Important Facts
Kopal Srivastava Aug 28, 2024 1.1K Reads
After completing a master’s degree, you can pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). This is a big decision because it requires significant time and resources. One major challenge, especially for self-funded students, is the cost. A PhD can take 3-5 years and can be expensive without a scholarship.
To help, there are some popular PhD scholarships in India that offer substantial financial support. These scholarships can cover your expenses for studying in India or abroad, making it easier to establish your career in research.
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A PhD scholarship provides funding to support a student pursuing a PhD or other doctorate.
Eligibility and selection criteria:
Some PhD funding awards are called studentships instead of scholarships.
Scholarships vs. Studentships:
For example, the UK's Research Councils offer studentships tied to advertised PhD opportunities or awarded based on proposed projects. The funding is directly linked to the project.
While the distinction between scholarships and studentships can be blurry, both aim to fund PhD studies.
When looking for PhD funding, start with your university. Many research-intensive universities offer various funding options for postgraduate students.
Some PhD scholarships are personalized for international students who may not qualify for local public funding options like student loans or national studentships.
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There are numerous PhD scholarships and research fellowships available in India from academic institutions, government ministries, and various organizations.
Here is a list of some Indian scholarships and fellowships for PhD programs in India:
PhD Scholarship |
Application Deadlines |
Organization |
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) |
Between March and April |
MHRD, Government of India |
CSIR-UGC JRF Fellowship |
October |
Government of India |
DBT-JRF Fellowship |
March |
Government of India |
ESSO-NCESS Junior Research Fellowship |
Open throughout the year |
ESSO- National Centre for Earth Science Studies |
Vision India Foundation (VIF) Fellowship |
Between December and January |
Vision India Foundation (VIF) |
Burning Questions Fellowship Awards |
Between May and June |
Tiny Beam Fund |
Google PhD Scholarships |
Between March and April |
|
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships |
Ph.D. Scholarship |
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund |
ICHR Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) |
Between November and December |
Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) |
FITM – AYUSH Research Fellowships Scheme |
Between November and December |
Forum on Indian Traditional Medicine (FITM) and the Ministry of Ayush |
SAARC Agricultural PhD Scholarships |
Between March and April |
SAAR Agricultural Centre |
Swami Vivekananda Single Child Scholarship for Research in Social Science |
Between November and January |
UGC |
Here is a list of top PhD scholarships in India that students can apply for to pursue higher education abroad, with some fully funded covering all expenses, and others partially funded.
PhD Scholarship |
Application Timeline (Approx) |
Organization |
UNU IAS PhD Scholarship |
Between March and April |
Japan Foundation of UNU (JFUNU) |
Dr Eduard Gubelin Research Scholarship |
The last date to apply is June 30th |
Dr Eduard Gübelin Association for Research |
Sir Ratan Tata Trust & Navajbai Ratan TataTrust Education Grants |
The last date to apply is May 31st |
Tata Trusts |
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships |
Between November and December |
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission |
Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship |
Between April and May |
MEXT Japan |
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships |
Between February and March |
Government of New Zealand |
Korean Government Scholarship Program |
Between February and March |
Government of Korea |
Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds PhD fellowship |
Between May and June |
Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds, Germany |
MAXQDA Research Grants |
Between April and June |
VERBI Software GmbH |
IGLP Residential Fellowship Program, Harvard Law School, USA |
Between December and February |
Institute of Global Law & Policy (IGLP), Harvard Law School |
CBS PhD Scholarships at the Department of Operations Management |
Between May and June |
Department of Operations Management, Copenhagen Business School (CBS) |
IITB-Monash Research Academy PhD Scholarships |
Between February and March |
IITB-Monash Research Academy |
HDR Scholarship |
Between April and May |
Deakin University |
Special Research Fun Doctoral Scholarships, Ghent University |
Between February and March |
Ghent University, Belgium |
Cimi Toulouse Doctoral Fellowships |
Between January and February |
International Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science (CIMI), Toulouse, France |
Fujian Normal University President Scholarship for Foreign Students |
Between May and June |
Fujian Normal University |
Imperial College PhD Scholarship in Chemical Engineering |
Between March |
Imperial College London |
Raman-Charpak Fellowship |
Between May and July |
GOI and the Government of France |
President’s PhD Scholarships |
Open throughout the year |
Imperial College London |
Fulbright Kalam Climate Fellowship |
Between January and July |
USIEF |
To assist deserving PhD candidates, the Central Government of India's Ministry of Human Resource Development established a fellowship program.
