For most students, studying abroad remains a distant dream. But for 18-year-old Shreya Kaushik, that dream has become a reality in the most extraordinary way. Originally from Siwan, Bihar, Shreya has become the only Indian selected this year for the prestigious Lincoln Scholarship, securing a fully funded undergraduate education in the United States worth nearly Rs 3 crore.

The Lincoln Scholarship is among the world’s most competitive undergraduate awards. Named after former US President Abraham Lincoln, it selects only 10 students globally every year based on their academic excellence, leadership abilities and commitment to creating meaningful social impact. The scholarship will fund Shreya’s four-year degree at Centre College in Kentucky, covering everything from tuition fees and accommodation to meals, books, health insurance, travel and other educational expenses.

While her roots are in Bihar, Shreya completed her schooling at Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Aya Nagar, New Delhi. At just 13, she joined Dexterity Global, where she received leadership training and mentorship that helped shape her academic and professional journey. Over the years, she participated in several national and international programmes, gradually building a profile that stood out on the global stage.

But Shreya’s achievements extend far beyond the classroom. Passionate about sustainability and biotechnology, she is developing Revive, an eco-friendly water filtration project that uses fungi, bacteria and natural fibres. The project is currently undergoing laboratory certification and has already earned her international recognition. She represented India at the Mercedes-Benz Headquarters in Germany, where she became the youngest Asian recipient of a €3,000 Catalyst Grant, chosen from 150 global innovators.

Her work in environmental conservation has also taken her to international platforms. Between 2023 and 2024, Shreya served as one of India’s youngest Regional Ambassadors for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), authoring more than 24 reports and reaching thousands through workshops and awareness campaigns. She has also worked as a Young Researcher at the New York Academy of Sciences and conducted grassroots waste management research as a Swachhta Saarthi Fellow, reflecting her commitment to solving real-world challenges through science.

Reacting to the scholarship, Shreya described receiving an award named after Abraham Lincoln as a deeply meaningful honour. She credited years of mentorship and guidance for encouraging her to dream beyond her circumstances and pursue opportunities she once thought were out of reach. Now on a gap year after graduating from school in 2025, she hopes the education and experiences she gains in the United States will help her create a meaningful impact back home and around the world.

Shreya’s story is a reminder that extraordinary opportunities are not defined by where someone begins, but by the determination to keep learning, leading and dreaming bigger. From a small town in Bihar to becoming the only Indian among 10 Lincoln Scholars this year, her journey is proof that talent, when combined with perseverance and the right support, can cross any border.