In today’s era, if you wish to be considered for top-level academic and non-academic positions abroad, doctoral programs are a necessity. Several top American universities offer Ph.D. programs, but not all of them are cost-effective.
Fortunately, some universities lower students’ financial burdens and provide fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA for international students.
Scholarships for PhD. Programs In The USA
The Fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA cover various programs such as studentships, scholarships, and grant and bursaries programs. Some American universities offer fully-funded doctoral projects as well.
These fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA for international students do not cover only research council studentship. Usually, they also include:
- Travel grants and conference funding
- Resource grants
- Writing-up funding
- Hardship funding
Eligibility for Country/Course
These fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA for international students are doctoral programs. Moreover, since these programs are also for out-of-state students, there is no restriction on the country’s eligibility.
Additionally, the range of fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the US varies from small grants to full studentships.
Level of Scholarship
The doctoral programs are the highest academic degrees awarded to a student by a university. You will only be eligible for the fully-funded Ph.D. program if you have completed a pre-requisite or postgraduate program.
The Ph.D. would involve the students engaging independently in original research in a particular field or subject of their choice.
Tenure/Duration
The duration of fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA can differ for various streams or students. American universities usually have some time restrictions. Generally, it is three to five years.
Subject/Fields for Fully Funded PhD. Programs In The USA
The USA’s fully funded Ph.D. programs for international students generally do not cover specific programs. Some scholarships provided by certain universities can be only for particular fields. For instance, the Rice University Fully Funded Doctoral program is restricted to some majors which include:
- Architecture
- Business
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Music
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
Several scholarships, grants, and studentships are available for Ph.D. programs in the US. Some of them are sponsored by organizations, while the universities push others.
We have listed some common ones below for your reference:
- Microsoft Research Dissertation Grant for Doctoral Students
- IBM Fellowship Awards Program for Ph.D. Students
- Facebook Emerging Scholar Programme
- Microsoft Research Scholarship for Scholars in Europe Africa Middle East (EMEA)
- Columbia University International Postdoctoral Humanities Fellowship
- University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS)
- PEO International Peace Scholarship for Women to Study in USA and Canada
Some of the US universities that provide fully-funded PhD programs are listed in the table mentioned below:
US Universities | Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs | Awards |
Harvard University | Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in Public Health | Full fee waiver |
University of Chicago | Ph.D. in Anthropology | Full fee waiver |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Ph.D. in Business | USD 4,035.50 (INR 3.33 Lakh) + Travel expenses for a term of 5 years i.e., USD 4,500 (INR 3.72 Lakh + a new laptop is given) |
Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business | Ph.D. in Business | A tuition waiver and a USD 40,000 (INR 33 Lakh) annual stipend |
University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business | Ph.D. degrees in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, Business Analytics, and Marketing | Full tuition and fees, a minimum nine-months stipend of about USD 20,041 (INR 16.54 Lakh), with annual adjustments, and comprehensive health insurance. |
Cornell University | Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering | Full tuition waiver, stipend, and health insurance |
Emory University | Ph.D. in Economics | USD 31,775 (INR 26.23 Lakh) per year for five years, and the full-tuition scholarship is worth USD 65,700 (INR 54.23 Lakh) per year. |
Boston University | Ph.D. in English | a stipend of about USD 28,000 (INR 23.10 Lakh) plus full tuition, fees, and basic health insurance |
Duke University | Ph.D. in Nursing | Full tuition and a 12-months stipend |
Columbia University | Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology | Fully funded tuition and a USD 25,000 (INR 20.64 Lakh) stipend annually for four years. |
(Source: usnews.com)
Application Duration of Fully Funded PhD. Programs In The USA
Application deadlines and notifications will vary according to the grant or scholarship you apply to. Following are the tentative application deadlines for the above-mentioned fully-funded Ph.D. programs.
Fully-funded Ph.D. Program Name | Application Deadline (Tentative) |
Microsoft Research Dissertation Grant for Doctoral Students | Last week of March |
IBM Fellowship Awards Program for Ph.D. Students | Last week of October |
Facebook Emerging Scholar Programme | Mid September |
Microsoft Research Scholarship for Scholars in Europe Africa Middle East (EMEA) | First week of June |
Columbia University International Postdoctoral Humanities Fellowship | First week of October |
University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS) | Mid October |
PEO International Peace Scholarship for Women to Study in USA and Canada | Mid December |
Mode of Application
The mode of application for all these fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA for international students is online.
Eligibility Criteria And Additional Requirements
The eligibility criteria and additional requirements will vary according to different funding programs. To give you all an insight, here are the entry requirements for the IBM Fellowship Awards Program for Ph.D. Students.
Applications are welcome for students from all nationalities. However, all such nominees:
- cannot nominate themselves and instead must be selected by the doctoral faculty member
- have to be enrolled full-time in a Ph.D. program over two consecutive academic years of the award/forfeit the fellowship
- must have three years remaining in the program at the nomination time so the fellowship can be used for the last two years of study
- cannot be from the US-embargoed countries
- should be in the same program for the award duration. Transferring departments or schools is not allowed
Value of Scholarship
The value of scholarships will also differ according to various funding programs for Ph.D. On average, USD 25,000 to USD 40,000 (INR 20,63,363 to INR 33,01,380)
Selection Process
The selection process of fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA is based on three factors:
- Merit-based funding
- Need-based funding
- International funding
Requirements for Continuing Scholarships
Major fully-funded Ph.D. programs renew automatically for the next year varies on the basis of the student program.
Conclusion
In 2024, the United States continues to offer a wide array of fully-funded PhD programs for international students, reaffirming its commitment to fostering global academic collaboration and research excellence. These programs, available across diverse fields of study, not only cover tuition fees but also provide stipends, research funding, and health insurance, making advanced education accessible regardless of students' financial backgrounds. American universities prioritize attracting talented scholars from around the world, understanding their crucial role in driving innovation, cultural exchange, and academic progress. For international students, these fully-funded opportunities in the USA represent not just financial support, but a gateway to working with leading experts, accessing state-of-the-art facilities, and joining a vibrant intellectual community. In pursuing these programs, students embark on a journey of rigorous academic training and research, poised to emerge as experts and leaders in their respective fields.
Important Links
Study in USAUniversities in USACourses in USAMasters in USABachelors in USATop Universities
University of HarvardStanford UniversityColumbia UniversityArizona State UniversityPurdue UniversityTop Masters Programs
Masters in Data Science in USAMasters in Computer Science in USAMasters in Finance in USAMasters in Cyber Security in USAMasters in Data Analytics in USATop Bachelors Programs
BA in USABachelors in Computer Science in USABachelors in Psychology in USABachelors of Law in USABachelors in Medicine in USALearn More About Study in USA
Refer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹15000
Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.
Similar Articles
TRENDING SEARCHES
Documentation
Study Abroad Resources
Top Reads
IELTS Exam
Other Exams
- Motivation letter for Internship
- Universities in Germany for Masters
- Canada PR Process
- SOP for Australian Student Visa
- Letter of Recommendation for Masters
- F1 Visa Documents Checklist
- LOR Samples
- How to Get PR in Canada
- SOP for Internship
- What to do if your F1 student visa to the USA gets rejected
- Statement of Purpose Format
- Australian Student Visa
- SOP for PhD
- Work Experience Certificate
- Motivation Letter
- SOP for Canada
- SOP for MS in IT
- SOP for Australia
- LOR for PhD
- Requirements for Studying in Germany
- How to Find Accommodation in Canada
- SOP for MBA
- SOP for UK
- SOP for Masters
- SOP for Undergraduates