phd grant funding

• Skip to main content
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Apply Apply
•   Follow Us

How to Find PhD Scholarships and Grants

Financing your PhD studies can be challenging, but it's essential to your academic journey. Scholarships and grants can ease this burden, although finding and securing them may seem daunting. 

Navigating your financial prospects can present a challenge, but scholarships and grants are there as available resources. In this blog, we will explain the opportunities to fund your PhD. We’ll also provide practical advice to help you find the right funding options for your PhD. Our guidance aims to give you a strong foundation for success.

Finding Doctoral Scholarships and Grants

Finding funding for graduate studies can be stressful, but scholarships and grants are available if you know where to look. 

• University Funding: Universities often offer scholarships and research grants to PhD students. For instance, the SMU provides various funding options for doctoral students through the Moody School for Graduate and Advanced Studies.
• Professional Associations: Depending on your field of study, grants are often available from professional associations. Have a look at your specific discipline’s association website or reach out to them directly.
• Government and Non-Government Organizations: Both government and non-government organizations offer grants to encourage research in various fields. Explore resources like Grant.gov and The National Science Foundation.
• Industry Partners: Companies often work with universities to fund research in their industry, supporting specific projects or areas of study.
• International Scholarships: International students can find PhD scholarships in the USA, like Fulbright and DAAD .

Essential Scholarship Application Tips

• Start Early: Keep in mind that securing funding takes time, so don’t wait to start your search. The application deadline is often way before the program application deadline.
• Be Thorough and Organized: Keeping track of deadlines, application components and other details can be overwhelming. Create a system that helps you keep everything organized and in one place.
• Tailor Your Applications: Tailor each application to the specific sponsor to maximize its appeal. Remember to show why you’re a perfect fit for their funding.
• Leverage Your Network: Don't hesitate to use your academic network. Professors, colleagues, and alumni can be valuable resources for scholarship and grant opportunities.

Grants and Scholarships for PhD Students vs. Other Forms of Aid

Initially, most students think of scholarships as a lifeline for PhD funding , but it's surprisingly uncommon for students to fund their PhD with scholarships alone. Can you get a scholarship for a PhD? Absolutely. But scholarships for doctoral students can be quite competitive.

In reality, most PhD students utilize a variety of funding sources. PhD programs commonly offer doctoral assistantships and fellowships, which are typically more widely available. Some students even explore additional routes like postgraduate loans, employer support, crowdfunding, and research council grants.

Knowing the ins and outs of each type of funding can help you make a decision that best suits your academic and financial needs. 

Scholarships

Scholarships, financial awards you don't need to repay, often reward merit or specific factors like demographics or career aspirations.

• Doesn't require repayment
• No obligation to perform services

Potential drawbacks:

• High competition
• May need exceptional qualifications

Grants operate much like scholarships in that they do not need to be repaid. They are frequently awarded based on need, although some may also take into consideration academic merit or field of study.

Benefits: 

• Doesn’t require repayment
• Can offset a significant amount of educational expenses

Potential drawbacks: 

• Competition can be fierce
• May have to meet eligibility criteria or conditions

Assistantships & Fellowships

Assistantships and fellowships are also common ways to pay for a PhD.  Assistantships involve providing services to the university by undertaking teaching or research roles, usually in exchange for a stipend and tuition waiver. Fellowships, like scholarships, are merit-based and don't require repayment or work in return. Fellowships usually offer generous resources and are specific to the student's field of study.

• Provide hands-on experience in teaching or research (assistantship)
• Accompanied by generous funding and resources (fellowship)
• Fellowships often provide greater freedom for research compared to assistantships
• Time commitment can impact personal studies (mainly assistantships)
• High competition may require exceptional qualifications or research proposals

While fellowships, assistantships, grants and scholarships for PhD programs aim to reduce the financial burden, they’re understandably different in their commitments, benefits, and application process. 

Discover PhD Funding at SMU

Finding and securing the right funding for your PhD is crucial in shaping a stress-free and productive doctoral journey. Remember, scholarships and grants, while beneficial, are just pieces of a wider resource puzzle that may include assistantships or fellowships. 

These funding options are aimed to ease your financial commitments, so explore opportunities for each, align them with your academic goals, and pave your way towards a rewarding PhD experience .

For more helpful resources or information about SMU's Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, contact us — we're here to help you on your academic journey!

learn more about

How SMU Is Investing in Graduate Students: Get to Know the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies

Request more

Information.

Complete the form to reach out to us for more information

Published On

More articles, recommended articles for you, moody means: a stronger professional network and graduate community.

Step into the future of graduate education with Moody Hall, a revolutionary building that brings...

Searching for Answers: Virus-Induced Cancers

Smu graduate student tetiana hutchinson is currently in the biological sciences ph.d. program,..., new and exciting news for grad students at smu: introducing the moody school.

Are you contemplating a graduate degree? Are you ready for some good news?

Well, big change has...

Browse articles by topic

Subscribe to.

PhD Student Funding Overview

At Yale, you can earn your doctorate at our expense. 

Our funding packages for Yale PhD students are among the most generous in the world. Every PhD student receives a fellowship for the full cost of tuition, a stipend for living expenses, and paid health coverage, though the details of your funding package will differ depending on your academic program. On average, doctoral students receive more than $500,000 in tuition fellowships, stipends, and health premium benefits over the course of their enrollment. Full PhD funding normally extends for a minimum of five years, unless your doctoral program is of shorter duration, e.g., Investigative Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Public Health. 

The main categories of funding available to PhD students are detailed below. Our Programs & Policies handbook contains additional information about funding and fellowship opportunities available at the Graduate School, along with applicable policies. 

If you have questions about your funding, you can ask your program registrar or DGS, Graduate Financial Aid, or Associate Dean Robert Harper-Mangels.

Types of Funding for PhD Students

University Fellowships (UFs) are provided through the Graduate School and do not require teaching in Yale's Teaching Fellow Program. UFs are often used during the initial year(s) of your doctoral program to cover your stipend and tuition, when you are engaged in coursework and identifying an adviser.

For official policies governing University Fellowships, including information on deferring a UF, please see our Programs & Policies Bulletin .

In subsequent years and in most programs, your stipend will be funded by a teaching fellowship or a research assistantship.

Teaching Fellowships (TFs) are contingent on teaching Yale's Teaching Fellow Program (TFP). While you are on a TF, a portion of your stipend is compensation for teaching. The rest of your stipend will come from other sources, depending on your department or program. See the Teaching Fellow Funding page for more information.

The teaching portion of your stipend is subject to federal tax withholding, so you will notice a difference in your paycheck in teaching versus non-teaching semesters.

In lieu of teaching in the Teaching Fellow Program, PhD students in the humanities and social sciences may choose to undertake one of the available Professional Development Opportunities . These positions allow you to gain professional experience at a library, museum, or other office on campus relevant to your studies. 

If you are in the natural sciences, your funding will likely come from training grants and faculty research grants at some point during your enrollment. In most programs, you may only join a research group that has active grant funding. Please consult with your DGS, if you have questions about this aspect of your funding package.

We strongly encourage you to compete for external fellowships. Winning an external award in a national competition, whether sponsored by a public or private agency, is a significant honor. External fellowships may be subject to our Combined Award policy. Please be sure to review our External Fellowships & Awards page to understand how external awards interact with university funding.

An external fellowship may also offer you added flexibility in your program. 

• If you are a student in the natural sciences, an external fellowship may allow you to pursue a project or idea that is otherwise not eligible for financial support through your adviser’s research funding. 
• If you are a student in the humanities or social sciences, an external fellowship might allow you to defer a University Fellowship (UF) to a subsequent term or year. 

You can search for external fellowships through the Yale Student Grants Database , other university search engines (e.g., UCLA ), and commercial sites .

You must notify the Graduate School of any external awards you receive. 

• Send a copy of your award letter to the Financial Aid Office at [email protected] .
• If your award is subject to the Combined Award policy, then you will receive a combined award letter via email when your award has been processed, outlining your updated funding package. 

For any questions and concerns regarding your combined award letter, please contact the Graduate School Financial Aid Office via email at [email protected]. Associate Dean Robert Harper-Mangels can also advise regarding our Combined Award policy.

Additional GSAS Financial Support

Phd stipends.

An overview of information relevant to the PhD stipend.

Health Award

The Graduate School provides Yale Health Basic Coverage at no cost to all students (Master's and PhD) who are enrolled at least half-time in degree-seeking programs. In addition, all PhD students registered at least half-time receive a Health Fellowship Award that covers the cost of Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage.

Featured Resource

Family Support Subsidy for Parenting PhD Students

PhD students who are registered full-time in any year of study are eligible for the family support subsidy to assist with child-related expenses.

Dean's Emergency Fund

The Dean’s Emergency Fund enables terminal master’s and PhD students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to continue making academic progress despite unanticipated, extreme financial hardships that cannot be resolved through fellowships, loans, or personal resources. The maximum award for eligible requests is $2,000.

Conference Travel Fellowship (CTF)

https://gsa.yale.edu/ctf

By partnering with the MacMillan Center and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, graduate students with representatives in the Graduate Student Assembly are eligible for annual conference travel funding of up to $800.

PhD Student Travel Health Fellowship

If you are a PhD student traveling for dissertation research, the Graduate School provides a Travel Health Fellowship to cover the cost of required immunizations and prescription drugs at Yale Health.

Graduate Financial Aid Office

Office Address

• [email protected]
• 203-432-2739
• 246 Church Street, 2nd Floor

Find your dream fellowship

Search our free database of more than 2,800 funding awards for graduate study and professional development, find funding.

Search 2,800+ fellowships, including 1,000+ fully funded PhD and master's programs, in our free database

Get Application Support

Join our expert workshops, courses and free events on developing a competitive application

Promote a Program

Promote your fellowship or graduate school opportunity to more than 285,000 graduate school and fellowship seekers

ProFellow was my go-to resource while I was in graduate school and now it's one of my first recommendations to the ambitious students and young professionals I mentor at our organization.

The ProFellow site and community have been an excellent resource for my fellowship pursuits. I won a Scoville Fellowship and I won a Fulbright research grant. Thank you for your commitment to the academic and fellowship community!

ProFellow is a fantastic resource to inform students and graduates about fellowships. Prospective candidates are empowered by the personal stories and useful insights about the application process.

I saw you speak at Boston University and because of that day I became a New Sector Resident in Social Enterprise. Your talk inspired me to be more proactive about finding fellowships.

I love ProFellow! The resources provided on fellowships has proved extremely helpful in my search and applications. I was informed last month that I will be one of six Eben Tisdale Fellows.

Just a few stats we’d like to share

Fellowship Resources

• Calls for Applications
• Upcoming Fellowship Deadlines
• Fellowships Database
• Interviews with Fellows
• International Fellows Network
• Graduate Funding Directory

Fellowship Tips

• What is a Fellowship?
• Fully Funded Course
• Graduate School Funding
• Fellowship Application Tips
• Fulbright Application Tips
• Fellowship Application Guide
• Our Mission, History & Values
• ProFellow Winner Testimonials
• Fully Funded Course Testimonials
• Fellowship Industry Report
• Advertise With Us
• Terms & Privacy

ProFellow is the go-to source for information on professional and academic fellowships, created by fellows for aspiring fellows.

©2011-2024 ProFellow, LLC. All rights reserved.

• Communications
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Environmental Management
• Forensic Psychology
• Healthcare Admin
• Human Resources
• Project Management
• Social work
• Special Education
• Sports Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Adult Education
• Business Intelligence
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Technology
• Homeland Security
• Information Systems Security
• Information Technology
• International Business
• Management Information Systems
• Nonprofit Management
• School Counseling
• Academic Publishing Guide
• Building a Graduate School Resume or CV
• Choosing Between a Thesis or Non-thesis Master's Degree
• Expert Guide to Studying Abroad
• FAQ: Online Master's Degrees
• Grad School Guide Book
• Graduate School for Students with Disabilities
• Green Graduate Degrees
• How to Be a Successful Grad Student
• How to Choose the Right Graduate Program
• How to Get a Master's Degree in an Unrelated Field
• How to Transfer College Credits in Grad School
• How to Write a Winning Personal Statement
• Inside Graduate Admissions
• Ivy League Grad Schools
• Master's Degrees for Veterans
• Master's Degree for Women
• Mental Health in Grad School
• Progressive LGBTQ Graduate Degrees
• Should You Apply for a Graduate School Assistantship?
• Surviving Grad School with a Family
• Taking a Gap Year Before Grad School
• Women in STEM Graduate Resources
• Writing a Successful Statement of Purpose
• Alternative Ways to Pay for School
• The Best Part-Time Jobs During Grad School
• Company Funded Graduate School
• FAFSA For Grad Students
• Financial Aid Resources
• Graduate Student Loans
• Paying for Your Master's Degree
• Paying Off Student Loans
• Paying for Your PhD
• Fellowship Opportunities
• LGBTQ Scholarships
• MBA Scholarships
• Scholarship Resources
• Scholarships for Veterans
• Scholarships for Women
• Crushing the GRE Guidebook
• GMAT Guidebook
• Guide to the LSAT
• MCAT Prep for Medical School
• Study Guide: Exam Resources
• TOEFL Prep for Non-Native English Speakers
•       Financial Aid       PhD Scholarships and Financial Aid

PAYING FOR YOUR PHD Expert Tips, Scholarships Opportunities and Resources for Financing an Advanced Degree

The average yearly tuition for a PhD program is slightly above $16,000, which means students will invest about $80,000 in tuition fees alone for a five-year program. Add in fees, cost-of-living, travel expenses and the figure can easily surpass six figures. Yet, it is possible to fund a PhD program without breaking the bank and going into debt.

Featured Online Schools

• PhD Cost Breakdown
• PhD Financial Aid Options
• Expert Spotlight: Lawrence Burns, PhD
• Earning Outlook for Phd Students
• Most Lucrative PhD Careers
• Expert Spotlight: Darren Pierre, PhD
• PhD: By The Numbers
• Additional Financial Aid Resources

PHD COST BREAKDOWN

The value of a college education should not be understated, but neither should its actual cost. Earning a doctoral degree can be an expensive proposition. According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition and fees for a graduate program of study was $16,435 in 2012-2013. The table below outlines the 2012-2013 graduate tuition and fees by academic institution.

• All Institutions $16,435
• Public $10,408
• Private Non-Profit $23,698
• Private For-Profit $14,418

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

A rough calculation of the number of years it takes to complete a doctoral program, multiplied by the average 2012-2013 tuition and fees from the NCES, reveals the following total cost figures by academic field of study.

A five- to six-figure education is something to take seriously as there are debt implications after leaving finishing a PhD program. Graduating doctoral students in 2013 left school with an average debt of just over $15,000, according to the National Science Foundation. By field, students in the Social Sciences, Education and Humanities graduate with the highest levels of student debt:

• Education: $26,566
• Social Sciences: $26,222
• Humanities: $21,485

Conversely, the science and technology fields graduate students with the lowest debt figures:

• Physical Sciences: $6,342
• Engineering: $7,031
• Life Sciences: $11,905
• Physical Sciences 78.2%
• Engineering 75.1%
• Life Sciences 67.2%
• Humanities 48.4%
• Social Sciences 46.5%
• Education 44.1%

Source: National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2013

While these figures may seem alarming, a deeper dive into survey data from the National Science Foundation actually paints a more positive picture. Overall, more than 62 percent of all doctoral recipients graduate from school without a single dollar of debt.

Prospective students can use the table below to get a better sense of the percentage of students who take on debt at incremental levels in each field of academic study. A majority of students graduate with $10,000 or less in debt after finishing their doctoral degree.

PhD Cost Factors

The total cost of earning a doctoral degree is variable because of the sheer number of different factors involved. Tuition is not the only cost to consider when thinking about applying to a PhD program.

Typically, students pay full tuition rates during their first three years of doctoral study and receive reduced tuition rates for the remainder of the program. However, the actual cost of tuition does vary and may be dependent on the student’s actual degree program.

Graduate students pay a range of fees, with the most common including:

• Health Services (access to health facilities on campus)
• Health Insurance (personal health insurance)
• Student Activity (subsidizes athletics and other clubs)
• Student Recreation (access to recreational facilities on campus)

Some programs estimate students should be prepared to pay between $3,000 and $4,500 per academic year in student fees and health insurance costs.

Students with a master’s degree or coursework in a similar graduate program may be able to transfer credits into their doctoral program. That can lower the total number of credits required to graduate, which can lower the total cost of the degree. However, some institutions do limit the amount of tuition credits that can be applied for graduate work done in a related field at other institutions.

Whether or not the student has an assistantship does not affect the cost of textbooks and other academic materials. Books are a revolving charge, one a student should plan upon each semester or quarter.

Housing, utilities and food are considered indirect expenses students incur during their education. PhD students should plan on anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000 and up for living expenses each year. Again, this figure is highly variable based on the location of the university and the cost-of-living in that area.

Owning a car means additional budgeting for insurance, car payments and gas. Additionally, students may need to travel for conferences and research. Without funding from a graduate student association or grant program, the student will have to cover these costs individually.

PhD students with children may have to account for childcare costs. Purchasing a new computer and other supplies may also be required. This type of budgeting will vary from individual to individual, program to program.

Most PhD programs allow students to progress at their own pace, requiring them to complete and defend their dissertation within a certain time period (e.g. six years). However, the time it takes to complete a dissertation depends on the student, area of study, research, etc. This can impact cost of attending a doctoral program.

Example Cost of Attendance

A student’s budget should include the total cost of attendance—that is both direct (tuition and fees) and indirect costs (e.g. housing). This budget is the starting point for determining the student’s financial need, how much financial aid they require, and if they can afford to attend a doctoral program. Below is a sample five-year total cost of attendance chart based on an in-state tuition program, with a budget that assumes fixed costs for fees and indirect costs, such as housing. It also does not take into account assistantships and tuition waivers for assistants.

Based on a figure that’s slightly below the 2012-2013 average graduate tuition cost, the total cost of attendance can still produce sticker shock. An average student in a program that charges $12,000 per year in tuition could have to pay between $30,000 and $45,000 year in total costs.

PhD FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS

Prospective PhD candidates have an abundance of financial aid options to help fund their graduate studies. Typically, students are fully funded by a combination of sources, including scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or student loans.

