30 Great PhD Scholarships

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Image of phd dissertation for our ranking of best phd scholarships

Starting down the long road to a doctorate can be less stressful when you’re supported by PhD scholarships and doctoral degree scholarships.

The PhD is a terminal, research-based doctorate that gives graduates the title of “Doctor.” PhD candidates spend anywhere from four to nine years engaging in rigorous education. In the end, they can claim the highest scholarly level in their field. Nearly all PhD programs include conducting cutting-edge research and writing a dissertation paper. 

Doctoral students typically are pursuing jobs as:

  • university professors
  • researchers
  • clinicians
  • senior administrators

PhD candidates are given a valuable opportunity to challenge themselves and push their careers to new heights. But a degree for doctoral students isn’t cheap. It’s not unheard of for doctoral students to spend over $200,000 before graduating. Even if you are hoping to get one of the highest paying PhD degrees, that is a lot of money to spend. 

Get the financial footing you need to achieve your doctoral dreams by checking out the following 30 great scholarships for Ph.D study.

1. AAUW International Fellowships

Great phd scholarships

Deadline: December 1st

Since 1917, the American Association of University Women has given International Fellowships to award $20,000 to doctoral students. They offer the award to women who aren’t U.S. citizens but wish to pursue full-time doctoral study at an accredited American graduate school. Fellowships for PhD students can help them succeed academically. This is because some of the weight of financial responsibility is removed. Qualified applicants to this scholarship for Ph.D students must: 

  • hold a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s
  • be proficient in English
  • be conducting a full year of study or research
  • intend to return to their home countries for a professional career
  • show prior commitment to the advancement of women.
Contact

AAUW International Fellowships
1111 Sixteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 785-7700
connect@aauw.org
Scholarship Link

2. Amelia Earhart Fellowship for Women

Deadline: November 15th

Through Zonta International, the Amelia Earhart Fellowship for Women will grant $10,000 annually. The awards go to 35 women of any nationality. They must be pursuing a PhD in the typically male-dominated fields of aerospace engineering and aerospace science. Eligible candidates for this scholarship for doctoral programs must:

  • be registered full-time in an accredited doctoral program
  • demonstrate a superior academic record
  • have unmet financial need

Applications from prospective doctoral students must include:

  • a biography
  • three letters of recommendation
  • official transcripts
  • resume or CV,
  • a sample essay.
Contact

Amelia Earhart Fellowship for Women
1211 West 22nd Street Suite 900
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 928-1400
programs@zonta.org
Scholarship Link

3. Ann Olson Doctoral Scholarship

Doctoral scholarships

Deadline: February 1st

The Ann Olson Doctoral Scholarship is presented annually by the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation. Awards go to registered nurses who plan to become doctoral studnets. They must be interested in earning a research doctoral (PhD) or clinical doctoral degree (DNP). The doctoral students scholarships range from $5,000 to $7,500. To qualify, applicants must:

  • be accepted at a U.S. accredited nursing school
  • have current RN license to practice
  • showcase a commitment to oncology nursing
  • submit two professional letters of support

There’s a small $5 application fee made through the ONS Store.

Contact

Ann Olson Doctoral Scholarship
125 Enterprise Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
(866) 257-4667
info@onsfoundation.org
Scholarship Link

4. Byron Hanke Fellowship

Deadline: May 1st

Each year, the Byron Hanke Fellowship program is hosted by the Foundation for Community Association Research. It provides $5,000 doctorate scholarships. They’re for U.S. or Canadian students conducting research on topics related to community associations. Applicants come from a variety of majors, including:

  • law
  • economics
  • sociology
  • psychology
  • public affairs
  • urban planning

Selection will be based on:

  • academic achievement
  • faculty recommendation
  • research competence
  • writing abilities
  • benefits of the proposed study.
Contact

Byron Hanke Fellowship
6402 Arlington Blvd. Suite 500
Falls Church, VA 22042
(888) 224-4321
foundation@caionline.org
Scholarship Link

5. CAPCSD PhD Scholarship Program

PhD scholarships

Deadline: January 15th

The Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) offers the PhD Scholarship Program. It awards $20,000 scholarships for doctorate progams to students focused on an academic career in communication sciences and disorders. Eligible applicants must:

  • attend a regionally accredited U.S. college
  • have successfully advanced to candidacy (ABD)
  • submit a curriculum vitae
  • attach a three-page dissertation research summary

Recipients also receive free CAPCSD Conference.

