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Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Lausanne

14 Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Funded PhD Position at Forschungszentrum Jülich

19 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany

Fully Funded PhD Programs at University in Wageningen

28 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands

Fully Funded PhD Programs at ETH Zürich

30 Fully Funded PhD Programs at ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Antwerp

17 Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Tampere University

18 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Tampere University, Tampere, Finland

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Aalto University

09 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Aalto University, Espoo, Finland

Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Copenhagen

26 Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Lund University

18 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Lund University, Lund, Sweden

Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Oslo

11 Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

21 fully funded phd programs at eth zurich, switzerland.

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Norwegian University of Science and Technology

13 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Utrecht University

19 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Chalmers University of Technology

18 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Ghent University

17 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Uppsala University

18 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Uppsala University, Sweden

Fully Funded PhD Position in Karolinska Institutet

07 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Delft University of Technology

16 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Netherlands

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

09 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden

Fully Funded PhD Programs at Luleå University of Technology

08 Fully Funded PhD Programs at Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden

Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Oulu

17 Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Oulu, Finland

Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Bern

14 Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

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PhD Studies & Research

Research in Germany

Science and research in Germany are characterised by a distinguished infrastructure, a wide variety of disciplines, well-equipped research facilities and competent staff. Germany offers various career opportunities for international PhD students and researchers.

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PhD students

Here you find a  selection of funding programmes  for international PhD students by various funding organisations. For more funding opportunities please search our  funding databases .

Selection of funding programmes (alphabetical order):

Collaborative Research Centres

Collaborative Research Centres offer PhD students opportunities to pursue an outstanding research programme that crosses disciplinary, institutional, departmental and faculty boundaries.

DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships

Outstanding PhD students can complete a doctorate in the fields of space, aeronautics, energy, transport, digitalisation and security at an institute of the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

ERA Fellowships – Green Hydrogen

This programme provides funding for a research project or continuing academic training in the field of GH2.

Green Talents

The winners of this competition are invited to visit leading German institutions of environmental and sustainability research. Furthermore, Green Talents awardees can complete a research stay at an institution of their choice.

Individual Doctoral Projects at Fraunhofer Institutes

PhD students can complete a doctorate while working on exciting projects in cutting-edge areas of technology involving state-of-the-art equipment at a Fraunhofer institute.

Individual Doctoral Projects at Leibniz Institutes

PhD students can complete a doctorate while working in an excellent interdisciplinary research environment at a Leibniz institute.

Individual Doctoral Projects at Max Planck Institutes

PhD students can complete doctoral projects within the scope of research work conducted at a Max Planck institute.

International Max Planck Research Schools

PhD students can complete a doctorate in a structured programme offering excellent research conditions at one of the 68 International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS).

International Visiting Researchers at Max Planck Institutes

International researchers can conduct independent research at a Max Planck institute. The programme aims to strengthen cooperation and promote networking between Max Planck institutes and their international partners.

Leibniz Graduate Schools and Leibniz ScienceCampi

PhD students will find ideal conditions for completing a doctorate in a structured doctoral programme that can be pursued at either a Leibniz institute or a partner university.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks

PhD students receive structured doctoral training within these networks, which are formed jointly by different European institutions.

Max Planck Schools

The Max Planck Schools are a joint graduate programme run by German universities and research organisations. They offer ambitious bachelor’s and master’s graduates excellent conditions within a unique scientific network, and provide structured and fully funded PhD programmes in three interdisciplinary research fields: cognition, matter to life and photonics.

Munich Aerospace: PhD Scholarships

Munich Aerospace PhD scholarships allow talented young scientists to focus exclusively on the research work at hand and on attaining a timely doctoral degree.

PhD Fellowships

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds awards PhD Fellowships to outstanding early career researchers who wish to carry out an ambitious scientific PhD project in basic biomedical research at an internationally leading laboratory.

Research Grants – Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees/Cotutelle

The aim of this programme is to support doctoral degrees at the student’s home university with integrated research phases in Germany.

Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany

International PhD students can realise a doctoral project (individually or in a structured programme) at a state or state-recognised German university or non-university research institution.

Research Grants – One-Year Grants

International doctoral candidates can carry out research primarily as part of a doctoral project at a state or state-recognised university or non-university research institution in Germany.

Research Training Groups

Research Training Groups are set up by universities and pursue a focused research programme. They offer a structured PhD programme relating to an innovative, peer-reviewed research topic.

RISE Professional

This programme enables students in the fields of natural sciences, engineering or computer science from North America, the United Kingdom or Ireland to gain serious practical experience in a German company or research institution with strong industry ties.

Travel Grants

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) awards travel grants to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from all over the world.

More information:

Search funding databases.

More funding programmes are available for international researchers. For more information you can either search the funding databases or go straight to the websites of the funding organisations.

21 Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in Europe

Here is a detailed list of fully funded scholarships for international students in Europe. These scholarships comprise of those obtainable in Europe and those obtainable outside Europe but European and probably all international students are eligible to apply for them.

In one of our compiled guides on how to secure scholarships abroad easily , we emphasized the fact that most international and local scholarships demand that applicants are already admitted into a course before they are awarded scholarships, and in that sense, we wrote on universities in Europe without application fees to help international students secure admission for free with which they can pursue scholarships.

You can also take a look at our guide that reveals the cheapest European countries for students who may need to shift interest to cut costs.

Scholarships For International Students In Europe – Fully Funded

Below is a list of scholarships for international students in Europe and also scholarships for both European and international students to study either in Europe or abroad. Note that these scholarships listed cover both scholarships for international students to study in Europe and scholarships for European and other international students to study in other countries too. They are all fully funded.

  • DAAD Scholarship for Masters and Ph.D. in Germany
  • Finland Government Scholarship
  • University of Canterbury Scholarship in New Zealand
  • Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (Sweden)
  • International Scholarship for Women in the USA
  • Fullbright Foreign Student Program in the USA
  • British Chevening Scholarships
  • The University of Sussex Postgraduate Scholarship in England
  • Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for Foreign Students in Switzerland
  • University of Oxford Clarendon scholarships in the UK
  • Adelaide Scholarships International in Australia
  • University of Maastricht High Potential Scholarship in the Netherlands
  • Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto Canada
  • Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students  (Denmark)
  • Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme (France)
  • VLIR-UOS Scholarship Awards (Belgium)
  • Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)
  • Developing Solutions Scholarships at the University of Nottingham (UK)
  • Erik Bleumink Scholarships at the University of Groningen (Netherlands)
  •  ETH Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)

1. DAAD Scholarship for Masters and Ph.D. in Germany

Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) or German Academic Exchange Service, is a German academic support organization that funds international students to study in Europe.

The DAAD Scholarship is one of the best scholarships for international students in Europe currently and it has been there for quite a long time now.

This organization offers fully-funded scholarships to study for a Ph.D. or Master’s Degree from one of the prestigious universities in Germany. Before you apply, you must have a BSc. Degree on a proper four-year course and also possess two years or more of work experience after the degree.

The scholarship details are as follows;

  • Duration: 1-3 years
  • Scholarship application status: still open
  • Coverage of medical insurance and travel allowance
  • Document for employment confirmation will be required
  • 2 recommendation letters will also be required

The available courses for the DAAD Scholarship are;

  • Mathematics
  • Regional and Urban Planning
  • Agricultural and Forest Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Media studies
  • Engineering and Related Sciences
  • Political Economics Sciences
  • Medicine and Public Health
  • Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Education and Law Apply Now

2. Finland Government Scholarship

This is a fully-funded scholarship provided by the Finnish government for international students in both Undergraduate and Master’s degrees to study in universities in Finland and it is open to students from anywhere in the world including Europe.

This is one of the most popular scholarships for international students in Europe covering up to full academic expenses.

All universities and universities of applied sciences have Finland scholarship opportunities for international students who want to study in Europe. Other Details of the Finland Government Scholarship for European and International Students are;

  • Duration: 2-4 years
  • Scholarship application status: Ended
  • Degree: Bachelor, Master degree
  • Financial coverage: Partially and Fully funded

Eligible Courses for the Finland Government Scholarship are;

  • Agricultural sciences(forestry, fisheries)
  • Health and Welfare Sciences
  • Social sciences
  • Business Administration
  • Veterinary Science
  • Information and Communication Technologies
  • Humanities Apply Now

3. University of Canterbury Scholarship

The University of Canterbury offers scholarship opportunities to international students who want to study in Europe. The scholarship is open to every nationality except New Zealand and Australian citizens who are not eligible.

The university offers international students fully-funded bachelor’s degree scholarships every year to all academic fields available in the university. Other Details of the University of Canterbury Scholarship are;

  • Scholarship application status: Ongoing
  • Deadline: October yearly
  • Degree: Undergraduate Scholarship
  • Financial coverage: Fully funded

Courses Eligible for the University of Canterbury Scholarship are;

  • Business management
  • Engineering
  • Health Sciences
  • Human development Apply Now

4. Swedish Institute Study Scholarships (Sweden)

The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is an academic scholarship provided for full-time, one- or two-year, master’s studies in Sweden. The scholarship covers a wide range of study fields and over 700 of the 1000 English-taught master’s programs in Sweden.

Through the scholarship, the Swedish Institute (SI) aims to develop a network of future global leaders that will contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and drive the development of their home countries forward. The scholarship is open for applications once every year, for master’s studies beginning in the autumn semester. In order to apply you must: 

  • Be a citizen of one of the 41 countries that is eligible for the SI Scholarship for Global Professionals; 
  • Apply for a master’s program that is eligible for the SI scholarship;  
  • Be liable to pay tuition fees at University Admissions;  
  • Have demonstrated work experience; 
  • Have demonstrated leadership experience from a current or previous employer, or from civil society engagement.  About 700 English-taught master’s programs are eligible for the SI scholarship for Global Professionals, covering programs in the fields of humanities, agricultural science, medicine and public health, natural science, social science, and technology.   

5. International Scholarship for Women in the USA

Application for this scholarship is currently open, so go ahead and apply for it. It is a fully-funded scholarship open to every female student in Europe and around the world except Iran and she can apply in all academic fields of any university in the USA.

The admission will come in two batches and the deadline for selecting the first batch is April 20 th yearly while the deadline for the second batch is June 30th annually. Other details of the Scholarship are as follows;

  • Degree type: Bsc., Ph.D., and Master
  • Duration: 1-4 years depending on degree type and selected course
  • Scholarship application status: ongoing

You can apply in all academic fields of any university in the USA but you would need to submit an offer letter from the university before the deadline.

6. Fullbright foreign student program in the USA

This is a scholarship program for international students and it is open to students from all over the world to apply. If you are an international student who wants to pursue a master’s or Ph.D. degree, you could apply for this scholarship grant.

This one exactly isn’t for students who want to study in Europe but for European and international students who want to study in the USA.

This grant covers everything from tuition, living expenses, health insurance, etc. It is a fully-funded financial aid that will cover the study duration. You can choose any course/major offered by your preferred university in the USA.

7. British Chevening Scholarships

This is a scholarship grant specially awarded to students with leadership potential, by the UK government, to pursue a master’s degree program of their choice. It is a fully-funded grant and scholars may choose any field/major of their choice offered by their preferred university.

8. The University of Sussex postgraduate scholarship in England

Application for this fully funded scholarship is ongoing for students who want to pursue a master’s degree or postgraduate. Everyone from all over the world can participate even its citizens just be fast on the application as the deadline draws nigh.

You can go for any major offered by the University of Sussex and the financial coverage will cover your tuition, living expenses, and health insurance.

9. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship in Switzerland

Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries. Recipients are selected by the awarding body, the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or PhD and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree.

The research scholarship (research fellowship, PhD, Postdoc) is available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree is the minimum qualification required) who are planning to come to Switzerland to pursue research or further studies at the doctoral or post-doctoral level.

Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial arts master’s degree in Switzerland. Art scholarships are awarded for study at any Swiss conservatory or university of the arts. This scholarship is available to students from a limited number of countries only.

10. University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarships in the UK

This is a fully-funded scholarship scheme awarded to about 140 scholars yearly by the Clarendon Scholarship Fund. This scholarship seems to be special as it is awarded to applicants on the basis of excellence and potential across all degree-bearing subjects at the graduate level.

The fund covers tuition fees, living expenses, and health insurance and it is currently ongoing for application.

11. Adelaide Scholarships International in Australia

This a fully-funded grant open to every nationality and it is a scholarship scheme invented by Adelaide Scholarships International to attract high-quality students to boost the research efforts at the University of Adelaide. The grant covers yearly living allowance, health insurance, and tuition fees.

12. University of Maastricht High Potential Scholarship in the Netherlands

This is a scholarship by the UM to attract high-potential scholars from all over the world to pursue a master’s degree at the UM. The fund covers living allowance, health insurance, and tuition fees.

13. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto Canada

This is a scholarship program at the University of Toronto awarded to international students who show special academic achievement and creativity and who are seen as leaders within their school. The fund will cover tuition fees, incidental fees, books, and living expenses for up to four years.

14. Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students  (Denmark)

The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) offers a limited number of tuition waivers and grants through the Danish Government Scholarship program. The scholarships are competitive and offered to highly talented students with outstanding academic records from non-EU/EEU countries. All non-EU/EEA applicants offered admission will automatically be considered for the scholarship. The Danish Government Scholarship is granted as full or partial tuition fee waivers and/or as an amount covering basic living costs.

15. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme (France)

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program was established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to enable French higher education institutions to attract top foreign students to enroll in their master’s and Ph.D. programs.

It gives opportunities to the future foreign decision-makers of the private and public sectors, in priority areas of study, and encourages applicants from foreign countries up to 25 years old at the master’s level, and applicants up to 30 years old at PhD level.

16. VLIR-UOS Scholarship Awards (Belgium)

They award scholarships to students and professionals from Africa, Asia, or Latin America to study in Flanders, as well as travel grants to Flemish/European students to do fieldwork/internships in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. They award scholarships to applicants from 29 eligible countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to attend one of the 15 master’s programs taught in English at one or more Flemish universities. VLIR-UOS provides an annual intake of 10 new first-year scholarships for each ICP

17. Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands)

The Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship is an award available to outstanding students from outside Europe. The value of the award is 25,000 Euro per annum for a maximum of 2 years. The purpose is to provide excellent students with the opportunity to complete a Master’s degree at the University of Amsterdam. There is no set number of scholarships to be awarded under this program. Students must be in the top 10% of their class and must be eligible for a Master’s course at the University of Amsterdam. Students must be based outside the EU.

18. Developing Solutions Scholarships at the University of Nottingham (UK)

Developing Solutions is the University of Nottingham (UK) flagship master’s scholarship, founded in 2001, for students from African, South Asian, and other selected Commonwealth countries. This scholarship program is designed for international students who want to make a difference in the development of key economic, environmental, structural, social, or political structures in their home country.

The University of Nottingham offers scholarships covering 50% or 100% of full-time master’s tuition fees. These one-year scholarships are available to support innovative and passionate students who can successfully demonstrate their ingenuity in developing solutions that will impact their home countries and incite change.

19. Erik Bleumink Scholarships at the University of Groningen (Netherlands)

Provided by the University of Groningen, this grant is awarded for a 1 year or 2 years Master’s degree program. The grant covers tuition fees, costs of international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance. A considerable number of students apply for this scholarship each year, whereas the University can issue only a limited number of grants.

20. ETH Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)

ETH Zurich supports outstanding students who wish to pursue Master’s degree studies by offering scholarship and opportunity program. The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) supports students with a scholarship, mentorship, and a network of the ETH Foundation. The scholarship covers the full study and living costs during the Master’s degree course. The scholarship consists of a scholarship covering living and study expenses (CHF 12’000 per semester) as well as a tuition fee waiver. ESOP is awarded for the regular duration of the Master’s program (three or four semesters). This also applies to the tuition fee waiver. Only ETH Bachelor students may start the ESOP with a leave of absence.

21. Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship program was established in October 2000 by a historic donation of US$210m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. The first class of scholars came into residence in October 2001. Since then, the Trust has awarded over 2,000 scholarships to scholars from more than 100 countries.

Each year Gates Cambridge offers c.80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round. A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge. It also provides additional, discretionary funding.

More About Scholarships for International Students in Europe

Scholarships have helped a lot of students achieve their academic goals in life as well as pushed them up the professional ladder, especially, fully-funded scholarships.

Fully funded scholarships are sometimes different from full-tuition scholarships because while full-tuition scholarships ensure payment of only tuition fees in some cases, fully-funded scholarships cover tuition fees, housing, feeding, medicals, flight from applicant country to host country, and in many cases, it also pays the beneficiaries stipends for personal upkeep.

Here at Study Abroad Nations , we’ve helped over 300,000 students discover and apply for scholarships and today, we will be adding to the numbers through this novel guide on how to secure fully-funded European scholarships for international students.

What is a scholarship?

A scholarship is a grant or payment awarded to a student in other to help them further their education and it can be awarded on the basis of academic achievement or other achievements.

You may begin to wonder, how does one get a scholarship opportunity? or what are the ways one can get a scholarship? Good thing I have done a lot of research on this matter and I have valid answers to your questions.

How International Students Can Apply for Scholarships to Study in Europe Successfully

As an international student who wants to study in Europe with a fully-funded scholarship or maybe at least with a full-tuition scholarship, you have to put the following factors into consideration

1. Begin early research

It is advisable to start researching early for scholarships as gathering information on time will help you know how to go about it. Here, we help you with this by publishing scholarship opportunities daily and you can also sign up for our free scholarship updates so we can send you a compilation of available scholarships daily.

You can also join our study abroad and scholarship telegram group to chat with other international students and get updates on available scholarships. If you follow us on twitter , you will be the first to learn about our scholarship updates because we tweet them immediately after they are published.

Time is really necessary when applying for scholarships, the earlier you submit your applications the better for you, all in all, just try to meet the deadline of any scholarship you are applying to.

Aside from meeting deadlines, we advise you to apply earlier, especially for fully funded scholarships because the competition is always very high here coupled with the fact that a lot of international students are routing for Europe and a majority of them are searching for scholarship opportunities just like you.

2. Sign up for a scholarship search

You can use our free scholarship search engine here to search for available scholarships in any country and for any program. You can also click here directly for scholarships in Europe .

Searching for scholarships is also a way of discovering new scholarships to apply for.

Registering for a scholarship search will help you find scholarships that match your interest, skills, and activities and you could set up customized notifications to alert you when fully funded scholarships in Europe that match your profile becomes available.

3. Let people close to you know about your search for a scholarship

Discuss it with your school counselor, teachers, parents, and others. Scholarships are opportunities and they may pop up from anywhere, so it is advisable to talk about it to the people around you just in case an opportunity comes up.

In our international social groups on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram, you can meet international and domestic students in Europe who could help you to actualize your dreams of studying abroad with a scholarship.

4. Ensure you make the right application decision always

Applying to a university/college that fits your profile is the best way to win a scholarship.

Most international scholarships require that applicants, first of all, should apply and be offered admission to a certain school before they are considered for scholarships.

In fact, some international scholarships in Europe are awarded directly just by considering a student’s former academic performance without even asking the student to sit for any scholarship exam.

FAQs on Scholarships For International Students In Europe

Can a current college or university student apply for a n european scholarship.

Yes, you can, it is completely open to everyone, whether you are still in college or your final years in high school unless otherwise stated.

Every scholarship publication has application criteria, once you meet these criteria and every other qualification, you can go ahead and apply.

In fact, it is better to start the college scholarship application while you are still in high school, remember, the earlier the better.

How many scholarships can a single person apply for?

There are millions of scholarships out there so go ahead and apply for as much as you can, I have students who apply for up to 5-7 scholarships in a week.

Scholarships are very competitive and the tough will always have it. So never get tired of applying until you finally land one.

Important Scholarship Application Tips

  • Be proactive, that is, keep applying whether you’re in college or not
  • Pay attention to details
  • Be thorough
  • If the application involves scholarship essay writing , do your best.

It doesn’t matter if you are an international student who wants to study in Europe or anywhere in the world the tips and ways of scholarship application I have provided above are the same, follow them diligently and you will definitely succeed.

Conclusion: Scholarships for international students in Europe

For those seeking scholarships for international students in Europe, keeping to these tips will do you every good as winning European scholarships is most times very competitive and you need extra effort to stay ahead of the competition.

So, after all my research I was able to come up with a list of 15 fully funded scholarships for international students in Europe currently and I decided to list and give details of every one of them above.

The main purpose of this article is to bring to your notice some scholarships for international students in Europe, majorly, those that are fully funded to ease you from the financial stress of studying abroad. We went ahead also to list more fully funded international scholarships for European students to study abroad.

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Bonjour à vous, Je viens très respectueusement au près de votre haute bienveillance demander une bourse d’étude entièrement financée. En effet, je suis titulaire d’un diplôme de docteur en médecine à l’Université de kindu l’an 2018-2019. En attente d’une réponse favorable, je vous prie d’agréer l’expression de mes sincère salutation.

J’aimerais bien faire le master mais j’ai pas de moyen donc je cherche à faire master en ingénierie informatique financé à 100%

  • Pingback: Top 10 Scholarships In New York For International Students

I want to study Architecture bachelor degree if I get a full founded scholarship.

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Last Updated on November 12, 2023 by SAN

Funding sources for PhD studies in Europe

PhD positions in European countries are funded through a diverse range of sources. Understanding the different funding sources for PhD studies in Europe is pivotal: With this knowledge, prospective PhD students can turn their abstract ambition to pursue a degree in Europe into a concrete strategy.

Doing a PhD in Europe

For starters, to qualify for PhD studies in most European countries, a master’s degree is required. Furthermore, in many European countries, PhD students are treated as employees. This means that they are formally employed, receive a salary and make pension contributions.

The money that is used to pay for PhD positions can come from a variety of sources. However, prospective students are often not aware of the wide range of possibilities to fund their PhD studies.

PhD funding in Europe through university budgets

The most straightforward funding arrangement is PhD funding via university budgets. This essentially means that a university has money available to invest in PhD students.

Prospective PhD students cannot influence this funding source. Often, they simply have to apply to an open position advertised on a university website or a job portal.

PhD funding in Europe through external project grants

During the application process, applicants often have to showcase how they fit into the specific project. Furthermore, they have to make suggestions of how they would approach and execute certain tasks to meet the project’s goals.

PhD funding in Europe through individual grants from governments & research councils

The PhD positions that are created from individual grants by scientific research councils often require unique, individual PhD research projects. These projects offer room for creativity but require a high degree of independence.

PhD funding in Europe through individual scholarships from foundations

There are many foundations that either support or fully fund PhD studies in Europe. These foundations are often connected to political parties, religious institutions, specific industries, companies or non-profit organisations.

Prospective PhD students have a high degree of influence when it comes to this source of funding. They tend to be in charge of the whole application process.

PhD funding through governmental scholarships from countries of origin

Applicants usually have to undergo two application processes: One to receive the scholarship, and another one to secure a position at a European university.

Part-time PhD funding in Europe through non-academic employers

If there is a connection between a PhD topic and a non-academic job, some employers enter a formal arrangement that covers PhD fees. Furthermore, they allow the PhD student to do PhD-related work during some of their ‘regular’ working hours.

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Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025 | PhD Scholarships

Phd scholarships 2024-2025.

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It is possible to think about Fully Funded PhD Programs  as the top of the line in education.   The cost associated with earning an academic doctorate has become an significant hurdle for many who’ve hoped to fulfill their academic goals until now.

A PhD program takes a long time of research in depth and offers more than education , as it develops knowledge as well as confidence within the area of study you’ve selected.

However, are there any fully-funded PhD programs?

If you are eligible numerous prestigious universities offer fully-funded PhD programs.   The tuition of the entire program as well as other expenses are fully paid for by this grant.   Some schools even offer an income stipend to assist with the cost of living.

This article outlines the different full-funded PhD programs at the top universities.

Check Also:  The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship 2024 in Canada | Apply

Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025 Benefits:

Table of Contents

1.   It helps you finance your education:

One of the major advantages for scholarships is they help students finance their studies.   Scholarships can help be used to pay the entire cost of tuition and also living expenses.   This means you do not have to think about the financial side of your study and can concentrate on your studies.

2.   It helps you gain recognition

The PhD is a highly prestigious degree that will allow you get noticed within your chosen field of research.   This is highly beneficial for your career as it opens up a variety of possibilities.   A scholarship award in PhD will show how committed that you have been to your studies , and it can be an excellent benefit when you apply for positions.

3.   Lets you take classes in other countries

Another advantage of scholarships is that they allow you to go abroad for your studies.   It is an amazing experience that allows you to gain knowledge about different ways of life and cultures.   This will also enable for you to make new friends and form bonds with people from all over the world.

4.   It covers both the cost of living as well as tuition.

The majority of scholarships cover the cost of living as well as tuition.   This means you do not be weighed down by the cost of your education.   You can concentrate on your studies and make the most value from your time.

Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025 Eligibility Criteria:

1.   make sure you meet the eligibility criteria..

It is the first thing to determine the eligibility requirements of the scholarship you’re looking for.   There are different scholarships that have different qualifications and you need to meet the requirements prior to applying.

2.   Make sure you have all the necessary documents

After you’ve checked the eligibility requirements Once you’ve determined your eligibility, you’ll need to gather all the necessary documents together.   This typically includes your resume, transcripts, and an individual statement.   Make sure you check the criteria of the scholarship prior to submitting your application.

3.   Complete the application form

This is possibly the most crucial thing to do.   You must ensure that you fill in the application form with care.   Making mistakes on the application form could result in your application being rejected.

4.   Contact the commission for university grants If you need to

If you require assistance regarding the application process you are able to contact the commission for university grants.   They can assist you in the application procedure.   It’s best to check before applying for an award.

Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025 in USA:

Before we move on with our discussion, take an overview of PhD programs at every university and the PhD programs that are offered.

  • University Of Oxford
  • Harvard University
  • California University
  • Michigan State University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Unive rsity Of Cambridge
  • Stanford University
  • University Of Chicago
  • Imperial College London
  • Rice University
  • Georgetown University

1.   University Of Oxford Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025:

The University of Oxford supports a range of scholarships that permit students to enroll in fully-funded PhD programs at the university.

They comprise these include the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, Felix Scholarships, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Scholarships, Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Program in the Humanities, and many more.

Each scholarship provides cash for expenses for living as well as tuition fees for full time students.   Typically, academic performance is considered when determining the awarding of these scholarships.

2.   Harvard University Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025:

Harvard University offers to fund students with research assistantships as well as teaching assistantships to help students get into lucrative PhD and master’s degrees.

In their time within the course, PhD students are supported by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard and are covered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard. This includes their fees as well as health insurance premiums and the essential costs of living.

Alongside the salary, there are also grants for research assistantships and teaching traineeships and other academic jobs.   Students are awarded money in accordance with academic performance or financial requirements.

3.   California Institute Of Technology

All Ph.D. students who are keen to attend Caltech can receive financial aid in the shape of assistantships either external or internal or research internship opportunities teacher internships, and a mix of assistantship and fellowship.

Achieving a high academic standard is required to be eligible for the annual award.   Your academic performance is automatically considered in the application process and there is no need to submit a separate application.

4.   Michigan State University Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025

A number of the top PhD programs offered in the country are offered through the College of Education at Michigan State University.   Doctoral programs in education train future leaders in education to tackle the current challenges and to satisfy the needs of contemporary education.

It is the University of Michigan has been named the top university in the United States for more than 10 years in a row by the US News and World Report’s rankings of graduate programs in education both secondary and elementary education.

It is the University College London provides graduate research fellowships that cover a broad array of disciplines.   The award is according to the possibility of the future of studies and excellence in academics.

For the entire duration of the program it covers tuition as well as a maintenance stipend amounting to $17,600, as well as research expenses of $1,200.

In order to be considered to receive the award, your application must be completed before the date of the deadline.

6.   Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Students who are successful in their studies and would like to take part in courses in management are eligible to apply for a fully-funded PhD award in the MIT Sloan School of Management.

In addition to in addition to a $4,035.50 monthly stipend. The benefits are able to cover the total tuition cost.   The five-year funding agreement is currently in force.   It will pay approximately $3,269 for medical insurance.

In the beginning of the fourth and first year the laptop will be brand new and provided to help you out (approximate cost of $2,000).

A budget of $4,500 for conference travel will also be allocated throughout the five years within the program.

7.   University Of Cambridge

Students who are interested in PhD programs can apply for a variety scholarships offered by Cambridge University. University of Cambridge.   The criteria to be considered for these scholarships is either academic merit and financial needs.

Most of these scholarships will cover the total cost of the program, and some even cover costs such as living expenses such as maintenance, visa costs etc.

The scholarships offered are

  • It is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
  • EMBL International PhD Studentships.
  • Peterhouse Postgraduate Studentship Competition.
  • Welcome Sanger Institute 4-Year PhD Studentships.
  • Ivan D Jankovic PhD Studentship.
  • Cambridge Political Economy Society Trust 3-year research fellowship.

In the case of applying for scholarships applicants are automatically taken into consideration.   Visit the official site of the University to see the deadlines for applications.

8.   Stanford University

All PhD applicants accepted to Stanford Graduate School of Education. Stanford Graduate School of Education are eligible for a five-year grant program.   The program provides the opportunity to receive financial aid for education as well as fellowship stipends as well as assistantship compensation.   In addition, it covers the standard admissions fee (health insurance, housing rental books, food and other necessities).

There are a variety of academic specializations that are available, such as psychology and developmental studies as well as cross-disciplinary specializations in teacher education, as well as curriculum studies.

Students must show an academically satisfactory progress to be awarded the scholarship.

9.   University Of Chicago

The University of Chicago offers funding opportunities for PhD programs in order to assist graduate students.   Competitive financing packages that cover tuition as well as health insurance for students is offered to students pursuing doctoral degrees.

Chicago has a very inexpensive cost of living therefore, students are provided with a stipend that helps in living expenses as well as research assistance.

The money is available throughout the time the class runs.   In addition, there are a variety of opportunities available, including highly regarded fellowships to fund the study of languages, travel as well as dissertation research.

There are on-campus as well as off-campus opportunities, such as internships that allow students to explore different career paths.

10.   Imperial College London

The Imperial College London provides doctoral scholarship to both domestic and internationally based students.

The scholarships pay for the cost of living as well as tuition.   These scholarships are offered to students who require financial aid in accordance with their academic achievements.

11.   Rice University

Students accepted to the PhD program in Rice University’s Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business in Texas receive full financial assistance.

The program offers students the opportunity to work as teaching or research assistants where they are awarded the opportunity to earn a scholarship and an annual stipend of $40,000, contingent upon achieving good academic progress, in order to prepare students to teach in areas such as finance, accounting, and marketing.

12.   Georgetown University

The computer science PhD program at Georgetown University offers assistantships and scholarships which include the possibility of a five-year stipend as well as health insurance, and complete tuition at Georgetown University, which is a Washington, D.C. university.

If they are enrolled in the program students must present a dissertation proposal and defend it, and then defend and submit dissertations in a seminar that is open to the public.

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Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025 Courses:

  • Computer Science 
  • Counseling Psychology 
  • Engineering
  • Management Science 
  • Materials Science and Engineering 
  • Doctoral degree in nursing 
  • Social Work 
  • Ph.D. in Special Education
  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering 
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Socio medical Sciences

Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025 in UK:

  • Ph.D. in Business from London Business School
  • Fully-funded PhD programs are available to foreign students studying from Warwick University. University of Warwick
  • Ph.D. with a PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool
  • Doctorate of Physics in the University of St Andrews
  • Commonwealth Scholarships to Developing Countries (For masters and PhD programs)
  • PhD Programs in different disciplines are offered at the University of Edinburgh
  • Postgraduate research funding is available at The University of Manchester
  • International PhD Scholarships at King’s College London

Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025 in Australia:

  • Sydney University Research Scholarships
  • International Research Scholarships at the University of New South Wales
  • Fully paid PhD Scholarships at Monash University’s School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University
  • University of Adelaide International Scholarships
  • Flinders International Postgraduate Scholarships
  • Australia Awards Scholarships
  • Australian Government Research Training Program
  • Australian National University Fully Funded PhD Programs
  • University of Melbourne Research Scholarships

Top Fully Funded PhD Programs 2024-2025:

Here are a few of the most prestigious PhD International student scholarships.

