Abstract
International scholarships for higher education can open multiple pathways for social change by empowering individuals, promoting social mobility and academic diversity, building technical capacity and contributing to global understanding. In this chapter, the editors consider the evolving role of international scholarships in meeting varied diplomatic, foreign policy and development goals, and situate international scholarships in the context of wider international education trends. The book’s structure-a collection of crosscutting thematic chapters and illustrative case studies-is outlined and key editorial decisions explained. The chapter concludes with a call for increasing dialogue among diverse researchers and practitioners and for building a global field of research, policy and practice dedicated to international scholarships and social change.