Studying abroad can cost roughly about $43,000 annually for a PhD program lasting around five or more years in countries like the US. The total bill comes to roughly $2,15,500. Not every student can afford this, but there's good news! PhD Scholarships for Indian students abroad can help ease this financial burden.
Check out this guide to find some of the best PhD degree scholarships for international students.
Pursuing a PhD abroad comes with many benefits for personal and professional growth. Here are some of the reasons why you should apply for your PhD abroad:
Studying in a different country allows you to explore diverse traditions and cultures, providing a global perspective and enriching your overall educational experience. It also offers the chance to build a global network, connecting with people who can offer guidance and support in your research field, even after returning home.
Exposure to different education systems broadens your understanding, introducing you to varied teaching and learning methods. This also allows you to explore unique specializations. You can learn from experienced faculty members in your research field, gaining valuable insights and guidance for your doctoral research.
Studying abroad opens up a plethora of options for research programs, allowing you to choose from a variety of universities and discover new dimensions to your research. Depending on your chosen country and university, you can benefit from excellent infrastructure and advanced technology, enhancing the quality of your education and research.
Completing a PhD from a reputable global university opens doors to multiple employment opportunities, whether pursuing an academic career or joining organizations globally.
International students often qualify for scholarships and fellowships, which can reduce tuition costs and provide additional benefits like health care discounts.
List of Popular PhD Scholarships for Indian Students
A list of some of the popular scholarships for Indian students to apply to a PhD program abroad is provided below. Check out the details of these scholarships.
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship
The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships provide financial support to Indian scholars pursuing doctoral studies in various fields, such as public health, history, machine learning, and sociology. These fellowships are awarded by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF).
To be eligible for the fellowships, candidates must have completed their post-graduation studies.
The application period typically runs from March to June, and for this year, the deadline for applications is July 15, 2024. The scholarships are awarded to exceptional students who have demonstrated their ability to conduct research and excel academically.
Benefits: It typically covers a monthly stipend, J-1 visas, round-trip economy class airfare, the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges as required by the US Government, appropriate allowances, and any small affiliation costs.
Indian students who are interested in pursuing full-time PhD programs at prestigious universities in the USA, UK, or Europe can apply for the Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship. To be eligible, applicants must reside in India, have graduated from an accredited Indian university, or are waiting for their results.
Candidates who have already completed their graduate studies abroad or are currently pursuing them are not eligible. The application deadline is March 22, 2024.
Benefits: The scholarship provides up to $100,000 to cover program fees, cost of living, medical expenses, and the scholar's one-sided airfare.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship for International Students
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is available to all applicants, regardless of their nationality, who wish to attend the University of Cambridge for full-time or part-time PhD programs. The candidates are evaluated based on their exceptional leadership potential, academic prowess, and commitment to improving lives.
Benefits: The scholarship covers the University Composition Fee at the applicable rate. It includes a maintenance allowance of £20,000 for a duration of 12 months, given up to 4 years for PhD scholars.
Additionally, it covers the cost of one single economy air ticket at the beginning and end of the course, inbound visa costs, and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The DAAD provides scholarships for students who wish to pursue PhD studies at state universities and research institutions in Germany. Students are selected based on their academic achievements, their motivation, and the quality of the research proposal.
Benefits: The scholarship is provided for four years, and students receive a monthly stipend of €1,300. Additionally, aspirants can also receive payment for accidents and health insurance. An annual allowance of €260– €460 for research travel is also provided.
The 3.5-year PhD program at Imperial College London is fully funded and comes with a substantial stipend thanks to the President's PhD Scholarship. Scholars work on their research projects under outstanding supervision and with opportunities for networking. There are 50 scholarships awarded.
To be eligible for this scholarship, candidates must receive or are due to receive a first-class or equivalent undergraduate, integrated master's, or master’s degree.
Benefits: The scholarship provides an annual stipend of £25,150 to support living costs and a consumables fund of £2,000 yearly for the first three years. For the academic year 2024–2025, applications will be received from August 1, 2024, to November 1, 2024.
Eiffel Scholarship Program
Developed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the France Excellence Eiffel scholarship program aims to help French universities attract the best international students to their PhD programs. Applications for the scholarship are open for PhD aspirants up to 30 years of age.
Benefits: In addition to several services like international and domestic transportation, insurance, housing searches, cultural events, and more, scholarship holders receive a monthly allowance of €1,800.
However, the scholarship doesn’t cover tuition fees. Applications are open from January 10, 2024, to September 18, 2023.
Cambridge International Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, research potential, and letter of recommendation. To be eligible for the scholarship, you must first apply for admission at the University of Cambridge.
Following this, you must use the Applicant Portal to complete the online application form and indicate in the funding section that you want to be considered for financing.
Benefits: In addition to the university composition fee, the scholarship includes a small living allowance sufficient to support a single person during the scholarship period.
Securing a PhD scholarship abroad can be a gateway to an enriching experience, offering the required financial freedom to focus on groundbreaking research.
Depending on the program, PhD scholarships can have different durations. Typically, a PhD lasts for 3.5 years, and most scholarships cover the entire duration of a PhD. However, it is crucial to go over the particulars of each scholarship to ascertain how long the funding will be given.
How do Indian students apply for PhD scholarships abroad?
Indian students who wish to apply for PhD scholarships abroad should adhere to the eligibility and selection criteria of each scholarship provider. Usually, students may need to submit academic transcripts, research projects, letters of recommendation, and portfolios as part of their applications.
What should I include in my PhD scholarship essay?
Most scholarship providers will ask you to submit an essay explaining your motivation for pursuing a PhD. This is an important part of the application process. It is a chance to showcase your potential and how you are more deserving of the scholarship than your competitors.
With over a decade of expertise in international education, Jyotsna has held impactful roles at the British Council, Unilodgers, a prominent UK university, and IDP Education, empowering countless students by not only enhancing their educational experiences but also by offering them guidance in securing essential scholarships and financial aid. She is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals through tailored guidance and financial support.
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