1.   UK Research Councils studentships for PhD students

The UK Research Council offers several awards to PhD students each year.   These awards are offered to diverse disciplines. They pay the tuition and offer a small stipend to help with expenses for living.   Both UK students as well as international students are eligible to receive these awards.

2.   New York University scholarships USA

Yale University is one of the most highly regarded universities within the United States, and it provides a variety of scholarships to students from abroad.   Its Yale Scholarships USA program provides the full cost of tuition and accommodation and food over four academic years select amount of highly talented students all over the world.   This scholarship isn’t restricted to PhD programs. You can be eligible for it for other degrees including master’s and undergraduate degrees.

3.   Fellowships in Physical Research Laboratory in India

The Physical Research Laboratory offers several fellowships to PhD students each year.   The fellowships are offered in a variety of disciplines, including Physics, astronomy, as well as space sciences.   The fellowship will cover the cost of tuition and offers a living allowance to cover expenses.   The program is located in India and provides grants to Indian as well as international students.

4.   Fulbright scholarships

The Fulbright scholarship is highly competitive and famous scholarship program that is available in more than 155 countries.   It provides financial assistance to students to pursue graduate studies as well as research or teaching assistantships within the United States.   Fulbright awards are in accordance with academic merit in addition to leadership ability as well as English proficiency.   The scholarships are offered in a variety of fields that include the humanities, the arts and business, economics as well as education and sciences. Check Official Site

4.   Chinese Government Scholarships

The Chinese Government offers a number of scholarships to students from abroad each year.   The scholarships are offered for various programs, including undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees.   The scholarships cover tuition costs and also provides an allowance for living expenses.   The scholarships are awarded on the basis of the academic excellence of an applicant and Chinese proficiency. Check Official Site

5.   DAAD Scholarship Germany

The DAAD scholarship is a highly competitive program that grants scholarships to students from abroad to attend a university in Germany.   The scholarship pays for the cost of tuition as well as an allowance for living expenses.   The scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and extracurricular activities.   Germany is renowned for its engineering schools, and if you’re in search of an engineering scholarship it’s one of the most effective options. Check Official Site

6.   Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a highly competitive program of scholarships that grants scholarships to international students who wish to attend Cambridge University. University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.   The program was launched at the time of its inception by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.   The eligibility to be eligible for The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is based on the quality of your education, leadership capabilities and a dedication to improve the lives of those around them.   Scholarships are given for postgraduate studies in any field within Cambridge University. University of Cambridge. Check Official Site

That’s it!   Finding a scholarship to fund your international studies is a possibility.   There are a variety of choices available, so do your homework and select the one that is most suitable for you.   Don’t be discouraged if you are rejected for the very first time.   Continue to work hard and you’ll eventually be successful.   Be focused on your academics and keep a an impressive extracurricular profile to increase your odds of receiving an award.   Good luck!

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The Top 9 Fully Funded PhD Programs

The GradCafe Editor

If you’re concerned about grad school costs, you’re not alone. Even with financial aid, many students find themselves taking on large amounts of debt. However, there are a number of options that can cover most – if not all – of your doctorate costs.

Table of Contents

What Is a Fully Funded PhD Program?

“Fully funded” means that the university offers sufficient funding to cover tuition fees and even a stipend to cover other grad school expenses . To cover gaps, many institutions offer additional support in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and employment opportunities.

Though rare, some PhD programs offer full funding for all accepted students. Understandably, the admission process is highly competitive for fully funded PhD programs.

Students who don’t meet strict criteria – and aren’t offered full funding – will be expected to pay for their tuition and other study expenses. Most take some form of government funding to do so.

The Top 9 Fully Funded PhD Programs in the US

1. the university of chicago, the department of anthropology, phd in anthropology.

University of Chicago logo

  • Courses : Development of Social/Cultural Theory, Archeological Theory & method, and archeological data sets.
  • Credits : 18 courses
  • Delivery : On-campus
  • Full funding : Full tuition, health insurance, and stipend (up to 9 years).
  • Other support : Grants, fellowships, and teaching opportunities.
  • Acceptance rate : 2.5%
  • Location : Chicago, Illinois

With a culture that encourages independent thinking, the University of Chicago has produced more than 90 Nobel Prize winners and produced defining research in several fields. In this interdisciplinary PhD in Anthropology program, students can study with many of the university’s other departments, including: Political Science, History, and Comparative Human Development.

2. Harvard University, T. H. Chan School of Public Health

Phd program in biological sciences in public health  (bph).

Harvard logo

  • Courses : Biological sciences communications, principles of biostatistics & epidemiology, and computing environments for biology.
  • Duration : Approximately 6 years
  • Full funding : Stipend, tuition, and health insurance.
  • Other support: Fellowships, awards, and grants.
  • Acceptance rate: 6%
  • Location:  Boston, Massachusetts

As the third-best university in the US , Harvard’s T. H. Chan School of Public Health has incredible prestige. With several specialized public health departments (e.g., Environmental Health, Health & Population, Epidemiology), this program also offers incredible flexibility. Students can courses from the Department of Public Health, Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS), and even MIT.

3. Stanford University, Graduate School of Education

Phd in curriculum studies and teacher education  (cte).

Stanford University logo

  • Courses: Introduction to statistical methods in education, research in curriculum & teacher education, and statistical analysis in education.
  • Credits:  135 units
  • Duration: 4-5 years
  • Delivery:  On-campus
  • Full funding : Tuition aid, assistantship salary, and fellowship stipend (for 5 years).
  • Other support : Grants, travel fellowships, and emergency funds.
  • Location: Stanford, California

Stanford University tops the list  of the best universities for Education Policy Studies, making this one of the best options if you want to earn a PhD in Education. This doctorate is one of the top fully funded PhD programs in education and offers six specializations, including elementary education, teacher education, and science & environmental education.

Note : In addition to this on-campus PhD program, many recognized institutions also offer free online PhD programs in education .

4. Duke University, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Phd in literature.

Duke University logo

  • Courses: Wide range of literary topics, including African American Studies, modern European short fiction, gender studies, and more.
  • Duration: 6-7 years
  • Delivery: On-campus
  • Full funding  includes: Tuition, fees, stipend, and health insurance.
  • Other support: Grants, loans, childcare subsidies, and financial hardship aid.
  • Location:  Durham, North Carolina

As one of the country’s most renowned private research institutions, Duke University has ten Nobel Laureates under its belt. Their PhD in Literature program encourages students to pursue both independent studies and inter-institutional courses from other affiliated universities. Students are able to take as many programs outside literature as they wish. Typically, all PhD students receive a “stipend, tuition, and fees support, plus six years of full coverage for health and dental insurance premiums.”

5. Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

Phd in business.

Rice University logo

  • Courses:  Microeconomics, econometrics, theory, and dynamic optimization.
  • Duration:  4 years +
  • Full funding : Tuition waiver and $40,000 yearly stipend (earned as a research/teaching assistant).
  • Other support:  Scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment.
  • Location: Houston, Texas

Rice University is a well-known institution and is regularly recognized as one of the best business schools in the country. As part of its PhD in Business program, students can choose between one of four different concentrations: accounting, finance, organizational behavior, and strategic management.

Northwestern University, McCormick School of Engineering

Phd in biomedical engineering.

Pasted image 0

  • Courses:  Experimental design & measurement, biological performance of materials, and advanced physical & applied optics.
  • Duration: 5-6 years
  • Full funding : Tuition scholarship and stipend.
  • Other support: Fellowships, grants, assistantships, loans, and veteran benefits.
  • Acceptance rate: 15%
  • Location: Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University is renowned for excellence across numerous disciplines, and its biomedical engineering (BME) program was among the first of its kind. The school offers a wide range of courses, from cell and molecular engineering, medical devices and instrumental, neural engineering, and more.

7. Columbia University, Teachers College

Phd in clinical psychology.

Columbia University logo

  • Courses:  Brain & behavior, social problems for clinical psychologists, and personality & behavior change.
  • Credits: 95
  • Duration: 5 years (at least four years of residency)
  • Full funding : Tuition, stipend, and health fees (up to 4 years).
  • Other support:  Scholarships, grants, fellowships, federal work-study, assistantships, and loans.
  • Acceptance rate:  7%
  • Location:  New York City, New York

Columbia University offers a leading clinical psychology PhD program that focuses on the intersection between education, psychology, and health. Their fully funded, need-blind “Doctoral Fellowship” is given to incoming students for three years, in addition to financial aid in the fourth year (i.e., a $25,000 stipend). PhD students who receive this scholarship may be asked to work as research assistants or graduate teachers.

8. California Institute of Technology, Division of Engineering & Applied Science

Graduate degree in computer science.

California Institute of Technology

  • Courses:  Functional programming, computability theory, and advanced digital systems design.
  • Credits: 54 units
  • Duration: 3+ years of residence
  • Full funding : Tuition charges and stipends.
  • Other support: Grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.
  • Acceptance rate: 7%
  • Location: Pasadena, California

Caltech is a huge name in technology education, with over fifty cutting-edge research centers and laboratories. This includes NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and astronomical observatories around the globe. To manage their rigorous course load, graduate students of the computer science program receive full tuition and a stipend of $45,000 .

9. Emory University, College of Arts and Sciences

Ph.D. in Economics

Emory University logo

  • Courses: Microeconomic theory, health economics, and market structure & imperfect competition.
  • Credits: 55
  • Duration: 4-6 years
  • Full funding : Tuition, stipend, health insurance subsidy, and professional development support.
  • Other support:  Grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment.
  • Acceptance rate: 19%
  • Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University provides a liberal arts college’s atmosphere and opportunities combined with an urban research university’s facilities. This cross-registration program allows students to take classes at the university’s partner institutions, including Georgia Tech and Georgia State University, alongside their in-house courses.

Can I Earn a Free PhD Degree Online?

If you aren’t eligible for a fully funded program, that’s okay! We’ve written an article outlining the most affordable online PhD programs , the benefits, and how to apply to them!

Key Takeaways

Many US universities – including some of the country’s top institution – offer fully funded PhD programs and tuition-free online programs across various disciplines. You’ll just need to demonstrate that you’re eligible for the program through your academic performance and merit.

Once you qualify for full PhD funding, congratulate yourself on a job well done!

If you’re still weighing your options, did you know there are 1-year PhD programs online ?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a phd be free.

Yes. Eligible students can obtain a doctorate for free if a university offers fully funded PhD programs.

How Do I Get a Fully Funded PhD?

To qualify for a fully funded PhD, you’ll be required to meet certain criteria and put together a strong application. You’ll also need to have an excellent undergraduate academic record, recommendation letters, persuasive personal essay, and graduate school entry exam scores .

Fully funded PhDs are incredibly competitive, so it’s important to plan ahead. As an undergraduate student, identify your dream school, and be sure to check the requirements and eligibility criteria. Next, work hard to meet these requirements – and set yourself apart – throughout your undergraduate studies.

Can I Study a PhD in the USA for Free?

Yes. Many US universities offer opportunities to obtain a PhD for free. For example, fully funded doctoral programs will cover your tuition and expenses. Free PhD programs don’t have tuition fees but students are responsible for covering their own expenses.

However, if you aren’t successful in securing a fully funded PhD and don’t like the free options, there are plenty of other ways to pay for grad school .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Applying for a Doctoral Program

a doctoral student leans over a microscope

Start Your Application

Manage Your Application

A Doctorate is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study. It involves several years of rigorous research, culminating in a dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field. Doctoral candidates work closely with a faculty advisor to explore and answer complex questions, often pushing the boundaries of what is known.

Applying to a doctoral program is like applying for a job. This process requires more diligence and patience than applying for a Master’s degree. To stand out from a competitive pool of candidates, you must prepare a strong application that includes your academic achievements, any related research experience, and a clear statement of your research interests and goals. Be sure to demonstrate your passion, fit for the program, and your interest in RIT.

Explore our doctoral programs

How to Apply for a Doctoral Program

For details on the exact application requirements for your program, visit the Application Details section on your degree page and thoroughly review the graduate application instructions page .

  • Most doctoral programs have an application deadline of January 15 and admit to Fall terms only, but be sure to verify the application deadline for your program and start terms before applying. Many programs will accept applications on a rolling basis after the priority deadline has passed until all spots are filled. For tips on completing your application, view our Ph.D. Application 101 recording . 
  • Early applicants may see a “Hold for Program Deadline/Review Date” on the checklist in their portal. This an administrative hold that prevents applications from going for review until after December 15th. You will be notified when your file is sent to the review committee by email.
  • Choose the Right Doctoral Program:  Review individual doctoral program pages carefully to learn the curriculum, research focus areas, facility profiles, and facilities to determine if the program is a good fit for you and to ensure that your interests and background align with the degree. The application will allow you to enter up to three choices in order of preference.
  • Research Your Faculty Interests: Identify faculty members whose research aligns with your interests. Matching your research area with potential advisors strengthens your application and helps ensure a good fit. It is not necessary to secure a faculty advisor in order to submit your application. Learn more about researching faculty and areas of interest
  • Craft Your Statement of Purpose for Research: This requirement should clearly convey your research interests, indicate what faculty member(s) you would like to work with, your experience, and why you want to pursue a doctorate at RIT. Each program may have specific guidelines, so be sure to address them. There is no minimum or maximum length. If you listed more than one program choice in your application it is suggested that you prepare separate statements for each program (doctoral and/or master’s). You may upload all three at the time you submit your application, or wait for a decision on your first choice program.  View program-specific criteria
  • Choose Strong References: Make sure you choose the right people to submit letters of recommendation and give them plenty of time so they can prepare their support letter in advance. References should speak to your ability and promise to become a successful independent researcher. Professors, research supervisors, or professional mentors make ideal choices.
  • Update Your CV/Resume: Ensure your CV or resume is current and highlights relevant academic achievements, research experience, publications, and professional skills.
  • Verify Admission Requirements: Double-check all admission requirements and application details for your chosen program. Ensure you have all necessary materials, including transcripts, test scores, and any additional documents. You do not need to submit financial documents as part of your doctoral application. Focus on preparing a strong academic and research-focused application to showcase your qualifications and readiness for doctoral study.
  • Understand Decision Timing: The review process typically starts in late January and may take several weeks to a few months. Be patient as the committee evaluates your application and aligns faculty advisors with candidates in matching research areas where funding is available. You may be invited to interview if faculty would like to know more about you. Interviews are not required. Admission decisions are first communicated in mid-March and continue until the class is full. If you are not admitted to your first choice program, allow additional time for review for second and third choices. RIT does not simultaneously review for multiple programs. 
  • Replying to an Offer of Admission: Accepted candidates must respond to their doctoral degree offers by April 15 or the date indicated on your admit letter and in their portal. If you decide to accept your offer, you are expected to honor your commitment to enroll at RIT as a doctoral student. This ensures a smooth transition into your program and reflects your professionalism and reliability. 

Researching Faculty Advisors and/or Research Interest Areas

Identifying a potential faculty research advisor(s) and research interest areas in your Statement of Purpose for Research is important. It is not necessary to secure a faculty advisor(s) in order to submit your application.

Here are avenues for your research:

Align Research Interests

Ensure your research interests align with those of potential advisors. This alignment is crucial for a productive and supportive mentoring relationship. Review faculty members' recent publications and current projects to understand their focus areas. Visit the program page to learn about the current research for your program.

