IMD MBA Merit Scholarships 2025

The IMD MBA Merit Scholarships for 2025-2026, offered by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland, are prestigious awards designed to support exceptional candidates enrolling in the full-time, one-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. These merit-based scholarships, valued at CHF 30,000 to CHF 50,000, recognize outstanding academic and professional achievements, leadership potential, and the ability to serve as ambassadors for IMD. The IMD MBA, ranked #1 in Europe by Bloomberg Businessweek and Forbes for 2024-2025, is a transformative program focusing on reflective and responsible leadership in a digital, entrepreneurial, and global business environment. With a diverse cohort of approximately 100 students from 40+ nationalities, the program emphasizes experiential learning, including a month at IMD’s Future Lab in Singapore. At least 50% of these scholarships are reserved for women to promote gender diversity and strengthen IMD’s network of women leaders. Up to 10 scholarships are available per admission round, fostering inclusivity for high achievers worldwide.

To be eligible for the IMD MBA Merit Scholarships 2025-2026, applicants must:

• Be admitted to the full-time IMD MBA program for the January 2025 or September 2025 intake.

• Demonstrate excellence in academic and/or professional endeavors, including:

  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a strong GPA (approximately 3.5/4.0 or equivalent).

  • GMAT (average 680, recommended above 630) or GRE scores (equivalent, e.g., 320+ using GRE Comparison Tool).

• Have a minimum of three years of full-time, postgraduate work experience (typical range: 4–9 years, average for Class of 2025: 7 years), demonstrating career progression.

• Exhibit leadership potential and ambition to use the MBA to pursue impactful leadership roles.

• Provide two professional recommendation letters highlighting achievements, interpersonal skills, teamwork, and leadership.

• Be open to all nationalities (domestic and international students).

• Additional Considerations:

  • At least 50% of scholarships are allocated to women to support gender diversity.

  • Priority is given to candidates who demonstrate potential as IMD ambassadors, contributing to the program’s learning environment and global impact post-graduation.

• Exclusions:

  • Not available for part-time, Executive MBA, or other IMD programs.

  • Candidates receiving full employer sponsorship are ineligible.

  • Scholarships are non-cumulative; recipients cannot receive multiple IMD scholarships, though they may apply for multiple awards.

• Value: CHF 30,000, CHF 40,000, or CHF 50,000 per recipient (approximately USD $22,000–$36,000 at 1 CHF = USD 0.72), with up to 10 awards per admission round.

• Disbursement: Deducted from the third and fourth tuition installments (not the first or second), typically February and April 2026, after enrollment in January or September 2025.

• Duration: Non-renewable, covering the one-year MBA program.

• Additional Benefits:

  • Recognition as an IMD ambassador, enhancing networking opportunities with top employers (e.g., Amazon, BCG, Nestlé).

  • Access to IMD’s world-class facilities, including career services, personal coaching, and the Singapore Future Lab.

• Note: The scholarship offsets tuition fees (CHF 80,000 for 2025-26) and mandatory fees (CHF 17,500). It does not cover living expenses (estimated at CHF 36,000 for a single person, higher for families). Total financial aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance, and adjustments may be made if combined with external funding (e.g., loans from Prodigy Finance, Lendwise).

The IMD MBA Merit Scholarships require a scholarship application submitted as part of the MBA admissions process. Follow these steps:

1. Apply for the IMD MBA Program: Create an account and submit a complete application via the IMD online portal (www.imd.org/mba/admissions) for the January or September 2025 intake.

2. Submit MBA Application Documents:

   • Official academic transcripts and degree certificates (bachelor’s or equivalent, translations required if not in English or French).

   • GMAT or GRE scores (list IMD as a score recipient; GMAT code: C301).

   • One-page CV using the IMD template (available at www.imd.org).

   • Professional-style electronic photograph (150 DPI, 150KB, JPEG format).

   • Copy of passport(s) (valid through 2026).

   • Two professional recommendation letters (business-related, using IMD’s online form, professional email addresses only).

   • English proficiency scores for non-native speakers without a degree taught in English (e.g., TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS 7.0, less than 5 years old; TOEFL code: C301).

   • Non-refundable application fee of CHF 200.

3. Complete Scholarship Application:

   • Access the Scholarships and Bursaries form in the Financial Planning section of the MBA application.

   • Submit a 750-word essay: “As an IMD MBA scholarship recipient, how can you contribute to the learning experience of your class and make an impact beyond graduation?”

   • Optionally, apply for multiple scholarships (e.g., Hilti Scholars Program, Nestlé Scholarship for Women), but only one can be awarded.

4. Assessment Day: Shortlisted candidates are invited to a virtual or in-person assessment day (January–September 2025), involving individual and group tasks and an interview to evaluate leadership and interpersonal skills.

5. Evaluation: The IMD Admissions Committee assesses candidates based on academic excellence (GPA, GMAT/GRE), career progression, leadership potential, and essay quality. Women candidates receive priority for at least 50% of awards.

6. Notification: Recipients are notified at the time of the MBA admission offer, on a rolling basis (February–October 2025, depending on the application round).

7. Accept Offer and Enroll: Pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit (CHF 15,000) within 2–4 weeks of the offer to secure the scholarship and MBA place.

Note: Apply early (e.g., Round 1 or 2) to maximize scholarship chances, as awards are allocated until exhausted. International students should apply by July 15, 2025, to allow visa processing time.

• For MBA Admission:

  • Completed online MBA application form (via www.imd.org/mba/admissions).

  • Official academic transcripts and degree certificates (translations if not in English/French).

  • GMAT or GRE scores (recommended above 630 GMAT or 320 GRE).

  • One-page CV (IMD template).

  • Professional photograph (150 DPI, 150KB, JPEG).

  • Passport copy (valid through 2026).

  • Two professional recommendation letters (online form, professional email addresses).

  • English proficiency scores for non-native speakers (TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS 7.0).

  • Application fee (CHF 200).

• For Merit Scholarships:

  • Scholarships and Bursaries form (in MBA application’s Financial Planning section).

  • 750-word essay on contribution to the MBA class and post-graduation impact.

• Note: Documents must be in English or French (with certified translations if needed). Unofficial documents are accepted initially, but official versions are required upon admission. Submit recommender details at least two weeks before the deadline.

• MBA Application Deadlines (2025 Intakes):

  • Round 1: January 15, 2025 (decision by February 2025).

  • Round 2: March 15, 2025 (decision by April 2025).

  • Round 3: May 15, 2025 (decision by June 2025).

  • Round 4: July 15, 2025 (decision by August 2025).

  • Round 5: September 15, 2025 (decision by October 2025).

• Scholarship Application Deadline: Rolling, throughout 2025 (available until allocated, recommended by May 31, 2025, for best chances).

• Notification: With MBA admission offer, on a rolling basis (February–October 2025).

• Enrollment Deadline: Pay deposit within 2–4 weeks of offer; enroll by January or September 2025.

• Note: Deadlines may vary. Verify on www.imd.org/mba/admissions or contact mba@imd.org. International students should apply by Round 4 (July 15) for visa processing.

• Email: mba@imd.org (MBA and scholarship inquiries).

• Phone: +41 21 618 0111 (IMD MBA Admissions Office).

• Address: IMD Business School, Ch. de Bellerive 23, CH-1001 Lausanne, Switzerland.

• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (CET).

• Website: www.imd.org/mba/financing/imd-mba-scholarships