BonfemStudying in the United States is one of the biggest academic and career opportunities for European students. However, many believe they must pass the GRE or IELTS to qualify. That is no longer true.
In 2026, several top American universities and international funding bodies offer fully funded scholarships for EU students, no GRE, no IELTS, and no standardized exams required.
These programs cover:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend
- Health insurance
- Travel allowance
- Research funding
- Books and living expenses
Whether you are from Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, or any EU country, these scholarships allow you to study in the USA with zero financial burden.
Why Many U.S. Universities No Longer Require GRE or IELTS
Across the U.S., hundreds of universities have removed standardized test requirements. Reasons include:
- A shift to holistic evaluation
- High performance of European academic systems
- Post-pandemic testing flexibility
- Growth of English-taught European degrees
- Internal English proficiency waivers
European applicants benefit the most because most institutions recognize:
- European bachelor’s degrees
- English-taught university programs
- WAEC/GCSE/A-Level or national high-school English credits
- Letters confirming English proficiency
This makes 2026 the easiest application cycle yet.
25 Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA for EU Students (2026) — No GRE, No IELTS
Below is a carefully curated list for you for 2026
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (Europe Stream)
Covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, insurance.
Accepts EU applicants without GRE for many fields.
2. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University)
Fully funded master’s and PhD degrees.
GRE not required for most programs.
3. Yale Graduate Scholarships
Yale funds:
- Full tuition
- Living stipend
- Health insurance
IELTS waived for European applicants with English-taught backgrounds.
4. Harvard GSAS Fellowships
Fully funded PhD programs with stipends.
GRE optional across most departments.
5. MIT Research & Teaching Assistantships
MIT funds nearly all graduate students.
GRE waived for many STEM fields in 2026.
6. Princeton University Fully Funded PhDs
Covers full tuition + stipend.
GRE not required for most humanities and social sciences.
7. Columbia University International Fellowships
Full funding for selected master’s and PhD tracks.
Language exams waived for European applicants.
8. University of Chicago Graduate Scholarships
Full tuition + stipend.
GRE removed in multiple programs including economics and policy.
9. Duke University Graduate Fellowships
Fully funded master’s and PhDs.
GRE often optional; English test waived for Europeans.
10. Johns Hopkins University PhD Funding
Full funding for all PhD students.
GRE eliminated for public health, biomedical, engineering, and more.
11. UPenn Graduate Programs
Full tuition and stipends in:
- Engineering
- Social sciences
- Public policy
IELTS waiver possible for EU degrees.
12. Cornell University Fellowships
Full tuition + research stipends.
GRE optional in most fields.
13. Brown University Fully Funded PhDs
Covers all academic and living costs.
No GRE required.
14. New York University (NYU) Graduate Funding
Fully funded PhDs + assistantships.
GRE dropped across key departments.
15. UC Berkeley Graduate Fellowships
Offers:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend
- Research funding
English test waived for many European applicants.
16. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Funding Packages
Full support for STEM and AI-related graduate programs.
GRE waived across multiple schools.
17. University of Michigan Rackham Fellowships
Fully funded master’s and PhDs.
No GRE required for many programs.
18. University of Texas at Austin Graduate Funding
Full tuition + stipend through RAs and TAs.
GRE removed in engineering, social sciences, and business.
19. Arizona State University (ASU) Graduate Assistantships
Fully funded PhDs.
IELTS/GRE waivers available for EU students.
20. Vanderbilt University Graduate Fellowships
Full funding including tuition + stipends.
GRE optional in many departments.
21. Emory University International Scholarships
Covers tuition, stipends, and healthcare.
GRE and IELTS waived in several programs.
22. University of Notre Dame PhD Scholarships
All PhD students receive full funding.
GRE mostly optional.
23. Northwestern University Graduate Funding
Full tuition + stipend for top applicants.
No GRE for many science and humanities programs.
24. Georgetown University Graduate Assistantships
Fully funded PhDs and master’s assistantships.
English test waived for European applicants.
25. American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowship
Covers full tuition and living costs.
Open to women from all European countries.
No GRE or English test needed with adequate academic background.
Eligibility Requirements for Europeans (2026)
Most fully funded U.S. programs require:
- Strong academic record
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Letter confirming English proficiency (EU applicants qualify easily)
- Academic references
- Statement of purpose
- Research proposal (for PhD)
GRE and IELTS are not required for the above scholarships.
How European Students Can Boost Their Chances in 2026
Follow these steps to maximize scholarship success:
1. Apply early
Deadlines often fall between October and February.
2. Contact potential supervisors for PhD programs
This significantly improves acceptance rate.
3. Build a strong academic CV
List:
- Research
- Projects
- Internships
- Academic awards
- Publications
4. Show clear study or research goals
U.S. committees appreciate clarity and ambition.
5. Use country-specific application advantages
European applicants often receive:
- Automatic English waivers
- Priority in global leadership scholarships
- Strong academic recognition
Fields Where GRE/IELTS-Free Funding Is Easiest
European students get the most offers in:
- Artificial intelligence
- Engineering
- Public policy
- International affairs
- Computer science
- Data science
- Economics
- Public health
- Biomedical sciences
- Environmental science
- Mathematics
- Humanities & social sciences
Conclusion
In 2026, European students will enjoy more fully funded opportunities in the United States than ever before, without the pressure of GRE or IELTS exams.
These 25 scholarships offer:
- 100% tuition coverage
- Monthly stipends
- Research funding
- Health insurance
- Travel allowance
If your goal is to relocate for advanced studies, professional growth, or global experience, these U.S. scholarships are your best pathway.
FAQs
Can EU students study in the U.S. without IELTS?
Yes. Many universities accept English-taught degrees from Europe or grant waivers.
Do these scholarships also cover living costs?
Most include full stipends that cover accommodation and daily expenses.
Can I apply without GRE?
Yes. The programs listed above do not require GRE for 2026.
Is the U.S. competitive for scholarships?
Yes, but European students perform strongly due to excellent academic preparation.
Do fully funded scholarships include healthcare?
Most include comprehensive medical insurance.
Bonfem