It is important for students to note that most sources of aid are awarded by individual academic programs, so they should follow-up with their department for up-to-date information.

Below is a high-level overview of the common types of graduate financial aid.

Prospective PhD candidates can turn to a variety of funding sources, including scholarships, grants, and fellowships to support their education financially. As discussed, most students use a combination of one or more of these funding sources to finance their degree program and research.

PhD students can apply for a variety of scholarships that award students with funds that can be used to help cover the cost of tuition, books and other fees.

Grants are similar to scholarships and are academic-based awards that can be used to augment other sources of financial aid.

Fellowships are a different type of funding that may encompass a scholarship or grant and can be used to fund research, study and teaching in the US and internationally. Many fellowships provide full tuition and a yearly stipend to students.

A PhD should never be an end in itself but rather a means to an end. The path to a PhD is an arduous one and should never be undertaken without serious thought to what it will bring the student. That said, there is money available for graduate study in most fields, and a student in the humanities should be very careful to apply to appropriate programs which fund their grad students.

• Engineering
• Physical Sciences

The SMART program is designed to support graduate students studying in STEM disciplines and offers a range of other benefits, including supplies and health insurance allowances and employment placement services with the DoD after graduation.

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship is a three-year graduate fellowship that is designed to support doctoral students across fifteen engineering disciplines.

This three-year fellowship program supports the research efforts of doctoral students in STEM-related fields of study and allows them to pursue their work at any accredited graduate program in the country.

Renewable award for graduate students enrolled in a full-time APA-accredited doctoral program of study in psychology. Underrepresented, minority students are encouraged to apply.

This fellowship is open to female scholars and is designed to help offset the doctoral student’s living expenses during her final year of working on a dissertation.

This fellowship is a single-year of funding that is designed to support the doctoral research of a student working in child psychology.

The Javits Fellowship is provided on a needs- and competitive-basis to graduate students pursing graduate degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts.

Two fellowships are awarded to support doctoral students who plan to study at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece for a year.

The Richard M. Weaver Scholarship is open to graduate student members of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and supports the academic work of scholars pursuing teaching careers at the college level.

The AICPA fellowship is designed for minority students pursuing or planning to pursue a doctorate in accounting.

Five scholarships are available to provide financial assistance to graduate students pursuing studies in accounting and plan on earning CPA licensure.

This fellowship provides financial support to female scholars conducting research and economic analysis into natural resource, food, or agricultural issues.

This renewable, four-year fellowship is designed to support a scholar’s work in the field of stewardship science: nuclear science, high density physics, and materials under extreme conditions and hydrodynamics.

This multi-year fellowship supports doctoral research in several fields, ranging from chemistry to geology, materials science to physics and connects fellows with NPSC employer partners.

The NWRI fellowship program is open to full-time doctoral students conducting water-based research in areas such as water quality, water treatment and technologies, water supplies and water resources.

Really think about your reasons for getting a PhD. Critically exam the support systems you have in place to get you through the journey: 50 percent of doctoral students suffer from depression. Utilize services like the counseling center on your college/university campuses to help you respond to the stressors that may occur with the transition.

ASSISTANTSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS AND LOANS

Graduate assistantships.

Graduate assistantships are a form of academic appointment and are provided by individual departments. Competitive in nature, they are typically awarded on the basis of the student’s academic accomplishments and potential in the graduate program of study. Most programs provide appointments for one year at time and students receive a tuition credit or waiver and monthly stipend. There are three types of assistantships: Teaching Assistantships, Assistant Lecturers, and Research Assistants.

Teaching assistants perform a range of support duties for faculty members at a university, including grading papers and teaching classes.

Lecturers may serve as instructors in the academic department where they are studying.

Research assistants conduct and assist faculty members with research projects in the student’s area of interest.

Fellowships

Fellowships are short-term funding opportunities (typically 9- to 12 months) provided to students in the form of tuition credits and/or stipends. They support a student’s graduate study in their field of choice, may assist them in their research, or gain professional training in an area of interest. Fellowships are competitive and are available in two types: University-based and External.

Individual schools, colleges, and departments at a university (e.g. College of Science, Department of English) may have endowed fellowships. Students are either nominated for an award by their department or may be open to an application process.

External fellowships are funded by foundations, government agencies and other groups and provide opportunities to study both in the US and abroad. For example, the Department of Defense offers the National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship to engineering students studying in one of sixteen engineering specialties.

Corporations

Many companies and businesses have created scholarship, fellowship, and tuition reimbursement programs for their employees. Depending on the company, there may be a possibility it supports the graduate school efforts of its employees. Speak to the Human Resources department to learn more about the potential funding avenues available.

Graduate students may borrow funds from the federal government under two loan programs: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program.

Private financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, offer unsecured educational loans to graduate students. These loans must be repaid with interest. The interest rates, loan amount, and repayment terms are based on the credit worthiness of the borrower.

Federal work study provides students with demonstrated financial need part-time job opportunities that allow them to earn income while they are in graduate school. The program focuses on placing students in community service situations related to the student’s academic course of study. A majority of jobs are on-campus, but some schools may have some off-campus jobs with nonprofit agencies and other groups. It is important to note that some universities may not allow students to use their federal work study for tuition, but other related expenses (e.g. books, fees).

EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: Lawrence Burns, PhD

What should a future phd student consider when selecting a program of   study .

Speaking in the humanities, a student is best advised, I think, to select the faculty member with whom he or she wishes to study rather than simply a program. This faculty member becomes the student’s mentor, a relationship that lasts well beyond graduate school years. Because the mentor becomes the student’s primary reference, his or her standing in the field can and does have an impact on pre- and post-doctoral grants a student might win as well as on the student’s success on the academic job market.

It is a delicate balance though, because one must also look at programs that have standing in a particular field and at institutions that can afford to fund their PhD students throughout their graduate years.

Much is made about the saturation of PhD graduates and not enough   positions — both in academic and the private sector. Should that dissuade   a student from pursuing a PhD?

Yes, of course. Again, a PhD is not something that comes easily, and it should not be pursued without a reason for it. On the other hand, for students who are committed to their fields, and for whom that field is a career choice, the PhD is still the only way into the university job market. 

There is a catch-22 in the world of post-graduate education. Research universities need to turn out research, and researchers often depend on their grad students to assist them–in all fields–and departments on their PhD candidates to teach many undergraduate courses. PhD students are thus recruited regardless of the job market for the PhD holders.

The challenges in funding the PhD for me were less about how am I going to pay for this degree, but making the adjustment from being a full-time salaried employee to now, taking a significant pay cut to serve as a graduate assistant.

EARNING OUTLOOK FOR PHD STUDENTS

Potential career earnings should be a significant part of the discussion when considering whether or not to pursue a doctoral degree. Completing an advanced program of study could increase an individual’s earning potential with their current or future employers.

Research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a direct correlation between educational attainment and career success—both in employment opportunities and annual salaries. Doctoral degree holders are some of the highest paid professionals in the country. The table below outlines the difference in earnings by degree level in 2014.

source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Earnings and Unemployment by Educational Attainment

• Industry or Business $97,700
• Government $82,000
• Nonprofit Organizations $72,500
• Other $70,000
• Academia $60,000

Source: National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates

In turn, prospective students should consider how their sacrifice of time and money will pay off when they embark in their careers. Some professional fields have a higher return on investment than others. A majority of PhD candidates endeavor to become tenured-track faculty members, but they should realize that academia is one of the lowest paying sectors for individuals with a doctoral degree.

A review of National Science Foundation survey information shows that the best paying professional areas for PhD graduates include Industry and Business—with an average salary of $97,700. At the bottom of the list? Academia.

MOST LUCRATIVE PHD CAREERS

So, which PhD degrees pay the best?

According to the NSF, business, economics, and engineering are consistently among the best earning academic fields regardless of industry. The following tables outline the highest paying academic fields by professional area of work after graduation.

• Business Management and Administration $110,000
• Economics $82,000
• Engineering $79,000
• Health Sciences $70,000
• Education $60,000
• Business Management and Administration $135,000
• Economics $115,000
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $115,000
• Geosciences $110,000
• Engineering $98,000
• Economics $112,500
• Business Management and Administration $96,590
• Engineering $96,500
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $95,300
• Health Sciences $94,000
• Business Management and Administration $105,000
• Economics $100,000
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $100,000
• Health Sciences $98,000

At the occupational level, 2012 employment research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed the best paying doctoral career was Physicist ($109,600), followed by Astronomers ($105,410), and Engineering Professors ($94,130).

Overall, the top 10 most lucrative PhD careers include the following:

• 1 Physicists $109,600
• 2 Astronomers $105,410
• 3 Engineering Professors $94,130
• 4 Economics Professors $90,870
• 5 Health Specialties Professors: $90,210
• 6 Agricultural Sciences Professors $86,260
• 7 Biochemists and Biophysicists $84,940
• 8 Forestry and Conservation Science Professors $84,090
• 9 Physics Professors $80,720
• 10 Medical Scientists $79,930

EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: Darren Pierre, PhD

How has earning a phd impacted you personally and professionally.

Personally, the PhD was an incredibly introspective process. I believe for many, they go into the PhD thinking one thing, and come out transformed by the experience. I learned and grew personally in how I harness my self-worth, I grew professionally in my ability to humble myself and authentically listen to the feedback given about my work.

Professionally, I move with a greater level of confidence, I have more insight into my own potential in ways I could have never imagined, and all of that propelled me to write my book, The Invitation to Love.

Through your own experience, what are the biggest mistakes   prospective PhD students make when choosing and/or funding their PhD?

The biggest mistake that perspective students make is doing the degree for the wrong reason. If you are doing the degree for any other reason that self-motivated factors, you will falter. Doing the PhD to cover areas of insecurity, or low self-worth; doing the PhD for the prestige or title sake, those reasons will have you floundering and faltering when the psychological stressors being to weigh heavy.

Did you create a roadmap--financially or academically--to stay on track to   completing your PhD?

Absolutely, you have to have a plan and work that plan. Each Sunday, I would develop the week's action plan, I would carve out everything from when I was doing assignments/research to when I would work out, everything was on a schedule so that even when the fog of the process set in, I had headlights (my schedule) that allowed me to drive consistently when the road ahead was hard to see.

PHD: BY THE NUMBERS

Doctoral education in the U.S. is a varied and broad system, one that has been growing in popularity. In the 2013-2014 academic year, more than 178,000 doctoral degrees were conferred to students nationally, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

• Doctoral Education Continues to Grow
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Dominate
• STEM Fields are the Most Popular
• Only Half of Students Earn a PhD in the Same Academic Field as their Master’s Degree
• Doctoral Degrees are an Investment in Time
• Primary Source of Funding Varies by Program

In its survey of earned doctorates, the National Science Foundation learned the number of doctoral recipients increased by nearly 30 percent between 2003 and 2013.

The most popular academic areas of study were Engineering and the Physical Sciences.

• Engineering 69.80%
• Physical Sciences 59.30%
• Health Sciences 53.60%
• Life Sciences 44.60%
• Other 38.90%
• Social Sciences 19.90%
• Humanities 9.10%
• Education -25.70%

Within the engineering and physical sciences disciplines, multiple sub-fields have been experiencing explosive interest and enrollments, with some programs (e.g. physics, materials science engineering) growing by more than 70 percent between 2003 and 2013.

• Other engineering 127.5%
• Materials science engineering 86.5%
• Aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering 74.5%
• Mechanical engineering 70.5%
• Electrical, electronics, and communication engineering 53.6%
• Chemical engineering 46.0%
• Computer and information sciences 119.1%
• Mathematics 83.0%
• Physics and astronomy 76.7%
• Geosciences 28.8%
• Chemistry 22.0%

According to NSF, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields are the most popular doctoral areas of study.

• Life Sciences 23.3%
• Physical Sciences 17.6%
• Engineering 17.0%
• Social Sciences 15.9%
• Humanities 10.7%
• Education 9.4%

Interestingly, slightly more than 56 percent of graduate students continue into a doctoral program in the same field as their master’s degree. Rates are highest in the humanities, engineering, and social sciences fields.

• Humanities 67.6%
• Engineering 65.7%
• Social Sciences 65.6%
• Education 61.5%
• All Fields 56.1%
• Physical Sciences 53.4%
• Life Sciences 35.5%

It requires approximately 7.5 years of study for the average graduate student to complete a doctoral degree after enrolling in graduate school. Education takes the longest — more than 11 years, while the physical sciences and engineering fields only require 6.5 to 6.6 years of study to complete.

• Education 11.7
• Humanities 9.2
• Social Sciences 7.7
• All Fields 7.5
• Life Sciences 6.9
• Engineering 6.6
• Physical Sciences 6.5

According to the NSF, the most common source of funding for doctoral students are teaching and research assistantships. The table below details the primary source of funding for students by academic area of study.

• Life Sciences Fellowships/ Grants
• Physical Sciences Research Assistantships
• Social Sciences Teaching Assistantships
• Engineering Research Assistantships
• Education Own Resources
• Humanities Teaching Assistantships
• All Fields Research Assistantships

The following table includes a breakout of the primary funding source by major field of study, according the National Science Foundation.

Source: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/sed/2013/data-tables.cfm

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES

The ultimate financial goal of any PhD student should be to complete their program successfully and move into a professional career with as little debt as possible. The resources below are available to help students locate scholarships and other funding sources that can help make that goal a reality.

Unigo offers a selection of financial assistance resources for graduate students, including a scholarship directory, a scholarship match tool, educational information on student loans and funding options, and more.

Scholarships.com is a website that provides a selection of financial aid information, including a searchable scholarship directory, insights into funding trends, financial aid calculators, and information about grants and fellowships.

Peterson’s is an educational resource site that includes a searchable scholarship database, articles and advice columns, and a catalog of graduate school profiles.

FinAid.org is an educational resource site that focuses on financial aid and offers information about student loans, federal financial aid, financing a doctoral education, and includes a scholarship search option.

An office of the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid is the country’s largest provider of financial aid. Graduate students can learn about and pally for loans, grants, and work-study funds to pay for their doctoral education.

FastWeb is a financial aid-focused website that offers a searchable scholarship directory that allows students to focus their search to their major area of study, work experience, and personal and professional activities.

Chegg is an online educational portal that not only offers used textbooks, but a scholarship database as well.

Financial Support for PhD Students

• Dissertation
• Fellowships
• Maximizing Your Degree
• Before You Arrive
• First Weeks at Harvard
• Harvard Speak
• Pre-Arrival Resources for New International Students
• Alumni Council
• Student Engagement
• Applying to Degree Programs
• Applying to the Visiting Students Program
• Admissions Policies
• Cost of Attendance
• Express Interest
• Campus Safety
• Commencement
• Diversity & Inclusion Fellows
• Student Affinity Groups
• Recruitment and Outreach
• Budget Calculator
• Find Your Financial Aid Officer
• Tuition and Health Fee Grants
• External Awards
• FAS Humanities and Social Sciences Support
• Parental Accommodation and Financial Support (PAFS)
• Professional Development Fund
• Master's Degree Funding
• Federal Student Aid
• Other Sources of Support
• Hardship Funding
• Regulations Regarding Employment
• Financial Wellness
• Consumer Information
• Life Sciences
• Policies (Student Handbook)
• Student Center
• Title IX and Gender Equity

On this page:

PhD Students in the Natural Sciences, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Medical Sciences

Phd students in the humanities and social sciences programs of the faculty of arts and sciences, phd students in humanities and social sciences programs offered in partnership with other harvard schools, acceptance of financial support.

The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) offers incoming PhD students full financial support—including tuition, health insurance fees, and basic living expenses—for a minimum of five years (typically the first four years of study and the completion year). This funding package includes a combination of tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments.

Each student is provided a Notice of Financial Support at the time of admission and is assigned a financial aid officer who administers this funding and is available to assist with financial concerns. Each spring, continuing students supported by Harvard Griffin GSAS-administered funding sources are required to activate their funding for the upcoming academic year using the Student Aid Portal, an online financial aid management system.

A typical funding package* includes:

• grants toward tuition and the Harvard University Student Health Program  paid in full for years G1 through G4 and the dissertation completion year
• a combination of stipend, teaching fellowships, and/or research assistantships during years G1 through G4
• summer research support from Harvard Griffin GSAS or faculty grants following the first four academic years.
• subsidy payments to defray dental insurance and transportation costs.

*In some programs, the timing and structure of living expense support may vary from this pattern.

The initial Notice of Financial Support assumes continuous enrollment as a full-time resident student; students not enrolled are not eligible for Harvard Griffin GSAS financial aid programs. Students may find that their actual enrollment patterns necessitate adjustments to the timing of their funding. Students wishing to defer Harvard Griffin GSAS-administered funding indicate this in the Student Aid Portal during the annual financial aid acceptance process. The options for deferring financial support vary by type of aid; please refer to the applicable sections of the financial aid policy web pages for details. Students who are considering deferring financial support are strongly encouraged to contact their financial aid officer to review how such actions may impact their funding in future years.

While funding packages vary by program, PhD students in the sciences typically receive full funding until they complete their programs of study. Contact your department administrator or financial aid officer for details.

See more detailed information about funding for students in humanities and social sciences programs of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Humanities and Social Sciences Programs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

• Celtic Literatures and Languages
• Comparative Literature
• East Asian Languages and Civilizations
• Film and Visual Studies
• Germanic Languages and Literatures
• History of Art and Architecture
• Inner Asian and Altaic Studies
• Linguistics
• Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
• Romance Languages and Literatures
• Slavic Languages and Literatures
• South Asian Studies

Social Sciences

• African and African American Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• History of Science
• Human Evolutionary Biology
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Social Policy

A number of humanities and social sciences PhD programs are offered in partnership with Harvard's professional schools. While funding packages vary by program, PhD students in these interfaculty programs generally receive at least four years of financial support for tuition, health fees, and living expenses; most programs provide dissertation completion fellowships as well. For more information, refer to your Notice of Financial Support or contact your financial aid officer .

Interfaculty Programs in the Humanities and Social Sciences

• Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning
• Business Administration
• Business Economics
• Health Policy
• Organizational Behavior
• Political Economy and Government
• Public Policy

Each student is provided a Notice of Financial Support at the time of admission and is assigned a financial aid officer who administers this funding and is available to assist with financial concerns. Students are required to formally accept their financial aid offers and acknowledge their understanding of financial aid policies. Students should also consult their academic programs to determine whether program-specific conditions apply.

