PhD Scholarships & Funded Doctoral Positions 2026
This directory lists 125+ PhD scholarships and funded doctoral positions. Unlike Bachelors and Masters study, a funded offer is the norm for PhDs in many systems — US programmes bundle tuition waivers with stipends, and European PhDs are often salaried jobs. ScholarMatch matches your research area to open funded positions.
Showing 60 of 125 scholarships in this category, from Aspiralane ScholarMatch's continuously aggregated database of 2,400+ opportunities. Roughly 6 million tertiary students studied outside their home country in recent years (UNESCO Institute for Statistics), yet the Institute of International Education reports fewer than 1 in 10 international students receive institutional funding without applying strategically — which is exactly what a matched shortlist fixes.
Get matched to scholarships you qualify for — free with ScholarMatch
Which scholarships are in this category?
Australian National University (ANU) Research Scholarship
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Cost + Stipend
CERN Doctoral Studentship Programme
PhD, Physics/Engineering scholarship for students from Global (Select). Coverage: Full Cost + Stipend
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025
PhD scholarship for students from Commonwealth. Coverage: Fully Funded
Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship (EGRS)
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global (Non-UK/EU). Coverage: Full Tuition Fee Difference
Facebook Emerging Scholars Program
PhD, AI/ML/Data Science scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Funding + Stipend
Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Scholarships
PhD (Global Challenges) scholarship for students from Developing Countries. Coverage: Fully Funded
Google PhD Fellowship Program
PhD, Computer Science scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Funding + Stipend
Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarship (SMU)
PhD, Business/Social Science scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Cost + Stipend
Mo Ibrahim Foundation PhD Scholarship (SOAS)
PhD (Governance/Dev) scholarship for students from Africa. Coverage: Full Fees + Stipend
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) PhD Scholarship
PhD (Research) scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Cost + Stipend
Newton Fund PhD Placement Programme
PhD Research Placement scholarship for students from Global (Partner list). Coverage: Full Cost (Short-term)
Singapore Management University (SMU) PhD Scholarship
PhD (Research) scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Cost + Stipend
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Scholarships for researchers and artists from around the world to pursue research or further studies in Switzerland.
UNSW International Scientia Scholarship
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Cost + Stipend
UZH International PhD Program in Biomedical Ethics
PhD (Ethics) scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Fully Funded
University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Cost + Stipend
University of Bristol Global PhD Scholarship
PhD (Research) scholarship for students from International. Coverage: Full Fees + Stipend
University of Glasgow Graduate Dean's Award
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global (Non-UK/EU). Coverage: Full Tuition + Stipend
University of Leeds International Research Scholarship (LIRS)
PhD (Research) scholarship for students from International. Coverage: Full Fees + Stipend
University of Manchester President's Doctoral Scholar Award (PDS)
PhD (Research) scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Fees + Stipend
University of Reading GRC Scholarship
PhD (Research) scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Full Fees + Stipend
African Academy of Sciences (AAS) Fellowships
Postdoc/Research (Science) scholarship for students from Africa. Coverage: Stipend + Research Costs
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowships
Postdoctoral, Research scholarship for students from Global (Postdoc). Coverage: Monthly Stipend (€2,670+)
Canon Foundation Research Fellowships
Postdoc/Research scholarship for students from Non-Japanese. Coverage: €22,500 - €27,500
ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship
Postdoc, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: CHF 100,000/year stipend
Finnish Government Scholarship Pool
Scholarships for doctoral and postdoctoral research in Finland.
Government of Canada Vanier CGS (Post-doctoral)
Postdoc (Research) scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: $50,000 CAD/year
Hans Böckler Foundation Dieter Schumacher PhD Scholarship Program 2026
Applications are open for the Hans Böckler Foundation Dieter Schumacher PhD Scholarship Program 2026. The scholarship aims to support PhD candidates.
