Are you a woman passionate about leadership, business innovation, and global impact? The IMD BackPack Excellence Scholarship 2025 offers a life-changing opportunity for women around the world to pursue a fully funded MBA in Switzerland. Funded by the Swiss Foundation, this prestigious scholarship supports women who have experienced displacement or hardship due to conflict, natural disaster, or persecution. It is designed for those who aspire to become leaders in business or public sectors but may find the cost of an MBA program out of reach.
This fully funded European scholarship covers full tuition, living expenses, and provides international exposure through one of Europe’s top MBA programs at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Summary of Key Details
- Country: Switzerland
- Host Institution: IMD Business School, Lausanne
- Program: Full-time MBA
- Financial Coverage: Fully Funded (CHF 133,500)
- Eligibility: Open to international applicants (priority to women who have faced hardship)
- Field of Study: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Application Deadline: Rolling, until scholarship is awarded
Why Apply for the IMD BackPack Excellence Scholarship?
The IMD MBA BackPack Excellence Scholarship for Women is one of the top fully funded master’s scholarships in Europe. Recognized by Forbes and Bloomberg Businessweek, IMD’s MBA program is tailored to develop responsible, reflective, and globally-minded leaders.
By joining this elite scholarship program, women benefit from:
- A world-class education in Switzerland
- A transformational leadership journey
- The opportunity to build global networks
- The chance to study in Europe for free and create meaningful change
Benefits of the IMD MBA Scholarship 2025
- Full scholarship worth CHF 133,500 (covers tuition, accommodation, and living expenses)
- One-year full-time MBA at IMD in Switzerland
- Exclusive networking opportunities with global leaders and entrepreneurs
- Personalized leadership coaching and career development support
- International exposure in a dynamic, multicultural learning environment
Eligibility Criteria for IMD BackPack Excellence Scholarship
To qualify for the IMD BackPack Excellence MBA Scholarship 2025, applicants must:
- Be a female international applicant from any nationality
- Have experienced displacement or hardship due to conflict, disaster, or persecution
- Demonstrate academic and professional excellence
- Show career progression and leadership potential
- Have international exposure and the ability to enrich the IMD MBA classroom
- Meet the IMD MBA program admission requirements
Required Application Documents
- A 500-word essay addressing a challenge you’re passionate about and how an IMD MBA will help you solve it
- A completed IMD MBA Financial Aid Form
- A 90–120 second video (Share, Care, Dare theme)
- All supporting documents required for MBA admission
How to Apply for the IMD BackPack Excellence Scholarship?
The application process is entirely online:
- Visit the official IMD MBA website
- Create an account and complete the MBA application
- Fill out the Scholarships and Bursaries Form under the Financial Planning section
- Submit the required essay, video, and supporting documents
- Apply for multiple scholarships if eligible, but note that only one will be awarded
Application Deadline
There is no fixed deadline, but the scholarship remains open until awarded. Early applications are encouraged as the process is competitive and only one scholarship is awarded annually.
The IMD BackPack Excellence Scholarship 2025 is more than just financial support—it’s a platform for women to amplify their voices, develop leadership potential, and make a global impact. If you are a determined, resilient woman looking to transform your career and create meaningful change, this fully funded MBA scholarship in Switzerland is your gateway to success.
Apply now to pursue your master’s degree in Europe and become a part of IMD’s prestigious leadership network.