Contact

CAPCSD PhD Scholarship Program
3000 South Jamaica Court
Aurora, CO 80014
(303) 835-9089
admin@capcsd.org
Scholarship Link

6. Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Fellowship

Deadline: November 15th

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Fellowship is sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. It awards $25,000. It’s to support 12 months of full-time dissertation writing for PhD candidates who are studying the religious, ethical, or philosophical aspects of any field. Qualified recipients must:

  • be enrolled in an American doctoral program
  • have fulfilled all pre-dissertation requirements
  • expect to complete their research in one calendar year
  • have never previously applied.
Contact

Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Fellowship
5 Vaughn Drive Suite 300
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 452-7007
newcombe@woodrow.org
Scholarship Link

7. Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship

Doctoral Fellowships

Deadline: March 1st

The Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship honors the Dean at UCLA’s School of Social Welfare. The $10,000 award is given annually by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). It goes PhD candidates focusing their dissertation on welfare policy and practice. Applicants must:

  • be NASW members
  • attend a doctoral program accredited by the CSWE
  • be in good academic standing
  • submit a three-page proposal summary

Dissertations including a diversity component are strongly encouraged.

Contact

Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship
750 First Street NE Suite 800
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 408-8600 ext. 298
naswfoundation@naswdc.org
Scholarship Link

8. Fahs-Bek Doctoral Dissertation Grant

Deadline: April 1st or November 1st

The Fahs-Bek Doctoral Dissertation Grant is valued at $5,000. It’s provided by the New York Community Trust to PhD candidates in the United States or Canada. Their dissertation research must have the potential to positively impact the well-being of:

  • children
  • adults
  • couples
  • families
  • communities

Eligible students must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral program with any major. Applying for these research grants for PhD students requires:

  • submitting a dissertation proposal
  • IRB approval
  • two sponsoring letters
  • a curriculum vitae
Contact

Fahs-Bek Doctoral Dissertation Grant
909 Third Avenue 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10022
dissertation@fahsbeckfund.org
Scholarship Link

9. Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship

Predoctoral Fellowship

Deadline: January 8th

The Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship is administered by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. It gifts around 60 doctoral scholarships for $24,000 each to minority doctoral students pursuing a PhD or ScD in a research-based major. Eligible fellows must:

  • be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • attend a non-profit American institution
  • demonstrate superior academic achievement
  • plan a career in teaching or research at the university level
  • have at least three years of study remaining.
Contact

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 334-2000
infofell@nas.edu
Scholarship Link

10. George H. Nofer Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

The Alexander Graham Bell Association offers the George H. Nofer Scholarship. It provides $5,000 to three full-time PhD students who have pre-lingual bilateral hearing loss. It must be in the moderately severe to profound range. Eligible candidates must:

  • have an unaided PTA of 60dB or greater in the better hearing ear
  • use spoken language as the primary communication method
  • be attending at accredited U.S. graduate school

Applicants should be majoring in:

  • law
  • public policy
  • public administration
  • a similar field.
Contact

George H. Nofer Scholarship
3417 Volta Place NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 337-5220
financialaid@agbell.org
Scholarship Link

11. Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship for Women

Phd Scholarship for Women

Deadline: February 23rd

The Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship for Women is offered by the American Statistical Association. It’s amount of $2,000. It’s for women in the United States or Canada who are admitted full-time to a MS or PhD program in the statistical sciences, including biostatistics. Along with the application form, candidates for the PhD program scholarships must submit:

  • unofficial academic transcripts
  • three reference letters
  • a resume or CV
  • a one-page personal essay highlighting their goals in statistically oriented professions.
Contact

Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship for Women
732 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-1221
pamela@amstat.org
Scholarship Link

12. Harry Frank Guggenheim PhD Fellowships

Deadline: February 1st

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation offers 10 or more scholarships for PhD programs at $20,000 each. They’re for deserving graduate students worldwide who are entering the dissertation stage of their accredited doctoral program. Any major is accepted, but research must concern:

  • violence
  • aggression
  • crime
  • terrorism
  • war
  • intergroup conflict

Applicants must log into the online application to submit:

  • a research abstract
  • current CV
  • official transcript
  • 15-page project description
  • IRB approval if necessary.
Contact

Harry Frank Guggenheim PhD Fellowships
25 West 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019
(646) 428-0971
info@hfg.org
Scholarship Link

13. Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Graduate Fellowship

Deadline: October 30th

Over nine months, the Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship will award full tuition and a $32,000 stipend. It’s for students earning a PhD degree in any applied physical, biological, or engineering sciences. Eligible applicants must:

  • be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • exhibit exceptional intelligence
  • display high moral character
  • be willing to make their skills available to the United States in time of emergency

Fellows are accepted at over 40 participating research universities nationwide.