Humboldt Research Fellowship
Postdoctoral, Research scholarship for students from Global (Postdoc). Coverage: Monthly Stipend (€2,670+)
Humboldt Research Fellowships
Postdoc/Experienced Researchers scholarship for students from International. Coverage: Stipend + Travel
KU Leuven Global Minds Doctoral Scholarships
PhD (South Focus) scholarship for students from Developing Countries. Coverage: Stipend + Research Costs
Leibniz Association Postdoctoral Fellowships
Postdoctoral, Research scholarship for students from Global (Postdoc). Coverage: Monthly Stipend
London School of Economics (LSE) Bell Research Fellowship
Postdoc (Research) scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Stipend + Research Costs
Max Planck Society PhD Scholarship
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Monthly Stipend
NTU Singapore Research Scholarship
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: S$2,000/month stipend
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Research Scholarship
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: S$2,000/month stipend
Newton International Fellowships (Royal Society)
Postdoc (Science/Humanities) scholarship for students from Non-UK. Coverage: £24,000/yr + Research Costs
SUTD PhD Fellowship (Singapore)
PhD, Engineering/Design scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: S$3,500/month stipend
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Grants
Research (Postdoc/Project) scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Varies (Project Grant)
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
Doctoral, Social Sciences/Humanities scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Up to $60,000 CAD/year
University of British Columbia (UBC) Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF)
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: $18,000 CAD/year + Tuition
University of Ghana Doctoral Research Fellowships
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Ghana/Africa. Coverage: Monthly Stipend
University of Ghent Doctoral Scholarships
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Developing Countries. Coverage: Monthly Stipend
University of Queensland Research Training Scholarship (RTS)
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Stipend + Tuition Offset
University of Reading GRC Scholarship (Postdoc)
Postdoc (Research) scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Stipend + Costs
University of Tokyo Special Scholarship for International Students
PhD, Research scholarship for students from Global. Coverage: Monthly Stipend
ANU Research Scholarship 2025
Full funding for PhD and MPhil students at Australian National University. Covers tuition, stipend (~$35,000/year), and health cover.
Adelaide Graduate Research Scholarship 2025
Full scholarship package for research students at University of Adelaide. Includes tuition waiver and annual living allowance.
All Souls College Prize Fellowship 2026
Highly competitive 7-year fellowship at All Souls College for exceptional scholars. One of the most prestigious academic awards worldwide.
American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Fellowships
Fellowships for humanities and social science scholars.
Cambridge Africa Changemakers Scholarship 2026
A full-cost scholarship for PhD students in any subject excluding premium rate courses, open to applicants from any country in Africa. One of Cambridge's flagship African support programs.
Cambridge Africa Scholarship 2025
The Cambridge Africa Scholarship supports outstanding students from African countries to pursue postgraduate research at Cambridge. Part of Cambridge's commitment to African development.
Cambridge Marshall PhD Scholarship 2026
Available to PhD applicants from the USA who are recipients of a two-year Marshall Scholarship, funding the third year of a three-year PhD course.
Cambridge Trust International Scholarship 2025
International scholarships for students from outside the UK and EU pursuing graduate study at Cambridge. Full funding for tuition and living costs at one of the world's leading universities.
Carnegie Mellon University Fellowship 2025
Full PhD funding at CMU including tuition, stipend, and health insurance. All admitted doctoral students receive full funding.
Charlie Perkins Cambridge Scholarship 2026
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians pursuing graduate study at Cambridge. Full funding for PhD programs.
Clare Hall Graduate Scholarship 2026
Funding for mature graduate students at Clare Hall, Cambridge's graduate-only college.
Clarendon Fund Scholarship 2026
Oxford's flagship scholarship fund, supporting around 140 new scholars each year from all around the world and across all subject areas. Covers full tuition and generous living allowance.
Columbia University Graduate Fellowship 2025
Full funding packages for PhD students at Columbia including tuition remission, stipend, and health insurance. Multi-year funding guaranteed.
Cornell University Graduate Fellowship 2025
Full funding for PhD students including tuition, health insurance, and stipend. Graduate Research Assistantships also available.
How do I apply to these scholarships?
- Build a shortlist you qualify for. Check citizenship, level and GPA rules first — most rejections are eligibility errors, not merit.
- Prepare core documents once. Transcripts, a strong personal statement, two referees, and English-test scores (or waiver evidence) cover 80% of applications.
- Apply early and track deadlines. Flagship awards open 9–12 months before study begins.
ScholarMatch automates all three: AI eligibility matching against your actual profile, document tracking, and deadline reminders.
Browse more scholarship categories
- Scholarships for Nigerian Students 2026
- Scholarships in the United States 2026
- Scholarships in the United Kingdom 2026
- Scholarships in Germany 2026
- Scholarships in Canada 2026
- Masters Scholarships 2026
- Undergraduate Scholarships 2026
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Frequently asked questions
Should I apply for a PhD scholarship or a funded position?
Both, but understand the difference: scholarships (Commonwealth, Vanier, Gates Cambridge) fund you portably, while funded positions (common in Europe) tie funding to a specific advertised project. Funded positions usually have better odds because you compete per-project.
Do I need a Masters degree before a PhD scholarship?
In the UK and Europe, usually yes. In the US and Canada, direct-entry PhD from a strong Bachelors is common, and the first two years include coursework. Check each award's minimum qualification line.