If you are awarded a scholarship, getting a PhD from a highly regarded university is no longer an unrealistic goal. There are many scholarships for PhD students available for candidates who wish to study abroad, and these scholarships are critical for an overseas PhD student who would otherwise have to pay exorbitant tuition and living expenses. There is no need to be concerned; most prestigious universities around the world provide doctoral students with the best research facilities.
The duration of a PhD programme ranges from 5 to 7 years, making financial costs a burden for many students. In India, there are several full-time PhD scholarships, including the PM Fellowship for Doctoral Research. These scholarships provide students with a stipend to help them with their studies. They also receive free or heavily discounted housing in order to continue their studies. Let’s take a look at some of the scholarships for PhD students available in India in this article.
#1 – Commonwealth Scholarship
If you wish to pursue PhD in abroad with a scholarship, then the Commonwealth Scholarship is awarded by the United Kingdom to students from Commonwealth countries who succeed in academics, leadership, and innovative thinking. Around 800 scholarships are given away each year; recipients study at UK universities without having to pay high tuition fees for the first three years of their studies.
Eligibility-
- A citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country, a refugee, or a British-protected person.
- Without the scholarship, would be financially unable to study in the UK.
- Under the age of 40.
Amount/Expenses Covered-
- Monthly stipend of €1,236 or €1516.
- Airfare for first arrival & departure.
- Extra allowances and grants.
Duration – 3 years
#2 – Destination Australia Programme
The Destination Australia Programme is open to PhD students at Australian regional universities. The recipients of scholarships channel the cross-cultural learnings that would benefit Australian society as a whole. Priority is given to courses that align with the Australian Government’s National Skills Priority List in 2023.
Eligibility-
- Studying in a regional institution in Australia
- No other sponsorships
Amount/Expenses Covered – $15,000 per year
Duration – Maximum 4 years
#3 – Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is available to doctoral students in the fields of health research, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. Only students with exceptional academic achievement, research ability, and demonstrated leadership skills are eligible. It is one of the best scholarships for PhD students and scholars must apply for this scholarship through their registered institution.
Eligibility:
- Institution’s nomination
- Exceptional academic merit
- Research potential
- Leadership skills
Amount/Expense Covered: CAD 50,000 annually
Duration: 3 years
#4 – Friedrich Naumann Foundation for International Students
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship is available to German university researchers. Its goal is to financially support researchers who have a compelling and innovative research project. The scholarship is used by approximately 150 students each year, making it dependable among the international research student community in Germany. The primary selection criteria for the scholarships for PhD students are the project’s relevance to the discipline, the applicant’s academic merit, and the candidate’s need.
Eligibility:
- Must be an international student
- Relevance of the research proposal
- Academic merit
- A financial necessity for the scholarship
Amount/Expenses Covered: €800 to €1200 per month
Duration: Up to 3 years
#5 – AAUW International Women’s Fellowship
AAUW International Fellowships help women pursue doctoral degrees at US universities. Established in 1917, scholarship recipients must be enthusiastic about their research and committed to improving the lives of women and girls in their home country. The relevance, quality, and applicability of the research work would be crucial in the selection process.
Eligibility:
- Should be a woman scholar of non-US citizenship
- Full-time availability for the fellowship
- Intend to return to their home country after studies
- Underprivileged candidates will get more preference
Amount/Expenses Covered: $50,000 for a year
Duration: 1 year
#6 – Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship
The Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship is a programme that financially supports selected doctoral students from Indian universities to conduct research at a host institution in the United States for 6-9 months. Beneficiaries may take non-degree courses and acquire practical work experience in the United States, which is unique to the programme.
According to a message from the USIEF (United States-India Educational Foundation) dated February 2, 2022, fostering the US-India relationship by providing personal, academic, and professional growth opportunities for Indian students, as well as increasing mutual understanding between the US and India, are top priorities for the Fulbright programme.
Eligibility:
- A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor demonstrating the applicant’s research excellence and need for the fellowship.
- This scholarship is only open to current researchers.
- Applicants for 2022-23 must have registered for a PhD at an Indian institution on or before November 1, 2021.
