- 4 years fully fundedFull undergraduate degree
- Full tuition + fees + housingCore funding
- Up to 3 funded summersResearch, internships, service
- ~$10,000 enrichment stipend (est.)One-time experience fund
- International students onlyEligibility
- All nationalitiesOpen worldwide
At a glance
full
Funding
€320k
Max amount
Jan 2, 2027
Deadline
Open to international students of all nationalities
Country
Duke University
Provider
The Karsh International Scholarship Program is a merit-and-need undergraduate award for international students at Duke University, the private research university in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 1838 and home to more than 16,000 students across 10 schools. The award is fully funded for the standard 4 years of the Bachelor's degree and covers full tuition, mandatory fees, on-campus housing and a meal plan, and additional need-based aid beyond those core costs. Karsh Scholars also receive funding for up to 3 summers to support research, unpaid internships, language study, or service projects, plus a one-time enrichment stipend of about $10,000 (est.) for an academic or professional experience. The scholarship is open to international applicants of all nationalities who demonstrate financial need as assessed by Duke's financial aid office; there is no separate application, because applicants who request need-based aid are considered automatically. International candidates typically apply through Early Decision by early November 2025 or Regular Decision by early January 2026 for entry in the 2026/2027 academic year. Because the summer funding, the enrichment amount, and the exact closing dates are set each cycle, confirm the current-cycle figures and deadlines on the official Duke University financial aid page before you apply.
What's covered
- Full tuition — 100 percent of Duke's undergraduate tuition is covered for the standard 4 years; published tuition is roughly $66,000 (est.) per year.
- Housing and meals — On-campus accommodation and a full meal plan are provided, together worth about $19,000 (est.) per year.
- Mandatory fees — All university-required student fees are paid in full each year.
- Additional financial aid — Need-based aid bridges any remaining gap for costs beyond tuition, housing, and fees, sized to the family's assessed need.
- Summer and enrichment funding — Funding for up to 3 summers of research, internships, or service, plus a one-time enrichment stipend of about $10,000 (est.).
How to apply
There is no separate scholarship form; apply for admission and financial aid, and eligible international applicants are considered automatically.
- Apply to Duke University — Submit the Common Application or Coalition Application for first-year undergraduate admission and indicate that you are applying for financial aid.
- Choose your admission round — Apply through Early Decision (around early November 2025) for a binding earlier decision, or Regular Decision (around early January 2026).
- Complete financial aid forms — Submit the CSS Profile and any other required financial aid documents through Duke's financial aid portal so your need can be assessed.
- Provide supporting materials — Ensure transcripts, recommendations, and any required test scores reach Duke by the admission deadline.
- Await review — Need-eligible international admits are automatically considered for the Karsh award; selected students are notified with their admission decision.
Eligibility
CitizenshipMust be an international applicant who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
AdmissionMust apply for first-year undergraduate admission to Duke University and be admitted.
Financial needMust demonstrate financial need through Duke's need-based financial aid process.
ProfileShould show interdisciplinary academic curiosity and a record of community service and engagement.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not eligible for the Karsh International award, though they may qualify for Duke's other need-based aid. Indicate your intent to apply for financial aid when submitting your admission application.
Eligible countries
Open to international students of all nationalities
Deadlines
2026/2027 first-year intake (Early Decision)~early November 2025 (est.)
2026/2027 first-year intake (Regular Decision)~2 January 2026 (est.)
Selection
Duke University selects Karsh Scholars from need-eligible international admits based on academic strength, intellectual range across disciplines, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to community service. There is no separate competition to enter; the admissions and financial aid offices identify candidates whose profiles match the program's goals, and selected students are notified alongside their admission decision.
Verified sources
- Duke University Karsh International Scholarshipfinancialaid.duke.eduofficial
- Duke University Undergraduate Admissionsadmissions.duke.eduofficial
About the provider
Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 1838. It enrolls more than 16,000 students across 10 schools and is known for interdisciplinary programs in medicine, law, business, engineering, and public policy, with a campus marked by Gothic architecture and the Duke Chapel.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the Karsh International Scholarship?
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International (non-U.S.) high school students applying for first-year undergraduate admission to Duke University who can demonstrate financial need.
Is the Karsh Scholarship fully funded?
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Yes. It covers full tuition, fees, on-campus housing and meals, and additional need-based aid for the 4-year undergraduate degree.
Is there a separate scholarship application?
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No. International applicants who request financial aid on their admission application are automatically considered for the Karsh award.
What is the summer funding?
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Karsh Scholars receive funding for up to 3 summers to support research, unpaid internships, language study, or service projects.
Is there an enrichment stipend?
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Yes, a one-time enrichment stipend of about $10,000 (est.) supports an academic or professional experience; confirm the current amount officially.
Can U.S. citizens apply?
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No. The Karsh International award is for non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent-residents; U.S. students may qualify for Duke's other need-based aid.
Which subjects are eligible?
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The scholarship is open to all undergraduate majors offered across Duke's schools.
When is the deadline?
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International students typically apply by Early Decision around early November 2025 or Regular Decision around 2 January 2026 for the 2026/2027 year; verify the exact dates officially.
Do I need to show financial need?
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Yes. You must complete Duke's need-based financial aid process and demonstrate financial need to be considered.
How many Karsh Scholars are selected?
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Duke selects a small cohort each year from need-eligible international admits; confirm the current cohort size on the official page.
What standardized tests are required?
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Test requirements vary by cycle, so check Duke's current testing policy; submit any required scores by the admission deadline.
Where do I confirm the official details?
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On Duke University's financial aid Karsh International Scholarship page and the Duke admissions site, which publish the binding criteria and deadlines.