Discover Top Scholarships & Grants for Doctoral Students
Earning your doctorate is a major investment. In addition to time and energy, you need to pay for tuition, fees, and a host of other expenses that go along with it. Yet with thousands of funding options out there, the commitment doesn’t have to put your bank account to the test. Scholarships and grants can defray many of the costs, and put that PhD or professional doctorate within reach.
Explore Doctoral Scholarships and Grants by Student Group
PhD and Doctorate Scholarships
Grants and scholarships are financial aid recipients don’t need to pay back. In general, grants are need-based while scholarships are based on character or merit.
For graduate students, particularly PhD and doctoral candidates, scholarships are often career specific. In contrast, undergraduate scholarships are usually open-ended and merit based. PhD scholarships sometimes include teaching requirements, and some ask for recent GMAT or other graduate-level test scores.
Scholarship donors set the criteria for recipient selection. The list below, while not exhaustive, offers a glimpse of doctorate-level scholarships available.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 7th
Eligibility
Be a citizen or U.S. national and hold a bachelor’s degree. Meet language requirements of application country and declare any other scholarships or grants. Cannot have previously lived or studied in the application country, except for undergraduate study abroad.
Description
Funds a year of study, research, and culture-sharing abroad. Can support studies in various countries around the world that focus on areas such as teaching, business, public health, journalism and communications, arts, sciences, and humanities.
AMA’s Valuing Diversity PhD Scholarship
Amount
$1,000 to $2,500
Deadline
May 4th
Eligibility
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and member of an underrepresented population (e.g. African American, Hispanic, or Native American). Completed at least one year of doctoral study in marketing or advertising.
Description
Represents an effort to uplift unheard voices and bring diverse perspectives into the industry. Awards several scholarships yearly for marketing or advertising PhD candidates representing underserved populations. Previous applicants not selected can apply again.
The Beinecke Scholarship Program
Amount
$5,000 immediately + $30,000 while attending graduate school
Deadline
Last Friday of March
Eligibility
College juniors planning graduate studies in arts, humanities, or social sciences. Be a citizen or US national and received need-based financial aid as an undergraduate. Students planning to pursue advanced degrees in neuroscience, law, business, public health, public policy, or social work should not apply.
Description
Supports highly motivated college juniors pursuing graduate and doctoral degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Purposes to motivate younger students to strategize a further future.
Foundation Fellowship for Accounting Doctoral Students
Amount
$15,000
Deadline
June 15th
Eligibility
Be a CPA and hold an undergraduate or master’s degree in accounting. Have a GMAT score of 650 or higher (or GRE equivalent), intend to teach accounting after graduation, and be enrolled in an accounting PhD program.
Description
A career-based scholarship aimed at supporting the passionate pursuit of a profession and giving back to the industry and community of accounting.
Amount
$2,000
Deadline
March 1st
Eligibility
Be a U.S. citizen and a veteran enrolled in an accredited university. Emphasis is on students with distinctions for combat and honorable service.
Description
Named for Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk who led tanks in WWII. One example of a broad category of scholarships available for veterans by veterans.
ALA Century Scholarship
Amount
$2,500 annually
Deadline
March 1st
Eligibility
For library sciences students with documented medical disabilities. Must exhibit financial need and be a U.S. or Canadian citizen.
Description
An annual scholarship sponsored by the American Library Association to provide accommodations for students with disabilities pursuing graduate degrees in library science.
PhD and Doctorate Grants
Grants are financial aid packages aimed at helping professionals deepen their involvement and impact within their fields. They’re often awarded to recipients whose work benefits the broader community, especially if the work helps underserved people.
Federal and state grants are also available to qualifying applicants. These public grants frequently connect demonstrated financial need with public service requirements. Private grants also may come with stipulations set by the institutions funding them. Many PhD programs also have their own grants in different specialties, often founded by former recipients or alumni.
Amount
$45,000
Deadline
March 6th
Eligibility
Available to psychologists and scholars working with gifted and talented children. Must be affiliated with an educational institution and hold a doctoral degree or be enrolled as a graduate student.
Description
A post-doctoral research grant focused on supporting and advancing innovation in the studies of gifted and talented children and adolescents. Best suited for practicing psychologists or active researchers.
