In today’s day and age, 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 burden and provide fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA for international students.
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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 grant
- Writing-up funding
- Hardship funding
Eligibility for Country/Course
These fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA for international students are for doctoral programs. Moreover, since these programs are for out-of-state students too, 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
Doctoral programs are the highest academic degree 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 to engage 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 of the 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.
These majors are:
- 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 others are pushed by the universities.
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 Awards
Fully Funded PhD Programs
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 3.06 Lakh) + Travel expenses for a term of 5 years i.e., USD 4,500 ( INR 3.41 Lakh +a new laptop is given
Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business
Ph.D. in business
a tuition waiver and a $40,000 (30.34 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-month stipend of about USD 20,041 (INR 15.20 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 24.11 lakh) per year for five years and the full-tuition scholarship is worth $65,700 per year.
Boston University
Ph.D. in English
a stipend of about USD 28,000(INR 21.24 Lakh) plus full tuition, fees, and basic health insurance
Duke University
Ph.D. in nursing
Full tuition and a 12-month stipend
Columbia University
Ph.D. in clinical psychology
Fully funded tuition and a USD 25,000 (INR 18.96 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 application deadlines for the above-mentioned fully-funded Ph.D. programs.
Fully-funded Ph.D. program Name Application Deadline
Microsoft Research Dissertation Grant for Doctoral Students
30 March
IBM Fellowship Awards Program for PhD Students
26 October
Facebook Emerging Scholar Programme
31 October
Microsoft Research Scholarship for Scholars in Europe Africa Middle East (EMEA)
Open 15 September to close 12 October
Columbia University International Postdoctoral Humanities Fellowship
2 October
University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS)
15 October
PEO International Peace Scholarship for Women to Study in USA and Canada
opens 15 September; closes: 15 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 of departments or schools not allowed
Value of Scholarship
The value of scholarships will also differ according to various funding programs for PhDs. On average, USD 25,000 to USD 40,000 (INR 19,04,800 to INR 30,47,600)
Selection Process
The selection process of fully-funded Ph.D. programs in the USA is based on three factors, and candidates are assessed:
- 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.
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