Amount/Expenses covered:
- J-1 Visa support
- Monthly stipend
- Round trip economy class travel
- Applicable allowances and affiliation fees
Duration: 6-9 months
#7 – DAAD Scholarship Germany
The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) research grants are intended to support doctoral research projects. The selected candidates would receive €1200 per month and health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage for a maximum of 6 months. Every year, the DAAD awards 25 scholarships to Indian students.
Eligibility:
- Two years of work experience
- Academic merit
- German language requirements
Amount/Expenses covered:
- Tuition fees
- Travel allowance
- Health insurance
- Accompanying spouse/child allowance
Duration: 1 year
PhD Scholarships For Indian Students In India
In India, several PhD scholarships are available for Indian students to pursue their doctorate courses lasting 3 to 4 years. These scholarships are offered by various organizations to ease the financial burden of higher studies. The eligibility criteria for these scholarships typically require candidates to hold a master’s degree in a relevant field and be below 35 years of age.
| PhD Scholarship | Funded by | Application Time |
|---|---|---|
| SAARC Agricultural PhD Scholarships | SAAR Agricultural Centre | Between March and April |
| Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) | MHRD, Government of India | Between March and April |
| Swami Vivekananda Single Child Scholarship | UGC | Between November and January |
| Burning Questions Fellowship Awards | Tiny Beam Fund | Between May and June |
| Vision India Foundation (VIF) Fellowship | Vision India Foundation (VIF) | Between December and January |
| ESSO-NCESS Junior Research Fellowship | ESSO- National Centre for Earth Science Studies | Open throughout the year |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships | Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund | Between March and May |
PhD Scholarships Through GATE In India
In India, numerous students aspire to secure PhD scholarships through GATE, the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. Candidates who perform well in the GATE entrance exam can be awarded these scholarships. The eligibility criteria for PhD scholarships through GATE vary depending on the organisation offering the scholarship.
GATE Financial Assistance provides financial support to students pursuing a PhD. This scholarship is granted for a duration of 5 years.
PhD Scholarship Amount (INR): Half-time Research Assistantship INR 25,000 to INR 28,000
To be eligible for GATE Financial Assistance, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Have a valid GATE score at the time of application for assistance.
- Pursue full-time courses, as part-time courses are not eligible.
- Ensure that the bank account name matches the candidate’s name in the general savings account, and joint accounts are not eligible.
- Not be under any other scholarship during the duration of the GATE Financial Assistance.
- Students from non-sponsored categories admitted with valid GATE Score cards are eligible.
GATE scholarships provide valuable financial support to deserving students, encouraging them to pursue their PhD aspirations and contribute to the field of research in India.
The Takeaway
A PhD takes years of dedication and hard work, not to mention years of college & tuition. Academics would struggle to complete a PhD without adequate financial support. Fortunately, many scholarships for PhD students are available in India for students and applicants. Fully funded PhD scholarships for Indian students enable several students to pursue a research degree after completing their postgraduate programme. PhDs enable students to conduct research and contribute to a field of study.
FAQs
1. Are there scholarships for PhD students?
Numerous scholarships and fellowship programmes are available to candidates pursuing PhD programmes. Students receive a variety of financial aid that helps them pay for their tuition, books, living expenses, and other costs. One needs to achieve very high academic standards or students may need to pass the entrance exam in order to be eligible for scholarship programmes.
2. How much is a PhD scholarship?
The categories of students are taken into account when awarding scholarships to PhD candidates. The amount of scholarship is greater for applicants who fall under the SC/ST category than it is for applicants who fall under the OBC and General categories. In the first two years, students typically receive a scholarship worth between 25,000 and 28,000 Indian rupees.
3. Is it easy to get scholarships for PhD students?
Scholarships for PhD programmes are highly sought after; to be considered, one must achieve excellent test scores.
4. What is a Commonwealth Doctoral PhD scholarship for International students?
The Commonwealth Doctoral scholarship for PhD students is a programme that awards funding to students pursuing PhDs in a variety of disciplines, including science, medicine, technology, government, business, etc. Through this scholarship program, students are given financial support to help them pay for their books, tuition, and other costs.
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