Each spring, continuing students supported by Harvard Griffin GSAS-administered funding sources are required to activate their funding for the upcoming academic year using the Student Aid Portal, an online financial aid management system. Continued eligibility for financial aid is contingent upon an annual report by the faculty that the student is making  satisfactory progress toward the degree.

Financial Aid

Share this page, explore events.

• A Simple Introduction to PhD Funding

Written by Mark Bennett

Funding for PhD study is a little more complicated than it is for other degrees. There are lots of different ways a student can be funded and your situation may also change during the 3-4 years (or more) it takes to complete a doctorate.

This short guide is here to introduce PhD funding as a whole, explaining how it works for different types of project and student. We've also outlined a good route to take for your funding search and suggested a few things to bear in mind.

Think of this page as your ' PhD funding 101 ' and remember that there's more detailed information about specific funding options elsewhere on FindAPhD.

Get funding updates straight to your inbox

Sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest funding advice and guidance from our team of experts.

On this page

Who funds phds.

Let's start with the obvious question: who might actually help you pay for a PhD? All sorts of organisations provide funding and grants for doctoral research, but we can divide them into a few broad types:

• Government bodies often provide some of the most generous PhD studentships. Their goal is to support national research objectives and train people (like you) to carry them out. In the UK the biggest government funder is UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) but other countries all have similar organisations. Access to this kind of funding is limited and competitive.
• Student finance is sometimes available to help students who aren't able to receive a full studentship, but doesn't normally cover the full cost of a PhD. The UK offers a PhD loan of up to £28,673. Some banks and other private lenders also offer commercial loans for postgraduate study.
• Universities usually have funding of their own to offer potential PhD students. This might take the form of a small fee discount (often for alumni) or limited grant for living costs. Or it might be a full studentship funded out of the university's own research budget.
• Graduate teaching assistantships – Some university funding is provided in return for teaching, research assistantship or other work (this is quite common in Europe and North America ).
• Independent charities and trusts often fund PhD study that supports their wider goals (such as medical research, heritage preservation or increasing access to education). The support they offer varies hugely and isn't usually full funding (except when it is).
• Business and industry will occasionally support PhD students whose work has potential benefit for their commercial objectives. Sometimes this funding will be offered to current (or prospective) employees.

All of these other slightly different types of PhD funding ranging from loans that need to be repaid to full studentships , PhD funding grants and smaller scholarships (that don't).

It's sometimes possible to work alongside a PhD , but this is rarely a practical (or sensible) source of full funding, so we haven't listed it above.

The different types of funding situation

Now that you know where PhD funding comes from, let's think about how this looks from a student's point of view. We're generalising again, but there are roughly three types of funding situation :

• Fully-funded students are as lucky as that name suggests. They have a full studentship covering their PhD fees along with more or less all of their living costs and other expenses. They probably aren't drinking champagne every night, but they don't need to worry too much about the cost of their PhD.
• Partially-funded students are those that receive a partial scholarship or studentship (usually contributing to fees or living costs, but not both). They usually need to top up their funding with other grants and / or rely on some of their own savings / earnings.
• Self-funded students aren't receiving any substantial funding and are therefore paying for a PhD themselves using a combination of student loans (which must be repaid) savings or earnings.

Which group you fit into will depend on a lot of factors, but it won't necessarily be determined by your subject. It's true that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students tend to be fully funded (it's harder to self-fund in these fields) but not all fully funded students are doing STEM research.

You may also find that your situation changes during your PhD. It's possible to begin as a self-funded student and win partial (or even full) funding later on.

Already know what you're looking for?

We've put together a range of detailed PhD funding guides , covering studentships , scholarships , charitable grants and options for international students .

A PhD funding action plan

Knowing a bit more about how PhD funding works will help you make sense of a (potentially) confusing range of options. But where do you go from here?

The following is a very general route. It assumes that you're just starting out with your funding search (perhaps whilst working on your overall PhD application ). Chances are you're already some way along, in which case you can skip a few steps.

#1 Speak to your supervisor (if you can)

It's best not to contact a potential supervisor just to talk for funding, but if you're already in conversation with one it makes sense to get their advice on your search. They'll have a good idea what is and isn't worth focussing on and they may also know about specific funders or scholarships for your field.

#2 Start by searching for funded projects

Lots of PhD projects are actually advertised with funding attached . They're much more common in STEM, but that doesn't mean there aren't any in subjects like English , Philosophy or Sociology . Find one and your funding search gets a lot simpler.

#3 Look for separate studentships and PhD bursaries

You might be proposing your own PhD topic or considering applying for an advertised project without funding (or with funding you aren't eligible for). Either way, the next step is looking for a studentship or scholarship to 'attach' to your PhD.

The best place to look for one is probably your university . They'll have awards of their own but will also distribute government funding (such as UK Research Council studentships ) or larger charitable grants and bursaries.

#4 Explore opportunities with business, industry or external funders

In some fields this should really be step #1, but you'll know if so (or your supervisor will tell you). Otherwise, this option is worth a try if you've got this far without finding full funding.

Try to think of relevant companies or organisations that might take an interest in your research or its results. Common sense can guide you here: it's unlikely that an automotive manufacturer will pay for your PhD in eighteenth-century lyric poetry; equally, the Arts Council probably won't help you design a new electric car.

#5 Try to build a funding portfolio

By this point you've moved from looking for full funding to looking for partial funding (at least for now). There are still lots of options available to you though, in the form of smaller PhD funding grants and fee waivers.

Your university may be able to help here, either through a fee discount or a partial scholarship. Now is also the time to be approaching smaller charities and trusts (of which there are many).

#6 (Carefully) consider self-funding

It's perfectly possible to pay for a PhD yourself, particularly if you're in a field that lends itself to flexible working and lower research expenses (the Arts and Humanities are the classic example here, but there are others).

Self funding isn't easy though. PhD loans and part-time work can offset a lot of your fees and day-to-day expenses, but you'll never be able to completely ignore the financial side of things.

Our advice would be to discuss things with a prospective PhD supervisor and get their advice on the amount of time you'll have for work, as well as how realistic it might be to find more complete funding later in your project.

How do you apply for PhD funding?

Once you've identified potential PhD funding, the next step is to put in an effective application . Our guide explains how.

PhD funding – things to bear in mind

Hopefully by now you have a better idea how PhD funding works and where to get started with your search. We recommend you spend some time with our more detailed funding guides but here are a few general tips to keep in the back of your head as you set off:

• Funding situations and statuses change – and usually for the better! You might not win a full studentship in your first year, but many funders will consider applications from existing students.
• PhDs are long – and just because your funding situation can improve doesn't mean that it will. If you start out self-funding you should be able to finish your doctorate that way, even if you're hoping not to.
• Living costs and expenses are usually the biggest challenge – PhD fees are quite low (at least compared to other degrees) and might be as little as £4,000-5,000. There's more to the cost of a PhD than fees though. You've got to support yourself for several years of research (see above). This is actually where funding is most important.
• Part-time study makes things more manageable, not cheaper – going part-time will typically half your annual PhD fees and make it easier to work alongside your research. But it will also increase the length of your PhD and add additional maintenance expenses.
• (Most) funding can be combined – there are a couple of exceptions, but anything that isn't a full studentship can usually be topped up with other grants or loans. Basically, unless it says you can't, you probably can. This is the key to building a funding portfolio.
• Funding changes – the past few years have seen the introduction of PhD loans and the announcement of government studentships for international students – and that's just in the UK. When it comes to PhD funding it can literally pay to stay updated .

So there you have it: a quick and – hopefully – simple introduction to funding a PhD. Why not take a look at our detailed guides to different types of funding , or our advice on funding applications . You can also find student stories, news and advice on our blog .

Head over to our PhD course search to find your perfect PhD opportunity. You can filter by topic, keyword, location and funding.

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

Mark bennett.

Mark joined FindAPhD to develop our first ever advice articles in 2013 and now serves as our Director of Audience & Editorial, making sure our websites and information are as useful as possible for people thinking about Masters and PhD study. He has a PhD in English Literature from the University of Sheffield, as well as Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Kent and the University of South Wales.

You may also like...

We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about PhDs, covering course types, applications, funding and the benefits of further study.

Not sure how to fund your PhD? This guide answers some of the most common questions about PhD funding in the UK.

The seven UK Research Councils provide government studentships for PhD research in different subject areas. Our simple guide explains how this funding works, what you can get and how to apply successfully.

You may be able to get a PhD loan of up to £27,892 for a UK doctorate from Student Finance. Our guide explains eligibility, applications and repayments.

Our guide explains the best ways to fund international PhD study in the UK, with information on all the main scholarships available to you.

A range of scholarships may be available to help you fund a PhD. Our guide explains the different types of award with tips for making a successful funding application.

FindAPhD. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved.

Unknown    ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about PhD study?

Select your nearest city

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAPhD, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

• Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
• The latest PhD projects delivered straight to your inbox
• Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
• Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, research proposal tips and much more
• Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Create your account

Looking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here .

• Future Students
• Current Students
• Faculty/Staff

Admissions & Aid

• Admissions Home
• Application Requirements
• Financing Options
• Diversity Profile

You are here

• Doctoral Programs

Financing Your Education - Doctoral Programs

A doctoral degree is a significant investment in your future, and financing your education is a critical factor to consider. While the funding we provide covers the basic standard cost of attendance determined by Stanford University for a modest life as a graduate student, accepting an offer from a doctoral program has significant personal, professional, and financial implications. Below you’ll find information on GSE and Stanford financial support for doctoral students, as well as other important considerations when it comes to financing your PhD.

Funding guarantee

Stanford GSE offers all admitted PhD students a five-year funding package that provides tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary which covers the standard cost of attendance. The funding is based on meeting the basic financial need of the student alone for the first five academic years of the doctoral program and entails assistantship work. The cornerstone of the GSE doctoral experience is the apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well. In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a funding package that consists of opportunities to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the coursework, students are prepared to excel as university faculty, education researchers, and leaders in the field.

All funding is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress and performance on the research and teaching assistantships. There is no separate application for this funding.

Assistantships

As part of the academic and professional training and development, students undertake assistantships which provide both salary and tuition. Research assistantships are funded by faculty research grants, other faculty funds or as needed, by the GSE Dean’s Office, and can lead to joint publications with faculty or to dissertation topics. Students who have sufficient expertise and experience may also be selected as teaching assistants for courses at the GSE or other Stanford schools and departments. Assistantships are typically secured in consultation with faculty advisors. Students work 10 hours (25% assistantship) or 20 hours (50% assistantship) a week depending on their year in the program. 

• Research assistantship (RA): Various duties for research projects
• Teaching assistantships (3 types):
• Course Assistant (CA)—course preparation and grading
• Teaching Assistant (TA)—leads regularly-scheduled discussion sections
• Teaching Affiliate (TF)—full responsibility for course

Funding Details 2023-2024

Note: The above figures reflect 2023-2024 rates. Actual amounts will be adjusted to the rates for 2024-25 and future years.

Cost of attendance

Tuition depends on the units taken by the student. In addition to tuition expenses, the cost of attendance of a PhD program involves living expenses such as rent, food, and transportation. The sum of tuition and non-tuition expenses constitutes the standard cost of attendance. 

As you consider applying to graduate school, you can use the standard cost of attendance of your program —plus any additional expenses you might have—to create your financial plan, keeping in mind that tuition and non-tuition expenses of the standard cost of attendance are set by the university on an annual basis.

What you can do now to prepare financially if admitted

• Prepare for how your standard of living may change as a graduate student, especially if you are coming from a full-time job.
• Consider the length of your program, any dependents, existing debt, and additional financial commitments you may have. Students with children may review Stanford support programs for families.
• If you have personal or special circumstances that require additional expenses above and beyond the standard cost of attendance, plan accordingly.
• Start saving as much as you are able to cover any unexpected expenses you may incur while in graduate school.
• Familiarize yourself with federal as well as private student loans, their interest rates, fees, repayment options, deferment policies, and eligibility requirements, so that you are informed if you need to borrow.
• Be ready to cover all initial expenses, since fellowships and stipends will not be disbursed until a few weeks into your first quarter. Onboarding into a PhD program often requires up front out of pocket expenses for relocation.

Additional GSE resources

Once PhD students matriculate, the GSE has a variety of resources available to support academic work and unanticipated needs.

Students are eligible for up to three travel fellowships during their time at GSE if they are attending a conference or other professional development opportunity.

GSE Student Emergency Fund assists graduate students who experience a financial emergency or unanticipated expenses causing financial hardship. This fund is meant to support those who cannot reasonably resolve their financial difficulty through fellowships, loans, or personal resources. 

GSE Dissertation Support Grants help advanced PhD students who require additional financial support for dissertation research activities. These grants, available at up to $6,500 total per student, are available to students who do not have access to other funds to cover their dissertation costs.

Stanford University resources

Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) program aims to prepare the next generation of global leaders to address the increasingly complex challenges facing the world. The program selects up to 100 students each year and provides three years of financial support that is integrated into the GSE’s funding package for PhD students.

Vice Provost for Graduate Education awards various fellowships for doctoral students and maintains a list of other Stanford fellowships that students may consider.

Cardinal Care subsidy is an automatic university-wide subsidy program for graduate students. Vaden Health Center manages the university’s Cardinal Care student health insurance.

Stanford Financial Aid Office oversees a number of financial support programs specifically for graduate students with challenging financial situations. 

Additional hourly work is available to students who wish to work for pay as "casual labor" at Stanford up to eight hours a week, provided work does not adversely affect the academic program. Requires approval from the student’s advisor and the Academic Services team.

Other funding sources

External fellowships are integrated into the GSE’s funding package. There are many funding opportunities offered outside of Stanford. The GSE admissions team has compiled an external fellowships and grants document for you to explore, though you should plan to do your own research as well. International students can find additional sources of funding on the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Funding for U.S. Study website and this publication .

Stanford is committed to providing benefits through the Yellow Ribbon Program of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® to students in degree-seeking programs. GSE students who qualify for Chapter 33 benefits at the 100% level may be eligible for additional funding through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Please note that for GSE students receiving tuition fellowship funding, the Yellow Ribbon match may reduce and in some cases replace institutional grants and scholarships. For instructions, visit the page, Activate VA Education Benefits at Stanford .

International students are guaranteed the same funding package as domestic students. However, there may be restrictions regarding the number of hours and opportunities to work during the summer months. To learn more, please contact the Bechtel International Center .

To meet immigration regulations, international students must show proof of adequate financial support to cover the length of time of their graduate program. While international students are not eligible for U.S. federal loan programs, they may qualify for private/alternative loans. Many lenders, however, require that a U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-sign the loan. You can find information and tools to help you choose private loan programs most frequently used by Stanford students here. A comprehensive list of private loan programs is available at FinAid.org .

Stanford Graduate School of Education

482 Galvez Mall Stanford, CA 94305-3096 Tel: (650) 723-2109

• Contact Admissions
• GSE Leadership
• Site Feedback
• Web Accessibility
• Career Resources
• Faculty Open Positions
• Explore Courses
• Academic Calendar
• Office of the Registrar
• Cubberley Library
• StanfordWho
• StanfordYou

Improving lives through learning

• Stanford Home
• Maps & Directions
• Search Stanford
• Emergency Info
• Terms of Use
• Non-Discrimination
• Accessibility

© Stanford University , Stanford , California 94305 .

• Faculty & Staff Resources
• Master’s and Professional Education
• PhD Education
• International Student Experience
• PhD Program Profiles
• Find Your Program
• Graduate Admission
• Financial Aid

PhD Funding

• Living in Boston
• Health & Wellness
• Student Groups & Associations
• Kids & Family
• Master’s and Professional Students
• PhD Students
• Events and Programs
• Offices and Initiatives

PhD Funding and Benefit Packages

Charles river campus.

Boston University’s PhD programs on the Charles River Campus subscribe to a full funding model. This system guarantees all PhD students in good standing five years of stipend support, 100% tuition scholarship, and a health insurance credit. This approach reflects BU’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers across the humanities, social sciences, sciences, and engineering. Stipend level minimums vary by PhD program, but for the 2024-25 academic year, minimums will range from $27,318 for 8 months to $40,977 for 12 months. Students receive health insurance (the SHIP basic plan) through Aetna Student Health. Full tuition and student services fees are also covered for PhD students on the Charles River campus.

Medical Campus

PhD students in Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) at Boston University’s School of Medicine and the School of Public Health (SPH) also enjoy a full-funding model. GMS and SPH PhD students receive a full tuition scholarship, are exempt from paying student fees, receive health insurance coverage as part of their support, and are entitled to an annual stipend. For more specific information, please visit the PhD funding sections of GMS and SPH .

PhD Stipend Extensions for Students Impacted by the COVID Pandemic

Boston University believes it is crucial to ensure that current PhD students who have had their progress impeded by the pandemic are able to complete their degrees. While individual PhD programs and the schools/colleges in which they are housed are the primary source of academic and financial support for PhD students, in rare circumstances, programs and schools/colleges may not have adequate resources to support all students whose progress has been hindered by the pandemic. For this reason, the Office of the Provost has established a fund to support PhD stipend extensions necessitated by this circumstance. Learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply .

Please note that this program will end after the 2023-2024 academic year, concluding in early spring 2024 for logistical and operational purposes.

PhD Funding by School/College

You can learn more about specific funding packages through the school or college to which you are applying or in which you are enrolled:

• Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
• Wheelock School of Education and Human Development
• College of Engineering
• College of Communication
• College of Fine Arts
• PhD Human Physiology
• PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences
• PhD in Speech, Language and Hearing Science
• Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences
• School of Medicine (Graduate Medical Sciences)
• PhD in Biostatistics
• PhD in Environmental Health
• PhD in Epidemiology
• PhD in Health Services Research
• School of Social Work
• School of Theology
• Questrom School of Business

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS. A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NSF 101: Graduate and postdoctoral researcher funding opportunities

The U.S. National Science Foundation supports research opportunities and provides stipends for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and scholars.

There are multiple ways to find these programs, including the funding search on NSF’s website and the NSF Education & Training Application , which is growing its list of opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

To help begin your search, opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are listed below. The principal investigator, or PI (a researcher who oversees a project), is often listed on these grants, along with their graduate students or postdoctoral researchers.