One of the most prominent PhD scholarships offered in India, it is administered by IISc and IITs. In the first year, recipients get a monthly stipend of Rs.70,000; in the fourth and fifth years, this amount increases to Rs.80,000. Applications for the yearly scholarship are taken through the official website and are available to students from all Indian colleges.
PhD students enrolling in Indian institutions are supported by the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship. It provides 6–9 months of funding for research in disciplines like machine learning, public health, history, and sociology.
Costs for a J-1 visa, health insurance, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, additional allowances, and affiliation fees are all covered by the fellowship. The official website of the fellowship provides the eligibility requirements.
Dates |
Process |
July 2024 |
Application due date for 2024 awards |
Mid-August 2024 |
Review of applications |
July- August 2024 |
Pre-academic training in the U.S. (if required) |
August- September 2024 |
Program commences |
Late September 2024 |
Selected applicants informed by the USIEF |
Early October 2024 |
Interviews of short-listed candidates (To be conducted in Delhi) |
End October 2024 |
The principal and alternate nominees are notified by USIEF. Nominees take TOEFL |
December 2024 |
The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) receives the applications of shortlisted candidates from USIEF for final approval |
March-April 2024 |
USIEF notifies the finalists |
May-June 2024 |
Pre-Departure Orientation |
The Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund awards scholarships to Asian and Indian students who are enrolled full-time in PhD programs. It provides a maintenance income of 18,000 INR a month for living expenses and tuition, in addition to 15,000 INR for books and stationery.
A first-division postgraduate degree, a minimum GPA of 60% in both undergraduate and graduate studies, and the submission of a PhD application to an approved Indian university are the requirements.
The minimum age requirement is 35 years old:
The Physical Research Laboratory offers Junior Research Fellowships for postgraduates in Physics and Astronomy, covering various specializations.
The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) offers exclusive PhD research scholarships with monthly awards of up to 35,000 INR.
Eligibility criteria include being an Indian national under 28 years old, holding both a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Science/Master of Engineering degree, achieving first-division 60% or equivalent in both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and qualifying in exams like GATE, CSIR NET, or Joint Entrance Screening Test.
The Google Ph.D. Fellowship India Program supports aspiring PhD scholars in Computer Science or related fields. It offers a monthly fellowship, covers contingency expenses, and includes an internship offer at Google. The requirements for this scholarship are:
The Indian Council of Historical Research offers Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) to prospective PhD candidates in historical studies. For two years, it covers yearly fees of 16,500 INR and a monthly stipend of up to 17,600 INR.
The candidate must be enrolled in a PhD program in historical studies at an accredited Indian university in order to be eligible.
Doctorate scholars enrolled in UGC-recognized Indian institutions are eligible to apply for doctorate fellowships in the social sciences from the Council of Social Science Research of MHRD, Government of India.
This fellowship is available for two years at a monthly value of ₹20,000. It covers around twenty-five courses, such as Public Administration, Gender Studies, Social Work, and Political Science. Candidates must have verified their PhD registration at an accredited university to be eligible.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs of the Government of India provides this fellowship. It aims to offer financial assistance to minority community students for higher education such as MPhil and PhD.
The Maulana Azad National Fellowship is available for students admitted to any recognized university in the country. It is awarded to candidates with a family income not exceeding 6 Lakh. Scholars receive ₹28,000 per month for 5 years. Candidates can apply for the fellowship on the official UGC website.
The fellowship aims to help young scholars excel in their research fields. Candidates with exceptional research aptitude are shortlisted for the fellowship. It is available to those admitted to a recognized university in India.
NET-qualified NCERT Doctoral Fellows receive ₹25,000 per month for up to three years from their PhD registration date. Non-NET-qualified candidates receive ₹23,000 per month.
