Are you trying to shape your career after completing your Master’s degree? Well, it is a significant decision to make, and you might face a dilemma as to which way you need to go. For students who are enthusiastic about exploring opportunities in the area of education and research, pursuing a doctoral program is one of the most career-enhancing prospects.
If you are interested in pursuing a PhD abroad, the most pertinent question that hovers in your mind is how to obtain scholarships. Financial barriers often pose a major problem for Indian students seeking scholarships in the US, UK, and Germany. So, are you ready to open up doors to countless opportunities and pursue your doctoral program in some of the most prestigious institutions in this country? Here is how to get a PhD scholarship.
PhD in USA—how to get a scholarship?
With over 4500 universities in the United States, it is one of the most preferred destinations for Indian students to pursue doctoral programs. A majority of Indian students look for opportunities in the US due to immense opportunities, innovative and dynamic research approaches, seamless admission procedures, the international community on campuses, and the best guides to help you get a grip on the subject you have chosen for doctoral studies.
However, the annual expenses to study for doctoral programs in public and private universities in the US may vary from $30,000-$50,000. Usually, these expenses vary based on the university you choose, the type of specialisation you need, and the program you have chosen. Therefore, every Indian student must explore the scope of PhD scholarships in 2024 before applying for the program.
Scholarships for Indian students in the United States
- Texas A&M University’s Hertz Fellowship
The fellowship provides funds for five years to doctoral students and allows them to pick innovative projects, continuous mentoring, and workshops. While pursuing this program, students may earn a stipend of around $250K, and applicants must be graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
- AAUW International Fellowship
AAUW provides scholarships to international students for full-time research and studies to women who are non-citizens and non-immigrants. It comprises $30,000 for students, but they must have a consistent and good academic record. Proficiency in the English language is a must.
- Fullbright Nehru Doctoral Research Scholarship
Among the scholarships available to pursue PhDs in the US, this is one of the most rewarding options. There are about 1800 scholarships offered to students who are keen to pursue higher studies in the US. The scholarship covers living expenses, tuition fees, airfare, visa support, and travelling expenses. However, applicants must have post-graduate certification from India, proficiency in English, a track record of community service, and leadership skills.
- University of Lowa
For PhD programs at the University of Lowa, students get 100% coverage of tuition fees along with a grant amount that is expected to last for about 18 months.
- Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowship
The fellowship is sponsored by the Leakey Foundation for pursuing a PhD in the United States. Under this scholarship program, students get an annual stipend of $15,000. Only those students studying prehistory, primatology, and subjects related to human evolution are eligible to apply. Candidates must return to their home country after the completion of the PhD program.
General tips for students applying for PhD scholarships in the US
For PhD scholarships in the United States, here are the generic guidelines for students who are to apply in 2024:
- Students applying for PhD scholarships must fulfil the eligibility requirements, so they need to check the university website for the entire information.
- Candidates must furnish copies of their transcripts of 10th, 12th, graduation, and post-graduation degrees.
- For PhD, candidates applying for scholarships need to get acceptable scores in GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL.
- They must share their job or internship experience and other accomplishments through a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) or a Statement of Purpose (SOP).
- Applications need to be submitted on time before the deadlines are over.
PhD in UK – How to get a scholarship?
Are you chasing the dream of doing a PhD in the United Kingdom? Well, are the tuition fees bothering you? Step back and explore the scholarships that the country offers. So, here are the generic guidelines you need to follow before applying for funding for doctoral programs.
- If you are keen to apply for a PhD scholarship at a specific university, start researching options on the university websites. That way, you may learn about varied funding opportunities or get links for external funding. While some universities give away more scholarships to international students, a lot of them offer funding to limited students. Check this website: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/phd and get updates about PhD scholarships.
- Scholarships may also be available through the British Council’s Newton Fund. You can check this link: https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/he-science/opportunities/academics-researchersfor more info.
- For pursuing a doctoral program in the UK, seek to find opportunities in your own country.
PhD scholarships in the UK for Indian students
- Priestly PhD Scholarships are fully funded and offer a stipend of above 16,000 GBP. For this, an applicant must possess an Upper Second Class Honours UG degree or MSc in a significant subject.
- Imperial College London President’s PhD scholarship is again a fully funded option with a stipend exceeding 24,000 GBP along with a consumables fund of 2,000 GBP. However, candidates must hold a First Class in UG or Master’s Degree.
- The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is awarded to students not living in the UK and is fully funded with over 18,000 GBP towards tuition and living expenses. Apart from this, additional funding of 1000GBP–3,500GBP is also given for research training and support. additional funding of 1000GBP-3,500GBP is also given for research training and support.
- University of Exeter offers scholarships to students holding a First- or Second-Class honours degree in a major subject. It is a fully funded option with a stipend of 4,000 GBP-5,000 GBP per annum and over 17,000 GBP for living expenses.
There are several other scholarships available for Indian students who are keen to take up a doctoral program in the United Kingdom.
PhD in Germany – How to get a scholarship?
Germany is one big destination for candidates trying to apply for PhD scholarships in Europe. The public universities do not require doctoral fees, and there is a wide range of funding available for international students. PhD funding in Germany showcases different ways in which students can complete the degree. The country supports doctoral students through traditional fellowships and scholarships. Here is what you need to know about finding a PhD in Germany:
- A majority of the funding for PhDs here goes towards living costs, and institutes do not charge for doctoral programs.
- PhD programs can be pursued in independent research institutes that are a part of bigger societies.
- The fellowships and scholarships in Germany are tax-free, although you must pay for health insurance.
Direct applications are accepted in some places or during project proposals. - Some candidates receive funds in the form of salary for a paid assistantship.
PhD scholarships in Germany for Indian students
- Technical University of Munich has a global ranking of 50 and provides opportunities for individual doctoral research programs to candidates. The eligibility requirements are a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a university with a minimum grade of 2.5. Having proficiency in the German language should be an additional advantage.
- Free University of Berlin is among the most popular German universities offering doctoral programs in pharmacology, biology, chemistry, theatre studies, humanities, cultural anthropology, and several other subjects. The minimum eligibility requirement is a bachelor’s or master’s degree, an IELTS score of 4.5 and a TOEFL score of 60, a DSH2 certificate, and passing the TeleC1 exam.
- The University of Freiburg offers individual and structural doctoral degree programs for which the candidates will require a copy of the acceptance letter, original transcripts, and a passport with a visa and residence permit.
The other top scholarships in Germany include:
- DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Programme
- Erasmus Scholarship Programs
- Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships
- DAAD scholarships
So, you know how to apply for PhD scholarships in the USA, UK, and Germany. Are you interested in a PhD scholarship in India? When applying for a PhD, make sure you are prepared to handle the complexities of thesis writing. Collaborate with Decode DNA for thesis writing and give your career a head start. Click here https://decodedna.in/ to find out more.
FAQs
- Which country offers the best PhD scholarships?
The United States of America offers the best opportunities for PhD scholarships for international students.
- How easy is it to get PhD scholarships for doctoral programs abroad?
To get PhD scholarships abroad, you need to fulfil the minimum eligibility requirements, and they vary from one country to another.
- Where should you look for PhD scholarships?
For information related to PhD scholarships abroad, you need to check the university websites.