Graduate Student 

While funding for graduate students is often included in a PI’s research proposal, the following opportunities are also available for early career researchers. 

• Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Awards/Grants (DDRI/DDRIG) These programs help fund doctoral research in a variety of fields to help provide for items not already available at the academic institution. The funding provided cannot be used for items such as, but not limited to, tuition, stipends, textbooks or journals. The monetary amount listed in each DDRI/ DDRIG section does not include indirect cost associated with the project. The doctoral student should be listed as a co-PI on the grants with their advisor listed as the primary PI.

Archaeology Program- DDRIG : This program supports doctoral laboratory and field research on archaeologically relevant topics, with the goal of increasing anthropologically focused understanding of the past. Awards provide funding up to $25,000 per awardee.  

Arctic Science Section DDRIG : The Arctic Sciences Section offers opportunities for DDRI proposals in the following programs: Arctic Social Sciences supports research in any field of social science. Arctic System Science supports projects that address the relationships among physical, chemical, biological, geological, ecological, social, cultural and/or economic processes to advance our understanding of the Arctic system. Arctic Observing Network supports projects focused on scientific and community-based- observations; development of in situ or remote sensors and automated systems; design and optimization of coordinated and scalable observation networks; and management of Arctic Observation Network data, data accessibility and data discovery. Awards provide funding up to $40,000 for a maximum of 3 years. 

Biological Anthropology Program- DDRIG : This program supports research on human and non-human primate adaptation, variation and evolution. Awards provide funding up to $25,000 for up to two years.  

Cultural Anthropology Program- DDRIG : This program supports research that is focused on cultural anthropology research, including topics such as: Sociocultural drivers of anthropogenic processes (i.e., deforestation, urbanization); resilience and robustness of sociocultural systems; scientific principles underlying altruism, conflict, cooperation, and variations in culture and behaviors; economy, culture migration and globalization; kinship and family norms. Awards provide funding for up to $25,000 for up to two years.  

Decision, Risk and Management Science DDRIG : This program supports research on decision, risk and management sciences. This includes research in the areas of judgement and decision making; decision analysis and decision aids, risk analysis; perception and communication; societal and public-policy decision making; and management science and organizational design. Awards are for a maximum of 12 months. 

Economics DDRIG :This program provides funding for research focused on improving the understanding of the U.S. and global economy from macroscale to microscale, including all field of economics such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, econometrics, economic theory, behavioral economics and empirical economics.  

Human-Environment and Geographical Sciences Program- DDRI : This program supports basic scientific research about the nature, causes and/or consequences of the spatial distribution of human activity and/or environmental processes across a range of scales. The program welcomes proposals for empirically grounded, theoretically engaged, and methodologically sophisticated, generalizable research in all sub-fields of geographical and spatial sciences. Awards may not exceed $20,000 in direct costs. 

Linguistics Program- DDRI : This program supports research on human language, including syntax, linguistic semantics and pragmatics, morphology, phonetics, and phonology of individual languages or in general. Awards provide up to $12,000 for a maximum of two years. 

Dynamic Language Infrastructure- DDRI : This program supports research on building dynamic language infrastructure, which includes describing languages; digitizing and preserving languages; and developing standards and databases for analyzing languages. Provides funding up to $15,000 for up to two years. 

Graduate Research Fellowship Program This fellowship supports full-time master's or doctoral students earning their degree in a research-based program focused on STEM or STEM education. Students are the primary submitter for the fellowship. Fellows will be awarded a $37,000 stipend and $12,000 cost-of-education allowance for three years of the five-year fellowship. For tips on applying, see our previous NSF 101 article on the fellowship program . 

Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity   This supplemental funding opportunity is for graduate students funded by active NSF grants. PIs may submit for up to an additional six months of funding to allow students to participate in research internship activities and training opportunities in non-academic settings, such as the following: for-profit industry research; start-up businesses; government agencies and national laboratories; museums, science centers, and other informal learning settings; policy think tanks; and non-profit institutions. Students must have completed at least one academic year of their program. This funding request may not exceed $55,000 per student for each six-month period. A student may only receive this opportunity twice. In addition to the general INTERN opportunity, there are two topic-specific INTERN opportunities: 

Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students in Geothermal Energy Supplemental Funding Opportunity : This opportunity is provided by NSF in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. It maintains the same funding levels and requirements as the general INTERN program; however, funding may only be used for gaining knowledge, skills, training and experience in geothermal energy and technology.  

• Research Internships for Graduate Students at Air Force Research Laboratory Supplemental Funding Opportunity : This funding opportunity is for students supported on an active NSF grant to intern at a Air Force Research Laboratory facility. AFRL has several potential technology directorates available for students at locations across the U.S.: Aerospace Systems (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio), Information (Rome, New York), Materials and Manufacturing (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio), Directed Energy (Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico), Munitions (Eglin Air Force Base, Florida), Sensors (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio), Space Vehicles (Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico), 711th Human Performance Wing Training (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio). 

Mathematical Sciences Graduate Internship This summer internship is for doctoral students in mathematical sciences through a partnership between NSF and Oak Ridge Institute for Science and E ducation. It provides students who are interested in academic and non-academic careers with the opportunity to learn how advanced mathematics and statistical techniques can be applied to real-world problems. Participants in the internship will receive a stipend of $1,200 per week during the 10-week internship. In addition, there is travel reimbursement for up to $2,000 for those who live more than 50 miles away from their hosting site. 

NSF Research Traineeship Program Graduate students can apply for this traineeship through their institutions, if available. These topics can range across the scientific spectrum. Current projects can be found by state . 

Research Experiences for Graduate Students Supplemental Funding These awards provide additional funding for graduate students with mentors who have an active NSF grant. Currently funding is available through the following programs:  

Cultural Anthropology provides up to $6,000 per student for research activities. 

Human Environment and Geographical Sciences at Minority Serving Institutions and Community Colleges provides up to $7,000 per student for research activities. 

Postdoctoral Scholars 

Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship This fellowship supports research investigating a field within astronomy or astrophysics for up to three years. The stipend is $75,000, with a fellowship allowance (i.e., expenses for conducting and publishing research, fringe benefits) of $35,000. 

Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship This fellowship supports postdoctoral fellows in atmospheric or geospace sciences. Atmospheric science includes topics such as atmospheric chemistry; climate and large-scale dynamics; paleoclimate climate; and physical and dynamic meteorology. Geospace science focuses on aeronomy, magnetospheric physics and solar terrestrial research. This fellowship provides up to 24 months of support. The stipend is $70,000 per year, with a fellowship allowance of $30,000.  

Earth Science Postdoctoral Fellowship This program supports the study of structure, composition and evolution, the life it supports and the processes that govern the formation and behavior of Earth’s materials. Researchers are supported for up to two years at the institution of their choice, including institutions abroad. The stipend is $65,000 per year, with a fellowship allowance of $25,000 per year.  

Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

This program supports postdoctoral fellows performing impactful research while broadening the participation of members of groups that are historically excluded and currently underrepresented in mathematical and physical sciences. This fellowship can last between one and three years. The stipend is up to $70,000 per year, with a fellowship allowance of $30,000 per year. 

Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships This fellowship has two options:  

• The Research Fellowship provides full-time support for any 18 months within a three-year academic period.  
• The Research Instructorship provides a combination of full-time and half-time support over a period of three academic years, which allows the fellow to gain teaching experience. Both options receive up to $190,000 over the fellowship period. The full-time stipend is $5,833 per month and the part-time stipend is $2,917 per month. In addition, the fellow will receive $50,000 in two lump sums ($30,000 in the first year and $20,000 in the second year) for fellowship expenses.  

Ocean Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships This fellowship supports research in topic areas such as: biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, marine geology and geophysics, ocean science and technology. This two-year fellowship with a stipend of $67,800 for the first year and $70,000 for the second year, with a fellowship allowance of $15,000 per year.  

Office of Polar Programs Postdoctoral Research Fellowships This fellowship supports postdoctoral research in any field of Arctic or Antarctic science. This two-years fellowship, with a stipend of $67,800 for the first year and $70,000 for the second year, with fellowship expenses of $15,000 per year.  

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology The Directorate of Biology offers a fellowship for postdoctoral researchers in one of three areas: 

• Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology. This area requires a research and training plan that is within the scope of the Directorate for Biology and that enhances diversity within the field.  
• Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interaction between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes. This area aims to understand higher-order structures and functions of biological systems. Research should use a combination of computational, observational, experimental or conceptual approaches. 
• Plant Genome Postdoctoral Research Fellowships. This area has a broad scope and supports postdoctoral training and research at the frontier of plant biology and of broad societal impact. Highly competitive proposals will describe interdisciplinary training and research on a genome wide scale. The fellowships are for 36 months and have a stipend of $60,000 per year, with a research and training allowance of $20,000 per year. 

SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships This fellowship supports postdoctoral research in the social, behavioral and economic sciences and/or activities that broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in these fields. Funding is up to two years and has two tracks available:  

• Fundamental Research in the SBE Sciences. This track supports research focused on human behavior, interaction, social and economic systems. 
• Broadening Participation in SBE Sciences. This track aims to increase the diversity of post-doctoral researchers in the social, behavioral and economic sciences. In addition to the research proposal, these applications should also answer the question: “How will this fellowship help broaden or inform efforts to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in the United States?” The stipend for this program is $65,000 per year (paid in quarterly installments) and the research and training allowance is $15,000 per year. 

SBIR Innovative Postdoctoral Entrepreneurial Research Fellowship This fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers at start-up companies through the Small Business Innovation Research program. By recruiting, training, mentoring, matching and funding these early-career scientists, this fellowship addresses the need of doctoral-level expertise at small, high-tech businesses. The base stipend is $78,000 per year with optional individual health and life insurance, relocation assistance (company dependent), professional conference travel allowance, and professional development funds.  

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Individual Postdoctoral Research Fellowship This fellowship is for postdoctoral researchers to enhance their research knowledge, skills, and practices of STEM education research. If the fellowship is granted, the fellow is expected to remain affiliated with the host organization and PI sponsoring them. The fellowship can last up to two years with an annual stipend of $70,000, with fellowship expenses of $15,000.  

Multilevel 

CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service This program is for students earning their associates, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in cybersecurity. A stipulation of the program is that the recipients must work after graduation in a cybersecurity mission of the federal, state, local or tribal government for an equal amount of time as the scholarship's duration. It will provide full tuition and fees plus a stipend of $27,000 per academic year for undergraduates and a stipend of $37,000 per academic year for graduate students, in addition to a professional allowance of $6,000 for all levels. 

NSF-NIST Interaction in Basic and Applied Scientific Research This supplemental funding request is for NSF-supported researchers to collaborate with researchers at a National Institute of Standards and Technology facility. It can be used for travel expenses and per diem associated with on-site work at NIST. It is available for NSF-supported PIs, co-PIs, postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students and other personnel associated with the research. PIs should contact their NSF program director for their award before applying. 

This extensive list shows the ways in which NSF helps train the next generation of STEM researchers. If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs, reach out to contacts listed on the award webpages.  

If you are interested in awards for high school students, undergraduates and post-baccalaureate scholars, check out our previous NSF101 for more information! 

About the Author

Related stories.

Beyond DNA: How scientists are learning to control gene function

From collecting cores, braving blizzards and measuring microbes, students do it all

NSF 101: EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program

• EN Action Another action
• Free Counselling

Thanks for visiting TopUniversities.com today! So that we can show you the most relevant information, please select the option that most closely relates to you.

• Looking for undergraduate studies
• Looking for postgraduate studies
• Student but not looking for further education at the moment
• Parent or Guardian
• University administrator
• Professional

Thanks for sending your response.

Your input will help us improve your experience. You can close this popup to continue using the website or choose an option below to register in or login.

Already have an account? Sign in

How to Get PhD Funding

Guest Writer

Share this Page

Table of contents

• Introduction

How much does a PhD cost? 

Phd funding from national research councils, phd funding from universities, living costs and opportunity costs, career prospects with a phd .

By Elke Schwarz

Professor Daniel Drezner of Tufts University once quipped: “Should you get a PhD? Only if you are crazy or crazy about your subject.” If you fit one of those two categories, you’ll no doubt be keen to find out how to finance your mad endeavor. Here’s a quick guide to getting  PhD funding …

First things first,  how much does a PhD cost ? Here, the answer varies considerably by country. In the UK, being a self-funded PhD student can be an expensive undertaking, with an annual tuition bill of approximately £3,000 to £6,000 (about US$3,800-7,670) for domestic students and up to £18,000 ($23,000) for international students for the first three years.

In the US, the price tag for a PhD is even higher, ranging from US$28,000 to US$40,000 per year. In Germany, on the other hand, PhD students face no tuition fees at all, aside from a nominal semester contribution of €250 (~US$320).

Before some of these high figures deter you, be reassured that there are many PhD funding opportunities available; few PhD students are self-funded.

In the UK, PhD funding is provided via seven research councils, each covering a specific academic sector. Across Europe, such funding is offered by the European Research Council . Both the US and Canada have the equivalent in their National Research Councils, which give financial support to students either individually, via scholarships, or for funded research projects, via a research group or department.

Most universities provide substantial scholarships, studentships and other PhD funding opportunities. These schemes typically cover the cost for a good proportion of the annual tuition fees, if not more. Universities often also provide some funding for doctoral students to cover the costs of field trips and conference attendance.

A further means to fund a PhD is by obtaining a PhD position, sometimes also called PhD studentships or assistantships. These are essentially jobs tied to the PhD program, involving work in teaching, research or both. This is an ideal way to support your research, while being involved in a larger, often team-based, funded research project and gaining work experience.

Testimonials

"CUHK’s MBA programme provided me with the stepping stone into a larger sports Asian market wherein I could leverage the large alumni network to make the right connections for relevant discussions and learning."

Read my story

Abhinav Singh Bhal Chinese University of Hong Kong graduate

"I have so many wonderful memories of my MBA and I think, for me, the biggest thing that I've taken away was not what I learned in the classroom but the relationships, the friendships, the community that I'm now part of."

Alex Pitt QS scholarship recipient

"The best part of my degree is getting to know more about how important my job as an architect is: the hidden roles I play, that every beautiful feature has significance, and that even the smallest details are well thought out."

Rayyan Sultan Said Al-Harthy University of Nizwa student

"An MBA at EAHM is superior due to  the nature of the Academy’s academic and  industry strength. The subject  matter, the curriculum structure and the  access to opportunities within the hospitality industry is remarkable."

Sharihan Al Mashary Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management graduate

Other costs to be considered when calculating PhD funding are living costs and opportunity costs. Living expenses will of course vary significantly by country and city. Studying in Paris (France) or Oslo (Norway) will likely incur a substantially higher annual cost than completing a PhD in Bangkok (Thailand), for example.

In addition, opportunity costs can be high. Unlike a master’s degree, which usually takes just one or two years full-time, a PhD demands a markedly higher time investment – most programs require an absolute minimum of three years, and some require five to six, depending on the country.

During this time, full-time employment is possible only if it is in relation to the PhD program itself. Some may opt to continue working and attempt to complete a PhD part-time – but this has proven to be exceptionally challenging; some studies suggest that drop-out rates for part-time PhDs are as high as 66 percent.

But while this might all sound daunting, there are considerable benefits and advantages to getting a PhD. In other words: the prospects for careers with a PhD are good. While entry-level salaries may not be considerably higher compared to those for master’s graduates, those with a PhD do have better long-term prospects for faster career- and pay-scale advancements. And a growing number of PhD students consider a post-doc life outside of academia.

There has been a clear trend in non-academic employers (such as consultancies, think tanks, media and others) increasingly valuing not only the specialist knowledge of PhD graduates but also their maturity and soft skills. Attributes valued by PhD employers across a wide range of industries include diligence, research abilities, focus, discipline, presentation skills and the demonstrated ability to work under pressure and to a deadline.

For all those aspiring doctoral students who aim to have a quick return on their investment, a word of caution: the benefits of a PhD are not to be had in the fast lane. The value of a PhD qualification is to be found in the long-term benefits it brings, financially, professionally and intellectually. It is a labor of love, and, as we know there is always some madness in love, but for those with realistic expectations and the discipline and tenacity to complete this highest of academic degrees, it is a tremendously rewarding experience, in more ways than one.

This article was originally published in November 2013. It was last updated in December 2018. 

Want more content like this? Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed.

+ 79 others saved this article

+ 80 others saved this article

Recommended articles Last year

Top universities in Australia

How Future17 inspired me to work for human rights and social justice

How to get a full scholarship

Discover top-ranked universities!

universities

events every year

Sign up to continue reading

Ask me about universities, programs, or rankings!

Our chatbot is here to guide you.

QS SearchBot

• Student Loans

How to Pay For Graduate School With Scholarships, Grants And Fellowships

Updated: Aug 22, 2023, 1:00pm

A master’s degree can often guarantee higher earnings than a bachelor’s degree, but it can also come with more student loan debt. Approximately 60% of those who complete graduate school have student loans , with an average balance of $66,000, according to a study by Northeastern University.

But before you get discouraged by the cost of earning a master’s degree, know that you may not have to pay the full price yourself. By using graduate school scholarships, grants and fellowship programs, you can save money and reduce the need for student loans. We’ll walk you through how to find the right program for you, without having to pull out more in student loans .

How to Find Free Ways to Pay For Grad School

The median earnings for master’s degree holders is $77,844—nearly $13,000 more than those with a bachelor’s degree. However, the cost of graduate school can be steep. The National Center for Education Statistics reported that the average cost of tuition and fees—not including room and board—is $19,314 per year, or over $38,000 to complete a two-year program.

Thankfully, there are many financial aid programs specifically designed for graduate students, including scholarships, grants and fellowships.

Graduate School Scholarships

Scholarships for graduate students are awarded by schools, nonprofit organizations and private companies. They’re usually based on academic and professional achievements. There are thousands of scholarship opportunities available; below are just a sampling of potential awards.

• American Indian Education Fund : Through the graduate school scholarship program, the American Indian Education Fund awards scholarships of $1,000 to $2,000 to eligible American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students pursuing a graduate or doctoral degree.
• Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund : The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit organization focused on social change. Its scholarship program gives up to $15,000 to graduate students that plan to use their degrees to advocate against racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression.
• Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student Scholarship : Awarded by the American College of Healthcare Executives , this scholarship gives recipients up to $5,000. It’s for students in their final year of a healthcare management graduate program.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation : The ASHFoundation scholarship offers awards of $5,000 for those who are enrolled in a communication sciences and disorders graduate program.

