Enrolling for PhD in a foreign university is an academically enriching experience that provides a special research experience and interaction with the foreign culture. Indian students aspiring for a doctorate degree get a chance to enter research environments of leading universities and get the possibility of building a career.
It does appear that financial hardship is a strong limiting factor. This page will concentrate more on PhD scholarships and financial support available for Indian students who want to undertake PhD research in a foreign university, with detailed analysis and strategic direction for students who want to do their PhD research abroad.
Getting Started with Funding Your PhD
Budgeting is very critical when planning for a PhD program in another country. Here are key steps tailored for Indian students:
- Understand Costs: Costs related to your research, such as tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and traveling. As of now, the cost is different for the most visited countries, such as the USA, the UK, Canada, Germany, and other states.
- Explore Scholarships for Indian Students: These awards can considerably reduce expenses.
- Government Scholarships: Some such measures include tuition fees and living allowance through the Commonwealth Scholarship and Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship.
- University Scholarships: Various organizations provide need scholarships or merit scholarships for Indian students as Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships.
- External Scholarships: Some of the available support includes, the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship for example, or the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship and more.
- Consider Assistantships: Quite a number of universities across the world recruit their PhD candidates through teaching or research assistantships that come with stipends and fee remission.
- Apply for Indian Education Loans: Some such institutions are SBI, HDFC Credila, and Bank of Baroda which offer student loans at reasonable interest rates for abroad studies.
- Start Saving Early: Start putting aside some cash for things like application fees, test fees for the GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS, and visa fees among others.
- Check for Government Funding: Initiatives such as the National Overseas Scholarship target students of poor backgrounds who seek scholarships to study abroad.
In other words, if these funds are properly managed and this scholarship and funding opportunities are maximized then the dreams of Indian students for a PhD will be financially a lot more viable.
Types of PhD Scholarship and Financial Aid for Indian and Global Students
Here’s a detailed comparative table on the different PhD scholarship and financial aid options available:
| Scholarship Type | Eligibility Criteria | Key Features | Application Process |
| Merit-Based Scholarships | · Outstanding academic transcripts
· Published research or academic achievements · Strong letters of recommendation |
· Full or partial tuition coverage
· Annual stipend · Research funding · Academic Recognition |
· Submit academic portfolio
· Provide research proposal · Competitive written assessment · Interview process · Recommendation letters verification |
| Need-Based Scholarships | · Demonstrated financial hardship
· Family income below the specified threshold · Academic potential · Supporting financial documents |
· Partial tuition support Living expense assistance
· Emergency financial aid · Flexible funding options |
· Submit detailed financial statements
· Income proof documentation · Personal statement explaining financial need · Academic performance evidence |
| Research-Specific Grants | · Innovative research proposal
· Alignment with specific research domains · Prior research experience · Strong academic background in relevant field |
· Dedicated research funding
· Conference travel support · Publication expenses · Specialized research infrastructure support |
· Comprehensive research proposal submission
· Detailed project methodology · Budget justification · Expert panel review · Research potential evaluation |
| Government Scholarships | · Citizenship requirements
· Academic excellence · Language proficiency · Age restrictions (typically 30-35 years) |
· Full tuition coverage
· Monthly stipend · International travel support · Health insurance · Cultural exchange opportunities |
· Government application portal submission
· Competitive national-level selection · Multiple screening stages · Diplomatic channel recommendations |
| University-Specific Scholarships | · Admission to the specific doctoral program
· Department recommendation · Research alignment with university strengths · Academic performance |
· Tuition reduction
· Research assistantship opportunities · Departmental mentorship · Specialized research support |
· Direct application through the university portal – Department nomination
· Research proposal evaluation · Interview with faculty members |
| Minority and Diversity Scholarships | · Belonging to the underrepresented community
· Academic merit · Demonstrated leadership potential · Commitment to diversity and inclusion |
· Targeted financial support
· Mentorship programs · Professional development workshops · Networking opportunities |
· Community verification documents
· Personal statement on diversity contribution · Academic achievements |
Top PhD Scholarships and Financial Aid Options for Indian Students
| Scholarship | Key Benefits | Eligibility Highlights | Additional Details |
| Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship | · Monthly stipend for living expenses
· Comprehensive J1 visa support · Full round trip economy class air travel · Complete tuition fee coverage · Comprehensive health insurance |
· Currently enrolled PhD students at recognized Indian institutions
· Strong academic profile · Research proposal alignment with US universities |
Jointly funded by the US and Indian governments. Highly competitive selection process focusing on academic merit and research potential. |
