BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women 2025 in Switzerland

Omran Aburayya
Jun 5
3 min read

If you're a driven woman who has faced significant challenges—be it financial constraints, family responsibilities, or disruptions in your professional journey—and aspire to lead with impact in business or public life, the BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women 2025 at IMD Business School offers a transformative opportunity. This fully funded scholarship is designed to empower women to overcome obstacles and achieve their leadership ambitions through IMD's prestigious MBA program.

🎓BackPack Scholarship Summary

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Host Institution: IMD Business School
Study Level: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Target Group: Women worldwide who have faced significant personal or professional challenges
Fields of Study: Business Administration with focuses on Leadership, Strategy, Finance, Marketing, Innovation, and Sustainability
Coverage: Full scholarship covering tuition fees and living expenses up to CHF 133,500
Award Duration: 1 year (full-time MBA program)
Application Deadline: 15 September 2025
Program Start Date: January 2026
Eligible to: Women meeting IMD MBA admission criteria, especially those who have experienced hardships such as forced migration, financial limitations, or family obligations.

📘 Scholarship Overview

The BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women is a collaboration between IMD Business School and the BackPack Foundation, established in 2022 to support talented women who have faced significant obstacles in their educational or professional paths. The scholarship aims to provide recipients with the skills, network, and confidence to lead with impact in various sectors.

The IMD MBA program is renowned for its rigorous curriculum, focusing on developing strategic leadership, critical thinking, and global business acumen. The program includes:

Core Courses: Covering essential business disciplines such as finance, marketing, operations, and strategy
Leadership Lab: Intensive modules designed to enhance personal and team leadership skills
International Consulting Projects: Real-world projects with global companies to solve complex business challenges
Career Development: Personalized coaching, workshops, and networking events to support career advancement

The program's structure ensures that scholars not only gain academic knowledge but also practical experience and leadership capabilities.

🎁 Scholarship Benefits

Full Tuition Coverage: Up to CHF 133,500, covering all tuition and program-related fees
Living Expenses: Additional support to cover living costs during the MBA program
Mentorship and Support: Access to a network of mentors, alumni, and professionals for guidance and support
Global Networking: Opportunities to connect with a diverse cohort of peers and industry leaders
Leadership Development: Participation in specialized programs and workshops to enhance leadership skills

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be women who have faced significant personal or professional challenges, such as financial hardship, family responsibilities, or forced displacement
Meet the admission requirements for the IMD MBA program, including academic qualifications and professional experience
Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities or organizations
Be self-funded (not sponsored by an employer)
Be willing to participate in the BackPack assessment process if shortlisted

📝 Application Procedure

To apply for the BackPack-Excellence Scholarship for Women:

MBA Application: Complete the IMD MBA application form, indicating your interest in the scholarship in the Financial Planning section.
Essay Submission: Write a 500-word essay on the topic: "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?"
Video Submission: Create a 90-120 second video describing a moment when you embodied the values of Share, Dare, and Care. If unable to submit a video, contact admissions.mba@imd.org.
Assessment: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a BackPack assessment.

Note: Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships but will only be awarded one. Scholarships are reserved for candidates who are not sponsored by their employers.