Contact

Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship
2300 First Street Suite 250
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 373-1642
askhertz@hertzfoundation.org
Scholarship Link

14. Institute for Humane Studies PhD Scholarships

Deadline: March 1st

Annually, the Institute for Humane Studies awards 50 PhD-Scholarships for $1,500 each. They go to full-time graduate students enrolled in PhD programs who intend a career in higher education. Preference is given to doctoral candidates doing work to advance the principles of liberty and freedom. Fields can be in the humanities or social sciences, especially:

  • economics
  • history
  • political science
  • philosophy

Applicants must include:

  • a current CV
  • recent writing sample of 3,000 words or less
  • electronic transcript
  • dissertation proposal.
Contact

Institute for Humane Studies PhD Scholarships
3434 Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 993-4880
questions@theihs.org
Scholarship Link

15. Jennings Randolph Peace Scholarship

PhD Scholarship

Deadline: December 4th

The Jennings Randolph Peace Scholarship is funded by the United States Institute of Peace.
It’s available for $20,000 for citizens of any country who are enrolled in a recognized PhD program in the United States. Successful candidates must:

  • have completed all doctoral coursework
  • be entering the dissertation writing phase
  • study topics related to international conflict management or peace building
  • provide three reference letters
  • write sound research proposals
  • show potential as future peace scholars.
Contact

Jennings Randolph Peace Scholarship
2301 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 457-1700
jrprogram@usip.org
Scholarship Link

16. Joseph L. Fisher Dissertation Award

Deadline: February 20th

The Joseph L. Fisher Dissertation Award carries a stipend of $18,000. It’s given by Resources for the Future to full-time PhD candidates in the final year of their doctoral dissertation research . They must be studying issues related to:

  • environment
  • natural resources
  • energy
  • sustainability

Both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens can apply with proper residency documentation. Applications should also include:

  • a one-page dissertation abstract
  • 2,500-word technical summary
  • graduate transcript
  • letter from the department chair.
Contact

Joseph L. Fisher Dissertation Award
1616 P Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 328-5000
hase@rff.org
Scholarship Link

17. Josephine de Karman Fellowship Trust

Fellowship Trust for PhD

Deadline: January 31st

The Josephine de Karman Fellowship Trust was established by the world-renowned aeronautics expert and teacher. It provides eight PhD-scholarships for $22,000 to full-time doctoral students in any discipline. They must be studying in the United States. Special consideration is given to applicants in the humanities, including:

  • history
  • political science
  • sociology
  • psychology
  • anthropology
  • geography
  • linguistics

Doctoral students who apply must be competitive with:

  • outstanding letters of recommendation
  • significant publications
  • several dissertation chapters completed.
Contact

Josephine de Karman Fellowship Trust
P.O. Box 3389
San Dimas, CA 91773
(909) 592-0607
info@dekarman.org
Scholarship Link

18. KPMG Minority Accounting Doctoral Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

To increase the diversity of business school faculty, the KPMG Foundation offers the Minority Accounting Doctoral Scholarship for $10,000. It goes annually to 11 African American, Hispanic, or Native American PhD students who are enrolled in an accounting doctorate program. Qualified minority doctoral students must:

  • attend an AACSB-accredited school full-time
  • have U.S. citizenship or legal residency
  • carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • exhibit financial need
  •  be committed to a career in university teaching.
Contact

KPMG Minority Accounting Doctoral Scholarship
3 Chestnut Ridge Road
Montvale, NJ 07645
(201) 307-7932
us-kpmgfoundation@kpmg.com
Scholarship Link

19. Lawrence F. Skibbie Graduate Scholarship

Graduate Scholarship

Deadline: September 30th

The Lawrence F. Skibbie Graduate Scholarship is administered by the National Defense Industrial Association. It will distribute up to $10,000 to PhD students accepted or enrolled full-time in a doctorate program related to:

  • engineering
  • science
  • management

Eligible applicants must:

  • be U.S. citizens
  • have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree
  • have stated interests in the national security or defense industry
  • display academic merit
  • possess outstanding leadership capabilities.
Contact

Lawrence F. Skibbie Graduate Scholarship
2111 Wilson Blvd. Suite 400
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 522-1820
zmartinez@ndia.org
Scholarship Link

20. Mary Isabel Sibley Fellowship

Deadline: January 15th

The Mary Isabel Sibley Fellowship is presented annually by the Phi Beta Kappa Society.  It’s valued at $20,000. It’s for doctoral candidates devoting full-time work to dissertation research studying Greek or French:

  • history
  • archaeology
  • culture
  • literature
  • linguistics

Eligible recipients must:

  • be unmarried women from 25 to 35 years old
  • demonstrate excellent ability to carry out original research
  • have fulfilled all doctoral requirements except the dissertation
  • attend a U.S. accredited school
  • have three recommendation letters.
Contact

