Buddhist Scholarships

Most religious theorists speculate there are at least 350 million people practicing Buddhism, predominantly in Asian countries such as Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The religion is continually gaining worldwide popularity and increasing in followers across the world. Western culture is now embracing the idea of Buddhism, with Americans and Western Europeans studying the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, or Buddha.

Despite the growing numbers of Buddhists in western culture, there are only a few scholarships for college students who practice and are looking to study Buddhism. However, scholarships by type that are very specific are often less competitive as awards based on broad criteria, such as academic achievement or financial need. Also, there are general religious scholarships that are applicable to all religious studies programs. Buddhist scholarships are available to undergraduate students, graduate/professional students, and for individual practice.

To view scholarship information for some examples of Buddhist scholarships, click the links below. For a more complete list of scholarship opportunities, religious and otherwise, conduct a free college scholarship search.

Khyentse Foundation Buddhist Studies Scholarships
Application Deadlines: January 15, Annually
Khyentse Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers scholarships for Buddhist scholars. KF Buddhist Study Scholarships are one-time grants to support individuals who wish to study the Dharma. KF accepts applications from teachers, students, scholars, and translators, from all traditions, schools, and sects of Buddhism.

KF accepts open scholarship applications twice a year, from [...] More

Khyentse Foundation Individual Practice Grants
Application Deadlines: January 15, Annually
Khyentse Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers scholarships for Buddhist scholars. KF Individual Practice Grants are one-time grants that support individuals who wish to practice Dharma on retreat, public teachings, or other practice environments. KF accepts applications from practitioners, and retreatants from all traditions, schools, and sects of Buddhism.

KF accepts open [...] More

Khyentse Foundation Translation Studies Scholarships
Application Deadlines: March 01, Annually
The Khyentse Foundation has developed the KF Translation Studies Scholarship to support students in advanced degree programs in translation studies and Buddhist philosophy with the expressed purpose of training the translators of the future.

Eligibility:
-Students currently enrolled in a program of translation studies or Buddhist philosophy and are on track to become translators or are [...] More

The Khyentse Foundation Ashoka Grants
Application Deadlines:
For requests that fall outside the criteria for Advanced Study Scholarships, KF Individual Practice Grants or other awards, the Khyentse Foundation has created a fund for special project grants. This program identifies and supports organizations and individuals working to increase Dharma activity around the world.

The Ashoka Grants Committee considers applications from a broad array of [...] More