Women pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) still face disproportionate barriers in academia and industry — but across Europe, many leading universities and institutions are actively investing in female talent through dedicated scholarships.
These programs not only cover tuition and living costs but often provide mentorship, research opportunities, and access to global networks designed to advance women in STEM. Here’s a curated list of the most impactful fully funded scholarships for women in STEM across Europe for 2025.
1. Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD Fellowships – EU Doctoral Networks
- Level: PhD
- Fields: Engineering, physics, computer science, life sciences, energy tech
- Coverage: Monthly salary (~€3,300), mobility allowance, research budget
- Women-Focused Elements: Strong emphasis on gender balance in research consortia
- Eligibility: Open to all nationalities, but mobility between countries is required
2. L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowships (Europe National Programs)
- Level: PhD & Postdoc
- Countries: Available in France, Germany, UK, Italy, Spain, and others
- Coverage: Research grants (€15,000–€25,000), recognition, media training
- Fields: Natural sciences, engineering, AI, health technologies
- Eligibility: Women researchers with proven academic and societal impact
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJM) – Gender-Balanced Consortia
- Level: Master’s
- Programs: Europhotonics, MARIHE, COSSE, EMSE, and others
- Coverage: Full tuition, €1,400/month stipend, travel, and insurance
- Eligibility: Open to all nationalities; gender inclusion is prioritized in admissions
- Focus: Women encouraged to apply in AI, data science, robotics, and software systems
4. DAAD Scholarships for Women in Engineering – Germany
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Programs: Renewable energy, AI, IT systems engineering, mechanical engineering
- Coverage: Monthly stipend (€934+), full tuition, travel, insurance
- Institutions: TU Berlin, RWTH Aachen, University of Stuttgart, and others
- Women-Focused Note: Some DAAD-funded institutions offer female-only engineering scholarships
5. Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship
- Level: PhD
- Field: Aerospace engineering and related space sciences
- Coverage: $10,000 grant
- Location: Usable at European institutions such as TU Delft, Politecnico di Milano, etc.
- Eligibility: Women pursuing PhDs in aerospace-related STEM fields
6. Oxford-Women in STEM Scholarships (UK)
- Level: Master’s & DPhil (PhD)
- Programs: MSc in Computer Science, Engineering Science, Data Science
- Coverage: Full tuition + living stipend (typically £17,500/year)
- Eligibility: Female-identifying students from any country
7. EPFL Women in Engineering Fellowships – Switzerland
- Level: Master’s
- Fields: Robotics, electrical engineering, materials science, computational biology
- Coverage: CHF 10,000/year + housing support
- Eligibility: Female students with academic excellence in STEM
- Extras: Access to mentoring and startup incubation
8. University of Helsinki Women in Science Scholarships – Finland
- Level: Master’s
- Programs: Neuroscience, computer science, chemistry, renewable energy
- Coverage: Full tuition + €5,000 relocation and living support
- Eligibility: Women from outside the EU/EEA applying to STEM fields
9. Ada Lovelace Fellowships – Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany
- Level: Doctoral
- Fields: Computer science, mathematics, informatics, energy systems
- Coverage: 100% funding + leadership training and mentorship
- Eligibility: Female-identifying PhD students selected through partner grad schools
10. CERN Administrative Student Program for Women in STEM – Switzerland
- Level: Internship/Graduate Student
- Fields: Applied physics, computer science, electrical engineering
- Coverage: Monthly stipend, travel allowance, health insurance
- Eligibility: Female university students from non-member states studying STEM
Moving Forward
2025 brings growing support for women in STEM across Europe, with many institutions embedding equity goals directly into their funding structures. These scholarships not only offer financial stability but often connect recipients with strong peer networks, role models, and lifelong career support — helping women break barriers in fields still dominated by men. Early application, a strong academic record, and personal motivation statements that highlight leadership potential will significantly boost chances.
