Pursuing a PhD is a significant intellectual endeavor that requires years of research, commitment, and resources. One of the major concerns for aspiring doctoral candidates is funding. Fortunately, many fully funded PhD scholarships around the world not only cover tuition and research costs but also offer monthly stipends to support students' living expenses. These scholarships make it possible for students—regardless of their financial background—to focus entirely on their academic journey.
This comprehensive guide will explore top fully funded PhD scholarships with monthly stipends available in 2025, including eligibility criteria, benefits, and tips on how to apply.
🎓 What Does “Fully Funded” Mean for a PhD?
A fully funded PhD scholarship typically includes:
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Full tuition and university fees
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Monthly stipend for living expenses
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Research funding
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Health insurance
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Travel grants (in some cases)
Monthly stipends are especially critical as PhD programs can last anywhere from 3 to 6 years. These stipends vary depending on the host country and university but generally cover rent, food, transport, and other essentials.
🌍 Top Fully Funded PhD Scholarships with Stipends (Open in 2025)
1. DAAD Graduate Scholarships (Germany)
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Stipend: €1,300/month
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Eligibility: International students with a strong academic record
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Fields: Sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences
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Deadline: Usually between October–December 2025
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Application: Online via DAAD portal
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers generous scholarships for international PhD candidates in German universities. Besides monthly stipends, DAAD covers travel costs and offers language training and insurance.
2. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Canada)
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Stipend: CAD 50,000/year for 3 years
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Eligibility: Academic excellence, research potential, and leadership
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Fields: Health research, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities
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Deadline: Internal university deadlines (usually by September), national deadline in November 2025
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Application: Through Canadian universities
Vanier CGS is one of Canada’s most prestigious awards. It is available to both domestic and international students and is intended to attract world-class PhD researchers.
3. Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
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Stipend: ~£20,000/year
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Eligibility: Non-UK citizens applying to full-time PhD programs at Cambridge
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Fields: All disciplines
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Deadline: October–December 2025
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Application: Through University of Cambridge graduate portal
Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this scholarship includes full tuition, travel, visa costs, and a generous living allowance. Scholars also benefit from leadership development and networking opportunities.
4. ETH Zurich Doctoral Scholarships (Switzerland)
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Stipend: CHF 47,000–50,000/year (varies by department)
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Eligibility: International students with a master’s degree in a relevant field
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Fields: STEM, architecture, management
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Deadline: Rolling admissions; varies by department
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Application: Through ETH Zurich’s doctoral school
ETH Zurich is ranked among the top technical universities globally. Doctoral candidates often receive employment contracts that fund their research and living expenses.
5. Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
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Stipend: AUD $34,000/year (tax-free)
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Eligibility: Domestic and international students enrolling in research-based degrees
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Fields: All disciplines
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Deadline: Varies by university (typically May to October 2025)
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Application: Directly through participating Australian universities
The RTP scheme covers tuition and provides a living allowance. Some students may also receive relocation grants and academic allowances.
6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
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Stipend: CHF 1,920/month
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Eligibility: Highly qualified PhD researchers worldwide
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Fields: All academic disciplines
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Deadline: September–December 2025 (varies by country)
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Application: Through Swiss embassies
These prestigious scholarships allow international scholars to conduct doctoral research at Swiss universities or institutes. The award includes insurance, tuition, and travel allowance.
7. Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
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Stipend: SGD 2,200/month (increased to SGD 2,700 after passing exams)
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Eligibility: International students with strong academic background
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Fields: Biomedical sciences, computing, engineering, physical sciences
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Deadline: December 1, 2025 (for August 2026 intake)
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Application: Online via SINGA portal
A collaboration between A*STAR, NUS, NTU, and SUTD, the SINGA program is a popular destination for PhD aspirants looking for cutting-edge research facilities in Asia.
8. University of Oxford – Clarendon Scholarship (UK)
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Stipend: ~£18,600/year
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Eligibility: All graduate applicants to Oxford
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Fields: All fields available at Oxford
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Deadline: January 2026 (varies by course)
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Application: Automatic consideration with Oxford PhD application
Clarendon is one of Oxford's most competitive scholarships. It not only covers tuition and college fees but also provides a generous stipend to cover living expenses.
9. Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Programs (Europe)
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Stipend: €2,800/month (plus travel and family allowance)
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Eligibility: Students from any country, depending on program
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Fields: Varies by consortium
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Deadline: Varies between October and February 2025
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Application: Through Erasmus Mundus doctoral program sites
These doctoral programs are conducted jointly by multiple universities in Europe and sometimes outside Europe. They include mobility, diverse research opportunities, and a highly competitive stipend.
10. Chinese Government Scholarships (CSC) for PhD
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Stipend: CNY 3,500/month (~$500/month)
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Eligibility: International students pursuing research in Chinese universities
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Fields: All disciplines
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Deadline: Between January–April 2025 (varies by country/university)
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Application: Through Chinese embassies or universities
CSC scholarships are available at over 270 universities in China and support tuition, accommodation, insurance, and living stipends.
🧠 Tips for Applying to Fully Funded PhD Scholarships
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Start Early: Scholarship deadlines for 2025 are often in late 2025 or early 2026. Begin gathering materials at least 6 months ahead.
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Prepare a Strong Research Proposal: This is the core of your PhD application. Show originality, feasibility, and relevance.
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Contact Potential Supervisors: Establishing contact with faculty beforehand can increase your chances of acceptance.
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Tailor Each Application: Customize your statement of purpose, research interests, and recommendation letters to the program.
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Highlight Your Achievements: Strong academic transcripts, publications, presentations, and work experience can make your application stand out.