The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Climate Change Master’s Scholarships support students pursuing climate, environment, and sustainability-focused master’s degrees. They are partial scholarships, not fully funded programs. The funding helps with study-related costs but usually does not cover full tuition and living expenses. The program is aimed at students whose academic work directly supports climate action, biodiversity, or environmental protection.
It’s a mission-driven scholarship, not a standard university award.
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation was created to support global action on climate change, biodiversity, and water protection. Its scholarships exist to help students whose studies clearly connect to those goals. That means this funding is about impact first, not just grades or prestige.
The Foundation does not run its own university or degree program. Instead, it supports students who are already admitted or planning to enroll in a relevant master’s program anywhere in the world, as long as the academic focus aligns with climate or environmental priorities.
Here’s what matters most: your degree must lead to real-world climate solutions. Theory alone is rarely enough.
Is the Prince Albert II Foundation scholarship fully funded or partial support?
This scholarship is partial funding. That’s the truth, and it matters.
The Foundation typically offers financial support to reduce study costs, not to cover everything. In most cases:
- Full tuition is not covered
- Living expenses are not fully covered
- Travel and accommodation are usually not included
Students often combine this scholarship with:
- University tuition waivers
- Government scholarships
- Personal or family funding
- Other climate or sustainability grants
If you are looking for a “no-money-needed” master’s program, this scholarship alone will not be enough. But if you already have a plan and need meaningful support to make it possible, it can be a strong addition.
Bottom line: it helps serious students move forward. It does not replace full funding.
Who can apply for the Prince Albert II Foundation Master’s scholarship?
Eligibility is about academic direction and purpose, not nationality quotas.
Generally, applicants must:
- Be accepted into or enrolled in a relevant master’s program
- Study a field directly linked to climate change, environment, sustainability, or biodiversity
- Show clear motivation to work on environmental or climate solutions
- Demonstrate academic seriousness and consistency
There is no strict country restriction. Students from developing and developed countries apply every year. What separates successful applicants is alignment with the Foundation’s mission, not where they come from.
If your master’s topic does not clearly connect to environmental impact, your chances are low, even with strong grades.
Can I get a scholarship to do a master’s in climate change or sustainability?
Yes. Climate-focused master’s degrees are increasingly supported worldwide.
Universities, governments, and private foundations now actively fund students in:
- Climate science
- Environmental policy
- Sustainable development
- Renewable energy
- Conservation and biodiversity
The Prince Albert II Foundation is part of this larger shift. However, most climate scholarships today are partial, not fully funded. The expectation is that motivated students build funding from multiple sources.
If you’re choosing a master’s program, this reality should shape your planning early.
What fields of study does the Foundation actually support?
The Foundation supports applied, solution-oriented disciplines.
Strongly aligned fields include:
- Climate change science and adaptation
- Environmental policy and governance
- Sustainable energy and transition studies
- Marine conservation and biodiversity
- Environmental economics focused on climate impact
- Water resource management
Programs that are usually weak fits:
- General business or management degrees
- Pure engineering without environmental focus
- Unrelated social sciences
- Degrees with no climate or sustainability outcomes
Your course title matters less than your study focus and future impact. A well-defined sustainability pathway beats a vague environmental label every time.
How is this scholarship different from IPCC or other climate programs?
This is where many students get confused.
The Prince Albert II Foundation scholarship:
- Supports master’s students
- Focuses on practical climate impact
- Offers partial funding
- Is foundation-driven, not UN-administered
IPCC-linked funding:
- Targets PhD students and early-career researchers
- Focuses on research and scientific contribution
- Often tied to academic institutions or fellowships
They serve different stages of the climate education pipeline. Applying to the wrong one wastes time and energy.
Who is eligible for the IPCC scholarship, and is it related?
IPCC scholarships are not for most master’s students.
They usually require:
- Advanced research focus
- Strong scientific background
- Enrollment in doctoral or post-doctoral pathways
- Direct contribution to climate science or assessment
If you are early in your academic journey, the Prince Albert II Foundation is far more relevant than IPCC funding.
Who is eligible for the Guillaume Dupaix International Master’s scholarship?
This is another Monaco-related program, but it’s different.
The Guillaume Dupaix scholarship:
- Is linked to Luxembourg, not the Prince Albert II Foundation
- Offers broader academic coverage
- Can be more generous in funding
- Is government-supported rather than foundation-based
Students often confuse these programs because of overlapping European contexts. They have separate applications, criteria, and priorities.
Apply based on fit, not name recognition.
What documents and profile does the Foundation look for?
This scholarship rewards clarity of purpose, not generic excellence.
Strong applications usually include:
- A focused motivation letter tied to climate impact
- Clear explanation of how the master’s degree supports environmental goals
- Academic records showing consistency
- Evidence of interest or experience in sustainability, research, or advocacy
What hurts applications:
- Copy-paste statements
- Vague climate interest
- No clear career direction
- Applying before securing admission to a relevant program
Think like the Foundation. They are investing in outcomes, not just students.
When should I apply and how competitive is it?
Competition is real, but it’s mission-based competition, not numbers alone.
Applications usually open once per year, often after universities release admission results. Students who plan early have a clear advantage.
The most competitive applicants:
- Already know their research or professional direction
- Can explain impact beyond graduation
- Have realistic funding plans
This scholarship is selective, but not unreachable. Many strong students are rejected simply because their focus doesn’t truly match the Foundation’s priorities.
Is this scholarship right for me, or should I look at alternatives?
Ask yourself three honest questions.
First, does my master’s degree clearly contribute to climate or environmental solutions?
Second, can I realistically cover costs beyond partial funding?
Third, am I committed to climate work beyond just getting a degree?
If the answer to all three is yes, this scholarship is worth your time.
If not, consider:
- Government-funded master’s scholarships
- University-specific climate grants
- Regional sustainability programs
- Fully funded options like Erasmus Mundus
Good planning beats hopeful guessing.
Andrew Wiles, Higher education expert with 15+ years guiding students in PhD, postgraduate, and research scholarships. Andrew simplifies visas, interviews, and application planning.