CMA CGM Excellence Fund for Education Scholarship 2026/2027

The 2026/2027 application cycle for the CMA CGM Excellence Fund for Education Scholarship at Imperial College London officially closed on March 4, 2026, at 23:59 UK time. Established in 2022 by the global shipping and logistics leader CMA CGM Group, this fully funded postgraduate award targets high-achieving candidates from OECD-designated Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle Income Countries (LMICs).

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For the 2026/2027 academic year, the scheme provides three successful applicants with full overseas tuition fee waivers and a £19,500 annual living stipend to pursue one-year full-time Master’s degrees across Civil Engineering, Computing, and Imperial Business School. This post details the scholarship’s structural components, eligibility parameters, document requirements, and strategic preparation steps for applicants planning for the 2027/2028 intake.

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Origin and Objectives of the CMA CGM Excellence Fund

Established in 2022, the CMA CGM Excellence Fund for Education was created to bridge socioeconomic and geographic barriers for scholars originating from developing nations. By partnering with Imperial College London, the initiative delivers fully funded access to specialized Master’s education.

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The primary mission of the program is to equip candidates from OECD-designated Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower Middle Income Countries (LMICs) with advanced technical expertise. The initiative targets fields integral to international development, including trade, global logistics, technological innovation, data science, environmental sustainability, and climate finance. For each academic intake, three awards are granted to candidates demonstrating academic potential and leadership commitment.

CMA CGM Excellence Fund for Education Scholarship Summary

Comprehensive Financial Provisions

The award delivers a complete financial support framework to protect scholars from foreign study expenses:

• 100% Overseas Tuition Fee Waiver: Full coverage of all international tuition fees for the duration of the one-year Master’s degree. This removes the primary financial barrier for international scholars studying in the UK.
• Annual Maintenance Allowance: A living stipend valued at £19,500 per year. This maintenance stipend is calculated to cover accommodation, local transportation, food, utilities, academic textbooks, and daily expenses in London.
• Institutional Access & Mentorship: Direct inclusion in Imperial College London’s global academic community, including access to specialized career advising, professional development resources, and networking events through the CMA CGM network.

Eligible Academic Departments and Degree Programs

The scholarship is strictly restricted to select one-year, full-time Master’s degree programs within specific academic departments at Imperial College London. Continuing students, part-time programs, or courses outside this list are ineligible:

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

• MSc Environmental Engineering
• MSc Transport
• MSc Transport with Data Science
• MSc Environmental Engineering with Data Science

Department of Computing

• MSc Artificial Intelligence
• MSc Computing (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)
• MSc Renewable Energy with AI & Data Science

Imperial College Business School

• MSc Business Analytics
• MSc Economics & Strategy for Business
• MSc Management
• MSc Climate Change Management & Finance
• MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Management

Applicant Eligibility Criteria

To satisfy the baseline eligibility parameters established by Imperial College London and CMA CGM, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

• Nationality & Domicile: You must be a national ordinarily resident in a country classified as a Least Developed Country (LDC) or Lower Middle Income Country (LMIC) according to the official OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list.
• Prior International Study Restriction: You must not have previously completed, nor currently be undertaking, any degree-level studies outside your home country.
• Fee Status Assessment: You must be formally classified as an “Overseas” student for fee status assessment purposes by Imperial College London.
• Admission Status: You must apply for, and receive an official admission offer for, an eligible one-year full-time Master’s program listed above starting in Autumn 2026.
• English Language Proficiency: You must meet Imperial College London’s higher or standard English language proficiency requirements for your chosen department by June 30, 2026.
• New Student Requirement: You must be a new incoming postgraduate student. Current or continuing Imperial College London students are explicitly excluded from applying.

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Required Documents and Portfolio Requirements

Candidates preparing their portfolio for the upcoming application cycle must gather and verify the following materials:

• Imperial Course Application Record: Complete online application submitted through the Imperial College London application portal, including selection of eligible nationality and residency fields.
• Official Academic Transcripts: Certified university transcripts, mark sheets, and official degree certificates from prior undergraduate studies translated into English.
• Formal Admission Offer Letter: An official conditional or unconditional offer letter from Imperial College London for an approved MSc course.
• Proof of Nationality and Residency: Valid passport bio-data page and official documentation confirming continuous residency in an eligible OECD country.
• English Proficiency Certification: Valid test scores (such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Duolingo English Test, depending on departmental benchmarks) confirming language competence.
• Invited Scholarship Form: If shortlisted, candidates must submit a dedicated scholarship application form issued directly via email by the central financial aid office.

How to Prepare for the Next Selection Cycle (2027/2028 Intake)

Because the 2026 application window closed on March 4, 2026, prospective candidates should utilize the period between cycles to prepare their applications for the 2027/2028 academic year.

Step 1: Course Research and Entry Verification (October – November)

Review the eligible Master’s courses across Civil Engineering, Computing, and Imperial Business School. Verify that your academic background aligns with the quantitative and academic prerequisites of your chosen department.

Step 2: Prepare Academic Credentials and English Testing (November – December)

Request official university transcripts early. If your previous instruction was not conducted entirely in English, schedule and sit for a recognized English proficiency examination (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL) to ensure scores meet Imperial’s departmental cutoff before deadlines.

Step 3: Submit Main Imperial Admissions Application (December – January)

Submit your formal online application for your chosen MSc program via the Imperial College London portal. Ensure you accurately state your citizenship and country of permanent residence during portal registration, as the scholarship shortlist is drawn directly from applicant database metadata.

Step 4: Secure Admission Offer & Scholarship Invitation (February – March)

Imperial’s admissions team reviews course applications. Once an offer of admission is extended to an eligible candidate from an OECD LDC/LMIC country, the central scholarship office contacts shortlisted candidates directly by email with an invitation link to complete the secondary CMA CGM scholarship form.

Step 5: Final Scholarship Submission & Selection (March – April)

Complete and submit the invited scholarship application form prior to the stated cycle deadline. Selection panels evaluate academic merit, leadership potential, and socioeconomic background, issuing final funding decisions ahead of the Autumn start date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for the CMA CGM scholarship if I am currently studying in another country?

No. Applicants who have completed or are currently undertaking degree-level studies outside their home country are not eligible for this funding scheme.

How do I access the CMA CGM scholarship application form?

You cannot access the scholarship form directly. You must first apply for an eligible MSc program at Imperial College London. If you meet the eligibility criteria and receive an offer, Imperial College London will email you an invitation link to complete the scholarship application form.

Which countries qualify under the OECD Least Developed and Lower Middle Income list?

Eligibility is determined by the official OECD DAC list. This includes qualifying African, Asian, and Latin American nations designated by the OECD as LDCs or LMICs.

What happens if I miss the English language deadline?

All scholarship recipients must satisfy Imperial’s English language entry requirements by the specified deadline (June 30 for the 2026 cycle). Failure to meet the language requirement by this date may result in the withdrawal of the scholarship offer.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of July 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official CMA CGM Excellence Fund / Imperial College London website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with CMA CGM or Imperial College London.

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