Grants for Grad School

While scholarships are usually based on past achievements, grants are awarded based on your financial need. As a graduate student, you may be eligible for federal or state grants, and some nonprofit organizations issue grants as well. For example:

• American Association of University Women : Through the Career Development Grant , women going to graduate school to advance their careers or change fields can get up to $12,000. To qualify, the applicant must be studying education, health, medical sciences or the social sciences.
• TEACH Grant : With a federal TEACH Grant , you can get up to $4,000 per year to pay for your graduate degree. However, you must commit to teaching in a high-need subject for at least four years in an elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. Otherwise, your grant is converted into a student loan and must be repaid with interest.
• California State University Grant Program : This program gives eligible graduate students that are California residents up to $7,176 to pay for their degrees. Awards are determined by financial need and the degree you’re pursuing.

Fellowships for Graduate Students

Fellowships are often awarded based on your future potential, rather than your past achievements. Issued by government agencies, companies and nonprofit organizations, fellowships are designed to give you the funding you need to advance your career or complete your research. Here are a few to consider:

• Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship : The Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship program is for first-year MBA students pursuing a summer associate position with the company. Students must be Black, Hispanic or Latino, Native American or identify as women. Fellowship recipients will get $35,000 on top of their summer associate salary.
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship : The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship is for immigrants and the children of immigrants that the organization believes will make significant contributions to society or culture. Fellows receive up to $90,000 over two years.
• National Science Foundation Fellowship : The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program recruits individuals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Past recipients include over 40 Nobel Laureates. It’s a five-year award program totaling $138,000 in financial assistance.

Grants vs. Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are two types of aid that usually don’t have to be repaid, but they work differently. Here’s how they compare.

When To Apply for Scholarships and Grants

Begin applying for scholarships and grants as soon as possible. Ideally, you’ll back about these awards before the school year starts (or early on) so you can determine if you have any funding gaps.

The actual deadlines for scholarships and grants can vary. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and May, according to Scholarship.com. Since scholarships may involve writing essays and submitting recommendations, it’s best not to wait to apply.

You’ll need to complete the FAFSA for state, federal and institutional aid. The application opens each October before the start of the school year and closes in June of that school year. For example, the 2023-2024 school year application opened on October 1, 2022 and closes on June 30, 2024.

States may also have their own FAFSA deadline . Submit your application soon after the open dates since money may be limited and funds could be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis.

3 Tips To Apply for Scholarships and Grants

If you’re looking for grants and scholarships for graduate students, follow these tips:

1. Fill Out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Even as a graduate student, completing the FAFSA is a crucial first step in applying for financial aid. It’s what the government and many schools use to determine your eligibility for awards, including grants and student loans.

2. Apply for Multiple Opportunities

You’re not limited to only one or two awards. You can combine multiple scholarships and grants to reduce your expenses. You can find scholarships for graduate students using resources like The College Board’s Scholarship search tool , Sallie Mae’s database , and FastWeb .

3. Pay Attention to Deadlines

Deadlines vary by issuing organization, so research available opportunities early and set reminders for applicable deadlines. Make sure you follow the program’s application directions and submit your materials by its deadline.

Applying for Fellowships

The application process for fellowships can be more involved than it is for graduate school scholarships and grants. Most fellowship programs are highly competitive, and require evidence of your potential within your field. You may need to complete a research proposal, submit multiple letters of recommendation, collect transcripts and create a detailed curriculum vitae (CV).

To find fellowship opportunities, you can check with your university and related professional associations. You can also search for fellowships using ProFellow.com .

Paying for Graduate School

While graduate school can be expensive, earning a master’s degree can have a positive return on your investment. And by utilizing grants, fellowships and scholarships for graduate students, you can lower your education costs so you don’t need to borrow as much money to pay for school. With some extra work and a little luck, you may be able to completely avoid graduate student loans .

Find the Best Private Student Loans of 2024

Frequently asked questions (faqs), what are other financing options for grad school.

If scholarships, grants and fellowships can’t cover the full cost of grad school, you could use loans to pay for the remaining expenses. Financing options include:

• Unsubsidized Direct loans. Unsubsidized Direct loans are federal loans for undergraduate and graduate students not based on financial need. These loans come with fixed interest rates and can qualify for loan forgiveness programs and income-driven repayment (IDR) plans like the new Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.
• Grad PLUS loans. Grad PLUS loans are federal loans specifically for graduate and professional students. Interest rates on grad PLUS loans are higher than other federal loans, so it’s best to use them only after exhausting all other federal loan options. Grad PLUS loans may also qualify for loan forgiveness programs and IDR plans, including the new SAVE plan.
• Private student loans. Lenders offer private student loans , but these loans don’t have the same borrower benefits as federal loans. However, interest rates on private graduate student loans may be lower than federal loans if you have good credit.

Are there any requirements for receiving grants and scholarships?

Grants are typically offered based on the applicant’s financial need, while scholarships may be based on financial need and professional, athletic or academic achievements.

When qualifying for grants, the cost of your school and your family’s ability to contribute to your education are considered. Scholarship applications may require a copy of your college transcripts, essays and other documentation showing a record of achievement.

How can I improve my chances of getting financial aid for grad school?

First, apply for financial aid early. Applying early could improve your chances of getting need-based aid since it can be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Next, consider applying to several schools to receive and compare multiple offers. If you don’t get as much aid as expected or your financial situation changes after submitting the FAFSA, you could ask the school to reevaluate your offer, which might help you get more assistance.

How is a fellowship different from a scholarship?

A graduate fellowship is an academic or professional enrichment opportunity. Typically, fellows receive a stipend in cash while training, studying, researching or participating in a project. You can use the stipend funds to pay for school or other expenses. Scholarships generally don’t require ongoing professional development and are based on past achievements. Funds from scholarships may also go directly to the school to cover tuition.

Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best lending platforms and helpful information on how to find the best loan based on your credit score.

• Best Private Student Loans
• Best Student Loan Refinance Lenders
• Best Low-Interest Student Loans
• Best Student Loans For Bad or No Credit
• Best Parent Loans For College
• Best Graduate Student Loans
• Best Student Loans Without A Co-Signer
• Best International Student Loans
• Best 529 Plans
• SoFi Student Loans Review
• College Ave Student Loans Review
• Earnest Student Loans Review
• Ascent Student Loans Review
• Citizens Bank Student Loans Review
• Student Loan Calculator
• Student Loan Refinance Calculator
• Net Price Calculator
• What Is The FAFSA ?
• Applying Financial Aid Using The FAFSA
• When Is The FAFSA Deadline ?
• Answers To Biggest FAFSA Questions
• FAFSA Mistakes To Avoid
• Guide To Hassle-Free FAFSA Renewal
• How To Correct Or Change Your FAFSA
• How Do Student Loans Work?
• Guide: Student Loan Consolidation
• How To Refinance Student Loans
• How To Get A Student Loan Without Co-Signer
• How To Apply For Federal & Private Student Loans
• How To Pay Off Student Loan Debt
• How To Recover From Student Loan Default
• How Much Can You Borrow In Student Loans?

Next Up In Student Loans

• Best Student Loan Refinance Lenders Of September 2024
• Student Loan Calculator: Estimate Your Payments
• Best Private Student Loans Of September 2024
• Best Low-Interest Student Loans Of September 2024
• Best Parent Loan For College Of September 2024: Parent PLUS Loan & Private Options
• How To Get A Student Loan Without A Co-Signer

Private Student Loan Rates: September 10, 2024—Loan Rates Start To Increase

Private Student Loan Rates: September 3, 2024—Loan Rates Slip

Private Student Loan Rates: August 27, 2024—Loan Rates Move Up

How Student Loan Debt Affects Homeownership And Other Financial Milestones

Student Loan Forgiveness: What Might Happen Under A Harris-Walz Presidency

Will A Trump-Vance Presidency Kill Student Loan Forgiveness?

For the past seven years, Kat has been helping people make the best financial decisions for their unique situations, whether they're looking for the right insurance policies or trying to pay down debt. Kat has expertise in insurance and student loans, and she holds certifications in student loan and financial education counseling.

• Student Experience
• Research Expertise
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Doctoral Programs
• Dual Degree Programs
• Post-Degree Certificates
• Post-Doctoral Fellowships
• Executive Education
• Prerequisites for Health Professions
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Entry into Nursing Program
• MSN Healthcare Organizational Leadership
• MSN Healthcare Organizational Leadership/MBA Dual Degree
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Advanced Practice
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Track
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
• DNP: Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• DNP: Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• DNP: Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• DNP: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• DNP: Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• DNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
• DNP Advanced Practice/PhD Dual Degree
• DNP Executive/MBA Dual Degree
• DNP Executive/MPH Dual Degree
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
• Post-Master’s Healthcare Organizational Leadership CERTIFICATE
• Post-Master’s Nursing Education CERTIFICATE
• Post-Master’s Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner CERTIFICATE
• Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner CERTIFICATE
• Post-Doctoral Opportunities
• How to Apply: Prerequisites for Health Professions
• Online Prerequisites for Health Professions FAQs
• Nutrition (NR.110.200)
• Human Growth and Development Through the Lifespan (NR.110.201)
• Biostatistics (NR.110.202)
• Microbiology with Lab (NR.110.203)
• Anatomy with Lab (NR.110.204)
• Physiology with Lab (NR.110.205)
• Chemistry with Lab (NR.110.206)
• Biochemistry with Lab (NR.110.207)
• Academic Advising
• Academic Calendar
• Academic Catalogue
• Academic Resources
• Course Schedules & Descriptions
• Student Academic/Administrative Forms
• Application Deadlines
• Ask Admissions
• Engage with Us
• Financial Aid & Scholarships
• How to Apply
• Tuition & Fees
• International Students
• Contact Admissions
• Admissions Talks
• Online Chats
• On-Campus Events
• Off-Campus Events
• Virtual Information Sessions
• Recorded Events & Informational Videos
• Connecting with Us
• Apply for Financial Aid
• Student Loans
• Scholarships, Grants & loans
• Student Employment Opportunities
• Other Funding Sources
• Financial Aid Forms and Helpful Links
• Financial Services Frequently Asked Questions and Financial Aid Policies
• Student Enrollment & Account Management (SEAM)
• Clinical Placement Services
• Disability Services
• Fellowships, Honors Programs & Learning Opportunities
• Our Student Community
• Student Affairs
• The Learning Collaborative
• Our Student and Postdoctoral Community
• Faculty Directory
• Faculty Opportunities
• Endowed Chairs in Nursing and Bloomberg Distinguished Professors
• Faculty Handbook
• Areas of Expertise
• Nursing Office of Research Administration (NORA)
• Research Centers, Institute, and Specialty Interest Groups
• Research Opportunities
• Research Projects & Funding
• Acute & Chronic Care
• Community & Global Public Health
• Gender-Based Violence
• Infectious Diseases
• Mental Health & Behavioral Interventions
• Policy, Leadership & Administration
• Women, Children & Family Health

PhD in Nursing Funding Opportunities

Most full-time Johns Hopkins Nursing PhD students are  100% funded  with a stipend for the first three years of study. Additional financial support is made available in following years. For full eligibility of scholarship opportunities, apply by  December 1 .

Qualified students interested in the PhD program may be eligible to receive tuition and stipend support through the School of Nursing. The following types of funding are available:

• Interdisciplinary Training in Cardiovascular Health Research
• Graduate Partnership Program (GPP)

Graduate assistantships provide an opportunity for acquiring valuable research and/or teaching experience for qualifying students. Selection is competition-based with priorities given to those who have a good academic standing in the doctoral program. PhD students hired as graduate assistants receive a full-tuition waiver (base tuition payment for up to 6 credits for those in their 3rd year of doctoral study or after) and a stipend of $22,920 for the academic year 2015-2016. The full-tuition benefit is based on the number of hours worked at 20 hours per week . It is highly encouraged that the responsibilities of the graduate assistant position be consistent with the academic goals of the student.

• Full-time PhD students are expected to prepare and submit an application for external funding at the conclusion of the 1st academic year. Policies and guidelines
• Graduate assistantships are prepared to help ease financial strain which may be experienced by students during the application process and hence should not replace the effort to apply for external funding.
• Current students wishing to apply for a graduate assistant position can submit an application to the Doctoral Program Administrator, Kristen Hasch at [email protected] .

Award: $22,920 for 12 months, plus tuition Graduate assistantships are made possible by generous support from donors and SON general funds, including:

A. T. AND MARY BLADES FELLOWSHIP Established by A.T. Blades in loving memory of his wife Mary H. Blades who was a nurse.

CAYLOR FELLOWSHIP Established by Mrs. Caylor, a 1947 graduate of the School of Nursing, to support graduate students.

ELLEN LEVI ZAMOISKI DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP Established in honor of Ellen Levi Zamoiski who was instrumental in forming the Consortium of Nursing Education, Inc. Zamoiski fellowships support future leaders of nursing.

SON FELLOWSHIP Given to current doctoral students with an excellent academic standing in the program and those who have excellent research and/or teaching skills.

TARGETED FELLOWSHIPS The following fellowships are part of the School’s strategic efforts to enhance the educational experience for all students.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD Established by Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing Professor Maryann F. Fralic, DrPH, RN, FAAN to provide financial support for students in the PhD nursing program. The Professional Development Award is designed to support selected full-time doctoral students in honing their professional skills. These students will receive financial support to invest in themselves through professional development opportunities that best fit their needs and personal interests.

Award : $2,500

Additional Information for Professional Development Award

JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL CLINICAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP The Johns Hopkins Hospital Fellowship in Clinical Research provides a qualifying PhD student with the opportunity for direct practice in a rich and diverse clinical practice environment.

Applicants for this Fellowship will be students who:

• Have a dissertation interest related to hospital-based practice or care problems
• Are interested in designing and submitting funding to Dorothy Evans Lyne or another funding source to study nurse-initiated protocols of care and impact on patients
• Are knowledgeable about evidence-based practice as the foundation for clinical research in a practice setting, and facile in research appraisal
• Have experience or an interest in measuring clinical outcomes and data management to interpret and make inferences about its meaning for improving practice or care
• Have the expertise to educate staff about research methods, analysis and interpretation, developing databases, data management, and data mining

Award : $22,032, plus tuition

JONAS SCHOLARS PROGRAM Established by The Jonas Foundation, funds are made available to students who are committed to teach future generations of nurses.

Award: $5,000 per year matched with $5,000 from the School for two years Learn more about the Jonas Scholars Program

As a research intensive university, Johns Hopkins is committed to having faculty and students engage in discovery of knowledge, inventing new technologies, and applying knowledge in the community and abroad. The School of Nursing offers a variety of post-doctoral opportunities to students eager to engage in this process. Opportunities include:

• Blaustein Fellowship in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Research
• Fellowship in Aging
• Fellowship in Global Health and Gender-Based Violence
• Interdisciplinary Research Training on Violence in the Family
• Interdisciplinary Training Program in Biobehavioral Pain Research

JOHN A. HARTFORD FOUNDATION, “BUILDING ACADEMIC GERIATRIC NURSING CAPACITY” The American Academy of Nursing seeks applicants for its Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) Predoctoral Scholarship Program. This 2-year scholarship program supports full time doctoral education for nurses committed to careers in academic geriatric nursing. Through generous funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation , the BAGNC Program awards a total of $100,000 ($50,000 per annum) to each selected Predoctoral Scholar candidate. The Mayday Fund provides an additional $5,000 award to selected candidates whose research focuses on pain in older persons.

Award: $50,000/year for 2 years (additional $5,000 for research focusing on pain) Deadline : January

NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM Funding is used to provide loans to students enrolled in advanced education nursing programs that prepare graduates to serve as faculty in a school of nursing. Loans can be provided to students in the MSN, DNP and PhD programs who pursue the Nurse Educator certificate option. All Nurse Educator courses must be completed prior to the completion of the student’s degree program.

Apply to the Nurse Faculty Loan Program

ONCOLOGY NURSING SOCIETY The Oncology Nursing Society offers several one time, unrestricted awards. Additional small research grants that can be used for nursing research conduct (not stipends).

Award: $3,000-$5,000 doctoral scholarships; $10,000 small research grants (one-time awards) Deadline: February 1 for doctoral scholarships; November 1 for small research grants (letter of intent due October 1)

Apply for Oncology Nursing Society Awards

SIGMA THETA TAU INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) offers several small research grants which are open to doctoral students who are members. Grants are usually smaller and can be used to cover costs related to dissertation research. There are several different types with different focuses. Local STTI chapters often provide their own small research grants as well. The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing is home to the STTI Nu Beta chapter .

Award: Approximately $5,000 small research grant awards Deadline: Varies depending on award (see website)

Apply for STTI awards

SOUTHERN NURSING RESEARCH SOCIETY The Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) offers two dissertation awards to support doctoral students in the Southern region (includes Maryland) enrolled in research-focused programs as they initiate a program of nursing research to advance nursing science and practice.

Award: Up to $3,000 one time dissertation award Deadlines: March and September (dates can vary)

Apply for Southern Nursing Research Society Award

STATE OF MARYLAND GRADUATE FACULTY SCHOLARSHIPS Funding for the Graduate Nursing Faculty Scholarship and Living Expenses Grant is provided by the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) through the Nurse Support Program II (NSP II) to address the issues of recruiting and retaining nurses in Maryland hospitals.

Award: $13,000 per academic year ($6,500 per fall and spring semesters) up to $26,000 Deadline: August 1 for fall entry

Apply for State of Maryland Graduate Faculty Scholarships

TRISERVICE NURSING RESEARCH PROGRAM The Department of Defense provides research awards through the TriService Nursing Research Program to nurses in the armed services, including a predoctoral award. Active duty and Reserve students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing are eligible. Dissertation topics must focus on one of the TriService priority areas:

• military deployment health
• generating and translating research into practice in a military context
• recruitment and retention of the military workforce
• developing and sustaining military nursing competencies

The topic of “military deployment health” is broad and includes the management of diseases such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension as well as issues in mental health. Award recipients must attend TriService Grant Camp for guidance on applying for and managing this award prior to being selected for the award.