| S.N. Bose Scholars Program | · Research stipend
· Full airfare · Comprehensive health insurance |
· Bachelor’s/Master’s students from premier Indian institutions
· Strong research background – STEM field preference |
Named after physicist Satyendra Nath Bose. Encourages research careers among young Indian scholars. Promotes academic collaboration between Indian and US research institutions. |
| DAAD Research Scholarships | · €1,300 monthly living grant
· Full health and accident insurance · Travel allowance · Monthly rent subsidy · Annual research grant · Personal liability insurance · Family allowance |
· Doctoral candidates in all academic disciplines
· Exceptional academic record · Strong research proposal |
Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. Offers comprehensive support for international researchers. Potential for extension based on research project progress. |
| France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship | · €1,800 monthly stipend
· International transportation support · Cultural activity assistance · Housing search support |
· Maximum age 30 years
· Exceptional academic credentials · International research talent |
Established by the French Ministry to attract global top talent. Comprehensive support beyond financial assistance. Focuses on cultural integration and academic excellence. |
| Australian Government Research Training Program | · $40,109 offered annually
· Substantial living cost stipend · Additional research allowances |
· International research students
· Enrollment in specific Australian universities · Strong research potential |
Collaborates with premier Australian universities. Provides holistic support for international doctoral researchers. Allowances vary by institution. |
Top International PhD Scholarships and Financial Aid Options
| Scholarship Name | Country | Financial Coverage | Annual Value | Duration | Target Fields | Eligibility Criteria |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship | United Kingdom | Full tuition
Living expenses Travel grant Health insurance |
£21,000 | Full PhD duration | All academic disciplines with a focus on addressing global challenges | · High intellectual ability
· Good reason to pursue the course · Commitment to making others’ lives better · Must show leadership potential |
| Rhodes Scholarship | United Kingdom | – Full tuition – Living expenses – Personal development funding | £19,092 annually | Up to 3 years | Interdisciplinary research with leadership potential | · High academic score
· Must be under the age of 27 · Citizenship from an eligible country |
| Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions | European Union | Competitive salary
Research funding – Networking opportunities |
€28,759 annually | 2-3 years | STEM, Social Sciences, Humanities | · Candidates should not have a doctoral degree at the time of applying
· Researchers must not have lived for more than 12 months in the last 3 years immediately before joining the PhD course |
| NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships | Canada | – Annual research stipend – Research funding | CAD $27,000 annually | 12 months, nonrenewable | Natural Sciences and Engineering Research | · You cannot change the field of your study into a field which is not supported by the NSERC after getting nominated for an award by the NSERC in a particular field. |
| Ford Foundation Fellowship | United States | Full tuition Annual stipend
Research support |
$25,000 annually | 3 years | Underrepresented minority researchers | · The minimum age of the candidates must be 18
· Candidates who hold a political office chosen by a partisan election are also not eligible |
| Stanford Graduate Fellowships | United States | Full tuition and Living expenses | $54,800 annually | 3 years | Interdisciplinary research across all fields | · Any incoming doctoral students under a covered course are eligible |
| Max Planck Society Fellowships | Germany | Comprehensive research funding
Competitive salary |
€1,365 per month | 2-4 months | Advanced research in sciences and humanities | · Postdocs from international institutions
· Professors and experienced scientists from international institutions · Doctoral students from international institutions who are not working on any research as directed by their institution |
| National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship | United States | Tuition coverage Annual stipend | $37,000 stripendannually
$16,000 for tuition fees |
3 years | STEM and social sciences | · Candidates must not have already accomplished a PhD degree before.
· Intend to enroll or already enrolled in a US research-based degree. |
| Clarendon Scholarships | United Kingdom | Full tuition Generous living expenses | £22.483 annually | Full doctoral program | Academic excellence across disciplines | · A minimum of 3.7 out of 4 GPA is compulsory
· Candidate must be applying for a fulltime or a part-time research degree. |
Country-Specific PhD Scholarships and Financial Aid
USA
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Coverage/Benefits | Notable Features | Amount |
| Stanford University PhD Fellowship | · Admitted PhD students at Stanford University | · Tuition waiver
· fellowship stipend · summer tuition · salary/stipend |
· Separate provisions for summer tuition
· salary/stipend increases in years 2–4 |
· Year 1: USD 25,800 (stipend), USD 61,095 (tuition waiver)
· Years 2–4: USD 51,600 (stipend); · Year 5: USD 25,800 (stipend) |
| Harvard University Full Financial Support | · Admitted PhD students at Harvard University
· Renewal of the scholarship is dependent upon the performance of the student |
· Full tuition fees
· health insurance · accommodation expenses |
· Covers full living and academic costs
· comprehensive support for the duration of the program |
· Full financial support (exact amount varies by need and program) |
| CalTech PhD Stipend | · Admitted PhD students at CalTech
· Stipend depends upon the department of the doctorate |
· Minimum stipend of USD 45,000
· tuition and stipend coverage · option to redeem assistantships as tuition credits |