For people pursuing PhD studies or research in the life sciences, chemical science, engineering, earth and atmosphere, and allied subjects, there is a fully financed program called the CSIR-UGC JRF NET Fellowship.
Candidates must pass the CSIR-conducted National Entrance Test (NET) to be eligible. For two years, the fellowship offers a monthly stipend of between INR 20,000 to INR 31,000.
Particulars |
Details |
Provider |
HRD Group of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) |
Eligibility |
Must have completed post-graduation with at least 55% marks Must have qualified National Entrance Test (NET) |
Application timeline |
Between July and August (tentative) |
Fellowship Amount |
INR 20,000 to INR 31,000 per month |
Fellowship Type |
Based on NET scores |
Fellowship Duration |
2-years |
Another prominent scholarship for those pursuing a PhD in India is the DBT-JRF Fellowship. It is offered by the Government of India for Biotechnology scholars.
Students must clear the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) to be selected. The registration window for the BET exam opens in February, and the exam is conducted in April. This sought-after PhD scholarship offers ₹25,000 + HRA to JRF students and ₹28,000 + HRA to SRF students.
The FITM – AYUSH Research Fellowships Scheme promotes higher education in specific areas. It offers two categories of fellowships: Doctoral Fellowships and Postdoctoral Fellowships for ages 28–35. The Doctoral Fellowship lasts two years, and the Postdoctoral Fellowship lasts one year.
This scholarship is for students aiming to pursue a PhD in Animal Nutrition or Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology. It is for 3 years and requires full-time study.
The scholarship covers travel costs, tuition fees, living allowance, books, study materials, and thesis preparation expenses.
The requirements for the SAARC Agricultural PhD Scholarship are as follows:
Students aspiring to pursue a PhD in areas of earth system sciences are eligible for this fellowship.
Earth system science includes courses in:
ESSO-NCESS Junior Research Fellowship |
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MHRD stands for Ministry of Human Resource Development. Several PhD scholarships are offered through MHRD for ongoing PhD students.
The basic eligibility criteria are:
PhD Scholarship |
Eligibility |
Amount |
MHRD PhD Fellowships for ASEAN Students |
PhD applicants from ASEAN countries are eligible to apply. |
INR 35,000 per month |
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) |
Must have completed MTech and applying for PhD. |
INR 70,000 for the first 2 years INR 75,000 in the third year INR 80,000 in the Fourth Year |
ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship |
Must hold a master’s degree from a recognized university with first or second class and registered for a doctoral degree in social science. |
INR 20,000 per month |
Popular PhD Specialization In India! |
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A large number of overseas students wish to study for a PhD in the UK. However many students at reputable UK colleges fail because of the expensive tuition.
Fully financed scholarships can assist in resolving this problem. International PhD students in the UK have access to a variety of grants that might help with their financial concerns.
This is important to know when applying for fully funded PhDs in the UK. Students from Europe and Asia can benefit from these scholarships. The eligibility depends on the specific program and scholarship you choose.
Available Scholarships in the UK
This is another key point about fully funded PhDs in the UK for international students. Some of the most popular and beneficial scholarships are:
Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in the UK for International Students |
Eligibility |
President’s PhD. Scholarships at Imperial College London |
Provided by Imperial College London to 50 research students |
Lancaster PhD. Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries |
Provided by Lancaster University |
British Council Newton PhD Program |
Available for students from Asia (including China, Middle East, Europe, India & South East Asia), Oceania, South & Central America, Africa, and North America |
Leeds Doctoral Scholarships |
Available for International students or British/European Union student |
UCL Critical Histories of Art Scholarship |
Available for the UK and EU students only Provided by University College London |
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program |
Open to students from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, France, Madagascar, India, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Tajikistan, Egypt, Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada |
Krebs Memorial Scholarship |
Provided to students from all nationalities |
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program |
Nationalities from countries like Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Syria, Mozambique, France, Pakistan, Portugal, Tanzania, India, Madagascar, Egypt |
Aberystwyth University Scholarship |
Provided to European students who want to complete their PhD in the Department of Mathematics |
The government also supports women in their studies by providing them the scholarships:
The scholarship encourages the education of single girl children by providing financial aid. It is for single girl children pursuing a PhD in Social Sciences. Twin sisters are also eligible.