Use RIT’s “Find an Expert” Tool

Utilize RIT’s Find an Expert tool to identify faculty members with specific expertise. This resource can help you narrow down potential advisors based on your research interests. You may also want to use Google Scholar and search for RIT faculty.

Explore RIT’s Faculty Directory

Start by exploring the RIT Faculty Directory to find faculty members whose research aligns with your interests. This directory provides detailed profiles, including research areas, publications, and contact information.

Explore our Research Centers and Institutes:

RIT is home to a diverse array of research centers and institutes that drive innovation across various fields. These centers provide state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative environments to support groundbreaking research. Explore our extensive list of research centers and institutes

Reach Out to Potential Advisors

Once you’ve identified potential advisors, you may choose to reach out to them with a well-crafted email. This is not required but encouraged. Introduce yourself, briefly explain your research interests, and express why you’re interested in their work. Attach your CV and any relevant documents. Be respectful of their time and follow up if you don’t hear back within a couple of weeks. Do pay attention if it is documented that a faculty advisor is not taking on new students.

Funding Sources for Doctoral Students

Doctoral students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) that will pay a stipend for the academic year. There is not a separate application process for scholarship and assistantship consideration

Assistantships and Stipends

Research and teaching assistantships provide valuable experience and come with stipends that help cover living expenses during the school year, such as room and board. 

Summer Support Some programs are able to offer stipend support during the summer. Eligibility for summer funding will be determined by the graduate advisor and/or program director. 

Funding Throughout Program Funding throughout your doctoral program will depend on your satisfactory academic and research performance. Students are expected to fulfill their assistantship duties responsibly and make satisfactory progress towards their degree. It is expected that starting your second year, funding will be provided from your college either through a Teaching Assistantship or by your graduate advisor from external funds.

Student Fees Full-time students are responsible for both Student Activity and Student Health Services fees. In addition, RIT expects that all students will have health care insurance. Learn more about student fees

Timing and Distribution of Stipends

Graduate Research Assistants and Graduate Teaching Assistants receive a semi-monthly stipend payment starting a few weeks after the initial enrollment term. For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents, no taxes are withheld at the time the payment is made. However, students are encouraged to file estimated tax payments quarterly. Detailed information about the timing and distribution of stipends will be provided by your academic department. 

Financial Document Submission

Doctoral applicants are not required to submit financial documents as part of the application process. Focus on showcasing your academic and research potential without the added stress of financial documentation. If you are admitted, you will receive funding notification with your admission offer and international students who require a student visa will be assisted through the I-20 process.

Student Support and Community

two students sit at a table doing work together

Doctoral Student Association

The Doctoral Student Association provides an inviting environment that brings students together to encourage collaborative work. Doctorate students collaborate to produce high-quality journal publications and conference presentations in a friendly and encouraging environment. The group also provides information about professional and social activities to help produce well-rounded graduate students.

Learn more about the Doctoral Student Association

a student stands at a podium in front of banners

RIT Graduate School

The RIT Graduate School acts as a central hub, enhancing the academic journey for graduate students by cultivating a diverse scholarly community and offering robust professional development programs. This supportive environment, backed by dedicated faculty and staff, empowers students to excel in their research, scholarship, and creative endeavors.

Learn more about the RIT Graduate School

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a doctorate and a master’s degree?

Understanding the differences between a doctorate (Ph.D.) and a master's (M.S.) degree program is crucial in making an informed decision. While a master's program typically focuses on advancing your knowledge and skills in a specific area, a doctorate emphasizes original research and developing new theories or applications.

Can I go from a Bachelor’s degree to a Doctorate? Do I need a Master’s degree first?

Yes, you can go directly from a Bachelor's degree (BS) to a Doctorate program. You are not required to get a master’s degree before pursuing a Doctorate. This pathway can be a strategic choice depending on your career goals and readiness for advanced research. 

May I have an application fee waiver?

The $65 application fee covers the management and processing of your record and admission materials. If you are unable to pay our application fee due to financial hardship, we encourage you to carefully consider the expenses associated with graduate study before applying.

Is there a set GPA requirement for being considered for a doctoral program at RIT?

Admitted doctoral students typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above. If it is lower, you will not necessarily be eliminated from consideration. You are welcome to apply. The Admissions Committee will consider your complete application when making a decision.

Do I need to provide GRE or GMAT scores ?

Requirements vary by program. Refer to your doctoral program page or the  deadlines and requirements  table for details. For programs that require test scores, we do not state minimum GRE or GMAT scores. Official scores should be sent to RIT directly from the testing agency using Institute code 2760.

What are the English language test score requirements? As an international student do I need to submit scores?

An official score report for the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic exam, or  RIT English Language Proficiency Test  is required of all international applicants who are not eligible for a waiver. We do not accept letters from your college or university indicating "English proficiency" or letters indicating courses were taught in English in place of official English language test scores. We do not accept Duolingo scores. See the “English Language Test Requirements” section in the  Application Materials  section of the  Application Instructions  for full details.

Do I need to have authored research papers to apply for admission to a doctoral degree?

No, you do not need published research papers to apply for a doctoral degree. A majority of admitted students do not have prior experience authoring research papers. However, admission to a doctoral degree is very competitive, and having published research papers helps strengthen your application.

How many students apply for doctoral study, and how many are admitted?

Admission to an RIT doctoral program is highly competitive. The number of applications received and the number of fully funded opportunities are limited and vary from year to year and by program.

Will the stipend fully cover living costs in the US?

The stipend should cover modest living expenses (housing and food), fees (student activity fee and health services fee), and costs for books, supplies, and some personal expenses. However, each student differs in their preferred living styles and their relative expenses. Doctoral students are permitted to take on other part-time employment so long as it does not interfere with their doctoral work (international students are only able to work on campus, for a total of 20 hours per week including their research positions). On-campus opportunities can be found through Career Connect .

Do doctoral students need to have personal finances available upon arriving at RIT?

Though our Ph.D. is fully funded, students do need to have their own funds available for travel and arrival in the US and to get settled in Rochester immediately upon entering the program. Please be sure to keep this in mind as you consider applying and your finances. If admitted, your first payment/stipend would not be until a few weeks into the program, so you will need to have a foundation of funds available for housing and other living expenses before that.

Is funding throughout the program guaranteed?

Your full tuition and assistantship stipend responsibilities will be determined by your graduate advisor and/or program director. It is our expectation that you will fulfill your duties responsibly and make satisfactory progress towards your degree. Funding in future years will depend on your satisfactory academic and research performance. It is expected that starting your second year, funding will be provided from your college either through a Teaching Assistantship or by your graduate advisor from external funds.

Our team is here to help you as you apply to RIT's doctoral programs. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need assistance.

Contact Your Admissions Counselor

Email  [email protected] to be connected with your admissions counselor

Chat with Us

For general questions about RIT or applying to one of our doctoral programs, use our live chat or search your question in the chatbot.

Request an Appointment or Schedule a Campus Visit

An in-person visit or virtual meeting with an admissions counselor will provide a personalized experience that suits your needs.

Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education

Harvard University Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education

Last updated July 15, 2022

Next in my series on  How To Fully Fund Your PhD , I provide a list below of universities that offer full funding to all students admitted to their PhD programs in education, international education, and educational leadership.

You can find several competitive, external fellowships in the ProFellow database for graduate and doctoral study, but it is useful to seek out PhD programs that offer full funding to all admitted students. When a doctoral program indicates that they provide full funding to their PhD students, in most cases this means they provide each admitted student full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to the six-year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, which is why I recommend researching the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.

Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards !

Universities offering Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education

Boston university, phd in educational studies.

(Boston, MA): Students admitted to the program will be fully funded for five years. Students work closely with BU Wheelock faculty as assistants in research and teaching.

Drexel University, PhD in Education & Educational Leadership

(Philadelphia, PA): Drexel University provides tuition remission, a living stipend, and health insurance subsidies through research and teaching assistantships.

Harvard University, PhD in Education

(Cambridge, MA): Harvard guarantees full financial support to PhD students—including tuition, health fees, and basic living expenses—for a minimum of five years. This multi-year funding package includes a combination of tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments.

New York University, PhD in Education

(New York, NY): NYU Steinhardt awards all students (including international students) who are offered full-time admission to our Ph.D. programs a full funding and mentoring package.

Queen’s University, PhD in Education

(Ontario, Canada): Queen’s guarantees a minimum funding package currently valued at $18,000 [CAD] per year for four years for full-time doctoral students; in most cases, funding packages are higher (2011-12 Average: $25,800). In addition, Queen’s guarantees an international tuition award (or equivalent award) valued at $5,000 per year for four years for eligible international doctoral students.

University of California Irvine, PhD in Education

(Irvine, CA): Effective 2015, all incoming UC Irvine PhD in Education students, including California residents, non-residents, and international students, are offered five years of financial support. Funding includes an academic year stipend or salary, tuition and Student Services Fee waiver, and student health insurance.

University of California San Diego PhD in Education

All PhD students at UC San Diego are guaranteed funding for five years which is equivalent to the amount allocated for a 50% TA position. Funding packages can consist of instructional assistantships, Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions, university or outside fellowships, and/or stipends. A minimum financial support package of $20,000 for the first year.

University of Colorado, PhD in Education

(Boulder, CO): Admitted doctoral students received four-year funding packages including a stipend and a tuition grant equal to the cost of tuition (in-state and out-of-state).

University of Michigan, PhD in Education

(Ann Arbor, MI): Funding for students admitted into our doctoral programs includes tuition, health and dental benefits for students and their families, and a stipend for living expenses. Each of the programs also provides additional support for conference travel, research projects, and writing. 

Michigan State University PhD in Education

(East Lansing, MI): For most students in the doctoral program, international and domestic, the primary source of on-campus support is graduate assistantships. Assistantship stipends depend on the level of assistantship. In addition to the stipend, all graduate assistants receive a waiver of nine (9) credits of tuition per semester. They offer a variety of multi-year recruiting fellowships for incoming doctoral students.

University of Virginia, PhD in Education

(Charlottesville, VA): Financial support packages, which may include a combination of fellowship funding, bi-weekly pay, tuition remission/adjustment, and health insurance, are decided at various administrative levels.

Vanderbilt University, PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy

(Nashville, TN): All Peabody graduate (Ph.D.) students receive full tuition funding through a combination of University Tuition Scholarships and/or merit awards.

Stanford University Fully Funded PhD in Education

(Stanford, CA): Stanford GSE offers all admitted Ph.D. students a five-year funding guarantee that provides tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary, and covers the standard cost of attendance. Click here for more funding information.

University of Arkansas, PhD in Education Policy

(Fayetteville, AR): Graduate assistantships offer qualified applicants a full tuition waiver, a health insurance benefit plus an attractive annual stipend. Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships are combined with graduate assistantships to provide a package of stipends totaling $40,000 per year a tuition waiver, and further benefits.

University of Washington, PhD in Education

(Seattle, WA): The UW College of Education Faculty Council distributes a number of scholarships annually. The College of Education supports 120+ graduate students each academic year through teaching, research, and staff assistantship positions. Primary consideration is usually given to doctoral students.

Washington University in St. Louis, PhD in Education

(Saint Louis, MO): Ph.D. students receive full tuition remission, a health fee subsidy, and a monthly stipend to defray living expenses. The stipend is paid over 12 months (August-July), which includes summer funding. Washington University guarantees funding for Ph.D. students for up to six years as long as satisfactory progress is made in their program. Competitive fellowships are also available.

Concordia University, PhD in Education

(Quebec, Canada): Competitive funding packages in the form of awards, teaching, and research assistantships are offered at the time of admission to most students to allow them to focus on their research and studies. Students are automatically considered for all entrance graduate awards when they apply to Concordia, provided they meet eligibility criteria.

Indiana University, PhD in Education

They offer a variety of funding opportunities for Ph.D. students, including fellowships, research, and teaching assistantships which include a stipend, tuition remission, and student health insurance. All admitted graduate students who meet departmental deadlines are automatically considered for available fellowships.

University of Pennsylvania, PhD in Education Policy

(Philadelphia, PA ): All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and they offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.

University of Delaware, PhD in Education

(Newark, DE): Full-time Ph.D. in Education students receive financial support for four years through a variety of sources, including assistantships and tuition scholarships. Students with assistantships receive a 100% tuition scholarship and a 9-month stipend, plus health insurance. Merit-based supplemental funding is available.

For application tips on applying to a PhD program, see  How To Get Into a Fully Funded PhD Program: Contacting Potential PhD Advisors .

Find more graduate fellowships for doctoral study and dissertation research in ProFellow’s fellowships database .

© Victoria Johnson 2020, all rights reserved.

Related Posts:

  • Fully Funded PhD Programs in School Psychology
  • Fully Funded PhD Programs in Psychology
  • Fully Funded PhD Programs in English
  • Fully Funded PhD Programs in Mathematics
  • Fully Funded MD-PhD Programs

Education Fellowships , Fully Funded PhD Programs , PhD in Education

Exploring Europe: 3 Questions With Marshall Memorial Fellow Dean Fealk

Peace corps perks: post-service graduate school fellowships, 62 thoughts on “fully funded phd programs in education”.

Thank you so much for compiling this useful information. Finally a resource that cuts out the fat and leans right into the meat of the information!

Now I am doing Master in Marketing & Management from India Pune University. So I have dream that I want do PhD in Retail which is in the abroad and I am unable do that due to fund so I need guidance of fully funded PhD program.

I am Binod k.c from Nepal. I have a masters degree in management. I have an education of 17 years, can I apply for Phd or not. To apply for Phd I need the education of 18 years or I can study by 17 years. What percentage is needed in masters to apply for the Phd. I hope for the reply.

I am a professional teacher and need to do my PhD on scholarship as i cannot foot the the fees

Hi I have interest in obtaining a phD in education how do I apply for a scholarship?

PLS I AM INTERESTEDIN PHD IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. I HAVE M.SC IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WITH MAJOR ININTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

I am Lekha Erandi,Lecturer in Mass communication ,Open University of Sri Lanka. I’m interested in the field of development communication, women and media and Environmental communication. For my post graduate studies, I did the research based on religious communication. Now I already submitted my MA thesis, it is based on communication for community development. Through study,I strongly believe that communication is the bridge to empower grass root people. My basic degree and post graduate programs were done locally. But as an academic I hope to explore my knowledge widely. and I hope to start my PHD studies in a foreign university as believe that explore would be more important to develop academic credentials.i would like to get some information about fully funded phd in mass communitarian.

I hold Masters in Mathematics Education. Is it possible for me to get fully funding PhD in Mathematics Education to offer. Thank you.

Now I am on the way o finishing M.A in educational leadership and management in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) university. I wish to continue PhD as soon as possible in abroad country…….Could you please help me?

I have Masters in Educational management and I would like to do a PhD in the same field but I have no money.Help me get a scholarship.I will be grateful.Thank u.

i want to do my phd in education.i have completed my master in education. But i need full funded scholarship.How is it possible?

How can I get funding as a Ugandan who has MA Education and worked for six years as adjunct a lecturer in Education.

Thank you very much… The information was useful.

This is really good information.

OK, BUT what is their application based acceptance rates? That is, how many valid applications do they get and how many applicants are then offered acceptance letters?

My Directory of Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education, available at the link above, includes acceptance rates of the programs.

I just applied to a PhD program at Drexel’s School of Education. Fully Funded co-horts are not available. It is $1100 per credit, plus fees…

Hi Meg, thanks for this update! I will look into this and remove Drexel from this list.

Yikes, that price is literally insane.

Very useful information you’ve presented here after scouring the internet for weeks. This term fully funded was the buzzword I was missing. Now to find fully funded PhD programs that can be done online with minimal residency so I don’t have to uproot my family and my current teaching load. Are there any online programs that are fully funded?