Award: Up to $30,000 in direct costs Deadline: January 4

Apply for the TriService Nursing Research Program

We recognize that it can be financially burdensome to relocate to a new city to attend a PhD program. Students who are admitted to PhD programs at JHU can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to JHU.

These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program.

This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN One of the world’s largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women, the AAUW Educational Foundation supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers, and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented. Scholarships are not nursing-specific.

Award: $20,000 dissertation fellowships (final year of dissertation work); $30,000 post-doctoral research leave fellowships; $6,000 short-term research publication grants Deadline: Mid-November

Apply for the American Association of University Women’s award

FAHS-BECK FUND FOR RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTATION Grants are to help support doctoral dissertation expense of students in the United States or Canada. Proposals must have clear relevance to major social problems affecting families or individuals, including education and literacy issues, or to interventions designed to assist individuals, couples, or families in their functioning and well-being.

Award : Up to $15,000 dissertation awards Deadline : May 1 and November 1

Apply for the Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation

GRADUATE WOMEN IN SCIENCE Award: From $5,000 to $10,000 Deadline : January 15

Apply for Graduate Women in Science award

GUGGENHEIM FOUNDATION Ten or more fellowships are awarded to fund final-year dissertation projects in the natural and social sciences and the humanities that promise to increase understanding of the causes, manifestations, and control of violence, aggression, and dominance. Highest priority is given to research that can increase understanding and amelioration of these issues. Students become eligible at the writing stage of their dissertation.

Award: $15,000 one-time dissertation award Deadline: February 1

Apply for Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship

THE MELISSA INSTITUTE FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT Established in the memory of Melissa Aptman, a Miami native who was murdered in May 1995, The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment is a non-profit educational, training and consultative organization that awards scholarships to graduate students from any discipline who address issues of violence prevention and/or treatment. The award must be used to support expenses that are directly related to the dissertation research. It may not be used for tuition, books, fees, personal travel, or personal expenses.

Award: $2,000 one-time award Deadline: April 1

“Johns Hopkins is strategically situated in the inner city of Baltimore. There are many disparities that minorities face within the community; I wanted to situate myself in a place where I could be most effective.” Morgan Dupree

Graduate Alumni Resources | New Student Information & Resources  | Summer Hours

Utility Navigation

• New Students
• Graduate Organizations
• Graduate Alumni

Secondary Nav Penn GSC

• Your Space on Campus
• Support Our Work

Primary Nav Penn GSC

• Resource Guide
• Funding and Finances
• Navigating the Academy
• Graduate Student Life

Drawer Menu Penn GSC

• Back to main menu
• Join Our Team
• Accessibility
• Grad Center Spaces
• Reserve a Room
• Building Hours
• Mission and Vision
• Engage with Us
• Grad Center Advising and Support
• Penn Grad News
• About & Submissions
• New Student Orientation Hub
• For International Students
• Online Sessions for New Students
• Student Accounts & Technology
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Campus Activities
• Graduate Student Groups
• Conduct and Safety
• Living in Philadelphia
• Safety and Campus Conduct
• Funding & Finances
• Alumni Resources
• Graduate Grants
• Graduate Emergency Fund
• Insurance Grants for PhD Students
• PhD Family Grants
• Dissertation Boot Camp
• Writing Groups
• Writers Rooms and Retreats
• Highlighted Opportunities
• About the Fontaine Society
• Resources for Current Fellows
• Fontaine News
• Teaching and Mentoring
• Resources & Support
• Language Programs
• Community Impact Fund
• Graduate Leadership Awards

Basic Page Sidebar Menu Penn GSC

The Office of the Provost sponsors this program for PhD students to help offset costs related to childcare and family expenses.

PhD Family Grants are funded by the Office of the Provost and administered by the Family Resource Center, Graduate Grants Office,  and the Office of Student Registration and Financial Services.   For the academic year, the grant program will have two application cycles to support students with qualifying life events to access grant funds after the Fall grant deadline. Funding for this grant is limited and grants will be disbursed as funding allows. 

In addition to the PhD Family Grants, the University offers three grant programs for PhD students to help offset the cost of purchasing health insurance and dental insurance for themselves. Learn more about PhD Insurance Grants here . Students can apply to all PhD Insurance and Family Grants through through the single University PhD Grants Online Application.

2024-25 Family Grant Deadline: September 20 by 5pm ET

This need-based grant programs helps to offset the costs associated with purchasing childcare and related expenses for PhD students with dependent children. Eligible PhD students may receive up to $2,500 for one child and $1,250 for each additional child, up to a maximum of $5,000 per family, per semester . The Fall application period is intended to provide funding for both fall and spring semesters, with a maximum annual grant of $10,000 . December graduates applying in the fall are eligible for a maximum grant of up to $5,000 per family. 

Students who miss the fall deadline or who experience a qualifying life event can apply in the Spring semester to be eligible for  up to $2500 for one child and $1,250 for each additional child, up to a maximum of $5000 per family. Students who applied for or received a Fall grant and do not experience a qualifying life change should not reapply in the Spring.

Application Cycle Dates

2024-25 Academic Year and Fall Semester Family Grants Application opens: August 19 | Deadline: September 20 at 5:00PM ET Notifications: mid- to late- October For 2024-25 Academic Year and Fall 2024 childcare and related family costs.

2025 Spring Family Grants Application Cycle: January - mid-February, Dates TBD Notifications: mid- to late-March For   new costs due to change in funding status or qualifying life event -- new child, marriage, etc. -- for the Spring semester.  

Please read all guidelines carefully.  No extensions or exceptions   can be made for those who miss the deadline or do not meet eligibility criteria. 

To be eligible, applicants must:

Have one or more dependent children under the age of 18 or disabled child living with them.

Fall applicants must have their baby/child by December 16 and spring applicants must have their baby/child by April 20, 2025.

Those who are expecting to have or adopt a child within the current semester but after the application deadline should submit an application with all available documentation and indicate in the application an estimated date at which you will submit proof of child documentation after the baby is born or adopted. Grant funds will be disbursed after such documentation has been reviewed.

Be currently registered in a Penn PhD program and in  good academic standing   throughout   the period covered by the grant.  

Students on leave (except family or medical leave) during either semester are not eligible.

Students enrolled in professional doctorate and other non-PhD doctoral programs are not eligible. 

Students enrolled in joint or dual degree programs must be actively registered in the PhD portion of their degree throughout the period covered by the grant.   

Be enrolled in years 1-8. Students in year 9 or beyond are not eligible.

Students who receive full year / AY grants during the fall term are not eligible to reapply during the spring cycle   unless   they welcomed a new child after December 15 or experienced a qualifying life event, such as welcoming marriage, divorce, change in funding/employment status.

Below are the required documentation* items that must be submitted in addition to an online application (see How to Apply below). Please have all of your documents ready before you begin the application.  If you are unable to provide a required document you must provide a written explanation of its absence in the online application for consideration by the grant review committee. 

Copies of the 2023 U.S. tax returns for student and spouse (if filing separately).

2023/2024 W2s for student and spouse/partner. ( instructions for accessing Penn W2s are available here )

Fall applicants should submit 2023 W2s, Spring applicants submit 2024 W2s

Copies of the two most recent payment stubs for all paid positions, both on- and off-campus, for all working adults in the household. (Stipend and campus employment pay stubs can be found in   Workday. ) 

If applicable, proof of tuition or childcare expenses for dependents, in the form of daycare/childcare invoices, cancelled checks, and/or money transfer receipts to caregivers.  Documentation is required only if a childcare related expense is listed on the application.

Documentation that you have child(ren). This documentation can include one of the following:

your tax returns if you've claimed the child(ren) as dependents;

a copy of the child(ren)'s birth certificate(s) or U.S. passport(s);

copy of the Dependent I-20 or DS2019 forms;

health insurance documents.

Documentation of any other major costs or expenses reported in your application, as relevant.

All documentation will be handled in accordance with the University's  privacy policies.

Before you apply, you should know:

• Grants are not guaranteed. Grants are disbursed as funding allows, with priority given to the students who demonstrate the highest financial need. ( Do note, due to the economic impact of COVID-19, we are anticipating a larger pool of high-need applicants, as a result, families with higher household incomes may not receive awards as they have in previous grant cycles.)   
• Academic Year Grants (fall application): $5,000 for one child, $2,500 for each additional child with a $10,000 maximum per family.
• Semester (Fall/Spring only) Grants: $2,500 for one child, $1,250 for each additional child with a $5,000 maximum per family.  
• Married and/or partnered PhD students should submit only one application.  
• Grants are awarded annually, and you must reapply each year.  
• Academic Year and Fall Semester-only grant recipients are typically notified by late October, with funds disbursed in November. Spring semester grant recipients will be notified by mid-March and funds will be disbursed in late March to early April.   
• Funds will be processed through your student account.   This is a separate system from Workday.   You must you must   set up direct deposit in in PennPay  via a U.S. bank, FlyWire, or PayMyTuition or a paper check will be mailed to the permanent address listed in your Penn Profile.   
• If you have an outstanding balance on your student account, the grant will be applied to your bill. Any remaining funds will be disbursed to you as a student account refund, leaving a zero balance on your student account. If you have outstanding charges in excess of the grant amount, the grant will apply to those charges and no refund will be processed.   
• All University grants to individuals may be considered taxable income by the government. You are responsible for reporting the grant income and paying any applicable taxes.  Depending on your tax status, taxes may be withheld prior to the grant disbursement. Such taxes may be refunded when students file annual taxes with the IRS. The SFS website provides additional information regarding   withholding taxes on grants and aid for non-U.S. citizens .    
• If you are receiving student loans or other forms of aid, this grant could reduce your loan amount or exceed your semester budget maximum. Students who are receiving funding up to or beyond their approved aid budget are responsible for contacting Student Financial Services to understand how receiving this grant may affect their aid package. There may be options available to you for a budget adjustment or other steps in order to receive all awarded funds, depending on your individual circumstances. Contact   [email protected]   or schedule an appointment with a   Graduate Financial Aid Counselor   to discuss your account status.  
• If you do not remain in good academic standing during the period covered by the grant, some or all of the grant funds may be rescinded.  
• Applicant funding status and fellowship stipend amounts will be verified with graduate groups and school finance administrators. You are responsible for notifying us if your funding status changes during the period covered by the grant. Failure to do so will result in grant funds being rescinded.  
• If you provide false or misleading information or documentation in your grant application, the grant funds will be rescinded, and  you will be referred to the  Center for Community Standards and Accountability (CSA)  for disciplinary action. 

Submit the completed online application   and   all required documentation by the posted deadline. Incomplete forms, forms submitted without documentation, and forms submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

A complete application include:

• PhD Grants Online Application (used for all Provost-funded PhD insurance and family grants)   
• Fall applicants should submit 2022 W2s; Spring applicants submit 2023 W2s  
• Copies of the two most recent payment stubs for all paid positions, both on- and off-campus, for all working adults in the household. (Stipend and campus employment pay stubs can be found in   Workday. )   
• Documentation of tuition, childcare, and other major family expenses reported in your application, as relevant ( examples here ).  
• Documentation that you have child(ren). (examples here )

Please have digital copies of all relevant documentation ready before you begin the application. Failure to provide all necessary documentation will result in delays reviewing your application or rejection of application. You may be asked to provide additional documentation or information needed to evaluate your application. 

*We are committed to ensuring the security of your information. We have put in place reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards designed to prevent unauthorized access to, or use of, the information collected online. 

Direct all questions to [email protected]. 

Read how Penn respects and protects your data.  

Penn offers a number of funding sources to support individual students with financial need. These include:

The Family Resource Center

Penn offers all student parents access to the Family Resource Center, which includes a children’s playroom and family reading room, as well as a private and fully equipped lactation room   (please note, lactation rooms are also   available throughout campus ). The Center is designed to provide a welcoming environment at the heart of campus, where families can meet each other, participate in activities, build networks across campus, and learn more about resources for schools, daycare, and other activities. For additional information, visit the   Family Resource Center website .

Centralized New Parent Accommodation and Family Leave Policies

Students in a Ph.D. program at Penn are eligible for eight weeks of time off (accommodation) for the birth or adoption of a child. They can also take an unpaid Family Leave of Absence for one or two semesters for the birth or adoption of a child, childcare, or to care for an immediate family member (spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent) with a serious health condition.

Find more information about Penn’s leave policies for Ph.D. student parents and access the Ph.D. Family Leave Request Form   here .

Additional Support for Student Parents

Penn also provides subsidized backup care and family support resources and discounts for students with children so families can find the flexible childcare options they need. Resources include:

Backup Child Care The University provides access to Backup Childcare Benefits for eligible full-time students enrolled in on-campus programs. To access the benefits, students must first  join the Family Center . Learn more .

Enhanced Family Supports The University provides access to the following additional resources through Bright Horizons to all current students enrolled in on-campus programs who are Family Center members :

• Preferred enrollment and waived registration fees at select Bright Horizons child care centers for full-time care
• Tuition discounts are available at partner centers including Kindercare centers (10%). 
• Sittercity Membership, search for and hire caregivers, pet care, housekeepers and more for long term care needs
• Discounted personalized nanny placement through   Jovie
• Discounted tutoring and test prep services through   Varsity Tutors and Revolution Prep.
• Discounted summer camp options: Bright Horizons is offering discounts at several quality summer camps where children can learn about nature, science, cooking, music and more.

Find more information about how to access these benefits on the   Family Resource Center website .

Graduate Student Center University of Pennsylvania 3615 Locust Walk Philadelphia PA 19104 215-746-6868

[email protected]

Footer Menu

• Penn Provost Education Division
• Valuing Graduate Students

Search NYU Steinhardt

Funding Packages for Full-Time PhD Students

If you are accepted as a full-time NYU Steinhardt PhD student, you are eligible for our generous funding package, which includes a stipend, scholarship, and healthcare coverage. Information is below and on our doctoral funding website. 

Funding Opportunities

The Steinhardt Fellowship Program

The standard Steinhardt Fellowship package includes an annual stipend, tuition remission for required course work, and student health insurance through your fifth year. The fellowship is reserved for full-time doctoral students. The 2024-2025 stipend is $33,867. Complete details are provided with each offer of admission.

Research Assistantships

Some doctoral students may be appointed to a Research Assistantship. Research Assistants are funded by external grants and work with a principal investigator on a funded research project. Unlike Steinhardt Fellows, Research Assistants agree to work 20 hours per week on an ongoing research project, typically with a team of faculty and other students. Research Assistants may not perform additional work assignments such as teaching or grading.

For the duration of the assistantship, Research Assistants receive funding that includes a stipend, tuition remission for required course work, and student health insurance.

Fellowships and individual research grants

ERC grants for frontier research These grants are awarded to researchers of any nationality working in any field of research.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions - Research Fellowship Programme This programme funds researchers and supports doctorates and training. Researchers at all stages in their career are eligible for funding.

Share this page

• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=0; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[0]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Research landscape
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=1; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[1]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Your goal
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=2; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[2]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Plan your stay
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=3; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[3]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Success stories
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=4; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('main-nav-link-list')?.children[4]?.children[1]?.focus()) }"> Our service
• R&D policy framework
• Research infrastructure
• Research funding system
• Universities
• Universities of applied sciences
• Technical universities
• Top universities
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
• Helmholtz Association
• Leibniz Association
• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
• Academies of sciences and humanities
• Federal research institutions
• State research institutions
• What is R&D in German business?
• Why is collaboration important?
• Which sectors carry out R&D?
• Which are the leading companies?
• How do German businesses compare internationally?
• How is the start-up scene set up?
• How do I start a career?
• Good reasons
• Two ways to get your PhD
• Find your PhD position
• How to apply for a PhD
• Funding programmes
• Funding organisations
• Funding databases
• Job portals
• Career options & dual careers
• Funding & awards
• Potential employers
• Research fields
• Entry and residence
• German money-saving tips
• Cost of living
• Social insurance and health
• Bringing your family
• Information for your partner
• Support for families
• Finding a place to live
• Funding opportunities
• Recognition of professional qualifications
• Counselling
• Latest Thinking
• First-hand experiences from international researchers
• Women in science
• Kick-off event "Meet Your Future You" - series
• On-site consultation
• Our publications
• Research news
• Online talks
• Topics in focus
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=0; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-0')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Research landscape
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=1; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-1')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Your goal
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=2; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-2')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Plan your stay
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=3; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-3')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Success stories
• { expandedNavigation=true; activeIndex=4; setTimeout(() => document.getElementById('mobile-nav-4')?.children[0]?.children[0]?.focus()) }"> Our service

Support making RiG more international!

Support making "Research in Germany" more international! Your expertise and commitment are the key to the further development of promoting the German research landscape. We invite you to take part in our online survey and share your valuable experiences and opinions. Duration: 7-10 min.

Please start the survey at the end of your visit.

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.

Search Filters:

Experience cornell.

• Opportunities

CALS Undergraduate Research Grants

Terms and dates:.

Kristina Harrison

Cornell Affiliations:

Agriculture and Life Sciences

CALS Undergraduate Research Grant

Funding up to $2000 USD is available to undergraduate students for research expenses, including travel to a professional meeting or conference to present findings. Funding may not be used as a stipend for students conducting the research. Students are advised to work with faculty members to develop scientifically relevant and well-circumscribed research proposals.

Decisions made by late-November for Fall funding and in early April for Spring/Summer funding.

