Fellowships for PhD Students: Find and Secure Funding
When pursuing a PhD, there are many factors to consider: the college you attend, the faculty you study under, the degree’s value, and perhaps the most important of all, cost.
It’s no secret that graduate school can carry a hefty price tag. What often flies under the radar, though, are the scholarship, grant, and fellowship opportunities available to doctoral students.
This guide focuses specifically on fellowships: what they are, how they work, and how to get one. You’ll find:
- A breakdown of fellowship types and funding sources
- Key steps to applying for and winning a fellowship
- A curated list of 25 top resources and databases to help you find the right fit
Use this guide to uncover funding opportunities that can make your PhD journey more affordable.
The 25 Best Places to Find PhD Fellowships
Each year, PhD students earn thousands of fellowships to fund research, dissertations, and other doctoral-level projects. Yet many students miss out on this funding for one simple reason: they don’t know where to look.
Most students are only aware of a few listings, or they rely on internal university directories. But there’s a much wider world of opportunities across colleges, government agencies, and private foundations.
Below are 25 trusted databases and directories where you can find thousands of active fellowships — all in one place.
Colleges & Universities:
1
Columbia University Fellowship Search: Nearly 200 fellowship opportunities, searchable by keyword: https://ogp.columbia.edu/urf/opportunities/search
2
Duke University Funding Opportunities Database: Houses nearly 1,100 fellowships across dozens of fields: https://researchfunding.duke.edu/search-results
3
MIT Finding Fellowships: Lists over 100 fellowships in architecture, design, science, humanities, and policy research — with a special section for women and underrepresented minorities: https://sfs.mit.edu/graduate-students/guide/finding-fellowships/
4
Rutgers University Grad Fund Search Toll: Interactive search with hundreds of listings. Filter by degree level, program, citizenship, or stage of study: https://grad.rutgers.edu/funding/gradfund
5
Stanford University Fellowships, Internships and Service Programs (FISP): A comprehensive database of 500+ fellowships: https://haas.stanford.edu/student-programs/fellowships-and-internships
6
UC Davis External Fellowship Database: Search 180 fellowships by awarding agency, discipline, and funding type: https://grad.ucdavis.edu/find-external-fellowships
7
UCLA Graduate Funding Page: About 150 funding opportunities, with awards ranging from under $1,000 to over $100,000: https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/
8
University of Chicago Fellowship Database: One of the most comprehensive databases for graduate funding: https://grad.uchicago.edu/fellowships/
9
University of Illinois-Urbana Champagne Fellowship Finder: Features 1,000+ external fellowships for PhD students: https://app.grad.illinois.edu/fellowship/
10
University of South Carolina Fellowships & Scholar Programs: Lists 189 fellowships categorized by academic area and funding year.: https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/fellowships_and_scholar_programs/national_fellowships/competitions_and_deadlines/index.php
11
USC Awards & Fellowships Database: Interactive fellowship finder for all student types, with various filters: https://awardsdatabase.usc.edu/
12
Yale University Fellowship Search: Filter by award type, including research, tuition, or study abroad: https://yale.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx
Private Foundations:
13
American Association of University Women (AAUW): Fellowships for women pursuing graduate or postgraduate study: https://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/educational-funding-and-awards/
14
American Psychological Association (APA): Fellowships and scholarships in psychology and related fields: https://www.apa.org/about/awards
15
Fastweb: Annotated list of prestigious graduate fellowships across multiple fields: https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/prestigious-scholarships-and-fellowships
16
Ford Foundation Fellowship Program: Supports research-based PhD and ScD students in sciences, engineering, and medicine: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/fordfellowships/index.htm
17
H-Net: Searchable database of fellowships in humanities and social sciences: https://networks.h-net.org/
18
The Hertz Foundation: Prestigious awards for PhD students in applied physical, biological, and engineering sciences: http://hertzfoundation.org/
19
IBM PhD Fellowships: Fellowships in AI, blockchain, quantum computing, data science, and related fields: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/ibm-phd-fellowship-award
20
The National GEM Consortium: Funds underrepresented minority students in STEM graduate programs: http://www.gemfellowship.org/students/gem-fellowship-program/
21
Pathways to Science: Nearly 200 fellowships in science, technology, and engineering: https://www.pathwaystoscience.org/programs.aspx?
22
Peterson’s Fellowship Database: Search 440 graduate fellowships by discipline or eligibility criteria: https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/graduate-school-scholarships/
U.S. Government:
23
Fulbright Program: Offers hundreds of international research and fellowship opportunities: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
24
National Science Foundation (NSF): Fellowships for research in science, technology, engineering, and math: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/education.jsp?fund_type=2
25
U.S. Department of Energy Science Graduate Fellowship (DoE SCGF): Awards for doctoral students in physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences: https://www.energy.gov/scholarships-and-fellowships
Comparing Fellowships to Other Funding Sources
Fellowships are one of the best forms of financial support for doctoral students, but they aren’t the only option. To make smart funding decisions, it’s important to understand how fellowships differ from other types of financial aid, such as assistantships and scholarships.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of key funding sources for PhD students.
Fellowships
Fellowships are competitive awards that provide funding to support your research, dissertation, or overall academic progress.
