The Karsh International Scholarship is Duke University’s premier, fully funded merit-based institutional award designed exclusively for exceptional international students. Established through a milestone gift by architecture and investment philanthropists, this cohort-based program selects a highly restricted number of non-U.S. citizens who demonstrate profound academic excellence, interdisciplinary preparation, and a verified financial deficit.
- The Selection Cohort Size: The program is intensely competitive, typically awarding only 8 to 10 international scholars per incoming class globally.
- The Admission Integration: Unlike general financial aid, the Karsh Scholarship operates at the intersection of extraordinary merit and demonstrated financial need. Candidates must qualify for need-based aid to be considered for this elite merit allocation.
- Global Network Integration: Scholars are automatically integrated into a lifetime community of practice, featuring direct mentorship from the Office of University Scholars and Fellows (OUSF).
Karsh International Scholarship Matrix
The scholarship provides **100% full funding** covering total tuition, mandatory university fees, standard double-room housing, and the full campus dining plan for **eight consecutive undergraduate semesters**.
Recipients receive an annual stipend of **$3,000 for textbooks and academic supplies**, along with fully covered **round-trip international airfare** between the student’s home country and Durham at the start and conclusion of each academic year.
Scholars gain direct access to up to **$7,000 in dedicated summer enrichment funding**. This capital is restricted to supporting independent research projects, international internships, or unpaid non-profit work approved by the Karsh Program Director.
To retain the scholarship throughout the four-year cycle, scholars must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of **3.0 on a 4.0 scale** and actively participate in mandatory cohort seminars and leadership workshops.
1.Submit the Undergraduate Profile to Duke:No Separate Application Needed.
Apply for undergraduate admission via the Common Application or Coalition Application by November 1 (Early Decision) or January 2 (Regular Decision). Selecting the «International Financial Aid» option automatically triggers the initial Karsh nomination audit.
2.Complete the College Board CSS Profile:Mandatory Financial Portal.
Submit the CSS Profile using Duke’s institutional code 5156 by the required priority dates. Because the Karsh scholarship strictly requires documented financial need, failing to file this document disqualifies the candidate immediately from merit selection.
3.Upload Certified Income Documentation via IDOC:Verification Protocol.
Submit signed copies of domestic tax returns, certified employer income declarations, and precise currency conversion valuations directly to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).
4.Complete the Virtual Interview Matrix:The Semi-Finalist Review.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions identifies a specialized pool of international finalists in late March. Nominated candidates must complete a comprehensive virtual technical and leadership interview conducted by the faculty steering committee.
Official Duke University Strategic Portal
The platform shortcut below links international candidates directly to the verified scholarship tracking domain hosted by Duke Financial Services.
