduate students will cover your tuition fully, they can still be a worthwhile source of funding. Starfleet International, an organisation established in 1974 that brings together the Star Trek fanbase, grants several USD 1,000 graduate study scholarships every year.

The funding is offered to students across a range of named categories, including the James Doohan/Montgomery Scott Engineering and Technology Scholarship, the DeForest Kelley/Dr. Leonard McCoy Memorial Medical and Veterinarian Scholarship, and the Gene Roddenberry Memorial/Sir Patrick Stewart Scholarship for Aspiring Writers and Artists. More recent additions include a STEM scholarship and an IDIC diversity scholarship, open to applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education. There is also a general “Miscellaneous” scholarship covering all fields of study not captured by the named awards.

The only requirement to be eligible? You must have been an active STARFLEET member for at least one year by 30 June of the year in which you are applying, and be attending a community college, four-year college or university, technical school, junior college, or graduate school. Applications open on 1 January each year and close on 1 June.

Also read: 5 New Masters Programmes in a Changing World

The amount of the scholarship may seem modest compared to other four- and five-digit funding options. However, this could be an important factor contributing to the lack of extreme competitiveness.

“I'm a graduate student and it’s a lot harder to find funding than it is for an undergraduate. If you want to go to a conference, publish a paper, everything costs money, so most of us are constantly on the lookout for anything we can find. The SFI scholarship is actually a lot better than the majority of the scholarships my peers go out for,” says Michael Denman, a former SFI Miscellaneous scholarship winner.

Daiwa scholarship: a fully funded programme in Japan for UK graduates


This fully funded scholarship is awarded by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation in the form of an approximately 20-month programme of language study, work placement, and homestay in Japan. As its purpose is to promote closer links between the UK and Japan, the programme is open to British citizens only. No previous knowledge of Japan or experience of Japanese is necessary, but applicants must demonstrate strong leadership potential and clear career objectives.

As of 2026, 215 Daiwa Scholars, including scientists, artists, academics, lawyers, and architects, have completed the programme. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has already successfully acquired their undergraduate degree and is looking for a way to channel their passion for Japanese culture into their professional life.

The deadline for applications for the 2027 Daiwa Scholarship programme is 3 December 2026. If you pass the preliminary selection, you will go through three interview stages. If successful, the Foundation covers your return flight to Japan, accommodation in Tokyo while you seek a flat, all tuition and examination costs, private medical insurance, and a monthly living allowance of JPY 280,000 to cover accommodation and living expenses for a single person.

Dr Jennifer Handsel, who holds a Master in Computational Chemistry from the University of Surrey (UK) and a DPhil in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry from the University of Oxford (UK), was selected as one of the scholars in 2017. Her advice:

“Have a clear idea of what you would like to do for your work placement, and be prepared to demonstrate your motivation for learning the Japanese language. Your background and specialisation do not matter – past scholars have been everything from furniture designers to aspiring politicians.”

IvyPanda annual video contest scholarship: open to students worldwide


Not all unusual scholarships require you to be in the right country at the right time. The IvyPanda Annual Video Contest Scholarship is open to current high school, college, and university students from any country in the world. Run by IvyPanda, an online educational platform, the contest awards a total of USD 1,500 across two winners. No minimum GPA is required, no essays need to be submitted, and no expensive equipment is necessary – a smartphone is sufficient.

To apply, students must record an original video of between 60 and 90 seconds in English on one of a small number of provided topics, which are updated each year. The 2025-2026 cycle focused on the use of AI tools in academic life. The contest runs twice a year, with deadlines typically in April and October. Submissions are evaluated by an editorial team and then opened to public voting on YouTube, with the two most-liked videos among the shortlisted entries named as winners.

For prospective Masters candidates who are comfortable in front of a camera and have something valuable to say on the current topic, this is a low-barrier, internationally accessible opportunity that rewards clarity of thought and creativity of presentation.

Also read: How to Win Scholarships for Your Masters Studies

As you can see, there are various unusual scholarships available across the globe which could be suitable for your graduate study experience. These examples prove that while it is certainly challenging, applying for financial aid can also be fun and inspirational.

Originally published: 14 June 2019

Updated: 20 July 2026