Berkman Charitable Fund Marketing Research Grant
Amount
Up to $3,000
Deadline
September 10th
Eligibility
Tenured or tenure-track faculty in marketing departments.
Description
This grant drives efforts for science-based solutions to modern marketing disciplines and business administration. It supports marketing PhDs and faculty in developing research projects and encourages knowledge creation.
Wenner-Gren Foundation Anthropology Grants
Amount
Up to $25,000
Deadline
August 1st
Eligibility
Anthropology doctoral students and researchers. For students of all nationalities, though some awards require a master’s degree.
Description
Seeks to further the understanding of our collective past through fieldwork, research, and educational support. Offers multiple grants for different pursuits in anthropology.
Amount
$8,500 to the grad student + $1,500 to their advisor
Deadline
October 20th
Eligibility
First-generation doctoral students, including immigrant scholars, and their advisor. Dissertations must relate to Re:Gender’s mission.
Description
A partnership scholarship for first-generation doctoral students working on a dissertation related to social justice, women’s rights, and/or gender studies. Designed to support mentorship and cooperation in keeping with the values of Mariam K. Chamberlain’s foundational institution, Re:Gender.
Hannah Beiter Graduate Student Research Grants
Amount
$500 to $1,500
Deadline
February 1st
Eligibility
Membership in the Children’s Literature Association (ChLA). Must have a research proposal and be a graduate student at any level.
Description
Established to support research advancements within children’s literature. Recipients must publish and/or present their findings at a conference and acknowledge ChLA’s supporting role.
PhD and Doctorate Fellowships
Even more than doctoral grants and scholarships, fellowships are career- and research-oriented and aimed at furthering the interests not only of the fellow but also of the community, the institution, and the industry itself. Fellowships are generally awarded to PhDs and researchers already established in their fields.
Fellowships often include teaching, speaking, and/or research requirements as well as terms of residency. Some fellowship programs also require community-building projects and local collaboration. Fellowships also tend to confer prestige and enhanced networking with past fellows, which can lead to future career opportunities.
Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship
Amount
$4,000 to $6,500
Deadline
March 11th
Eligibility
Social work PhD candidates studying welfare policy. Must have a National Association of Social Work (NASW) membership.
Description
The NASW offers this annual fellowship to advance the field of social work, particularly as it relates to diversity and welfare policy. In addition to relevant dissertation work, recipients must participate in community events and the annual NASW National Leadership Conference.
IAF’s Grassroots Development Program
Amount
$20,000
Deadline
December 3rd
Eligibility
U.S. doctoral candidates in various fields. Research must be related to grassroots development. There are also language requirements, and a collaboration proposal is required.
Description
The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) supports grassroots development in Latin America and the Caribbean in fields impacting lives and building community. Awarded to PhD candidates in fields like sustainable agriculture, economics, education, healthcare and public policy, and small-enterprise development.
Amount
Varies
Deadline
September 17th
Eligibility
Citizens of North, Central, and South American countries. Must submit samples of work.
Description
Supports scholarship and creativity across various artistic fields. About 175 Guggenheim fellowships are awarded each year. Applicants are evaluated by experts in their field or medium and then selected by former Guggenheim fellows.
American Association of University Women Fellowship
Amount
$25,000
Deadline
October 7th
Eligibility
U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Women scholars in any field of study.
Description
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers this annual doctoral fellowship in three separate categories: dissertation support, long-term postdoctoral research, and short-term publication support. The foundation’s goal is to increase the number of women in tenure-track faculty positions around the country.
Fully Funded Doctoral Programs
Many universities offer fully funded PhD opportunities that cover tuition, living expenses, and research support. These programs typically last 4 to 6 years and often include teaching or research assistantships as part of the funding package.
In most cases, fully funded PhDs also require:
- Active participation in departmental events and conferences
- Research publications or presentations
- Ongoing academic progress to maintain funding
Some universities fully fund all PhD students, while others award funding based on financial need, merit, or community service. Here are several examples of fully funded doctoral programs across disciplines.
Business
Rice University offers full funding for PhD candidates in its business school.