- No work requirement: You’re funded to study or conduct research, not to teach or assist.
- Flexible use of funds: Many allow you to cover tuition, living expenses, research, or travel.
- Prestige: Fellowships look impressive on your CV and can open doors for postdoctoral or academic positions.
Ideal For: Students who want to focus entirely on their research or dissertation work.
Assistantships
Assistantships are work-based positions funded by your university. You typically receive tuition coverage and a monthly stipend in exchange for part-time teaching, research, or administrative duties.
- Funding often renewed annually based on performance
- Usually 15-25 hours/week of work
- Can provide valuable professional or teaching experience
Drawbacks: You’ll need to balance work duties with your research schedule, and some assistantships cover only partial tuition or provide modest stipends.
Ideal For: Students seeking teaching or research experience alongside their studies.
Scholarships
Scholarships are gift-based awards given for merit, talent, or specific criteria (such as field of study or demographic background).
- No repayment or work obligations
- Often one-time awards rather than multi-year funding
- May be tied to specific goals (e.g., diversity, leadership, or community service)
Drawbacks: Scholarship amounts tend to be smaller and more competitive at the doctoral level, and some may not fully cover tuition or living expenses.
Ideal For: Students looking to supplement other funding sources.
The Fellowship Fine Print
Are fellowship dollars taxable? Usually not. Fellowship funds that go toward tuition, fees, and other education-centered needs are tax-free and can’t be touched by Uncle Sam. However, any fellowship dollars used for travel, personal bills, or non-education-related expenses may be considered taxable income.
Always check with your college’s financial aid office and an accountant when receiving and using fellowship funds. The same rule applies to scholarship money, too.
Types of Fellowships
Finding the right fellowship begins with knowing your options. There may be thousands of fellowships out there, but they come from a variety of sources, start and end at different stages of the doctoral process, and often have unique requirements.
Before diving into applications, start broad and narrow your search from there. This will help you determine which type of fellowship best fits your academic program and career path.
Fellowships by Funding Source
Internal: Many colleges and universities offer internal fellowships to help their own PhD students advance research or dissertation work while contributing to the school’s scholarship. These fellowships often run for one academic year and can range from $1,000 to $50,000, typically covering tuition, fees, and living expenses for the duration.
External: Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private companies also fund fellowships. These programs aim to attract top talent by supporting research that aligns with their mission. Depending on the entity, external fellowships can range from $1,000 to more than $150,000. They’re highly competitive but can be equally rewarding.
Fellowships by Doctorate Progress
Pre-Dissertation: For students focused on coursework and exams; more flexible in topic.
Dissertation Research: Directed by a detailed research plan. External funders will want to see strong faculty support and access to the resources needed to complete high-quality work.
Dissertation Completion: Helps students finish the paper and defense phase of their dissertation process.
Fellowships by Purpose
Teaching Abroad: Fellows assist course heads abroad, teaching sections, supervising projects, grading, and monitoring students’ progress.
Study Abroad: May cover language study, area-specific research, or both. Example: The Camargo Foundation offers a two-month residential fellowship in Cassis, France for scholars of French or Francophone culture.
Research Projects: Support research outside the dissertation, often in an organization’s specific area of focus (common in health-related fields).
Fellowships by Coverage
Fellowships also differ in what they cover. Many include tuition, fees, and living expenses, but others may:
- Cover tuition and fees only
- Offer tuition waivers for nonresidents
- Include added benefits like health insurance
Tip: Always read the compensation details carefully. Don’t invest time applying to a full-time fellowship only to discover it doesn’t include rent or living support.
Unlike most jobs, fellowships don’t include vacation time, travel reimbursement, or holiday pay. Plan for these gaps before accepting an award.
How to Apply for (and Win) a Fellowship
Every fellowship has its own process, but most share similar expectations. Before you apply, get organized. Missing a deadline or forgetting one required form can take you out of the running before your application is even read.
Here’s how to stay on track from start to finish.
1
Know the eligibility requirements well.
For every fellowship, know the requirements and follow everything to the letter.
This includes the full list of all materials needed, as well as everything the awarding organization wants in a personal statement, research statement, work product submissions, etc.
The last thing anyone wants is to fall short or get disqualified due to a technicality.
2
Know the organization’s goals and how you fit.
This might be the most important point. Departments, NGOs, non-profits, and private businesses award fellowships for a reason – to further their research and capabilities in a specific area, and/or to attract and retain top talent.
When applying to a fellowship, take the organization’s mission to heart. Of course, you should be applying to fellowships that fit your academic and professional goals anyway, but highlighting that relationship in your application materials can go a long way.
3
Get recommendations from the right people.
Make sure your recommenders can personally speak to your qualifications and in detail. Select professors and mentors who know your strengths, weaknesses, and can discuss how you will contribute to the field and why you will succeed.
Awarding organizations want to know, with as much certainty as possible, that they’re picking the right fellows.
4
Get feedback from multiple qualified people.
Similar to your recommendations, ask professors and other subject-matter experts for candid and constructive feedback. Many professors have either gone through the fellowship process before or have been fellows themselves.
Not only can they help you with the big application asks, but also with the finer and seemingly trivial details.