Tracy, I have not been able to find any so far. Online programs are typically offered by for-profit universities. However, if you can find a 3-year PhD position that does not require the normal 2 years of course (typically you need to have a Master’s/postgraduate degree already to be eligible for these), you may not need to be in-resident. These programs are more common in Europe, Asia and Oceania. Thus you might spend some time abroad to get started, and then could complete your PhD dissertation remotely. This would require negotiation with your supervisors.

Vicki Johnson, do you have any specific ideas for programs? I have a Master’s degree in English but looking into a doctoral program in International Education or similar. My background is teaching ESL and English.

Try Colorado State University, their program is fairly new (10) but they have some online portion and a short residency program.

Do you have any information about fully funded Ed.D programs?

Same question!

Thank you for the information. I will be finished with my MAT (Biology ) in 2018 and am looking for a PhD program in Education. The program must be fully funded and in Maryland because I am a new Mom and my husband’s job is here in MD. I hope to find something so that we don’t have to move.

Hi Taj, I would suggest looking into the university programs that are nearby you. You can call the admissions office to find out if they offer full funding packages to incoming doctoral students.

Thank you so much and I will do that asap.

Johns Hopkins

Thank you so much Ms. Love.

Really? Do they fully fund?

Hello Johns Hopkins university has a fully funded Phd program in Education.

Did you find something? Same here!

Have you looked at the Universities at Shady Grove?

Hello I am looking now after reading your suggestion!! Thank you.

Is there any Ph.d course after graduation of 4 years in elementary education?

I am looking for the right fellowship for an Ed.D. with a focus on training of teachers in developing countries. I am looking for the university already doing research in African countries. Can you give me any recommendations?

Most of these fellowships sound like assistantships that waive tuition and provide a stipend in exchange for work. NSF gives out fellowships that amount to more than $100,000 for 3 years of study, plus you can work an assistantship. Stanford is making three fellowships each year with a total value of $160,000 for business students. Compared to Fellowships in Science and Technology, Education majors get almost nothing. Education is just not a national priority and is certainly not on an equal footing with STEM fields.

Hi there. I’m looking for a fully-funded PhD degree in education in Australia or Canada. Is there any available? Your kind advice is highly appreciated.

Hi, my Directory available at the link above includes 2 fully funded programs in Canada.

Vicky, fully funded only in Public Health or Education too?! Thanks!

Good day. Any ideas about scholarship opportunity for Africans I to study in the UK apart form the Common wealth. I need a fully opportunity to carry out a PHD in a UK based uni in a Public health related topic that focuses on indigenous women reproductive health

i will appreciate a fully funded on-line course Ed.D in early years/early childhood education.

I have not been able to identify any fully funded online PhD programs in any subject.

Good day. I like to have a PhD fully funded scholarship in Educational Technology and I will appreciate this if I could be directed to the right University. Thank you.

Please see my comment above!

Greetings. I am an experienced minority teacher with strong science and computer technology background. I look forward to a fully funded PhD program in “Educational Technology for the future” research studies. I believe I possess all the tools and an exceptional will to pursue my research in this direction. Any assistance in this direction will be greatly appreciated.

Hi. I wanted to share that you do not need to enter a PhD program specifically in the subject of Educational Technology to do a PhD dissertation in this subject. You can do a dissertation in this subject in a general PhD in Education program. The key is to identify universities with professors who have done research in this subject who are availble serve as your advisor. You might also do a dissertation in this subject in Business PhD program.

Hi: Thank you very much for your response regarding my request. I am a believer of STEAM not just STEM, and an interdisciplinary approach to develop a comprehensive immersive educational programs. I look forward to some kind of an educational foundation or an agency to hear about my proposal to develop a pilot program to implement a “comprehensive immersive educational system” with a strong technology foundation where Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Arts (including Philosophy) to achieve the maximum learning experience of young minds.

Greetings. I appreciate your work here. I am interested in a fully funded PhD programme in Special Education. I shall be very appreciative of your anticipated kind gesture. Thanks

I wish to study fully funded PhD program in Special Education ( especially in the field of autism). Is there any university is conducting this program.

I’m from Asia And fully funded doctoral / PhD courses you know of?

Hi, Looking for a fully funded Ph.D.in education in the Philadelphia area. Are there any? Seems like most listed are out of my state. Thank you.

Try University of Pennsylvania.

I am a Chemical Engineer (BS – Chemical Engineering) with an MBA in Project Leadership & Management, I have applied to George Washington University’s Distance & Online Doctorate Program – Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng) in Engineering Management. I am looking for scholarships & fellowships to enable foot the tuition fees. I am based in Nigeria

My name is Katura Fennell and I am looking into any schools that will fully fund a doctoral program in the area of education. I am currently a teacher in Nashville TN and enrolled at Lipscomb University receiving my Ed.S in leadership, but really want to continue my education and help make a difference in the world of education. Any guidance or list of recent schools that will supply funding? I can be emailed at [email protected] with any information. Thanks in advance.

Hi Katura, the list of fully funded Phd programs in Education above is current as of May 1, 2017. We also sell the exclusive Directory of Fully Funded PhD Programs in Education, which is a detailed directory of 22 universities in the U.S. and Canada offering full funding to all incoming students. You can purchase the Directory here: https://www.fullyfundedcourse.com/free-directory . Best of luck!

Hello, Can I get some information on fully funded Ph.D program in IT and Computer science in US for an international student(Graduate in Information Assurance)? I can be emailed at [email protected] for extra information. Thank you.

Hi Nikhitha, please see our article Fully Funded PhD Programs in Computer Science: https://www.profellow.com/fellowships/fully-funded-phd-programs-in-computer-science/

Hi, thanks for the wonderful info. I’m interested in a few different areas for a PHD that I don’t see listed: Buddhism, Comparative Religions, Psychology, Mythology or Stories (lit, film, poetry, all forms). Given that these subject are not exactly the cats’ meow in terms of financial opportunities afterwords, the study is a labor of love and philanthropy. Could there possibly be a school for me somewhere? I would do a part-time online program with an international university if needed too – I’m in Southern California.

I’m a nurse educator in Singapore. Have been teaching in academic school and hospital for more than 10yrs. I have master of education from university of Sydney. How can I do a part time PhD in education which is fully funded? Please assist.

I have a JD, a few credits short of a LLM (in Comparative Law), and a MA (in African-American World Studies). I have been working as a lawyer for a non-profit Public Interest firm for 12 years, but I want to get a PhD. I have a small family now (3,8 year old girls), so I need a PhD program that is fully funded. I am interested in “Justice” so I can pursue a PhD in either Law, African American Studies, or Education. I have been out of the scholarly environment for so long, I really don’t know where to start. Any help would be appreciated.

Comments are closed.

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  • PhD Study Abroad - Guides to International Doctoral Opportunities

PhD Study Abroad

A good PhD should push the boundaries of its academic field. Sometimes that means going further afield as a student, which is why thousands of postgraduates choose to study their PhD abroad each year: seeking out the best expertise and facilities for the doctoral research they want to do.

You'll have plenty of options to choose between for an international PhD, from historic universities in Europe and America to ambitious and high-tech institutions in Asia or Australasia .

Our guides will help get you started with clear and up-to-date information on universities, fees, funding options, student visas, and information on how to apply for a PhD abroad (no matter where it is!).

phd programs with full funding in europe

Interested in PhD study down under? Find out what it's like to study a PhD in Australia, including advice on visas, applications & scholarships.

phd programs with full funding in europe

A culture of innovation and creativity makes Sweden a popular choice for international PhD students. Our guide covers universities, doctoral programmes, fees, funding and visas.

phd programs with full funding in europe

Holland and the Netherlands are a welcoming destination for international PhD study with historic and globally-renowned research universities. Our guide covers admissions, visas, fees and funding.

phd programs with full funding in europe

Looking to study a PhD in Norway? Our guide explains entry requirements, visas, funding (it’s free to study) and more.

phd programs with full funding in europe

A checklist of the things you'll need to do when making an international PhD application, from meeting the entry requirements to sorting out your visa.

phd programs with full funding in europe

What documents you need for a complete study abroad application, what they are and what they should and should not include.

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Part 1. Overview Information

National Institutes of Health ( NIH )

UE5 / T34 Phased Institutional Undergraduate NRSA Training Award

  • April 4, 2024  - Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025. See Notice NOT-OD-24-084 .
  • August 31, 2022 - Implementation Changes for Genomic Data Sharing Plans Included with Applications Due on or after January 25, 2023. See Notice  NOT-OD-22-198 .
  • July 22, 2019 - Requirement for ORCID iDs for Individuals Supported by Research Training, Fellowship, Research Education, and Career Development Awards Beginning in FY 2020. See Notice  NOT-OD-19-109 .

See Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.

The NIH Research Education Program (UE5/T34) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH.  The overarching goal of this UE5 program is to support educational activities that encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, to pursue further studies or careers in research. 

The purpose of the Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) program is to fund federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes, tribal colleges or universities, Tribal health programs, or Tribal organizations (collectively termed, eligible Tribal Entities) to identify and develop a pool of scientists to conduct research on AI/AN health and health disparities. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), NIGMS will provide support for a phased award to eligible Tribal Entities to develop (UE5) and implement (T34) effective training and mentoring activities for research-oriented individuals earning a bachelor's degree in a biomedically-relevant  field at a variety of institutions across the United States and territories. The overall purpose is to support the development of individuals who have the technical, operational, and professional skills required to conduct AI/AN health research in a culturally appropriate, ethically responsible and rigorous manner, to complete a bachelor's degree in a biomedical field, and ultimately to transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce.  

Not Applicable

Application Due Dates Review and Award Cycles
New Renewal / Resubmission / Revision (as allowed) AIDS - New/Renewal/Resubmission/Revision, as allowed Scientific Merit Review Advisory Council Review Earliest Start Date
January 27, 2025 Not Applicable Not Applicable July 2025 October 2025 December 2025
January 26, 2026 Not Applicable Not Applicable July 2026 October 2026 December 2026
January 25, 2027 Not Applicable Not Applicable July 2027 October 2027 December 2027

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide , except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts ).

Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV . When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions.

Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

IMPORTANT: Per NOT-OD-24-086 updated application forms (FORMS-I) will be used for this opportunity. The updated forms are not yet available and will be posted 30 calendar days or more prior to the first application due date. Once posted, you will be able to access the forms using one of the following submission options:

  • An institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution
  • Grants.gov Workspace

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section i. funding opportunity description.

The overarching goal of this UE5/T32 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation's biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs.

The American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations have long experienced health disparities when compared with other Americans. Multiple factors have contributed to these health disparities, including limited access to health care, the distrust of health-related research due to trauma inflicted on the AI/AN communities by past unethical and inappropriate research practices, and limited opportunities for AI/AN Tribes to lead health research.

The  Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program was launched in 2000 to help reduce the distrust of health research by the AI/AN communities, promote AI/AN health research prioritized and led by eligible AI/AN Tribal Entities, and ultimately improve AI/AN health. To enhance the program’s efficacy in meeting its goals, NIGMS completed a comprehensive  NARCH program evaluation culminating in a formal Tribal Consultation. With consideration to the evaluation recommendations and the Tribal Consultation, the Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) program was developed to address AI/AN health equity, in part, by contributing to the development of a workforce of individuals who will lead and conduct research focused on AI/AN health.

The TURTLE program will support the research training of undergraduates (T34) and predoctoral students (T32) at degree-granting institutions across the United States and Territories through training grants administered by eligible Tribal Entities.

Eligible  Tribal Entities are not well represented in the funded  NIGMS Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity institutional training programs ( dashboard accessed February 2024), potentially because the funds required for the infrastructure and personnel to administer large-scale training awards have not been available. NIGMS recognizes the need for a phased award with a capacity building period preceding the training component.

This NOFO will support a phased award (UE5/T34) to fund: 

  • A development phase to hire personnel and develop educational activities and training grant program and administrative infrastructure (UE5). 
  • A National Research Service Award (NRSA) undergraduate research training program phase to support trainees interested in AI/AN health research (T34). 

A companion NOFO ( PAR-24-235 ) is available for a phased award for predoctoral graduate research training (UE5/T32). NIGMS intends for the TURTLE program to provide sustained support of effective undergraduate (T34) and graduate (T32) research training programs. When nearing the end of the T34 phase of the award, NIGMS intends to provide the opportunity to eligible Tribal Entities to apply to a renewable TURTLE institutional training program to sustain the training of future scientists interested in AI/AN health research.

Program Considerations

The phased award described in this NOFO is intended to develop capacity at eligible Tribal Entities and provide funds for institutional NRSA training programs. As with all NRSA grants, the funding in the second (T34) phase will provide trainee stipends to defray living expenses, tuition remission, travel, as well as training-related expenses to support the program. Trainees are expected to be supported by the grant for 1-4 years of their undergraduate training to receive the full benefits of the training program.

The eligible Tribal Entities administering the TURTLE programs will be responsible for identifying and appointing trainees. The TURTLE T34 program should recruit full-time students who are research-oriented and plan to earn a degree in a biomedically relevant field. Recruitment of potential trainees from a broad range of educational organizations across the United States and territories is encouraged and supported trainees do not all need to be at the same institution. The eligible Tribal Entities are not required to confer bachelor's degrees but are expected to administer the trainee financial support, and provide oversight and additional biomedical research training activities, for example, mentoring and skills development for research-oriented students earning bachelor's degrees.

A primary goal of this program is the development of a pool of scientists who earn bachelor's degrees and have the technical, operational, and professional skills to pursue careers in AI/AN health research. Examples include:

  • Technical (appropriate methods, technologies, and quantitative/computational approaches).
  • Operational (independent knowledge acquisition, rigorous experimental design, interpretation of data, and conducting research in the safest manner possible).
  • Professional (management, leadership, communication, and teamwork).

Funds will be awarded for up to seven years to support the two phases:

  • Two years of support for the development phase (UE5) to hire personnel and to develop program management and grants administration capacity for training grants, educational activities, as well as trainee and mentor recruitment strategies.
  • Five years of support for the research training of undergraduate trainees (T34) to identify and appoint trainees to the grant; dispense stipends, tuition remission payments and training-related expenses; provide training, mentoring and networking activities; track trainee progress; and report outcomes.

The first phase (UE5) will be a cooperative agreement, where NIH staff work closely with the Tribal Entities to support the development phase (refer to Section VI for details). The conversion from the first phase (UE5) to the second phase (T34) will occur after an NIH administrative review of the progress achieved during the first phase and the entity's preparedness for the training grant phase (T34) of the award. 

Progress will be assessed based on: 

  • Adequate program personnel with the appropriate expertise. This may require hiring or training of staff during the development phase.
  • Ability to recruit a pool of potential trainees in alignment with the goals of the TURTLE program. For example, plans may include the establishment of any needed partnerships with bachelor's degree granting organizations providing biomedical research training to future  researchers interested in careers in AI/AN health research.
  • Plans for research training, career development, and networking activities as well as the personnel and technologies to deliver these activities.
  • Mentor and role model recruitment, training, and monitoring procedures.
  • The infrastructure to administer the grant and the trainee stipends, tuition remission and training-related expenses.
  • The capacity to track and report on trainee progress and outcomes.

See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Section II. Award Information

Cooperative Agreement: A financial assistance mechanism used when there will be substantial Federal scientific or programmatic involvement. Substantial involvement means that, after award, NIH scientific or program staff will assist, guide, coordinate, or participate in project activities. See Section VI.2 for additional information about the substantial involvement for this NOFO.

The  OER Glossary  and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types. Only those application types listed here are allowed for this NOFO.

Not Allowed: Only accepting applications that do not propose clinical trial(s).

Need help determining whether you are doing a clinical trial?

The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Application budgets are not limited, but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

The total award period will be up to seven years: a maximum of two years for the UE5 component and five years for the T34 component.

