The IMD MBA Nestlé Scholarship for Women is an elite financial award established in 1997 through a historic partnership between Nestlé and the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Scholarship Overview
| Host Country | Switzerland |
| Institution | IMD Business School |
| Study Location | Study in Switzerland | Study in Abroad |
| Eligible Countries | All Countries |
| Requirements | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Scholarship Category | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships |
| Reward | Award of CHF 40,000 |
| Application Closing Date | Not Specified |
Originally tracing its roots back to IMEDE (founded by Nestlé alongside Harvard Business School), IMD remains one of the world’s top-ranked institutions for executive education. This annual scholarship specifically aims to empower high-achieving, impactful female leaders from around the globe, with special priority granted to candidates from developing nations to complete their full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Benefits of Nestle MBA Scholarship 2026
- Tuition Grant: A direct reduction of CHF 40,000 applied directly against the base IMD MBA tuition fees.
- Network Integration: Gain access to a powerful global cohort and IMD’s deeply influential executive corporate network.
Related Scholarship Opportunities:
- McCall MacBain Scholarship 2026
- University of Montana Graduate Scholarship 2026
- Southampton Business School MBA International Scholarship 2026
- Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Scholarship 2027
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Nestlé Excellence Scholarship, female candidates must meet the following baseline evaluation standards:
- Hold a strong undergraduate GPA and submit a competitive GMAT or GRE score.
- Proven trajectory of steady career progression, professional promotions, and significant international exposure or cultural adaptability.
- Clear potential to enrich group work and actively contribute to the peer learning dynamics of the MBA cohort.
- Employees of Nestlé S.A. or any of its direct global subsidiaries are not eligible to apply for this fund.
Required Documents
To officially apply, candidates must draft a comprehensive essay (Maximum 750 words) addressing the specific prompt set by Nestlé:
“Building a diverse and inclusive workplace requires the participation and accountability of each member of the organization. What would you recommend as ways for Nestlé to better foster allyship amongst employees?”
The Selection Process
The scholarship selection process goes hand-in-hand with IMD’s highly interactive admissions track:
- Initial Screening: Review of your written metrics (transcripts, essays, CV, and test scores).
- Assessment Day: Shortlisted candidates must participate in IMD’s rigorous, practical Assessment Day (featuring real-time group case studies, individual presentations, and panel interviews). Your performance on this day heavily weights final funding decisions.
How to Apply for Nestle MBS Scholarship 2026
The scholarship application is fully embedded inside the regular IMD online admissions pipeline. There is no separate external application form.
- Click on the green application button below.
- Visit the official IMD Business School portal and open a new application for the full-time MBA program.
- Navigate directly to the Program / Financial Planning segment located inside your main application dashboard.
- Check the designated box to indicate you wish to be considered for IMD institutional scholarships.
- Paste or upload your finalized 750-word response to the Nestlé Allyship essay prompt inside the scholarship document slot.
- Submit your entire MBA admission application package along with your references and processing fees.
- The admissions committee will review your scholarship application concurrently with your admission status.
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