The following is a list of undergraduate grants offered by the Office of Academic Programs:

• The Dextra Undergraduate Research Endowment Fund enables talented undergraduate students in genomics/life sciences and/or environmental sciences to perform undergraduate research. Undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are invited to submit proposals. Several grants of up to $2,000 will be made each year.
• The Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (Cornell AES) has made available $25,000 this year for supplementing current Hatch or Multistate projects where the principle investigator is mentoring a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences undergraduate student in research associated with that Hatch project. Twenty-five projects will be supplemented with $1,000 each to support the undergraduate student's research. The student should be engaged in independent research (i.e. involved in the research process more than doing "busy work" to earn an income).Projects awarded this supplement in Federal Year '22 (FY22) must be spent by September 30, 2024.
• The Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (Cornell AES) has made available $4,000 this year for supplementing current McIntire-Stennis grants, where the principal investigator is mentoring a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences undergraduate student in research associated with that McIntire-Stennis Grant.
• The Jane E. Brody Undergraduate Research Award funds undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Honors Program. Up to $500 of funds per student is available. Undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are invited to submit proposals.
• S. Ann and Robert R. Morley have provided funds to support research by undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The primary objective is to increase the involvement of students in research in the agricultural and life sciences. Undergraduate students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are invited to submit research proposals in competition for funding. Applicants may be individuals or groups; projects may involve basic or applied research. At least four proposals will be chosen for a maximum of $1,500 each. No student may receive the award for more than two consecutive years.
• Fredric (Fred) N. Gabler ’93 was a CALS alumnus who was killed in the September 11, 2001 tragedy. The Gabler Endowment was established by friends of Fred Gabler and his family to ensure the continuance of the honors research program in CALS. The fund will provide financial assistance to an undergraduate researcher enrolled in the CALS Research Honors program. 
• The Michael W. Berns BS ’64, MS ’66, PhD ’68 Undergraduate Research Award provides support to undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences performing research in the life and environmental sciences. The fund will provide financial assistance to an undergraduate student working with a faculty member on a research project, which may take place during an academic semester or over a summer.

Grant Proposal Application Instructions

Proposals  must  strictly adhere to the guidelines described below; those that do not may be returned.

Proposals should include :

• Cover Page/Application Proposal  for Research funds. Students with Microsoft Word may fill out the application digitally. Eligible applicants may apply to more than one program using a single application.
• Statement of Objectives and Significance
• Brief Review of Relevant Literature
• Description of Methodology (detail adequate to evaluate the probability of project completion; statement(s) of expected results helpful if known)
• Time frame (research to be completed within a 12-month period)
• Literature Cited

Additional considerations:

• Proposals should be written in 12-point font with single or double spacing between lines and at least 1-inch margins. Abbreviations within the proposal must be defined. No appendices may be included.
• Undergraduate grant proposals are restricted to a  maximum of 2 pages , excluding cover page and list of literature cited.
• The budget should list the actual project cost; other sources of funding received, expected, or for which the student has applied; and the amount of funding requested from the Office of Academic Programs, including an explanation of how those funds will be used.
• If the student has already received funding for this research from one of these sources, an additional page must be added to the proposal describing the research progress.
• Computers and software purchased with these funds are the property of Cornell University and must remain at Cornell after the student graduates.
• All undergraduate proposals must be reviewed by the student’s research mentor and revised according to his/her recommendations. The final proposal must be signed by the research mentor before submission to the Office of Academic Programs.

A sample proposal is available for review:  sample #1 .

Funding is limited to  full-time students  only. 

These awards can be used for research or travel related to research, including attending research conferences.

More Like This

Residential Sustainability Leaders (RSLs)

Global Challenge Lab: Smart Cities and Climate Action

SMART 2024-25 Fellowship opportunities

Laidlaw Leadership and Research Program

Manon Michels Einaudi Grant

• Executive Team
• Academic Advisory Board
• Foundation Board
• Annual Reports
• Collaborative Fellowships
• Early Career Fellowships
• First Book Grants
• Independent Scholar Fellowships
• Mid-Career Fellowships
• Political Economy Fellowships
• Small Group Projects
• Other Projects & Partnerships
• Associated Academics
• First Book Grant (FBG2) – Deadline 1st November 2024
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Assessment Procedure
• 26th September: Revenant Ecologies
• Season V: 2024-25
• Season IV: 2023-24
• Season III: 2022-23
• Season II: 2021-22
• Season I: 2020-21
• 1st ISRF Lecture Series: Migration
• Other Events
• Issue 29: Climate Education
• Print Archive
• Mailing List

First Book Grant (FBG2)

Independent Social Research Foundation Funding Opportunities Grants & Competitions First Book Grant (FBG2)

DEADLINE: 5PM GMT (6PM CET), FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2024

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support recent PhD graduates in their effort to turn their PhD thesis into a publishable book.

Researchers may apply from across the social sciences and the humanities. The awards are intended to provide a research stipend (to cover living costs) for a period of up to twelve months, plus appropriate research expenses.

Please read these details carefully –  and consult the FAQs  – before commencing an application or contacting the ISRF with a query. Applications  must  be submitted before 5pm GMT (6pm CET) on Friday 1st November 2024. Applicants are  strongly advised  to submit applications well in advance of this deadline. If you have any technical issues, please notify  Stuart Wilson  immediately.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants.

Scholars from within Europe †  are eligible to apply. Candidates must have been awarded their PhD and should be within three years of PhD award at the time of application (career breaks, such as periods of medical leave, parental leave, or caring commitments, will be taken into account), and should not already hold a permanent salaried position within academia. ‡ The awards are intended as providing a stipend to allow applicants full or partial support for the conversion of their PhD thesis into a book,* and relief from non-academic work (including domestic care), for a period of up to one year.

A final publication contract need not be in place at the time of application. However, applicants should have developed a specific publication plan, and describe any of their preliminary inquiries to publishers (see Plan of Publication below).

PLEASE NOTE: Eligibility for ISRF funding opportunities is unaffected by Brexit. We continue to encourage applications from scholars working within Europe (geographically defined – so, including those at UK institutions).

†  There is no limitation on nationality – however, we are unable to consider applications from those whose nominated home institution is not within Europe. We will accept applications for books written in languages other than English.

‡  Early career scholars who hold a permanent academic position are eligible for our Early Career Fellowships – the next such competition is provisionally set to run in 2025.

*  This may include the creation of new material, or a re-focusing of your expertise on a contemporary, real-world problem. However, this award is not intended to fund new research. Applicants wishing to embark upon substantially new research should apply for an Early Career or Independent Scholar Fellowship depending on eligibility.

Eligible Research

The ISRF is looking for innovative research that breaks with existing explanatory frameworks so as to address afresh empirical problems with no currently adequate theory or investigative methodology. Innovation may also come from controversial theoretical approaches motivated by critical challenge of incumbent theories. Interdisciplinarity in the generation of new investigative initiatives may be achieved by combining, cross-fertilising, and so transforming empirical methods and theoretical insights from the social sciences. Projects ranging across the breadth of the social scientific disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields are welcome, and relevant applications from scholars working within the humanities are also encouraged.

Terms & Conditions

Duration & timing.

The awards are intended as providing a stipend to allow applicants full or partial relief from non-academic duties, for a period of up to one year; alternatively, the award may be sought by those who wish to be bought-out from a non-academic employment contract (in whole or partially), with the prior consent of their current employer. The award period must begin no later than the end of December 2025, and awardees would be expected – by the end of the award period – to have produced a manuscript for submission to publishers.

The amount of an award will depend on individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €41,500 (or GBP equivalent), of which no more than €34,000 may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. Up to €7,500 may be requested to cover reasonable research expenses, which might include necessary additional fieldwork trips, transcription, copy-editing, illustration costs etc.. Reasonable childcare or other domestic costs may be considered. †

† PLEASE NOTE: Applicants seeking an affiliation in the UK must apply in GBP (£), up to the limit of £35,000, of which no more than £28,750 may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. Applicants seeking an affiliation elsewhere in Europe, including non-Eurozone countries, must apply in EUR (€), up to the limit of €41,500, of which no more than €34,000 may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. These limits will not be adjusted in the event of GBP/EUR currency fluctuations.

The ISRF reserves the right to extend the deadline for the competition. A short final report of no more than 500 words will be required. Award holders will be expected to present their findings in person at one of the Foundation’s regular academic events. The ISRF’s support is to be acknowledged in all public presentation of research. Full Terms & Conditions governing awards will be provided to successful applicants in their formal offer, based on the draft general terms and conditions available on the ISRF website. Formal acceptance of the award must be completed by the end of December 2022.

Joint Applications

The competition is open to individuals only. Joint/group applications will not be considered.

Applications to Other Funding Bodies

Applicants may apply without prejudice to other funding bodies. If applications for identical projects were successful it would be expected that only one award (i.e. either the ISRF or another) would be accepted. If applications for either wholly or partly different projects are successful there should be no duplication in the budget headings funded by the ISRF and another body.

All awards are conditional upon acceptance of our Standard Award Terms & Conditions.

The application, the project proposal.

All applicants will be expected to provide the following details as part of their proposal, in English:

• Proposal Summary: the research’s aims, methods, contribution to knowledge, and value in realising the goals of ISRF (300 words)
• Thesis Abstract:  An abstract of your PhD thesis (400 words)
• Theory & Methodology:  What theoretical and methodological framework your doctoral research deployed (400 words)
• Key Findings :  The key empirical and/or theoretical findings of your doctoral research (250 words)
• Background:  The scholarly debates and/or disciplines addressed in your research, and the contribution your thesis offers (250 words)
• Work Plan:  How the work of adapting your thesis for publication will be organised over the award period, with special emphasis on any further research that is needed (400 words)
• Plan for Publication:  Which publishers you are planning to contact, and why (200 words)

For example Research Proposals from previous First Book Fellows, see the project pages for Beatriz Aragón , Sandra Araújo & Anna Molas .

The Submitted Application

This will be read by academic evaluators who are social scientists but not necessarily in the applicant’s own field; applicants should bear this in mind when writing their application. Assessors will be asked to pay particular attention to the feasibility of your Work Plan and Plan for Publication. Our Assessment Procedure is set out online .

In order to be considered for the award, all applications must comprise the following:

A COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM, TO INCLUDE:

• A completed, anonymised Project Proposal form (2200 words total)
• A  Bibliography  listing all sources referenced in the proposal. This should be limited to two sides of A4 and any references to the applicant’s own previous publications should be anonymised. This should be uploaded as a separate attachment
• An anonymised Budget .

YOUR FINAL PHD THESIS

• A link to your final PhD thesis in an online repository, if available. Your thesis will be treated confidentially and will only be seen by ISRF academic staff.

Relevant Academic Activities & Publications

• A list of relevant publications and academic activities.

The contact details for a referee:

Please nominate a referee (ideally your external examiner). Your referee may be contacted to write a statement of support only in the event that your project is shortlisted. The statement of support, if solicited, will be asked to speak to your ability to successfully complete the proposed project.

EMPLOYER Approval

Where applicants wish to be bought out from existing employment (either wholly or in part) they must confirm that their employer is aware of their application, and should provide the contact details for the relevant contact. Should your application progress, this contact will be asked to confirm, on behalf of your employer, that:

It is therefore advisable that you ensure that your Employer is in agreement with the content of your application before you submit.

How to Apply

Application procedure.

Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Completed applications must arrive –  via the online application system  – no later than 5pm GMT (6pm CET), Friday 1st November 2024.

A candidate may submit only one application. Applicants can expect to be informed of the result of their applications by email by the end of March 2025.

Application Queries

Please consult the FAQ’s before contacting us directly. Queries should be directed to Dr Lars Cornelissen in the first instance.

• View all courses
• Taught postgraduate study
• Postgraduate taught degree courses
• Postgraduate taught tuition fees
• Pre-masters for international students
• Funding your postgraduate taught studies
• How to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
• Postgraduate offer holders - prepare for your studies
• Pre-sessional English courses
• PhDs and research degrees
• Create your own research project
• Find a PhD project
• Funding your research degree
• How to apply for a PhD or research degree
• How to make a PhD enquiry
• Support while studying your PhD or research degree
• Exchanges and studying abroad
• Undergraduate study
• Undergraduate degree courses
• Foundation year programmes
• Undergraduate tuition fees
• Customise your degree
• Funding undergraduate studies
• How to apply
• Tuition fees and funding
• Short courses
• Lunchtime evening and weekend courses
• Summer schools
• Get a prospectus
• Student life
• Accommodation
• Choose your halls of residence
• Apply for accommodation
• Guaranteed accommodation
• Your accommodation options
• Accommodation for those with additional requirements
• International and pre-sessional students
• Postgraduate accommodation
• Couples and students with children
• Renting privately
• Our accommodation areas
• Privacy notice
• Terms and conditions
• Fees and contracts
• Southampton
• Sports and gyms
• Sports facilities
• Sports clubs
• Watersports centres
• Our campuses
• Avenue Campus
• Boldrewood Innovation Campus
• City Centre Campus
• Highfield Campus
• University Hospital Southampton
• Waterfront Campus
• Winchester Campus
• Join our student community
• What's on
• Clubs and societies
• Sports teams
• SUSU places
• Representing you
• SUSU support and advice
• Support and money
• Living costs
• Academic and mental health support
• Support for disabled students
• Part-time work
• Health services
• Research projects
• Research areas
• Research facilities
• Collaborate with us
• Institutes, centres and groups
• Support for researchers
• Faculties, schools and departments
• Research jobs
• Find people and expertise
• Why work with us?
• Collaboration
• Consultancy
• Commercialisation
• Use our facilities
• Connect with our students
• How we operate
• Make a business enquiry
• International students
• International Office
• Partnerships and initiatives
• Visiting delegations
• Visiting fellowships
• University of Southampton Delhi

There are many ways to fund your PhD or research degree. Learn about the different routes to secure funding.

You will be charged tuition fees for studying your PhD. Depending on the type of project you want to apply for, there are different routes to fund your research degree.

• funded projects with a living allowance
• funded projects without additional financial support 
• opportunities to explore your own research proposal (you’ll need to source your own funding)

Some projects do not have funding secured until after the project has been advertised and a candidate recruited.

It’s important to know where your funding will come from before applying for a project.

Funded projects

For projects advertised as 'fully funded' or 'competition funded', your university fees will be paid and you will not need to apply for additional funding.

Competition funded projects will go ahead if the funding is awarded by the funding body. You can talk with the lead supervisor to find out more. 

See our current research degree projects

Fees paid plus a living allowance

A funded project will cover your study fees.

Some projects come with an additional sum of money to cover things like accommodation, travel and maintenance expenses. This is tax free.

Fees paid with no living allowance

Some project funding will only cover your university fees. You will need to cover your living expenses yourself. 

If you need help to cover your living costs, UK students can apply for a doctoral loan through Student Finance England. International students can check if they are eligible to receive a scholarship or bursary .

Projects advertised with no funding yet

Some advertised projects do not have funding secured yet. The lead supervisor will usually source funding once they have found a suitable PhD candidate. 

Contact the lead supervisor to find out about the specific funding options if there’s a project you’re interested in.

Doctoral training partnerships and integrated PhDs

Some research degrees are run through doctoral training partnerships and come with guaranteed funding. Check the details in the advertised project for how to apply.

Funding your own project

You should tell your supervisor if you plan to self-fund your research project. You’ll need to say how you intend to pay your fees when you apply. 

You could consider: 

• a postgraduate doctoral loan
• external funding bodies (charities, government and the private sector)
• university scholarships
• your own funds
• combining different funding sources

Take out a doctoral loan

You can apply for a government loan to cover your fees. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.

Find out about doctoral loans on GOV.UK

Apply for funding from a charity

You may be able to win funding from 1 or more organisations to help fund your PhD or research degree.

Learn about charity funding on FindAPhD

Get advice on funding your PhD

You can speak to the supervisor you wish you work with or contact the faculty graduate school. 

Graduate school contacts: 

• Faculty of Arts and Humanities: [email protected]
• Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences: [email protected]
• Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences: [email protected]
• Faculty of Medicine: [email protected]
• Faculty of Social Sciences: [email protected]