Other Award Budget Information

Individuals designing, directing, and implementing the TURTLE program may request salary and fringe benefits appropriate for the person months devoted to the program. Salaries requested may not exceed the levels commensurate with the organization's policy for similar positions and may not exceed the congressionally mandated cap. Personnel costs for the two phases are described below:

  • Development phase (UE5) - two-year budget request. For this phase, the personnel costs are to support program and administrative staff to focus on the development of the educational content and the administrative systems for the training phase of the award. Typically, salary support for program staff should not exceed 1.5 full time equivalents depending on the size and scope of the program.
  • Training phase (T34) - five-year budget estimate . For this phase, personnel costs are part of the “training related expenses” in the “Other Program-Related Expenses” section described below. 

Participants may be compensated for participation in activities specifically required by the proposed research education program, if sufficiently justified. Participant costs must be itemized in the proposed budget.

Allowable participant costs depend on the educational level/career status of the individuals to be selected to participate in the program.

While generally not an allowable cost, with strong justification, participants in the research education program may receive per diem unless such costs are furnished as part of the registration fee. Participants may also receive funds to defray partial tuition and other education-related expenses.

Expenses for foreign travel must be exceptionally well justified.

Individuals supported by NIH training and career development mechanisms (K, T, or F awards) may receive, and indeed are encouraged to receive, educational experiences supported by an research education program, as participants, but may not receive salary or stipend supplementation from a research education program.

Because the research education program is not intended as a substitute for an NRSA institutional training program (e.g.,T34), costs to support full-time participants (supported for 40 hours/week for a continuous, 12-month period) are not allowable.

Initial competing application budget: Applicant requests should include the following:

  • Development phase (UE5) - two-year budget request. For this phase, the “Other Program-Related Expenses” is expected to be primarily for travel, consultant costs, and administrative infrastructure development.
  • Stipends, tuition/fees- Kirschstein-NRSA awards provide stipends as a subsistence allowance to help defray living expenses during the research training experience. NIH will contribute to the combined cost of tuition and fees at the rate in place at the time of award. Stipend levels, as well as funding amounts for tuition and fees and the institutional allowance are announced annually in the  NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts,  and are also posted on the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA)  webpage .
  • Trainee travel - Travel for trainees to attend scientific meetings and workshops that the organization determines to be necessary for their research training experience is an allowable expense. Trainees must be appointed to the training grant at the time of the actual travel for this to be an allowable cost. NIGMS will provide up to $1000 per trainee for travel. Plans for trainee travel should be well justified.
  • Training Related Expenses (TRE) - NIH will provide funds to help defray other research training expenses, such as health and dental insurance for trainees, staff salaries, consultant costs, equipment, research supplies, and faculty/staff travel directly related to the research training program. For this NOFO, training related expenses may be requested at a rate of $20,000 per trainee. 

Transition application budget: Recipients will submit an updated proposed training budget prior to the end of the UE5 phase as part of a transition application for consideration to receive the second phase (T34) of funding. 

Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities & Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct costs (exclusive of tuition and fees, expenditures for equipment and consortium costs in excess of $25,000), rather than on the basis of a negotiated rate agreement.

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. eligible applicants eligible organizations the applicant organization must meet one of the following criteria: a federally recognized ai/an tribe, as defined under 25 u.s.c. 1603(14); or a tribal college or university, a tribal health program, or a tribal organization as defined under 25 u.s.c. 1603 (24), (25), and (26), respectively; or a consortium of two or more of these tribal entities. the sponsoring institution must assure support for the proposed program. appropriate institutional commitment to the program includes the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program. institutions with existing ruth l. kirschstein national research service award (nrsa) institutional training grants (e.g., t34) or other federally funded training programs may apply for a research education grant provided that the proposed educational experiences are distinct from those training programs receiving federal support. in many cases, it is anticipated that the proposed research education program will complement ongoing research training occurring at the applicant institution. foreign institutions an application may include foreign components only if one or more ai/an tribes with ancestral catchment areas crossing the u. s. border will participate in the proposed program. non-domestic (non-u.s.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply non-domestic (non-u.s.) components of u.s. organizations are not eligible to apply. foreign components, as defined in the nih grants policy statement , are not allowed.  required registrations applicant organizations applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the sf 424 (r&r) application guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. all registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. the nih grants policy statement section 2.3.9.2 electronically submitted applications states that failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission. system for award management (sam) – applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually . the renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. sam registration includes the assignment of a commercial and government entity (cage) code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a cage code. nato commercial and government entity (ncage) code – foreign organizations must obtain an ncage code (in lieu of a cage code) in order to register in sam. unique entity identifier (uei) – a uei is issued as part of the sam.gov registration process. the same uei must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application. era commons - once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with era commons in tandem with completing their grants.gov registration; all registrations must be in place by time of submission. era commons requires organizations to identify at least one signing official (so) and at least one program director/principal investigator (pd/pi) account in order to submit an application. grants.gov – applicants must have an active sam registration in order to complete the grants.gov registration. program directors/principal investigators (pd(s)/pi(s)) all pd(s)/pi(s) must have an era commons account.  pd(s)/pi(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in era commons. if the pd/pi is also the organizational signing official, they must have two distinct era commons accounts, one for each role. obtaining an era commons account can take up to 2 weeks. eligible individuals (program director/principal investigator) any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the program director(s)/principal investigator(s) (pd(s)/pi(s)) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support. individuals from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for nih support. see, reminder: notice of nih's encouragement of applications supporting individuals from underrepresented ethnic and racial groups as well as individuals with disabilities, not-od-22-019 .  for institutions/organizations proposing multiple pds/pis, visit the multiple program director/principal investigator policy and submission details in the senior/key person profile (expanded) component of the sf424 (r&r) application guide. the pd(s)/pi(s) do not need to hold a higher degree in the biomedical sciences; however, it is expected that the pd(s)/pi(s) will consult with individuals with biomedical research experience regarding effective practices for training future research scientists. pds/pis employed at eligible tribal entities through special employment arrangements, such as interorganizational personnel agreements among federally recognized ai/an tribes, are allowable. 2. cost sharing.

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement .

3. Additional Information on Eligibility

Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time per NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.7.4 Submission of Resubmission Application . This means that the NIH will not accept:

  • A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application.
  • An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review. (see NIH Grants Policy Statement 2.3.9.4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications )
  • Program Mentors

Program mentors, who often serve as role models, are an important component of the TURTLE program. Program mentors may be drawn from across the United States and territories. Mentors should have expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program and must be committed to continue their involvement throughout the award period. 

Participants (UE5) and Trainees (T34)

Participants:  The UE5 development phase may include undergraduate students (participants) to pilot the training, mentoring, and networking activities and to build a pool of potential trainees for the training phase (T34) of the award. Unless strongly justified on the basis of exceptional relevance to NIH, research education programs should be used primarily for the education of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Trainees: For the T34 training phase, the applicant organization will select the trainees to be supported by the research training program. It is the responsibility of the applicant organization to establish the qualifications, consistent with applicable law, of the trainees before they are supported by the program. The individual to be trained must be a citizen or a noncitizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment. Additional details on citizenship, training period, and aggregate duration of support are available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement .

All trainees are required to pursue their research training full time, normally defined as 40 hours per week, or as specified by the recipient organization in accordance with its own policies. Appointments are normally made in 12-month increments, and no trainee may be appointed for less than 9 months during the initial period of appointment, except with prior approval of NIGMS.

This research training program may not be used to support health-professional students who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or more to engage in research training that will not lead to a bachelor's degree.

Undergraduate trainees funded through this program must be enrolled in a program leading to a bachelor's degree in a biomedically relevant field.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. requesting an application package.

The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide , except where instructed in this Notice of Funding Opportunity to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions will not be reviewed.

The following section supplements the instructions found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application, with the following modifications:

Facilities & Other Resources.  Describe the facilities and resources that will contribute to the probability of success of the proposed research training program. Examples may include offices, information technology, computer facilities, software, conference rooms, virtual or in-person classrooms, and other training spaces. Applications should not include any data or examples of data, hyperlinks, or any material not listed as allowable for this attachment in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Other Attachments. 

Advisory Committee (optional): Applicants are encouraged to provide a plan for the appointment of an Advisory Committee that will provide guidance on the administration of the proposed TURTLE program. Describe the intended composition, roles, responsibilities, and desired expertise of committee members, frequency of committee meetings, and other relevant information. Potential Advisory Committee members should not be identified or contacted prior to receiving an award. Please name the file “Advisory_Committee.pdf”.

The filename provided for each “Other Attachment” will be the name used for the bookmark in the electronic application in eRA Commons.

Follow all instructions provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide with the following modifications:

Development phase (UE5): Two-year budget request. For this phase, the personnel costs are to support program and administrative staff to focus on the development of the educational content, recruitment, training and oversight procedures, institutional relationships and administrative systems for the training phase of the award. Include all personnel other than the PD(s)/PI(s), including participants, clerical and administrative staff in the Other Personnel section. Typically, salary support for program staff should not exceed 1.5 full time equivalents depending on the size and scope of the program. Requested costs for travel, consultant costs, and administrative infrastructure development should be entered in Sections D. Travel and F. Other Direct Costs.

Training phase (T34): Five-year budget estimate . For this NOFO, all costs for the training phase budget estimate should be included in Section E. Participant/Trainee Support Costs; follow instructions in the SF 424(R&R) Application Guide for Section E with the following additional guidance: 

  • Item 1. Tuition/Fees/Health Insurance: Grantees should request the maximum allowable tuition/fees for undergraduate trainees as an estimate. Actual tuition and fee rates will be provided in the transition application for funding of the T34 phase. For this NOFO, do not include trainee health insurance in Item 1.
  • Item 2. Stipends: Stipend levels should be requested according to the published NRSA levels for undergraduate trainees at the time of application. 
  • Item 3. Travel: Trainee travel funds may be requested up to $1000 per trainee. Do not include faculty/staff travel in Item 3.
  • Salary support for the program staff (PD/PI or administrative personnel). Typically, salary support for program staff should not exceed 1.5 full time equivalents depending on the size and scope of the program.
  • Skills development training activities.
  • Seminar speakers, consultants, mentors, or trainers, who will serve as role models to the trainees.
  • Training or mentoring interventions designed to increase persistence in research (for example, those designed to increase science identity, self-efficacy and a sense of belonging in the scientific community).
  • Limited program evaluation costs.
  • Other program-related expenses may be included within the budget for training-related expenses. 
  • Number of Participants/Trainees: The expected number of supported trainees at the steady-state level for each TURTLE program is on average 10 per year. For example, if trainees are to be supported for 2 years each the program will appoint 5 new students each year. 

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Research Strategy: The Research Strategy section of the application should be used to upload the Proposed Program Plan containing the components described below: 

  • Development Plan (UE5 Component)
  • Research Training Plan ( T34 Component )
  • Program Staff
  • Program Participants and Trainees
  • Organizational Environment and Commitment

For the Proposed Program Plan, do not follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, instead, use the following instructions. 

Proposed Program Plan: While the proposed program may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant organization, the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those research training and research education programs currently receiving federal support. When other federally-funded research training programs are ongoing, the applicant organization should clearly distinguish between the activities in the proposed program and the currently funded program(s).

Development Plan (UE5 Component) : Applicants should describe the development plan and are encouraged to use the headings below.

  • Adequate program personnel with the appropriate expertise. Achieving this milestone may be demonstrated by hiring or training program personnel with the appropriate expertise.
  • Plans to recruit a pool of research-oriented trainees in alignment with the goals of the TURTLE program. For example, plans may include the establishment of any needed partnerships with bachelor's degree granting organizations providing undergraduate research training relevant to future  researchers who are interested in pursuing a career in AI/AN health research.
  • Development of research training, career development, and networking activities and the personnel and technologies to deliver these activities.Recipient organizations are encouraged to pilot the activities during the development phase.
  • Grants administration capacity, including management of consortium arrangements, trainee appointments and terminations, grant reporting and the administration of trainee stipends, tuition and training-related expenses.
  • Development Plan and Timeline: Applications should describe the plan and timeline for achieving the milestones within the 2-year funding period. Meeting the milestones will be an indication that the program is ready for the transition to the training phase (T34) of the award (see Section VI. Award Administration Information of this NOFO for information about the transition ) . 

Research Training Plan (T34 Component) : The application should describe the research training plan by addressing the following topics. Applicants are encouraged to use the headings below when describing each area.

  • Training Objectives: Applications should describe the specific, measurable, and attainable training objectives for the Research Training Plan. Training objectives should align with the overarching objective of this NOFO of supporting the development of individuals who have the technical, operational, and professional skills required to conduct AI/AN health research in an ethically responsible, culturally appropriate and rigorous manner, to complete a bachelor's degree in a biomedical field, and to transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce.
  • Research Experiences:   Appointed trainees are expected to gain research skills through authentic research experiences while earning their bachelor's degrees. Describe how the TURTLE program will support the research training activities of the trainees. Examples include, organizing research seminars, discussions of the scientific literature, and trainee data presentations.
  • Activities for Skills Development and Promotion of Trainee Success: Trainees are expected to participate in activities that will build a broad range of technical, operational, and professional skills to enhance their science identity and self-efficacy and facilitate the successful progression into careers in the biomedical research workforce. Sites are encouraged to use the educational and training literature to inform training, mentoring, and professional development activities. Discuss the anticipated time the trainees are expected to participate in TURTLE activities given their other educational training responsibilities.
  • Cohort Building: TURTLE programs are encouraged to develop and implement activities to periodically bring together supported trainees to build a sense of community and belonging.
  • Career Advancement:  Describe how trainees in the program will be provided with adequate and appropriate information regarding the variety of careers in the biomedical research workforce for which their training prepares them.
  • Outreach Activities: TURTLE programs are encouraged to engage in outreach activities. Examples include, facilitating opportunities for the trainees to give back to their communities, providing information to the training community on culturally-aware practices for future scientists focused on AI/AN health, and facilitating family understanding and engagement for supported trainees as they complete their research training.
  • How the program will provide supported trainees with additional mentors with expertise complementary to their undergraduate research training advisors (for example, from different fields or communities) and networking opportunities to support the trainees' interests in AI/AN health research and promote their success in obtaining a bachelor's degree in a biomedical field and continuing in research careers.
  • How the program confirms that participating organizations where the trainees are enrolled are promoting the development and retention of trainees for the duration of their time earning a bachelor's degree in a biomedical field. To increase the likelihood of success in completing their degrees, TURTLE programs are encouraged to maintain contact with trainees beyond the time they are financially supported by the training program.
  • Mechanisms for mentor training for the TURTLE program mentors and for monitoring mentoring success, including oversight of the effectiveness of the trainee/research mentor match.
  • Conflict resolution practices to address potential conflicts that may impede trainee progress, for example, mentor-mentee, peer-peer, faculty-student, staff-trainee, or faculty-faculty conflicts.
  • Candidate Review Process: Describe plans for a candidate review process that will allow a broad group of research-oriented trainees interested in AI/AN health research the ability to participate in the training program. The process should employ selection processes that are consistent with applicable law.
  • Trainee Appointments and Financial Support: Applications should describe at what stage in the trainees' careers they will be supported on the training grant and the length of appointments. NIGMS typically supports trainees for 1-4 years during the early years of their undergraduate degree program. If trainees are enrolled at different organizations, applications should describe how management of trainee appointments and terminations and disbursement of training funds will be handled. 
  • Evidence that trainees conducted rigorous research that advanced scientific knowledge and/or technologies, with increasing self-direction (for example, peer-reviewed publications in  Training Table 5C , or other measures of scientific accomplishment appropriate to the field).
  • The rate of bachelor's degree attainment for program appointees and time-to-degree for trainees (for example,  Training Table 8D ), including how many individuals obtained a degree, are still in training, or withdrew from the program with no degree.
  • The success of recent program graduates transitioning into careers in the biomedical research workforce (for example,  Training Table 8D ).
  • The plan for the TURTLE program evaluation to determine whether the training program is effective in meeting the research training mission and objectives.
  • Methods to determine if the TURTLE training climate is perceived as inclusive, safe, and supportive of trainee development and retention. Include methods to obtain reliable and representative input from trainees and to safeguard anonymity to ensure candid feedback.
  • Mechanisms to ensure the TURTLE program is responsive to outcomes analyses, program evaluations, and trainee feedback regarding the effectiveness of the TURTLE research training environment.
  • Activities designed to share outcomes and effective practices of the program with the broader community, for example, presenting program data or materials to members of the research training community via web postings or presentations.
  • Strategy to ensure the secure storage and preservation of program data and outcomes and how the data will be centralized, safeguarded, and retrievable during leadership and staff changes.

