Most PhD study worldwide is funded rather than self-paid — through national doctoral scholarships such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, university-funded studentships, or externally-funded research grants tied to a specific supervisor's project. Funding typically covers tuition, a living stipend for three to four years, and research costs.
PhD scholarship committees weight your research proposal, prior research output, and the fit with a specific department or supervisor as heavily as your grades. Use the checker below to see which currently verified PhD scholarships match your profile.
United StatesMaster's, PhDSee solicitation (NSF 25-547)
Three years of support over a five-year fellowship period$37,000 annual stipend for each of the three years of support$16,000 Cost of Education allowance per year to cover tuition and mandatory fees
PhDSee programme page for opening and closing dates
Approximately 160 PhD fellowships availablePartnership with eight host institutions across six countriesWorld's largest South-South PhD research fellowship programme
International scholarship programme at the University of CambridgeEstablished in 2000 with a gift from the Gates FoundationFor outstanding postgraduate students with potential for social leadership
United KingdomPhDRolling — organisations usually start recruitment 12 months before the studentship start date; most students start in October but start dates can be any time of year by agreement
Covers tuition feesProvides a stipend to cover living costsAdditional funds may be available for fieldwork and other research-related expenses
United KingdomMaster's, PhDApplications for 2027 entry are now open; specific constituency deadlines not stated on this page
Full University of Oxford course fees coveredAnnual stipend of £20,400 per annum (£1,700 per month) for 2025-26 academic yearOxford application fee covered
