The United States is a global leader in higher education, home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities and research institutions. For international and domestic students alike, earning a PhD in the USA offers unparalleled opportunities in innovation, academic advancement, and career development. However, the financial cost of pursuing a doctoral degree can be substantial.
To attract top talent and support advanced research, many U.S. universities and organizations offer fully funded PhD scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and research funding. These awards are designed to remove financial barriers, allowing scholars to focus fully on their academic pursuits.
In this article, we highlight the top 10 fully funded PhD scholarships in the USA for 2025 and beyond, detailing their benefits, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
Why Choose a Fully Funded PhD Program in the USA?
Fully funded scholarships are critical for PhD students because of the extended duration (typically 4–7 years) and intense focus required in research. These programs provide:
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Full tuition coverage
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Monthly or annual living stipends
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Health insurance
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Research and conference travel allowances
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Teaching or research assistantship opportunities
Such funding ensures students can dedicate themselves to producing high-quality research without financial strain.
Top 10 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in the USA
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
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Who Can Apply: International students from over 155 countries
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Coverage: Tuition, airfare, living stipend, and health insurance
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Fields: All academic disciplines, including STEM, social sciences, and humanities
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Application Through: U.S. embassies or Fulbright Commissions in home countries
This is one of the most prestigious scholarships globally, fostering cultural and academic exchange.
2. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)
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Who Can Apply: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
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Coverage: Three years of full funding, including a $37,000 annual stipend and $12,000 tuition allowance
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Fields: STEM and social science disciplines
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Eligibility: Students at the beginning of their graduate studies
The NSF GRFP supports students with exceptional research potential in science and engineering.
3. Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars
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Who Can Apply: All nationalities
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Coverage: Full tuition, stipend, graduate program funding, and leadership development
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Fields: All Stanford PhD programs
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Extra Perk: Access to cross-disciplinary leadership training
This highly selective program emphasizes innovation and global impact.
4. MIT PhD Scholarships and Research Assistantships
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Who Can Apply: Domestic and international students admitted to MIT PhD programs
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Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, and health insurance
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Fields: Engineering, computer science, economics, physics, and more
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Funding Types: Research or teaching assistantships and fellowships
MIT offers automatic consideration for funding with admission to a PhD program.
5. Harvard University PhD Fellowships
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Who Can Apply: Admitted PhD students at Harvard
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Coverage: Full tuition, stipend (usually $38,000–$45,000/year), and health insurance
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Fields: Arts and sciences, public health, education, business, etc.
Harvard guarantees full funding for all PhD students for at least five years.
6. Yale University Graduate School Fellowships
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Who Can Apply: All admitted PhD students
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Coverage: Full tuition, annual stipend (approx. $40,000+), and healthcare
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Fields: All academic disciplines offered at Yale
Yale automatically provides financial packages to admitted PhD students, eliminating the need for a separate scholarship application.
7. University of Chicago Graduate Aid Initiative
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Who Can Apply: All admitted PhD students in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Divinity School
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Coverage: Full tuition, health insurance, and $33,000+ annual stipend
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Duration: Up to 9 years for some programs
The initiative includes professional development and teaching experience.
8. Columbia University Presidential Fellowships
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Who Can Apply: High-achieving PhD candidates at Columbia
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Coverage: Full tuition, health insurance, and an annual stipend
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Fields: Wide range of disciplines, especially in arts, sciences, and engineering
Recipients are selected based on academic excellence and research potential.
9. Caltech Graduate Fellowships
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Who Can Apply: Admitted PhD students in science and engineering
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Coverage: Full tuition and annual stipend (~$39,000+)
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Types: Fellowships, assistantships, and external awards encouraged
Caltech offers strong research support, particularly for students in physics, chemistry, and engineering.
10. AAUW International Fellowships (For Women)
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Who Can Apply: Women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents
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Coverage: $20,000–$50,000 per year for graduate and doctoral study
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Eligibility: Must return to home country after degree completion
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Focus: Advancing educational and professional opportunities for women globally
An excellent opportunity for women aiming to become leaders in academia and research.
How to Apply for PhD Scholarships in the USA
✅ 1. Research Programs Thoroughly
Each university and scholarship has unique requirements. Review department websites, funding pages, and eligibility criteria.
✅ 2. Prepare a Strong Application Package
Includes:
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Academic transcripts
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Letters of recommendation
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Statement of Purpose (SoP)
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CV/Resume
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Writing samples (if required)
✅ 3. Demonstrate Research Potential
PhD admissions committees value:
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Research experience
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Publications or academic projects
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Alignment with faculty interests
✅ 4. Meet Language Requirements
Most programs require TOEFL or IELTS scores for non-native English speakers.
✅ 5. Apply Early
Deadlines for PhD scholarships typically fall between October and January for fall intake.