Note: Training Program Evaluation is not a form of human subjects research. Training grants prepare individuals for careers in the biomedical research workforce by developing and implementing evidence-informed educational practices including didactic, research, mentoring, and career development elements. While funded programs are expected to conduct ongoing program evaluations and assessments to monitor the effectiveness of the training and mentoring activities, training grant funds are not intended to support Human Subjects Research (check additional information on Human Subjects Research from  NIH  and  HHS ).

Program Staff: Briefly explain the leadership and administrative structure as well as the succession plan for critical positions.

  • The administrative and training experience to provide strong leadership, direction, management, and administration of the proposed program. 
  • A commitment to training future biomedical researchers, leading recruitment efforts to broaden participation, and fostering inclusive research environments.
  • Received training on how to effectively mentor trainees from all backgrounds, including trainees from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences . 
  • Additional Administrative Staff: In addition to having the appropriate infrastructure, effective administration of a training grant requires personnel with the organizational skills to recruit, appoint and track students, report outcomes, monitor the budget, and ensure stipends and tuition are provided in a timely manner. Describe the current or planned administrative staff required to develop, implement and run the TURTLE training program. 

Program Mentors: Describe the plans for building a team of TURTLE program mentors. Mentors, who often serve as role models, are an important component of the TURTLE program. Program mentors will provide additional guidance, encouragement and support for trainees that complements what they receive from their research advisors at their degree granting organizations. They may be drawn from across the United States and territories. Program mentors from diverse backgrounds, such as individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups , persons with disabilities, and women are encouraged to participate. Mentors  should have expertise and experience relevant to the proposed program. When recruiting a team of mentors and role models to support the TURTLE trainees, it is expected that the following characteristics will be considered:

  • Experience with teaching, mentoring, and sustaining the interest of students in biomedical fields. Programs are encouraged to recruit mentors with AI/AN health research experience.
  • Awareness of the evidence base for effective student development in the biomedical research workforce.
  • The ability to make strong connections with the students and understand the challenges they are experiencing.
  • Understanding of and experience with appropriate cultural norms and expectations of AI/AIN health research.
  • Sufficient knowledge of the biomedical research enterprise to give sound advice to students about how to effectively navigate the academic environment and career advancement options.
  • Flexibility to adapt to the needs of each student.

Program Participants and Trainees:  

  • The UE5 development phase may include undergraduate students as program participants to pilot the training, mentoring, and networking activities and to build a pool of potential trainees for the training phase of the award. Describe any plans to recruit program participants for the UE5 phase.
  • For the T34 training phase, the recipient organization will select the trainees to be supported by the research training program. It is the responsibility of the organization to establish the qualifications, consistent with applicable law, of the trainees before they are supported by the program. The T34 phase of the TURTLE program is intended to support full-time students earning a bachelor's degree in a field that is relevant to AI/AN health research. Trainees from multiple bachelor's degree-granting organizations and scientific fields can be supported by a single TURTLE program. A Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity is required in the transition application discussed below.

Consistent with existing NIH practices and applicable law: (1) Funded programs may not use the race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender status) of a participant, trainee, mentor, or faculty candidate as an eligibility or selection criteria, and (2) NIH does not use the race, ethnicity, or sex of prospective participants, participants, trainees, mentors, or faculty in the application review process or funding decisions.  Applicants and award recipients are encouraged to consult with their General Counsel to ensure all applicable laws and regulations are being followed in program design and implementation .

Organizational Environment and Commitment: Describe any additional aspects of the organizational environment and commitment not addressed under “Facilities & Other Resources”. Appropriate organizational commitment should include the provision of adequate staff, facilities, and educational resources that can contribute to the planned program. This section should not duplicate information provided elsewhere.

Resource Sharing Plan Note: Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023, a Data Management and Sharing Plan is not applicable for this NOFO.

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modification:

  • A Resource Sharing Plan is not required for this NOFO.

Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Follow the instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information

Not Applicable.

Delayed Onset Study

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

See Part 2. Section III.1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov

4. Submission Dates and Times

Part I.  contains information about Key Dates and times. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday , the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons , NIH’s electronic system for grants administration. NIH and Grants.gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications .

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

5. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review .

6. Funding Restrictions

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement .

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement .

Note, however, that for the training phase (T34), pre-award costs are not allowable charges for stipends or tuition/fees on training grants because these costs may not be charged to the grant until a trainee has actually been appointed, and the appropriate paperwork submitted to the NIH awarding component. Any additional costs associated with the decision to allow research elective credit for short-term research training are not allowable charges on a training grant.

Carryover of unobligated funds from the development phase (UE5) to the research training phase (T34) will require prior NIH approval. 

For the training phase (T34), the National Research Service Award (NRSA) policies  apply. An N RSA appointment may not be held concurrently with another Federally sponsored fellowship, traineeship, or similar Federal award that provides a stipend or otherwise duplicates provisions of the NRSA.

NIGMS does not permit automatic carryover of training grant (T34) funds from one budget period to the next.

7. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit How to Apply – Application Guide . If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the  Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII .

Important reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form . Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Applications that are incomplete and/or non-compliant will not be reviewed. 

Requests of $500,000 or more for direct costs in any year

Applicants requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year (excluding consortium F&A) are not required to contact a Scientific/Research Contact before submitting the application. The Policy on the Acceptance for Review of Unsolicited Applications that Request $500,000 or More in Direct Costs as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is not applicable for this notice of funding opportunity.

Recipients or subrecipients must submit any information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. See Mandatory Disclosures, 2 CFR 200.113 and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4.1.35 .

Send written disclosures to the NIH Chief Grants Management Officer listed on the Notice of Award for the IC that funded the award and to the HHS Office of Inspector Grant Self Disclosure Program at [email protected] .

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in  the policy .

Section V. Application Review Information

1. criteria.

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. Applications submitted to the NIH in support of the NIH mission are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

Specific to this NOFO: NIGMS recognizes that effective, well-designed research training programs that promote broad participation in the biomedical research workforce can take place in a wide variety of organizational environments and with mentors who have varying levels of NIH research project grant support. Reviewers should evaluate the proposed TURTLE program considering the applicant organization's stated objectives, organizational context, available resources, and the capacity of those resources to meet the stated objectives. Reviewers should note that identification by the applicant of current shortcomings and challenges can be viewed as positive factors if accompanied by sound plans for how the applicant would use the TURTLE award to overcome or remediate these challenges.

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to strongly advance research training by fulfilling the goals of the program, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria, as applicable for the project proposed.

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact.

  • Evaluate whether the proposed program will develop a pool of scientists who earn biomedical bachelor's degrees and have the technical, operational, and professional skills to pursue culturally appropriate AI/AN health-related research careers.
  • Consider whether the application provides convincing evidence that the proposed program will significantly advance the stated goal of the TURTLE program.
  • Evaluate whether the PD/PI or PD/PI team have the potential to provide both administrative and research training leadership to the development and implementation of the proposed program.
  • If the project proposes a multi-PD/PI team, evaluate whether the team has complementary and integrated expertise. Consider whether the leadership approach, governance, and organizational structure are appropriate for the proposed program.
  • Consider whether an appropriate level of effort will be devoted by the program staff and leadership to ensure the program's intended goal is accomplished.
  • Discuss whether the approach to recruiting the Program Mentor team is likely to assemble a pool of individuals who will have the appropriate scientific background, mentor training and experience in mentoring trainees to promote the success of the TURTLE program. 
  • Evaluate whether the objectives, plan, and timeline for the Development Plan are feasible and attainable.
  • Consider whether the Development Plan will sufficiently develop or enhance the appropriate staff expertise, trainee recruitment procedures, grants administration capacity, career enhancement activities, information technology infrastructure, and trainee tracking resources to support a successful training phase.
  • Evaluate whether the overall training plans and timelines are feasible, attainable and will align with the TURTLE program objectives.
  • Discuss whether the overall training plan describes effective activities for support of the research training experiences, and for skills development, cohort building, career advancement and outreach.
  • Assess whether the planned strategy and administrative structure to oversee and monitor the program will ensure appropriate and timely trainee progress.
  • Assess the suitability of the program mentor recruitment, training and monitoring plan, as well as any plans for engaging the undergraduate research advisors at the degree-granting organization.
  • Evaluate whether the planned activities are likely to recruit a sufficient pool of individuals interested in earning a bachelor's degree in a biomedical field and conducting AI/AN health research.
  • Assess whether the plans for tracking TURTLE trainees and for the program evaluation are sound and likely to provide useful information on the effectiveness of the program.
  • .Evaluate whether the environment of the applicant organization(s) will contribute to the intended goals of the proposed program.
  • Assess whether the application provides tangible evidence of sufficient organizational commitment.

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer..

Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed program.

2. Review and Selection Process 

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s), in accordance with NIH peer review policy and procedures , using the stated review criteria. Assignment to a Scientific Review Group will be shown in the eRA Commons.

As part of the scientific peer review, all applications will receive a written critique.

Applications may undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top half of applications under review) will be discussed and assigned an overall impact score.

Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this NOFO. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the appropriate national Advisory Council or Board. The following will be considered in making funding decisions, consistent with applicable law:

  • Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review.
  • Availability of funds.
  • Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.
  • Broad geographic distribution.
  • Contributions to portfolio breadth as outlined in the NIGMS Strategic Plan.

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the  NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.5.1. Just-in-Time Procedures . This request is not a Notice of Award nor should it be construed to be an indicator of possible funding.

Prior to making an award, NIH reviews an applicant’s federal award history in SAM.gov to ensure sound business practices. An applicant can review and comment on any information in the Responsibility/Qualification records available in SAM.gov.  NIH will consider any comments by the applicant in the Responsibility/Qualification records in SAM.gov to ascertain the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and performance record of managing Federal awards per 2 CFR Part 200.206 “Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.”  This provision will apply to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements except fellowships.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the  eRA Commons . Refer to Part 1 for dates for peer review, advisory council review, and earliest start date.

Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.4.4 Disposition of Applications .

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. award notices.

A Notice of Award (NoA) is the official authorizing document notifying the applicant that an award has been made and that funds may be requested from the designated HHS payment system or office. The NoA is signed by the Grants Management Officer and emailed to the recipient’s business official.

In accepting the award, the recipient agrees that any activities under the award are subject to all provisions currently in effect or implemented during the period of the award, other Department regulations and policies in effect at the time of the award, and applicable statutory provisions.

Recipients must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.6. Funding Restrictions. Any pre-award costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the applicant's own risk.  For more information on the Notice of Award, please refer to the  NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 5. The Notice of Award and NIH Grants & Funding website, see  Award Process.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The following Federal wide and HHS-specific policy requirements apply to awards funded through NIH:

  • The rules listed at 2 CFR Part 200 , Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
  • All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the terms and conditions in the Notice of Award (NoA). The NoA includes the requirements of this NOFO. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Recipients, and Activities .
  • HHS recognizes that NIH research projects are often limited in scope for many reasons that are nondiscriminatory, such as the principal investigator’s scientific interest, funding limitations, recruitment requirements, and other considerations. Thus, criteria in research protocols that target or exclude certain populations are warranted where nondiscriminatory justifications establish that such criteria are appropriate with respect to the health or safety of the subjects, the scientific study design, or the purpose of the research. For additional guidance regarding how the provisions apply to NIH grant programs, please contact the Scientific/Research Contact that is identified in Section VII under Agency Contacts of this NOFO.

All federal statutes and regulations relevant to federal financial assistance, including those highlighted in  NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4 Public Policy Requirements, Objectives and Other Appropriation Mandates.

Recipients are responsible for ensuring that their activities comply with all applicable federal regulations.  NIH may terminate awards under certain circumstances.  See  2 CFR Part 200.340 Termination and  NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.5.2 Remedies for Noncompliance or Enforcement Actions: Suspension, Termination, and Withholding of Support . 

The following special terms of award are in addition to, and not in lieu of, otherwise applicable U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) administrative guidelines, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) grant administration regulations at 2 CFR Part 200, and other HHS, PHS, and NIH grant administration policies. 

The administrative and funding instrument used for this program will function as a cooperative agreement, an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism), in which substantial NIH programmatic involvement with the recipients is anticipated during the performance of the activities. Under the cooperative agreement, the NIH purpose is to support and stimulate the recipients' activities by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the award recipients in a partnership role; it is not to assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activities. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility will remain with the recipients for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities may be shared among the recipients and the NIH as defined below. 

The PD(s)/PI(s) will have the primary responsibility for:

  • Adhering to the overall objective of the TURTLE program.
  • Developing capacity to administer a National Research Service Award (NRSA) Training grant.
  • Developing programmatic activities.
  • Contributing to the cooperative nature of the TURTLE program.

Recipients will retain custody of and have primary rights to the data and software developed under these awards, subject to Government rights of access consistent with current DHHS, PHS, and NIH policies.

During the UE5 phase, NIH staff have substantial programmatic involvement that is above and beyond the normal stewardship role in awards, as described below:

Project Coordinator . The Project Coordinator will not participate in the oversight of the NOFO, application review, or programmatic and budgetary stewardship of the award. The Project Coordinator will also not participate as an active researcher in the evaluation of the TURTLE program. NIH Project Coordinator(s) will:

  • Guide the development of each TURTLE award and the TURTLE network by providing overall advice and coordination.
  • Facilitate, not direct, activities.
  • Ensure that the activities supported by the TURTLE awards are consistent with NIH missions and goals.
  • Make recommendations regarding project direction to accomplish the goals of the TURTLE program.
  • Promote communication between NIH and the grantee.
  • Provide support to facilitate the timely progress toward agreed-upon programmatic goals, outcome measures, and milestones.
  • Work closely and effectively with awardees to ensure standardized information and data needed to evaluate program effectiveness and preparedness for the transition to the training grant phase are submitted in a timely fashion.

Program Official . The NIH Program Official will be responsible for oversight of the NOFO and the normal programmatic stewardship of the award, including participating in funding recommendations, and will be named in the Notice of Award. The Program Official will not partake of the duties of the Project Coordinator.

Joint Responsibilities

There are no joint responsibilities between the recipient and NIH staff.

Dispute Resolution:  During the awarded UE5 phase, disagreements between award recipients and the NIH that arise regarding matters related to the direction of the funded program may be brought to a Dispute Resolution Panel. The panel will be composed of three members: a designee of the recipient, one NIH designee, and a third designee with expertise in the relevant area who is chosen by the other two. This special dispute resolution procedure does not alter the recipient's right to appeal an adverse action that is otherwise appealable in accordance with PHS regulation 42 CFR Part 50, Subpart D and DHHS regulation 45 CFR Part 16.

3. Data Management and Sharing

Note: The NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing is effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023.

Consistent with the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing, when data management and sharing is applicable to the award, recipients will be required to adhere to the Data Management and Sharing requirements as outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement . Upon the approval of a Data Management and Sharing Plan, it is required for recipients to implement the plan as described.

4. Reporting

When multiple years are involved, recipients will be required to submit the  Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)  annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.4.1 Reporting.  To learn more about post-award monitoring and reporting, see the NIH Grants & Funding website, see Post-Award Monitoring and Reporting .

For the Development phase (UE5): 

  • Recipients will be required to submit progress as instructed in the Education RPPRs section of RPPR Instruction Guide .
  • A final RPPR and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required at the end of the UE5 award period.

