Top PhD Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students: Eligibility and How to Apply

Each year, numerous students move abroad to gain a PhD or doctoral degree in their field of study. Several scholarships are available for Indian students pursuing PhD abroad. These scholarships are either based on academic merit or financial need of a student.

PhD abroad scholarships often cover the tuition fees and some even provide a monthly allowance to cover the cost of living in that country. Some of the top PhD abroad scholarships for international students include the DAAD Scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarship, Australia Awards Scholarships, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Fulbright Nehru Scholarship, and more.

This Story also Contains

1. Types of PhD Scholarships in Abroad
2. PhD scholarships for international students
3. Eligibility Criteria for PhD Abroad for Indian Students with Scholarship
4. How to Apply for a PhD Abroad with Scholarship?
5. Documents required for PhD Scholarships Abroad

PhD abroad scholarships for international students are provided by various organisations, universities, governments, or other financial institutions. Read on to learn more about the top PhD abroad scholarships for international students along with their eligibility, the amount covered, and more.

Types of PhD Scholarships in Abroad

1. PhD grants for study abroad can be fully or partially financed. The applicant should carefully examine the details of the scholarships for which they apply.

2. Fully Funded Scholarships cover all essential expenses associated with an individual’s education abroad. These scholarships will cover educational expenses, living expenses, study materials, travel, insurance, and others.

3. Partial Scholarships cover only a part of one’s entire study expenses. This includes either the tuition or living expenses, which might vary on several factors set by the university.

Scholarships for International Students Studying PhD Abroad

PhD scholarships for international students

Numerous scholarships are available for students pursuing a PhD or Doctoral education abroad. The scholarships vary by country and course type. A few of the scholarships available for international students pursuing a PhD are as follows:

Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship is awarded by the UK to outstanding students from Commonwealth countries. Approximately 800 Commonwealth Scholarships are granted each year. For PhD programme, it is provided for a duration of 3 to 4 years to eligible candidates.

Commonwealth Scholarship Eligibility:

• Citizen of Commonwealth countries including India.

• Applying for a master's or PhD programme in UK

• Age must be less than 40 years.

Amount/Expenses Covered:

• Covers full tuition fee

• Provides a monthly stipend of EUR 1,236 or EUR 1516 to cover living expenses in UK.

• Airfare

• Study-related allowances and other grants

Destination Australia Program

The Destination Australia Program is an initiative started by the Australian government to support students to cover their cost of education in the country.

Destination Australia Program Eligibility:

• Available only to international students

• Enrolled in a regional university in Australia

• Meet the academic and English language proficiency requirements of the selected university.

• Amount/Expenses Covered: USD 15,000 per year

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is available for doctoral scholars in various fields, including Health Research, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Recipients must display outstanding academic performance, research ability, and leadership skills.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Eligibility:

• Provided only to international students pursuing a PhD degree at a Canadian university.

• Candidates must have academic excellence, research potential, and leadership skills

• Meet other requirements set by the university.

• Amount/Expense Covered: CAD 50,000 annually for three years.

Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship for International Students

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship grants doctoral scholarships for 1 year, which can be extended for two more years. The foundation supports 150 doctoral students from all disciplines annually during their course of study in Germany.

Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship Eligibility:

• Students are selected based on their academic performance, strong personality, and visible commitment mentioned in their application.

• Students must clear the personal interview to be considered for Friedrich Naumann Foundation scholarship.

Amount/Expenses Covered:

• Travel expenses

• Health insurance

• Study or research fees

• Living expenses

AAUW International Women’s Fellowship

AAUW International Women’s Fellowship provides support to international women pursuing full-time doctoral or PhD courses in the United States. Candidates are evaluated based on their academic excellence, quality of project design, and others.

AAUW International Women’s Fellowship Eligibility:

• Candidate must not be a previous recipient of this scholarship.

• Members of the AAUW board of directors, committees, panels, task forces, and staff, including current interns, are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.

• Women candidates outside the USA are eligible to apply.

• Hold a U.S bachelor's degree

• Students who plan to return home after completion of their course are eligible to apply

• Amount/Expenses Covered: USD 50,000 for one year

Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship

The Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship provide support to Indian students studying in the US. The scholarships help students by allowing them to conduct research and gain practical experience in the country. These fellowships are for six to nine months.

Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship Eligibility:

• Must be an Indian citizen

• Registered for PhD in an Indian institution

• Candidates must demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities

• They must have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree

• Students should have at least three years of professional work experience

Amount/Expenses Covered:

• J-1 Visa support

• Monthly stipend

• Allowances and affiliation fees

• Round-trip economy class air travel

• Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines

DAAD Scholarship Germany

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has supported more than 100,000 German and international students around the globe. This scholarship program gives Indian students an opportunity to complete their doctoral degree in Germany. The scholarships are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. The funding is provided for a maximum of four years.

DAAD Scholarship Eligibility:

• Two years of work experience

• Academic merit

• German language proficiency

• You can apply if you have above-average qualifications and you completed your Master's degree or Diplom, or in exceptional cases a Bachelor's degree, at the latest by the time the funding period begins.

• Amount/Expenses Covered:

• EUR 1,300 for doctoral/PhD students

• Flat-rate travel allowance

• Payments toward health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover

• Travel allowance

• annual research allowance of EUR 460

PhD Scholarships for international students

Subject-Specific PhD Scholarships Abroad

College-Specific Ph.D. Scholarships

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Abroad for Indian Students with Scholarship

To get a PhD scholarship abroad, Indian students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• They must have a Master's degree in a relevant field with a high academic performance.

• Students with experience in research have an edge over other candidates.

• They must have standardised test scores such as GRE or GMAT and English proficiency requirement by having a valid score in IELTS or TOEFL.

• Some scholarships have age requirements and hence students must consider that before applying.

• Having a work experience in a related field can be beneficial for students.

• Candidates with leadership qualities and extracurricular activities have more chances of receiving the award.

How to Apply for a PhD Abroad with Scholarship?

International students planning to apply for a PhD scholarship abroad must follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. Candidates must thoroughly research various universities that meet their educational goals.

2. Visit the official website of the selected university and choose the programme of your choice.

3. Fill out the application form and submit all the required documents.

4. Pay the application fee, if any.

5. Submit the application form and keep a printout for future reference.

Documents required for PhD Scholarships Abroad

The requirements of documentation vary for different courses, countries, and universities. Some of the general requirements are mentioned below:

• Academic Transcripts

• Standardised test scores

• Previous educational degrees

• Research proposals

• CVs

• Letters of recommendation

• Proof of English proficiency

• Student visa

• Proof of Funds