Scholarships and prizes

In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, the students, recent graduates, and alumnae-i of the Institute continue to foster a strong sense of community, grounded in our core values. Their collective efforts have made a lasting impact, shaping the lives of individuals and communities for years, decades, and generations.

ONLINE GIVING

 

Support a student - Institute's Community Scholarship
Support a student - Alumni Scholarship
United States Scholarship
Support the Institute

 

 

WIRE TRANSFER  

Fondation pour l’Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement
Credit Suisse – Zürich
IBAN : CH92 0483 5025 4300 1114 4
Swift CRESCHZZ80A
References to be indicated with the payment: “Alumni scholarship - 1634”

For Residents of the United States (who wish to make a larger donation and require a US tax receipt)
(Please be sure to also send us your name and contact details to Ben Butcher (bbutcher1187@gmail.com - Linkedin)

By Wire Transfer
The Friends of the Graduate Institute Foundation
Bank name (via Fidelity): UMB Bank n.a.
Account number:  3 9900 0007 4047 1736
Routing number:  101 205 681

SEE THE CHANGE THAT YOU CREATE

Amrutha Nair
UNICEF
2023-2024
 

The Alumni Scholarship was not just financial support — it was a transformative chapter in my life. It opened a world of possibility, equipping me with the confidence, insight, and global exposure that continue to shape who I am today. Coming from a small village in Kerala to working with UNICEF, traveling for global health work, and speaking at the United Nations — these were not distant dreams, but real experiences made possible by this scholarship. It empowered me to believe, to lead, and to thrive on the global stage.

 

  

Gloria Nkrumah 
Communications Intern at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
2023-2024
 

This scholarship did more than support my education. As a young African woman working in a multilateral humanitarian setting, my experience at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has given me a front-row seat to how trust-based, flexible funding mechanisms can strengthen local actors to lead their own progress. It is through the
scholarship that my distant dreams turned into lived experiences and placed me in spaces I never imagined, where I now continue to grow and contribute to global impact.

 

  

Reetuparna Vishwanath
Research Fellow at VU Amsterdam and Consultant with the EC-funded CompNet
2021-2022
 

I’m deeply grateful to the Institute and its alumni for enabling me to build my career at this premier institution which would have been out of reach otherwise, and for deepening my conviction to give back through my work. This experience opened academic and professional doors and connected me to an amazing community that continues to inspire me every day. Thank you for championing diversity of thought, experience, and values.

 

Dongcai Chen
PhD Researcher in International Law at the University of Vienna
2020-2021

 

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the scholarship and the institution, both of which have provided me with invaluable opportunities to pursue my academic interests in international law. The scholarship has not only supported my studies but has also opened doors to new possibilities and experiences that have significantly enriched my academic journey. I deeply miss the diverse and inclusive environment, the warm and welcoming community, and the intellectually stimulating and rigorous academic discussions that characterized my time at the institution. These experiences have left a lasting impression on me, and I remain profoundly grateful for the opportunities afforded to me.

 

Meenakshi Nair
Swiss National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford and Editorial Board Member of Grassroots
2016-2017

 

I'm currently a postdoctoral fellow affiliated with the University of Oxford, with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation's Postdoc. Mobility Grant. My ongoing research centres on digital land governance technologies in India and looks into their impact on land rights, in terms of security and transparency. I also serve on the editorial board of Grassroots, a section of the Journal of Political Ecology, and run a public-facing blog called Unruly Dialogues, which sources content from academia and beyond on matters related to the environment.

 

Thank you to our alumni community for your donations to the Alumnae-i Scholarship! Below are testimonies from past recipients who have gone on to work for international organisations, NGOs, and the public sector thanks to your contributions.

The Alumnae-i Scholarship was established in 2013 to fund the academic and living expenses of a student in financial need for a year. Funds for the scholarship are collected through direct donations on the Alumnae-i Scholarship webpage as well as during a raffle and silent auction held at the annual Alumnae-i Reunion, which gathers alumnae-i from around the world. 

EMPOWER A STUDENT, BUILD A BETTER WORLD

By supporting a young person following in your footsteps, grounded in the values and reflection nurtured at the Institute, you’re not only improving their study conditions—you're playing a pivotal role in shaping their education, investing in the future, and continuing your legacy of making the world a better place.

Your support is especially vital, as the Institute's unique status as a foundation allows us to focus on this important mission. Join the alumni who have already funded part or all of a scholarship. No matter the amount, your contribution is invaluable. Together, through solidarity, we can ensure the ongoing positive impact we have on the world.

 

A TRADITION OF GIVING: The ALUMNI COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP

The Alumni Community Scholarship is a unique scholarship funded by the generous donations of the alumni of the Institute. Created in 2013 to cover the tuition and living expenses of a student in need for one year, the funds for the scholarship are raised through direct donations and a raffle held at the Alumni Reunion in Geneva, which brings together alumni from around the world each year.

 

A HISTORY OF SOLIDARITY AND EDUCATION

The Alumni Community Scholarship is part of a rich history of impact and solidarity at the Institute. In 1956, Mr. Jozsef von Csillaghy from