BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women: A Fully Funded MBA Opportunity at IMD Switzerland

BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women: A Fully Funded MBA at IMD Business School, Switzerland

The BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women is a prestigious opportunity offering full tuition for the internationally recognized IMD MBA program in Lausanne, Switzerland. Designed for talented and driven women who have faced barriers in pursuing an MBA, the scholarship provides access to one of Europe’s top leadership programs, equipping recipients with the tools, confidence, and global network to lead with impact.

About the IMD MBA

Ranked the #1 MBA in Europe by Bloomberg Businessweek and named Program of the Year by Poets & Quants, the IMD MBA is an intensive one-year, full-time program that challenges participants to grow personally and professionally. It is ideal for those seeking to:

• Reignite their career trajectory

• Strengthen their leadership abilities

• Expand their international perspective

• Create positive change in business and society

Key features of the program include:

• Core coursework in areas such as strategy, operations, and finance

• Experiential learning through real-world consulting projects and a Future Lab in Singapore

• Executive coaching, leadership labs, and behavioral development

• A highly personalized journey with small class sizes and career support

Who Is the Scholarship For?

The BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women aims to make the IMD MBA accessible to women who have the potential to lead but may have experienced:

• Financial barriers

• Career interruptions

• Family responsibilities

• Lack of access to global opportunities

This scholarship opens the door to new beginnings for women ready to take the next step in their leadership journey and give back through meaningful impact.

What the Scholarship Covers

The scholarship offers full financial coverage for tuition and program fees for the IMD MBA — one of the most prestigious and rigorous MBA programs in the world. It is ideal for women who are not sponsored by their employers and are looking for independent, merit-based support.

Application Process

To apply for the scholarship, candidates must first complete their application to the IMD MBA program. Within the application form, select your interest in the BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women and submit the following:

• A 500-word essay answering:
  “What pressing challenge, whether in your community or more broadly, are you most passionate about addressing? How do you think a BackPack-supported MBA at IMD will enable you to contribute to addressing that challenge?”

• A 90–120 second video describing a moment when you embodied one or more of the BackPack Foundation values: Share, Dare, Care. If video submission is difficult, email admissions.mba@imd.org for assistance.

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a BackPack Foundation assessment.

Please note:

• You may apply for multiple scholarships, but you can only be awarded one.

• Scholarships are available only for candidates not receiving corporate sponsorship.

What the Foundation Is Looking For

According to the BackPack Foundation, the scholarship is intended for women who are committed to pursuing leadership careers with social or strategic impact. Successful recipients are expected to leverage the MBA experience to become catalysts for positive change in their field or community — and to serve as role models for others.

Real Impact: Past Recipients

Sorelle Djankou Djeuga, 2023 recipient:

“I had always wanted to pursue an MBA. The IMD MBA learning journey paired with the ongoing support of the BackPack Foundation gave me the skills and confidence to do just that.”

Nadia Osman, 2024 recipient:

“I am truly grateful for being awarded the scholarship. I am excited to contribute to the community in a way that mirrors the generous support it has extended to me.”

Learn More & Apply

For full eligibility details and to begin your application:

Visit the IMD MBA Program Page
 For scholarship-related questions, email: mbafinance@imd.org

For more fellowships and scholarships for youth and early-career professionals, visit Opportunities for Youth.