How to Spot Funding & Scholarship Scams

Fake scholarships, grants and job offers are common, and they target people at their most hopeful. These are the warning signs our editors look for — and what you can check yourself.

Warning signs

You're asked to pay. “Processing”, “registration”, “clearance” or “transfer” fees to apply for or release funding are a classic scam. Genuine funders very rarely charge to apply, and never charge to release an award.
A guaranteed award. No genuine competitive scholarship or grant guarantees success, and none is “pre-approved” before you apply.
You “won” something you never applied for.
Requests for sensitive details such as bank PINs, card numbers, passwords or one-time codes.
Unofficial contact. Messages from free email accounts, WhatsApp-only contact, or a website whose address is slightly different from the real organisation's.
Pressure. “Reply within 24 hours or lose your place.”
Vague details. No named organisation, no clear eligibility rules, no official website.

How to check an opportunity yourself

Find the funder's official website independently (search for the organisation, don't just follow the link you were sent) and look for the opportunity there.
Check the web address carefully before entering any information.
Contact the funder using details from its official website, not from the message you received.
Never send money, or copies of your passport or bank details, until you're sure who you're dealing with — and then only through the official application process.

On this directory

Every listing here links to the funder's official source, and we check listings before publishing them. If someone claims to represent TeamO and asks you for money or personal details for an application, it is not us — we never charge applicants and never handle applications.

If you think you've found a scam

Don't reply or pay. If it concerns a listing on this directory, report it — reports of fraud or impersonation take a listing offline straight away while we investigate. See Corrections & reporting. If you have lost money, contact your bank and report it to the police or your national cybercrime authority.