The requirements for the Swami Vivekananda Single Child Scholarship for Research in Social Science are:
PhD scholarships in India help students pursue research degrees after completing their postgraduate programs. These scholarships support students in conducting research and contributing to their fields of study.
A PhD program lasts 4 to 6 years, making it financially burdensome for many. There are several PhD scholarships in India, like the PM Fellowship for Doctoral Research. These scholarships provide a stipend to support students. They also offer free or heavily discounted accommodation.
PhD Scholarship |
Application Time |
Funded by |
SAARC Agricultural PhD Scholarships |
Between March and April |
SAAR Agricultural Centre |
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) |
Between March and April |
MHRD, Government of India |
Swami Vivekananda Single Child Scholarship for Research in Social Science |
Between November and January |
UGC |
ESSO-NCESS Junior Research Fellowship |
Open throughout the year |
ESSO- National Centre for Earth Science Studies |
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships |
Between March and May |
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund |
Burning Questions Fellowship Awards |
Between May and June |
Tiny Beam Fund |
Vision India Foundation (VIF) Fellowship |
Between December and January |
Vision India Foundation (VIF) |
There are various scholarships available for students interested in pursuing a PhD from India and abroad. You might be wondering how to apply for these scholarships.
Here is a step-by-step application process:
Students who have strong academic backgrounds and the ability to do very well are given scholarships. Nonetheless, authorities have the right to withdraw scholarship awards in some situations. An applicant's scholarship may be revoked if they do badly in their MPhil or PhD program or fail a required course.
Similarly, a candidate's scholarship will be canceled if it is subsequently discovered that they are ineligible for whatever reason. It's crucial to remember that applicants must also demonstrate excellent character and behavior; scholarships are not only given out based on academic achievement. Furthermore, scholarship recipients may have their awards revoked for any misbehavior inside the group.
PhD scholarships and grants are available from independent organizations, including medical charities like the British Heart Foundation and research foundations such as the Wellcome Trust or Leverhulme Trust.
When applying for PhD scholarships, you should check the specific requirements set by each organization offering them.
Application materials: Scholarship applications typically require:
Here are some pointers to make the application process for a PhD fellowship easier:
A PhD scholarship typically covers a significant portion of the cost of a PhD, but the amount can vary:
In summary, it is worth it as it helps you with your finances.
After completing a master’s degree, you can pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). This is a big decision because it requires significant time and resources. One major challenge, especially for self-funded students, is the cost. A PhD can take 3-5 years and can be expensive without a scholarship. A PhD scholarship provides funding to support a student pursuing a PhD or other doctorate. There are various scholarships are there that are provided by the government to support student’s higher education.
In order to get a full PhD fellowship, your application must have a solid background in research. Research competence and enthusiasm for outreach and research are qualities that the scholarship committee looks for.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 8 and be in their last year of a bachelor's degree in science or technology. A stipend ranging from INR 70,000 to INR 80,000 is provided by the fellowship.
It's possible to receive complete funding for a PhD. Universities frequently provide their own money, which might take the form of full scholarships from the university's research budget, living cost subsidies, or fee reductions.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarship, Maulana Azad National Fellowship, NCERT Doctoral Fellowship, and Prime Ministerial Fellowship are among the best PhD scholarships.
Students can apply by according to each scholarship provider's instructions. Applications, academic records, research ideas, letters of recommendation, and other necessary paperwork are often requested.
Program eligibility varies. Candidates often need to fulfill additional requirements given by the providers, be enrolled in or intending to enroll in a PhD program, and have finished post-graduation with a minimum percentage.
While some scholarships are available to students worldwide, some are restricted to citizens of India. Verify the qualifying conditions for each scholarship.
Programs differ in length. Examine the specifics of each scholarship to find out how long the funding is provided for.
Denmark provides generous living expense stipends and an Industrial PhD program for ideas involving commercial applications.
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