Support and money while studying

• Course modules
• Acoustical engineering
• Biomedical and medical engineering
• Civil engineering
• Every day I’m completely immersed in an environment that’s creative in all aspects
• Everything I learn feels so relevant, even If it’s a subject rooted in the past
• Maritime engineering
• Photonics and optoelectronics
• Social statistics and demography
• A missing link between continental shelves and the deep sea: Have we underestimated the importance of land-detached canyons?
• A seismic study of the continent-ocean transition southwest of the UK
• A study of rolling contact fatigue in electric vehicles (EVs)
• Acoustic monitoring of forest exploitation to establish community perspectives of sustainable hunting
• Acoustic sensing and characterisation of soil organic matter
• Advancing intersectional geographies of diaspora-led development in times of multiple crises
• Aero engine fan wake turbulence – Simulation and wind tunnel experiments
• Against Climate Change (DACC): improving the estimates of forest fire smoke emissions
• All-in-one Mars in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) system and life-supporting using non-thermal plasma
• An electromagnetic study of the continent-ocean transition southwest of the UK
• An investigation of the relationship between health, home and law in the context of poor and precarious housing, and complex and advanced illness
• Antibiotic resistance genes in chalk streams
• Being autistic in care: Understanding differences in care experiences including breakdowns in placements for autistic and non-autistic children
• Biogeochemical cycling in the critical coastal zone: Developing novel methods to make reliable measurements of geochemical fluxes in permeable sediments
• Bloom and bust: seasonal cycles of phytoplankton and carbon flux
• British Black Lives Matter: The emergence of a modern civil rights movement
• Building physics for low carbon comfort using artificial intelligence
• Building-resolved large-eddy simulations of wind and dispersion over a city scale urban area
• Business studies and management: accounting
• Business studies and management: banking and finance
• Business studies and management: decision analytics and risk
• Business studies and management: digital and data driven marketing
• Business studies and management: human resources (HR) management and organisational behaviour
• Business studies and management: strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship
• Carbon storage in reactive rock systems: determining the coupling of geo-chemo-mechanical processes in reactive transport
• Cascading hazards from the largest volcanic eruption in over a century: What happened when Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai erupted in January 2022?
• Characterisation of cast austenitic stainless steels using ultrasonic backscatter and artificial intelligence
• Climate Change effects on the developmental physiology of the small-spotted catshark
• Climate at the time of the Human settlement of the Eastern Pacific
• Collaborative privacy in data marketplaces
• Compatibility of climate and biodiversity targets under future land use change
• Cost of living in modern and fossil animals
• Creative clusters in rural, coastal and post-industrial towns
• Deep oceanic convection: the outsized role of small-scale processes
• Defect categories and their realisation in supersymmetric gauge theory
• Defining the Marine Fisheries-Energy-Environment Nexus: Learning from shocks to enhance natural resource resilience
• Design and fabrication of next generation optical fibres
• Developing a practical application of unmanned aerial vehicle technologies for conservation research and monitoring of endangered wildlife
• Development and evolution of animal biomineral skeletons
• Development of all-in-one in-situ resource utilisation system for crewed Mars exploration missions
• Ecological role of offshore artificial structures
• Effect of embankment and subgrade weathering on railway track performance
• Efficient ‘whole-life’ anchoring systems for offshore floating renewables
• Electrochemical sensing of the sea surface microlayer
• Engagement with nature among children from minority ethnic backgrounds
• Enhancing UAV manoeuvres and control using distributed sensor arrays
• Ensuring the Safety and Security of Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems
• Environmental and genetic determinants of Brassica crop damage by the agricultural pest Diamondback moth
• Estimating marine mammal abundance and distribution from passive acoustic and biotelemetry data
• Evolution of symbiosis in a warmer world
• Examining evolutionary loss of calcification in coccolithophores
• Explainable AI (XAI) for health
• Explaining process, pattern and dynamics of marine predator hotspots in the Southern Ocean
• Exploring dynamics of natural capital in coastal barrier systems
• Exploring the mechanisms of microplastics incorporation and their influence on the functioning of coral holobionts
• Exploring the potential electrical activity of gut for healthcare and wellbeing
• Exploring the trans-local nature of cultural scene
• Facilitating forest restoration sustainability of tropical swidden agriculture
• Faulting, fluids and geohazards within subduction zone forearcs
• Faulting, magmatism and fluid flow during volcanic rifting in East Africa
• Fingerprinting environmental releases from nuclear facilities
• Flexible hybrid thermoelectric materials for wearable energy harvesting
• Floating hydrokinetic power converter
• Glacial sedimentology associated subglacial hydrology
• Green and sustainable Internet of Things
• How do antimicrobial peptides alter T cell cytokine production?
• How do calcifying marine organisms grow? Determining the role of non-classical precipitation processes in biogenic marine calcite formation
• How do neutrophils alter T cell metabolism?
• How well can we predict future changes in biodiversity using machine learning?
• Hydrant dynamics for acoustic leak detection in water pipes
• If ‘Black Lives Matter’, do ‘Asian Lives Matter’ too? Impact trajectories of organisation activism on wellbeing of ethnic minority communities
• Illuminating luciferin bioluminescence in dinoflagellates
• Imaging quantum materials with an XFEL
• Impact of neuromodulating drugs on gut microbiome homeostasis
• Impact of pharmaceuticals in the marine environment in a changing world
• Impacts of environmental change on coastal habitat restoration
• Improving subsea navigation using environment observations for long term autonomy
• Information theoretic methods for sensor management
• Installation effect on the noise of small high speed fans
• Integrated earth observation mapping change land sea
• Interconnections of past greenhouse climates
• Investigating IgG cell depletion mechanisms
• Is ocean mixing upside down? How mixing processes drive upwelling in a deep-ocean basin
• Landing gear aerodynamics and aeroacoustics
• Lightweight gas storage: real-world strategies for the hydrogen economy
• Long-term change in the benthos – creating robust data from varying camera systems
• Machine learning for multi-robot perception
• Marine ecosystem responses to past climate change and its oceanographic impacts
• Mechanical effects in the surf zone - in situ electrochemical sensing
• Microfluidic cell isolation systems for sepsis
• Migrant entrepreneurship, gender and generation: context and family dynamics in small town Britain
• Miniaturisation in fishes: evolutionary and ecological perspectives
• Modelling high-power fibre laser and amplifier stability
• Modelling soil dewatering and recharge for cost-effective and climate resilient infrastructure
• Modelling the evolution of adaptive responses to climate change across spatial landscapes
• Nanomaterials sensors for biomedicine and/or the environment
• New high-resolution observations of ocean surface current and winds from innovative airborne and satellite measurements
• New perspectives on ocean photosynthesis
• Novel methods of detecting carbon cycling pathways in lakes and their impact on ecosystem change
• Novel technologies for cyber-physical security
• Novel transparent conducting films with unusual optoelectronic properties
• Novel wavelength fibre lasers for industrial applications
• Ocean circulation and the Southern Ocean carbon sink
• Ocean influence on recent climate extremes
• Ocean methane sensing using novel surface plasmon resonance technology
• Ocean physics and ecology: can robots disentangle the mix?
• Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal: Assessing the utility of coastal enhanced weathering
• Offshore renewable energy (ORE) foundations on rock seabeds: advancing design through analogue testing and modelling
• Optical fibre sensing for acoustic leak detection in buried pipelines
• Optimal energy transfer in nonlinear systems
• Optimizing machine learning for embedded systems
• Oxidation of fossil organic matter as a source of atmospheric CO2
• Partnership dissolution and re-formation in later life among individuals from minority ethnic communities in the UK
• Personalized multimodal human-robot interactions
• Preventing disease by enhancing the cleaning power of domestic water taps using sound
• Quantifying riparian vegetation dynamics and flow interactions for Nature Based Solutions using novel environmental sensing techniques
• Quantifying the response and sensitivity of tropical forest carbon sinks to various drivers
• Quantifying variability in phytoplankton electron requirements for carbon fixation
• Resilient and sustainable steel-framed building structures
• Resolving Antarctic meltwater events in Southern Ocean marine sediments and exploring their significance using climate models
• Robust acoustic leak detection in water pipes using contact sound guides
• Silicon synapses for artificial intelligence hardware
• Smart photon delivery via reconfigurable optical fibres
• The Gulf Stream control of the North Atlantic carbon sink
• The Mayflower Studentship: a prestigious fully funded PhD studentship in bioscience
• The calming effect of group living in social fishes
• The duration of ridge flank hydrothermal exchange and its role in global biogeochemical cycles
• The evolution of symmetry in echinoderms
• The impact of early life stress on neuronal enhancer function
• The oceanic fingerprints on changing monsoons over South and Southeast Asia
• The role of iron in nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis in changing polar oceans
• The role of singlet oxygen signaling in plant responses to heat and drought stress
• Time variability on turbulent mixing of heat around melting ice in the West Antarctic
• Triggers and Feedbacks of Climate Tipping Points
• Uncovering the drivers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression using patient derived organoids
• Understanding recent land-use change in Snowdonia to plan a sustainable future for uplands: integrating palaeoecology and conservation practice
• Understanding the role of cell motility in resource acquisition by marine phytoplankton
• Understanding the structure and engagement of personal networks that support older people with complex care needs in marginalised communities and their ability to adapt to increasingly ‘digitalised’ health and social care
• Unpicking the Anthropocene in the Hawaiian Archipelago
• Unraveling oceanic multi-element cycles using single cell ionomics
• Unravelling southwest Indian Ocean biological productivity and physics: a machine learning approach
• Using acoustics to monitor how small cracks develop into bursts in pipelines
• Using machine learning to improve predictions of ocean carbon storage by marine life
• Vulnerability of low-lying coastal transportation networks to natural hazards
• Wideband fibre optical parametric amplifiers for Space Division Multiplexing technology
• Will it stick? Exploring the role of turbulence and biological glues on ocean carbon storage
• X-ray imaging and property characterisation of porous materials
• Postgraduate Taught Diversity Scholarship (Environmental and Life Sciences)
• Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship
• Southampton Genomics Talent Scholarship
• Southampton History Patricia Mather and Helen Patterson Scholarship
• Southampton MA Holocaust scholarships
• Southampton Philosophy David Humphris-Norman Scholarship
• Southampton UK Alumni Music Scholarship
• The National Institute for Health and care Research South Central INSIGHT Programme
• Winchester School of Art Progression Scholarship
• Southampton Physics and Astronomy Achievement Scholarship
• GREAT Scholarships 2024 – Greece
• Engineering Excellence Scholarship
• Winchester School of Art Postgraduate Global Talent Scholarship
• Engineering Global Talent Scholarship
• Southampton University Corporate Civil Engineering Scholarship Scheme
• Merit scholarships for international postgraduates
• Merit scholarships for international undergraduates
• Scholarships, awards and funding opportunities
• Becas Chile Scholarship
• Chevening Scholarships
• China Scholarship Council Scholarships
• COLFUTURO Scholarships
• Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
• Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for high income countries
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
• Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarships
• FIDERH Scholarships
• Fulbright Awards
• FUNED Scholarships
• Great Scholarships 2024 – India
• Great Scholarships 2024 – Bangladesh
• Great Scholarships 2024 – Mexico
• Great Scholarships 2024 – Nigeria
• Marshall Scholarship
• Saïd Foundation Scholarships
• British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
• Xiamen University PhD Scholarships
• GREAT scholarships for justice and law 2024 – Indonesia
• Scholarship terms and conditions
• Southampton Education Civic Scholarship
• Southampton Ageing and Gerontology Talent Scholarship
• Southampton Canadian Prestige Scholarship for Law
• Southampton Presidential International Scholarship
• Continuing professional development
• Archers Road
• City Gateway
• Erasmus Park
• Highfield Hall
• Orion Point
• Wessex Lane
• Cancer Sciences Protein Facility
• Geotechnical Centrifuge
• Maritime Robotics and Instrumentation Laboratory (MRIL)
• Active Living
• Advanced Fibre Applications
• Advanced Laser Laboratory
• Advanced Project Management Research Centre
• Antibody and Vaccine Group
• Astronomy Group
• Autism Community Research Network @ Southampton (ACoRNS)
• Bioarchaeology and Osteoarchaeology at Southampton (BOS)
• Bladder and Bowel Management
• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Centre for Defence and Security Research
• Centre for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
• Centre for Digital Finance
• Centre for Eastern European and Eurasian Studies (CEEES)
• Centre for Empirical Research in Finance and Banking (CERFIB)
• Centre for Geometry, Topology, and Applications
• Centre for Global Englishes
• Centre for Global Health and Policy (GHaP)
• Centre for Health Technologies
• Centre for Healthcare Analytics
• Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration
• Centre for Imperial and Postcolonial Studies
• Centre for Inclusive and Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CISEI)
• Centre for International Film Research (CIFR)
• Centre for International Law and Globalisation
• Centre for Internet of Things and Pervasive Systems
• Centre for Justice Studies
• Centre for Linguistics, Language Education and Acquisition Research
• Centre for Machine Intelligence
• Centre for Maritime Archaeology
• Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Culture (CMRC)
• Centre for Modern and Contemporary Writing (CMCW)
• Centre for Music Education and Social Justice
• Centre for Political Ethnography (CPE)
• Centre for Research in Accounting, Accountability and Governance
• Centre for Research on Work and Organisations
• Centre for Resilient Socio-Technical Systems
• Centre for Transnational Studies
• Child and Adolescent Research Group
• Clinical Ethics, Law and Society (CELS)
• Computational Nonlinear Optics
• Cyber Security Academy
• Data Science Group
• Digital Oceans
• EPSRC and MOD Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence and Security
• Economic Theory and Experimental Economics
• Economy, Society and Governance
• Electrical Power Engineering
• Environmental Hydraulics
• Gas Photonics in Hollow Core Fibres 
• Geochemistry
• Global Health (Demography)
• Global Health Community of Practice
• Gravity group
• Healthy Oceans
• High Power Fibre Lasers
• Hollow Core Fibre
• Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine
• Infrastructure Group
• Institute of Developmental Sciences
• Institute of Maritime Law (IML)
• Integrated Photonic Devices
• Integrative Molecular Phenotyping Centre
• Interdisciplinary Musculoskeletal Health
• International Centre for Ecohydraulics Research (ICER)
• Language Assessment and Testing Unit (LATU)
• Laser-Direct-Write (LDW) Technologies for Biomedical Applications
• Law and Technology Centre
• Long Term Conditions
• Magnetic Resonance
• Mathematical Modelling
• Medicines Management
• Molecular and Precision Biosciences
• Multiwavelength Accretion and Astronomical Transients
• National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC)
• National Centre for Research Methods
• National Infrastructure Laboratory
• Nature-Based Ocean Solutions
• Nonlinear Semiconductor Photonics
• Ocean Perception Group
• Operational Research
• Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics Group
• Paediatrics and Child Health - Clinical and Experimental Sciences
• People, Property, Community
• Photonic Systems, Circuits and Sensors Group
• Physical Optics
• Primary Care Research Centre
• Product Returns Research Group (PRRG)
• Quantum, Light and Matter Group
• Silica Fibre Fabrication
• Silicon Photonics
• Skin Sensing Research Group
• Southampton Centre for Nineteenth-Century Research
• Southampton Ethics Centre
• Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre (SHTAC)
• Southampton High Energy Physics group
• Southampton Imaging
• Southampton Theory Astrophysics and Gravity (STAG) Research Centre
• Stefan Cross Centre for Women, Equality and Law
• String theory and holography
• The India Centre for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development
• The Parkes Institute
• Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory
• Ultrafast X-ray Group
• Vision Science
• WSA Exchange
• Work Futures Research Centre (WFRC)
• Departments

OARacle Newsletter

Read the latest issue of the Oaracle

Graduate Students Invited to Apply for Research Grants

September 10, 2024

By: Organization for Autism Research

Categories: Self-Advocates , Research , OAR News

OAR invites graduate students to submit research proposals for the annual  Graduate Research Grant Program . Opened on September 9, OAR has started accepting proposals from students pursuing graduate studies in the United States and abroad. The maximum award for master’s candidates is $1,000, while doctoral and post-doctoral candidates are eligible for a maximum award of $2,000.

Interested students should first review the  2025 Request for Proposals and OAR’s  funding guidelines , then apply online . Proposals will be accepted through February 3, 2025.

Since the program was established in 2004, OAR has awarded over $329,266 in grants to more than 190 graduate research studies. In 2024, OAR awarded five students with grant awards totaling $7,199. OAR hopes to build on this success in 2025, continuing its commitment to support the next generation of applied autism researchers.

OAR’s Scientific Council will evaluate the proposals it receives for scientific and technical merit. Review criteria for the evaluation include:

• Significance:  Does the study address an important problem? How will it advance scientific knowledge in the field?
• Approach:  Are the concepts, design, methods, and analyses adequate and appropriate? Are alternate approaches accounted for?
• Innovation:  Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches, or methods? Are its aims original? Does it challenge existing paradigms?
• Meaningful outcomes:  OAR places special emphasis on the research’s importance to the autism community and its application to the practical challenges of autism. While a proposal’s scientific merit in terms of design, methodology, and analysis is vital, the meaningfulness of its outcomes will carry great weight in the final review.

OAR’s Board of Directors will grant awards based on these evaluations and the recommendations of the Scientific Council. OAR will announce grant recipients in May 2025 and make the awards in July 2025.

For more information, please contact us at  research@researchautism.org  or 571-977-5391.

Related Posts

Addressing Oral Health

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in late July providing guidance for pediatricians on how to address oral health in…

Read More >

Join OAR for the 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Are you looking for a way to support autism research while experiencing the magic of Walt Disney World? RUN FOR AUTISM is a participating…

Hire Autism Mentorship Leads to Employment Success

For autistic adults, having a mentor when navigating a competitive job search can make all the difference. Hire Autism celebrates the success of a…

Our Newsletter

You’ll receive periodic updates and articles from OAR

• Campus Directory
• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff

Graduate Student Travel Grant for Research or Project Dissemination

September applications will be accepted until sept. 30th..

The Office of Graduate Studies offers travel grants of up to $500 for graduate students accepted to present their research or projects at regional, national, or international conferences, seminars, or workshops. Funding can also be used to attend regional or national conferences, workshops, or seminars for professional development to support graduate coursework and career goals.

All applications are reviewed on the 15th of each month, and funding notifications will be sent to the student’s Weber email by the 25th.

Application Instructions

• Applicants must be enrolled in a Weber State University graduate program
• Applicants must apply on GivePulse after logging in with WSU Secure Login credentials
• All applicants must provide documentation for the conference they are attending
• Applicants must submit their application to the Office of Graduate Studies within 30-45 days of their conference, workshop, or seminar.

Conference Attendance

Students attending but not presenting at a conference, workshop, or seminar must submit a professional, two-paragraph essay on how the conference applies to their professional development, graduate coursework, and career goals.

Applicants must submit this essay with their application.

Submit Application for Travel Grant    

Presentation Abstract Template

If presenting, applicants must compose a 400-500 word abstract using the provided template, ensuring each section conveys the project's objectives, background, methods, results, and conclusions.

The abstract must include the applicant’s name, their graduate program, and the name of the project or research faculty mentor.

Project or Research Title

Clearly articulate the main focus and scope of the study or project, highlighting key variables and contextual elements, capturing the project's or research's primary objectives.

Purposes/Aims

Concisely describe the project's primary purpose and objectives, outlining what the project or study intended to achieve.

Rationale/Background

Provide an overview of the problem's nature and significance, summarizing current knowledge and gaps identified in the literature review. Explain its impact on organizations, healthcare, community, or globally.

Detail the actions taken or interventions developed to address identified gaps in knowledge, leadership, or clinical practice. Include a formal description of the project’s or research’s approach, how improvements or changes were measured, and the methods used to ensure data completeness and accuracy. Describe any qualitative and/or quantitative methods employed for data analysis and discuss ethical considerations. Include any frameworks, models, or theories that guided the project development.

Summarize the findings and outcomes achieved through project implementation, summarizing key data or observations.

Conclusions

Highlight the project’s and/or research's impact on persons, organizations, or communities. Discuss possible areas of future study or expansion of quality improvement, leadership, or academic projects.

Graduate Student Travel Grant Details

How we manage and utilize travel grants.

• A maximum of $500.00 for student graduate project research dissemination or conference attendance will be awarded.
• Only one student per project may be funded with the award.
• Funds for the year will be distributed in the fall semester from September through November and in the spring and summer semesters from January through May, with approximately $3,500 awarded each semester.
• If travel funding requests are below the available amount, unused funds from a given month will roll over to the following month or semester.
• If requested funds exceed the available monthly amount, grants will be prorated.

Travel restrictions and requirements

• No rental cars, mileage or ride shares, per diem requests, or fuel expenses are allowed. Retroactive expenses such as luggage fees or room charges.
• Faculty mentor expenses will not be funded.
• Registration, airfare, and hotel fees must be purchased on the Office of Graduate Studies p-card.  

Refund policy

The student guarantees participation in their conference or is otherwise obligated to return the total stipend amount within 30 days.   Students are responsible for seeking refunds for any conference registration, hotel, or airfare charges from external parties. We recommend purchasing trip insurance. The Office of Graduate Studies purchases refundable tickets and hotel reservations but will not cover luggage fees.