· Flexibility to earn assistantships for tuition credits | · USD 45,000+ (minimum stipend) |
| University of Pennsylvania Fellowships | · Admitted PhD students at the University of Pennsylvania | · Dean’s Fellowship and Research Apprenticeship cover all tuition and living expenses
· the IES Predoctoral Training Program provides 2–3 years of financial aid |
· Research Assistantships offer extra credit opportunities | · Full tuition coverage and living expenses; IES Program: variable duration (2–3 years) |
Canada
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Coverage/Benefits | Notable Features | Amount |
| University of Alberta Doctoral Scholarship | · Full-time doctoral students
· Must have a GPA of 3.7 · Candidate must be newly admitted |
· Annual funding of CAD 21,000
· additional CAD 10,000 for international students |
· Extra funding exclusively for international students | · CAD 31,000 (CAD 21,000 base + CAD 10,000 for international students) |
| University of Waterloo Doctoral Scholarship | · Full-time doctoral students
· Excellent academic standing |
· Annual funding to support tuition and living expenses | · Fixed annual support | · CAD 27,130 annually |
| University of Saskatchewan Doctoral Scholarship | · Full-time doctoral students enrolled for 36 months
· Have a GPA of asleep 85% · Must have done good, credible research |
· Annual funding for a maximum of three years | · Funding duration is limited to three years | · CAD 20,000 annually |
| McGill University Doctoral Fellowship | · Full-time doctoral students
· CGPA of at least 3.7 |
· Living expenses (CAD 15,000)
· insurance (CAD 1,100) · Annual salary support (CAD 9,800) · return airfare (CAD 3,000) |
· Comprehensive support package covering living expenses
· Insurance · salary supplement · and airfare |
· CAD 28,900 (total annual benefits) |
UK
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Coverage/Benefits | Notable Features | Amount |
| Leeds Doctoral Scholarships | · Full-time doctoral students
· Candidate has to be a resident of the UK |
Annual stipend for 3.5 years | Covers living expenses for the full scholarship duration | £19,237 annually |
| Priestly PhD Scholarships | Full-time doctoral students | Fully funded, including tuition and annual stipend | Comprehensive funding for the entire duration of the PhD program | £19,237 annually |
| Carnegie PhD Scholarship | · Full-time doctoral students
· Candidate must be supported by the HoD of the previous department |
Fully funded tuition fees and £3,000 research grant | Research grant provided alongside tuition coverage | £3,000 for research, full tuition |
Germany
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Coverage/Benefits | Notable Features | Amount |
| RWTH Graduate Support | · Full-time doctoral students; additional support for candidates with children
· Candidate must have completed their previous course with above-average scores · The research must contribute to the field of study |
· Monthly stipend of £1,500
· additional £400 per month for candidates with a child |
Extra funding is provided for candidates with children | £1500 per month (+ £400 per month for children) |
| Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships | · Full-time doctoral students at a German university
· Proof of tentative time of how long the research will take |
Monthly stipend of £1,650 for the full course duration | Covers full living expenses for the duration of the course | £1,650 per month |
| STIBET PhD Scholarships | Full-time doctoral students; degree completion or high commitment | Degree Completion Scholarship: £750 per month; Scholarships for High-Commitment Doctoral Students: £450 per month | Scholarships can be extended based on performance and need | £450–£750 per month (6 months, extendable) |
Australia
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Coverage/Benefits | Notable Features | Amount |
| University of Melbourne PhD Scholarships | · Full-time doctoral students, including international students
· Must meet the entry requirements at the University of Melbourne |
100% fee remission, annual stipend of $38,500, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students | Comprehensive support, including health insurance for international students | $38,500 per year + 100% fee remission |
| Australian National University PhD Scholarships | · Full-time doctoral students
· Must have a first-class honor in their undergraduate degree or a master’s degree with a research component |
Annual stipend of $36,652 and thesis allowance | The thesis allowance included additional support | $36,652 per year |
| Monash University PhD Scholarship | To be eligible for this scholarship, the candidate must be
· An Australian citizen · A New Zealand citizen · Australian permanent resident · Australian humanitarian visa holder · An International student
|
Annual stipend of $35,013 and relocation cost coverage for eligible candidates | Relocation costs provided for eligible students | $35,013 per annum |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get a 100% scholarship for pursuing a PhD abroad?
Look if your desired institution offers scholarships for PhD. Also, look for scholarships in the country you are applying the course in.
Am I eligible for a PhD scholarship and financial aid?
Different Phd scholarships and financial aid have different eligibility criteria. Check if you meet those criteria to find out if you are eligible for that particular PhD program.
Is PhD free in Germany for Indian Students?
Generally, the PhD programs in Germany do not have any tuition fees associated with them but the living expenses are high. These can be covered by the scholarships provided for the course.
How should I look for PhD scholarships and financial aid abroad?
To find PhD scholarships and financial aid, checking out the university website is a good idea. Check if the university offers any scholarships.
Do you get paid for pursuing a PhD?
Yes, more often than not, reputed universities offer a respectable stipend to their PhD candidates pursuing a course in their institution.