Students receive:
- Full tuition coverage
- A $4,000 annual stipend for living expenses
- A dedicated workspace and tech support
- Extra research funding for approved projects
In exchange, students work 20 hours per week as teaching or research assistants.
Funding applies across fields like business administration, marketing, and accounting.
Communications
Fully funded communications PhDs can open doors in media, academia, and research.
Syracuse University’s PhD in Mass Communications, for example, covers 3 years of coursework and dissertation support.
Students participate in interdisciplinary studies, taking classes in related departments before specializing under a faculty advisor who also serves on the dissertation committee.
Computer Science
At Washington University in St Louis, the PhD in Computer Science and Engineering offers:
- Full tuition
- A living stipend
- A high-end Apple laptop
Students collaborate with renowned faculty and visiting fellows to solve real-world problems.
They can also apply for additional fellowships that include research residencies at other universities.
Education
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) funds its PhD in Education for up to 5 years, covering both tuition and living expenses.
Students engage in:
- Research and fieldwork in education theory and practice
- Classroom observation and practical studies (depending on specialization)
Specializations include policy, human development, and teaching strategy, with opportunities to teach undergraduate courses or assist faculty research.
Humanities
In the humanities, research opportunities abound.
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Political Science PhD is fully funded for 5 years, as long as academic requirements are met.
MIT supports students conducting fieldwork abroad or pursuing research in international relations, American politics, and behavioral modeling.
Doctoral candidates work in interdisciplinary teams to expand their understanding of politics and human interaction.
Nursing
All PhD candidates at Emory University’s School of Nursing receive:
- A full tuition waiver
- A $31,000 annual stipend for living expenses
Over 4 years, students teach and conduct research while studying nursing theory, policy, systems, and education.
They also collaborate closely with faculty advisors to design and complete their dissertations.
Psychology
Boston College’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience offers a 5-year fully funded PhD focused on original research.
Students begin with coursework and research development, then transition to building independent projects under faculty mentorship. They also:
- Work as teaching assistants
- Publish papers and present at conferences
- Apply for research grants to support their projects
This prepares graduates for careers in research and academia.
Social Sciences
The University of Michigan School of Social Work provides full funding for most PhD students through its 5-year joint program in social work and social science.
Funding comes from:
- Fellowship awards
- Research assistantships
- Teaching opportunities
Students balance coursework and fieldwork, deepening their understanding of social policy, community outreach, and micro- and macro-level research.
Timeline: Financing Your Doctorate
Here’s a step-by-step timeline to planning your PhD funding strategy and staying on top of deadlines.
Sept-Dec
– Research your options early. Look for scholarships and grants that match your field or stage of study.
– Track opportunities in a spreadsheet with details like award amount, deadline, eligibility, and requirements.
Jan-March
– Update your FAFSA so federal loans remain an option.
– Set weekly application goals to stay consistent.
– Ask for recommendation letters well in advance, and consult with mentors about additional funding leads.
April-June
– Follow up on letters and continue submitting applications.
– Review your personal statement to ensure it reflects your goals and impact.
– Use summer breaks to write papers, strengthen your portfolio, and explore new research ideas.
July-August
– As the academic year nears, refine your funding pitch. Be ready to explain how your research contributes to your field and why it matters.
– Stay organized so you can focus on coursework once the semester begins.
Keep going!
Funding is an ongoing process. Many scholarships and fellowships accept rolling applications or annual reapplications, so revisit your list each semester.
How to Stand Out in Doctoral Scholarship & Grant Applications
Applying for doctoral funding can feel overwhelming, but success comes down to organization, persistence, and strategy.
Here’s a list of key dos and don’ts to guide your approach.
Do
Research thoroughly. Read eligibility details, faculty bios, and prior recipients’ work.
Contact programs advisors with thoughtful questions after reviewing the website.
Stay positive and confident in your materials. Highlight your contributions to your field and community.
Study past winners to understand what the selection committee values most.
Don’t
Apply for awards that don’t fit your background. Focus your efforts where you meet all criteria.
Avoid competitive awards. Apply strategically and emphasize what makes your perspective unique.
Beg for funding. Instead, show how the award will amplify your research’s impact on others.
Give up early. Many awards accept applications year-round, so keep applying and revising your materials.