Scholarship Overview

• The Shardashish Interschool Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of the UNM (Uttambhai Nathalal Mehta) Foundation.
• The UNM Foundation is committed to expanding educational opportunities at all levels. Believing that education and health are cornerstones of societal development, particularly in a developing country like India, the UNM Foundation expends significant resources in both these areas. 
•  The intention of the Shardashish fellowship at Columbia University is to make available the best of global educational opportunities to bright and committed students who are economically challenged.  
• Beneficiaries of “Shardashish” (blessings of Mother of Knowledge) must push their existing boundaries to achieve and excel.
• The expectation of Shardashish fellows is that they will maximize their learning opportunities and once successful will pay it forward, through enabling others. 

Applicable course, university and country

This scholarship is applicable for Masters Degree

This scholarship is applicable for the following courses in Columbia University in USA

• M.S. Biomedical Engineering
  Master of Science in Earth and Environmental Engineering
• Master of Science in Operations Research (MSOR)
  M.S. Mechanical Engineering
• MS in Data Science
  Master of Science in Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics
• M.S. Electrical Engineering
  MA in Mathematics of Finance
• M.S. Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
  M.S. Materials Science and Engineering
• MS in Financial Engineering
  MA in Economics
• Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (MSIE)
  MS in Computer Science
• MA in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology
  MPA in Environmental Science And Policy
• MA in Biotechnology
  M.S. in Chemical Engineering
• Master of Science in Management Science and Engineering

• Applicants must have applied and been admitted to one of the specific Columbia University schools and programs below:
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (5 programs)
  • MA in Biotechnology
  • MA in Mathematics of Finance
  • MA in Statistics
  • MA in Economics
  • MA in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology
• The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (MS programs only)
  • Any engineering discipline
• School of International and Public Affairs (1 program)
  • MPA in Environmental Science and Policy

Scholarship amount details

Max scholarship per student: USD 50,000 => Rs 42,64,000

Conversion rate used: 1 USD = Rs. 88.73 (last updated 23rd September 2025)

Scholarship amount will be given: One Time

Scholarship amount can be used for

Type of Expense	Indicates if scholarship can be used for this type of expense
Tuition & Fees	✔Scholarship amount can be used for this
Living Expense	×Not covered in scholarship
Accommodation	×Not covered in scholarship
Air Fare/Travel Expenses	×Not covered in scholarship
Spouse/Child Care	×Not covered in scholarship
Health Cover	×Not covered in scholarship
Application	×Not covered in scholarship
Others	×Not covered in scholarship

• Funding is for one year, varying in amount depending on the particular program, level of financial need, and application qualifications. 
• The maximum amount for any individual fellow is $50,000 for one year. 
• The award can be applied to tuition and fees.

Student Awards

Number of students to be awarded: Varies

Scholarship Eligibility

No specific eligibility requirement mentioned on the Scholarship site, student profile will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Special Restrictions

• No Special Restriction applicable

Eligibility

• Criteria:
  • Established commitment to India and its future
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Must have applied and been admitted to one of the specific Columbia University schools and programs mentioned above

Preference will be given to following candidates:

• Preference to residents of India

Application Process for this scholarship

• Application Process:
• Each school has a different application process.  Please review the below instructions to ensure your application is submitted correctly.
  • School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA):
    • Please download and fill out the Shardashish Interschool Fellowship Application Form as well as the Shardashish Interschool Fellowship Needs Assessment Form. Save the documents as a single PDF and submit them directly to Maya Lugo, Assistant Director of the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program, mll2195@sipa.columbia.edu. 

  • Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS):

    • Please download and fill out the Shardashish Interschool Fellowship Application Form and the Shardashish Interschool Fellowship Needs Assessment Form. Save the documents as a single PDF and submit them via the below linked webpage: https://apply.gsas.columbia.edu/register/sif.

  • School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS):

    • Students should first begin a Master's of Science application with the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). After beginning the SEAS MS application, students may apply to the Shardashish Interschool Fellowship here: https://apply.engineering.columbia.edu/register/shardashish.

Scholarship Application

This scholarship needs a separate external application.

Important Dates

	Date	Additional Details
Application final end date	Not Available	The deadlines has been passed

Please note that these dates could be in local country times and may not be IST (Indian standard time).

Contact email

gsas-admissions@columbia.edu