The scholarship program aims to encourage Tibetans students in a graduate field of study relevant to the times, which has the potential to contribute to the welfare of humanity and the Tibetans.
The Dalai Lama Foundation was established to support the advancement and welfare of the Tibetan people, the culture and heritage of the ancient civilization of Tibet, and the promotion of the deep-rooted values associated with that culture and people.

Since its inception in 2011, more than US$1.4 million has been dispersed in grants to almost 100 Tibetan students, 23 of whom were Ph.D. candidates.  Recipients were enrolled in universities such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, New York, McGill, Oxford, Cambridge, the London School of Economics, Sciences Po (the Paris Institute of Political Studies), and many others.

Applicants must provide official documentation of their acceptance into a graduate degree program at a university in Europe, Australia or North America. Applicants must also provide proof of their Tibetan heritage.

Current recipients who wish to renew their scholarships are required to submit a separate renewal application.

The complete application form, along with all supporting documents must be submitted online by April 30, 2018 (11:59 PM Eastern Time) via http://dalailamatrust.org website. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Receipt of the application will be acknowledged by email. Selected applicants will be interviewed over the phone or Skype. Successful recipients will be announced on July 6, 2018.