For the Research Training phase (T34):

  • Recipients will be required to submit progress as instructed in the Training RPPRs section of RPPR Instruction Guide .
  • The recipient institution must submit a completed Statement of Appointment ( PHS Form 2271 ) for each trainee appointed or reappointed to the training grant for 8 weeks or more. Grantees must submit the PHS 2271 data electronically using the xTrain system. More information on xTrain is available at  xTrain (eRA Commons) . An appointment or reappointment may begin any time during the budget period, but not before the budget period start date of the grant year.
  • A notarized statement verifying possession of permanent residency documentation must be submitted with the Statement of Appointment ( PHS Form 2271 ). Individuals with a Conditional Permanent Resident status must first meet full (non-conditional) Permanent Residency requirements before receiving support.
  • A final RPPR and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report for all Trainees, are required for closeout of a T34 award as described in the  NIH Grants Policy Statement .

NIH NOFOs outline intended research goals and objectives. Post award, NIH will review and measure performance based on the details and outcomes that are shared within the RPPR, as described at 45 CFR Part 75.301 and 2 CFR 200.301.

Failure by the recipient institution to submit required forms in a timely, complete, and accurate manner may result in an expenditure disallowance or a delay in any continuation funding for the award.

Instructions for the Transition from the UE5 to the T34 Component

Transition Application

The transition to the T34 phase of funding is not automatic and is contingent upon satisfactory progress towards achieving the UE5 milestones, administrative review, and the availability of funds. NIGMS will provide detailed instructions about transition applications to UE5 recipients approximately six months prior to the end of the UE5 award period. TURTLE UE5 recipients wishing to submit the T34 transition application should prepare the application using the  PHS 2590 forms . Follow the PHS 2590 instructions unless instructed otherwise below. 

 The T34 Transition Application must include the following components:

  • Detailed budget and budget justification. Submit an updated proposed training budget using PHS 2590 budget forms for each of the five years of the T34 phase.
  • Biographical sketches.   Include biosketches for the PD/PI team and Program Mentors using the  Non-Fellowship Biosketch format . The PD/PI team and Program Mentors’ personal statements should include a description of their mentoring and training philosophy, including commitment to inclusion in the research training environments.
  • Other Support
  • All Personnel Report
  • Hiring or training program personnel with the appropriate expertise.
  • Ability to recruit a pool of research-oriented trainees in alignment with the goals of the TURTLE program. For example, the establishment of any needed partnerships with organizations providing undergraduate research training relevant to future  researchers who are interested in pursuing a career in AI/AN health research.
  • An effective, updated plan for research training, career development, and networking activities and the personnel and technologies to deliver these activities. Include any data from piloting training, career development, or networking pilots.
  • Establishment of effective recruitment, training and monitoring practices for mentors associated with the program.
  • Development of grants administration capacity, including management of consortium arrangements if applicable, trainee appointments and terminations, reporting and the administration of trainee stipends, tuition and training-related expenses.
  • The capacity to track and report on trainee progress and outcomes
  • Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity (3 pages) : Applicants should describe a Recruitment Plan to Enhance Diversity. For purposes of this requirement, “recruitment” refers to outreach efforts intended to encourage individuals to apply for the program.  “Recruitment” does not mean the appointment or hiring of an individual into the program. Include outreach strategies and activities designed to recruit a sufficient pool of potential trainees whose career goals align with the purpose of the program. Applicants are encouraged to consider strategies on the NIGMS webpage . Activities may include forming partnerships with bachelor's degree granting organizations that enroll students interested in AI/AN health research, attending national meetings for research-oriented students, or hosting summer experiences to conduct AI/AN health research.
  • Plan for Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Rigor and Reproducibility (3 pages) . Applicants should include a plan that will be implemented in the training phase of the award for the oversight of "Instruction in Methods for Enhancing Rigor and Reproducibility". The plan should describe how the program will reinforce the principles important for enhancing research rigor and reproducibility, for example, critical evaluation of foundational research underlying a project, rigorous experimental design and data interpretation, computational and quantitative approaches, consideration of relevant biological variables such as sex, authentication of key biological and/or chemical resources, data and material sharing, record keeping, and transparency in reporting. The plan should be appropriate and reasonable for the nature and duration of the proposed activities. Applicants are encouraged to consult the  NIGMS clearinghouse for training modules to enhance data reproducibility and other resources when developing the plans.
  • Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (3 pages): Applicants should include a plan that will be implemented in the training phase of the award for the oversight of “Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)” for appointed trainees to ensure the appropriate content is being provided either by the degree granting organization or the TURTLE T34 program. Applicants are encouraged to review the instructions for Plan for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for topics typically covered. Programs are encouraged to provide additional modules for the responsible conduct of AI/AN health research. 

Trainee Diversity Reports and the NIH Training Data Tables are not required for the transition application but will be required for subsequent progress reports and renewal applications.

Combine the required components into one compiled ( Merge PDFs: How to combine PDF files for free | Adobe Acrobat ), flattened  PDF ( Print to PDF (adobe.com) ) document.

The Authorized Organization Representative should submit the transition application PDF by email to the NIGMS Grants Management Specialist and Program Official.

UE5 recipients who are not approved to transition will receive written notification from NIGMS communicating the rationale for the disapproval. This notification typically will be sent within 60 days of receipt of the transition application.

Although the financial plans of NIGMS provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds.

Termination of the UE5 award phase

If transition from the UE5 phase to the T34 phase occurs at the originally scheduled end date of the UE5 award, then no specific steps to terminate the UE5 award are necessary. 

If the transition from the UE5 phase to the T34 phase occurs prior to the scheduled end date of the UE5 award phase, then a revised Notice of Award will be issued to terminate the UE5 phase award. Carryover of unspent funds from the UE5 phase into the T34 phase is permitted with prior approval from NIH.

A final RPPR and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.6 Closeout .

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

eRA Service Desk (Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons, application errors and warnings, documenting system problems that threaten submission by the due date, and post-submission issues)

Finding Help Online:  https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help  (preferred method of contact) Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)

General Grants Information (Questions regarding application instructions, application processes, and NIH grant resources) Email:  [email protected]  (preferred method of contact) Telephone: 301-480-7075

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and Workspace) Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726 Email:  [email protected]

SBA Company Registry (Questions regarding required registration at the SBA Company Registry and for technical questions or issues) Website to Email: http://sbir.gov/feedback?type=reg

Kalynda Gonzales Stokes, Ph.D. National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Email: [email protected]

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Email: [email protected]

Justin Rosenzweig National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Email: [email protected]

Section VIII. Other Information

Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts . All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement .

Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR 63A and 45 CFR Part 75 and 2 CFR Part 200.

NIH Office of Extramural Research Logo

The Impact of PhD Degrees in Academic Plastic Surgery: An In-depth Analysis of Faculty and Residents

  • Original Articles
  • Special Topic
  • Published: 01 September 2024

Cite this article

phd programs with full funding in europe

  • Rami Elmorsi   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7909-258X 1 ,
  • Malke Asaad 2 ,
  • Krishna Vyas 3 ,
  • Omar Badawi 4 ,
  • Mark W. Clemen 1 ,
  • Carrie K. Chu 1 &
  • Jesse Selber 5  

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study. In surgery, it is thought to provide surgeons with skills to conduct high-quality research and advance academically. However, this presumed effect has not been assessed among academic plastic surgeons (APSs) and plastic surgery residents (PSRs). The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in multiple strata of career progression and success between PhD and non-PhD graduates in academic plastic surgery.

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of APSs and PSRs. Departmental websites of integrated plastic surgery residency programs were used to identify our study population and their demographics, degrees, and tenure status. Data on research productivity were collected using Scopus. Information on research funding was gathered through the National Institutes of Health and Plastic Surgery Foundation. To assess the plastic surgery programs’ reputations, we divided residency programs into four quartiles (Q1, 1–20; Q2, 21–40; Q3, 41–60; Q4, 61+) according to their Doximity ranking.

We identified 841 APSs (78.5% men) and 948 PSRs (58.1% men), of whom 5.1% and 2.7% had a PhD degree, respectively. PhD graduates had significantly more advanced research portfolios. PhD APSs were more likely to secure research funding, and PhD PSRs were more likely to train at highly reputed programs. However, academic rank and leadership appointments were not significantly influenced by PhDs.

Holding a PhD can strongly advance a plastic surgeon’s research portfolio, but it does not guarantee a better position or tenure status.

Level of Evidence III

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Rami Elmorsi, Mark W. Clemen & Carrie K. Chu

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Omar Badawi

Department of Plastic Surgery, Corewell Health, Grand Rapids, MI, USA

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Elmorsi, R., Asaad, M., Vyas, K. et al. The Impact of PhD Degrees in Academic Plastic Surgery: An In-depth Analysis of Faculty and Residents. Aesth Plast Surg (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-04059-1

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How to obtain funding in Europe as an international PhD student?

itn_msca_phd

There are plenty of opportunities for international candidates to do their doctoral training in Europe as part of a MSCA Innovative Training Network (ITN)

MSCA ITN are part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). This is a budget line in the EC's Framework Programme for Research, Science and Innovation - currently called HOIRZON 2020 - which is earmarked for activities that equip researchers with the necessary skills and international experience for a successful career, either in the public or the private sector.

Each MSCA Innovative Training Network (ITN) brings together universities, research institutes and other sectors from across Europe (and the world) to train researchers to doctorate level to become future leaders in their field.

The aim of each MSCA ITN is to train a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative early-stage researchers able to face current and future challenges and to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic and social benefits.

MSCA ITNs are a great opportunity for European and international researchers to obtain world-class PhD training!

There are three types of Innovative Training Networks:

1. European Training Networks (ETN)

Researchers gain experience of different working environments while developing transferable skills.

2. European Industrial Doctorates (EID)

Joint doctoral training delivered by at least one academic partner entitled to award doctoral degrees, and at least one partner from outside academia, primarily enterprise. Each participating researcher is enrolled in a doctoral programme and is jointly supervised by supervisors from the academic and non-academic sector, where they spend at least 50% of their time.

The aim is for the doctoral candidates to develop skills inside and outside academia that respond to public and private sector needs.

3. European Joint Doctorates (EJD):

A minimum of 3 academic organisations form a network with the aim of delivering joint, double or multiple degrees. Joint supervision of the research fellow and a joint governance structure are mandatory. The aim is to promote international, inter-sectorial and multi/interdisciplinary collaboration in doctoral training in Europe.

Who can apply and how?

Each MSCA ITN creates a number of specific PhD positions each looking for a candidate with a specific profile (think of it as a job advert). Importantly, all open PhD positions are advertised on the EURAXESS jobs portal : https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/search .

PhD positions on MSCA ITN are open to early-stage researcher (ESR). This means researchers in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers who have not been awarded a doctoral degree. Full-time equivalent research experience is measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling him or her to embark on a doctorate – either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited – even if a doctorate was never started or envisaged. Part-time research experience is counted pro-rata.

phd programs with full funding in europe

In the jobs portal you can use the research tools to refine your search. In the menu shown in the figure above you can select your research field, the sector in which you would like to be recruited, as well as your preferred destination country.

Remember that the positions offered by MSCA ITNs are open only to researchers who fall in the category of ESR and are part of the H2020/Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

Among the partners that form the Innovative Training Networks, international and intergovernmental organisations and large companies are generally not included, therefore applicants should be careful when selecting their preferred sector, to avoid making the research results excessively limited or null.

Where do I apply?

Remember: Applicants apply for the position of their choice directly to the respective MSCA ITN that has advertised the open vacancy!

Each vacancy contains information on the training network (which institutions are involved?, in which countries are the network partners based? what is the research focus of the network?), information on the open PhD positions, the eligibility criteria, the application and selection process. Each post will also contain a link to the hompage of the ITN that has posted the offer for interested candidates to find out more ot to get in touch for further details. 

phd programs with full funding in europe

Are the positions funded?

MSCA funding is open to PhD students of all disciplines, and all nationalities, for up to four years.

Living allowance

A monthly allowance is paid to the MSCA ITN Fellow in monthly instalments by his/her host institution. The amount varies depending on the country in which he/she will work and study. The average payment is €3,110 per month.

Mobility allowance

The Mobility Allowance contributes costs related to travel, accommodation, and related expenses while undertaking projects through an ITN. The allowance is around €600 per month.

Family allowance

A Family Allowance of €500 per month is available to MSCA ITN Fellows that are classed as having family, regardless of whether the family will move with the Fellow to Europe or not.

Useful links:

Top FAQs related to ITN applications link

Guide for applicants here

If you want to learn more, watch this recording of our recent webinar on "How to do a funded PhD in Europe?"

Three MSCA Fellows from ASEAN share their experience, tips & advice:

Dr Wicak Ananduta, post-doctoral researcher at the Delft Center for Systems and Control (DCSC) at TU Delft in the Netherlands

Ms Vanessa Xavier, final year PhD student in the area of molecular mechanisms at the University of Geneva in Switzerland

Ms Gladys Langi, PhD candidate at the Medical University of Bialystok, Poland

Search the EURAXESS Jobs database now and find your PhD position in Europe!

EURAXESS JOBS DATABASE

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    PhD programme in Britain and Europe. University of Surrey Department of Politics. Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on January 2024. The successful applicant will be part of a lively and active community of PhD students and academic staff. Read more.

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    Apply Now. 5. International Scholarship for Women in the USA. Application for this scholarship is currently open, so go ahead and apply for it. It is a fully-funded scholarship open to every female student in Europe and around the world except Iran and she can apply in all academic fields of any university in the USA.

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    PhD funding in Europe through external project grants. Many universities rely on external funding to create PhD positions. This external funding often comes in the form of research grants for specific research projects. Common sources of funding are the European Commission and national scientific research councils.

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    The B.A.E.F. will award up to ten fellowships as outright non-renewable grants carrying a stipend of $27,000 for Master's or Ph.D. students and $32,000 for Post-doctoral Fellows. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

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    Discover 30+ Postgraduate Programmes at the Faculty of Education & Liberal Arts. Department of Health Technology and Informatics. DPhil in Population Health for entry in October 2025 - funding available. Discover Research at the School of Science, Engineering and Environment. Postgraduate Research Opportunities at the Faculty of Medicine and ...

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    We are thrilled to announce a range of fully funded PhD positions available at prestigious universities throughout Europe. These exceptional opportunities span an array of cutting-edge fields, including: And more! Elevate your academic journey and contribute to groundbreaking research at top-tier institutions such as:

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    I Completed 4 Fully-Funded Graduate Programs in Europe (And You Can, Too) Jul 15, 2022. By Andrew Anžur Clement, PhD. By the time I turned twenty-seven, I had moved to Europe and earned two Master's degrees and two PhD's in the social sciences. I was paid to do them, and I completed all four programs with no student debt and money in the bank.

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    NEWS15 Jul 2024 News PhD. Europe: 20+ fully-funded PhD positions. Discover a wide range of courses and programs at prestigious universities across Europe in disciplines such as chemistry, biological sciences, biochemistry, biotechnology, engineering, molecular biology, medical sciences, agricultural sciences, soil science, environmental science ...

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    Courses: Wide range of literary topics, including African American Studies, modern European short fiction, gender studies, and more. Duration: 6-7 years Delivery: On-campus Full funding includes: Tuition, fees, stipend, and health insurance.; Other support: Grants, loans, childcare subsidies, and financial hardship aid. Location: Durham, North Carolina As one of the country's most renowned ...

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  25. The Impact of PhD Degrees in Academic Plastic Surgery: An In ...

    Background Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study. In surgery, it is thought to provide surgeons with skills to conduct high-quality research and advance academically. However, this presumed effect has not been assessed among academic plastic surgeons (APSs) and plastic surgery residents (PSRs). The purpose of this study is to ...

  26. How to obtain funding in Europe as an international PhD student?

    MSCA funding is open to PhD students of all disciplines, and all nationalities, for up to four years. Living allowance. A monthly allowance is paid to the MSCA ITN Fellow in monthly instalments by his/her host institution. The amount varies depending on the country in which he/she will work and study.