What is the fine-grained topic of the following text: Funding will preferentially be offered to international applicants who excel in the selection procedure (i.e., students, top-ranked on the short list) and who would not be able to afford studies abroad by own means (specifics on the amount of funding and the maximal funding period will be detailed in the scholarship confirmation letter). Only return the topic.
Scholarship funding for international students based on academic merit and financial need.