Nestle MBA Scholarship at IMD Business School 2026 | Apply Now
The IMD MBA Nestle Scholarship for Women is open right now and available throughout 2026 until its single award is allocated — meaning it could close at any point once one candidate is selected. Funded by Nestlé and awarded through IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, this CHF 40,000 scholarship has supported women pursuing the IMD MBA since 1997, with priority given to applicants from developing countries.
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Unlike most scholarships that run a fixed open-and-close cycle, this one operates on a rolling basis: you compete only with the women who have also applied at the time of review, which means applying early is a genuine strategic advantage, not just good practice. You apply through the Program section of your IMD MBA application form — there is no separate portal — and the scholarship is non-cumulative, meaning if you are awarded this, you cannot receive any other IMD scholarship on top of it. If your MBA at IMD is not yet company-sponsored and you are not a Nestlé employee, read on for everything you need to submit a competitive application before the slot is gone.
Summary of the Nestle Scholarship 2026
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | IMD MBA Nestlé Scholarship for Women |
| Host Country ⇒ | Switzerland |
| Study Level ⇒ | Postgraduate Scholarships | Master’s Scholarships |
| Benefits ⇒ | CHF 40,000 |
| Funded By ⇒ | IMD Business School, funded by Nestlé |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Women applicants to the IMD MBA. Priority given to women from developing countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | Throughout 2026 — available until allocated. Apply as early as possible |
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What the Nestle Scholarship for Women 2026 Covers
The scholarship provides a single award of CHF 40,000 applied toward the cost of your IMD MBA. In 2026, the IMD MBA total programme fee is CHF 95,000. The scholarship therefore covers roughly 42% of tuition, with the balance your responsibility.
IMD strongly recommends that you assess the full investment before applying, including programme fees, the payment schedule, and estimated living costs in Lausanne. A detailed breakdown of fees and living expenses is available on the IMD MBA financing page.
The scholarship is paid directly toward your IMD fees — it is not paid as a personal cash award. You should identify funding for the remaining CHF 55,000 in tuition plus living expenses separately, using IMD’s other bursary and financing options where applicable.
What Are the Qualifying Factors for the Nestle Scholarship
To be considered for this scholarship, you must:
- Be a woman applying to and accepted into the IMD MBA programme
- Not be currently employed by Nestle or any Nestle subsidiary
- Not be sponsored by your employer for the MBA. This scholarship is reserved exclusively for self-funding candidates
- Demonstrate academic and professional excellence, including your GPA or equivalent and GMAT or GRE scores
- Show ambition and a credible trajectory toward a senior leadership role
- Have a career history that demonstrates progression and meaningful international exposure
- Show the ability to contribute to the learning environment of the full class — IMD’s MBA is heavily team-based
Priority in selection is given to women from developing countries. This is a stated preference, not a disqualifier for candidates from higher-income countries, but it meaningfully affects competitiveness. If you are from a developing country and meet every other criterion, your application carries additional weight in the review process.
You can apply for multiple IMD scholarships simultaneously, but if awarded, you will receive only one. Plan your scholarship applications across the full IMD portfolio accordingly.
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The Essay — What IMD Wants to See
Every scholarship applicant must submit one 750-word essay alongside their application. The prompt for the Nestlé Scholarship for Women is fixed:
“Building a diverse and inclusive workplace requires the participation and accountability of each member of the organization. What would you recommend as ways for Nestlé to better foster allyship amongst employees?”
This is not a generic diversity essay. It asks for specific, actionable recommendations directed at Nestlé as an organisation. A strong response will demonstrate that you understand how allyship differs from passive support, that you have thought about practical barriers within large multinational corporations, and that your recommendations are grounded in real examples or evidence rather than abstract ideals. The essay is also an implicit demonstration of the leadership voice and strategic thinking IMD is looking for in MBA candidates. Treat it as both a scholarship essay and a leadership statement.
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How to Apply for the Nestle Scholarship for Women 2026
There is no separate scholarship application portal. The entire process runs through your IMD MBA application:
- Start your IMD MBA application at the official IMD MBA admissions page
- Inside the application, navigate to the Program section and complete the scholarship application fields
- Select the Nestlé Scholarship for Women and write your 750-word essay responding to the allyship prompt directly in the application form
- Submit your full MBA application — your scholarship consideration is automatic once your application is reviewed
- Ensure all supporting documents are attached, including transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores, and any English proficiency results if required
- Apply as early in 2026 as possible. This scholarship has one seat and is awarded on a rolling basis — there is no advantage to waiting
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If you have questions before applying, contact IMD directly at [email protected].
Application Deadline
The scholarship is open throughout 2026 and available until its single award is allocated. There is no fixed closing date — the scholarship closes the moment one candidate is selected. This structure makes early application essential. A strong application submitted in July 2026 competes in a smaller pool than one submitted in October 2026, all else being equal. Do not treat “throughout 2026” as a signal to delay.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nestlé Scholarship for Women fully funded?
No. It covers CHF 40,000 of the IMD MBA’s CHF 95,000 programme fee. You are responsible for the remaining tuition and all living expenses in Lausanne during the one-year programme.
Can I apply for other IMD scholarships at the same time?
Yes. IMD allows you to apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously. However, if you are awarded this scholarship, you cannot receive any other IMD scholarship in addition to it — awards are non-cumulative.
Can Nestlé employees apply?
No. Employees of Nestlé or any of its subsidiaries are explicitly excluded from eligibility.
Is this scholarship open to women from all countries?
Yes, with no nationality restriction. However, priority in selection is given to women from developing countries, which means candidates from those countries are at a comparative advantage.
Is there a specific GPA or GMAT requirement to win this scholarship?
IMD does not publish a fixed minimum for the scholarship itself, though it recommends a GMAT score above 630 for MBA admission generally. Scholarship selection is holistic, assessing academic record, career progression, international exposure, leadership potential, and your essay response together.
Can I apply if my company is paying part of my MBA?
No. This scholarship is specifically reserved for candidates who are not sponsored by their employer. If your company is contributing any funding toward your MBA, you are not eligible.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from the official IMD Business School website as of July 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with IMD Business School or Nestlé.
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