Mary Isabel Sibley Fellowship
1606 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 745-3287
awards@pbk.org
Scholarship Link

21. McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program

Deadline: January 15th

The Florida Education Fund has created this fellowship for doctoral candidates. It provides $17,000 grants for PhD students to African American and Hispanic students who are enrolled full-time at one of nine participating universities in Florida. Eligible applicants must be receiving a PhD in:

  • the sciences
  • business
  • engineering
  • health sciences
  • nursing
  • visual and performing arts

Also required is holding U.S. citizenship and at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Contact

McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program
201 East Kennedy Blvd. Suite 1525
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 272-2772
mdf@fefonline.org
Scholarship Link

22. Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships

Deadline: October 21st

The Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships are supported by the American Council of Learned Societies. They’re worth $38,000. They’re for PhD students in the humanities and related social sciences who are in their final year of doctoral dissertation writing. Qualified applicants must:

  • attend a U.S. institution
  • have obtained ABD status
  • have progressed no further than the sixth year

For consideration, the committee must receive:

  • a five-page proposal
  • bibliography
  • completed dissertation chapter
  • two reference letters.
Contact

Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 697-1505
mgoldfeder@acls.org
Scholarship Link

23. Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship

Deadline: October 9th

The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship will provide 100 percent of tuition for two academic years and a $28,000 living stipend. It’s for doctoral candidates who are enrolled full-time in accredited programs in:

  • computer science
  • electrical engineering
  • mathematics

Eligible recipients must:

  • attend a U.S. or Canadian university
  • be entering their second or third year of PhD studies
  • agree to a salaried internship with Microsoft

Nominees must submit:

  • a thesis proposal
  • curriculum vitae
  • three letters of reference.
Contact

Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship
1 Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
(800) 642-7676
msrfellow@microsoft.com
Scholarship Link

24. NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

Deadline: November 6th

As one of the most competitive doctoral scholarships, the National Science Foundation receives over 16,000 applications annually for its Graduate Research Fellowships. To qualify for the $46,000 support, candidates must be pursuing a research-based PhD in STEM disciplines at accredited U.S. graduate institutions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. They must have completed no more than 12 months of full-time graduate study. Graduate students must submit:

  • a personal statement
  • research plan
  • academic transcript
  • three references.
Contact

NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
1818 N Street NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
(866) 673-4737
info@nsfgrfp.org
Scholarship Link

25. Paul W. Rodgers Scholarship

Deadline: January 15th

The International Association for Great Lakes Research offers the Paul W. Rodgers Scholarship for $2,000. It’s for master’s or doctoral students of any major. They must plan to pursue a career in:

  • research
  • conservation
  • education
  • natural resources management

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • be IAGLR members
  • attend an accredited U.S. school
  • be involved in activities related to Great Lakes issues
  • provide official transcripts
  • write a one-page personal statement.
Contact

Paul W. Rodgers Scholarship
4840 South State Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734) 665-5303
scholarships@iaglr.org
Scholarship Link

26. Robert S. McNamara Fellowships

Deadline: February 2nd

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships are sponsored by the World Bank Group. The award is for  $25,000. It’s for students from developing countries wishing to travel abroad to conduct PhD research related to development. Study must be at an accredited U.S. university. For consideration, applicants must:

  • be citizens of World Bank member developing countries
  • be 35 years old or under
  • be enrolled full-time in a PhD program
  • have completed all doctoral coursework before the dissertation

Fellows must commit to working in their home nations after graduation.

Contact

Robert S. McNamara Fellowships
1818 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20433
(202) 473-1000
Scholarship Link

27. Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Research Award

Deadline: Varies

The National Institutes of Health funds the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Research Award. It provides up to $20,000 to PhD candidates. They must be enrolled full-time at approved U.S. graduate schools who have selected training in specified clinical shortage areas. Eligible applicants must:

  • be American citizens or lawfully admitted for permanent residence
  • have good academic standing
  • demonstrate scientific leadership potential
  • be conducting research that can significantly impact the country’s health-related needs.
Contact

Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Research Award
6705 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20817
(301) 496-3255
kay.lund@nih.gov
Scholarship Link

28. Scott and Paul Pearsall Scholarship

Deadline: October 1st

Through the American Psychological Foundation the Scott and Paul Pearsall Scholarship is awarded for $10,000. It’s for full-time master’s or PhD students. They must be conducting work that increases the public’s awareness of the psychological pain of adults living with physical disabilities. Applicants must:

  • attend a U.S. accredited university
  • have IRB approval
  • submit a five-page research proposal

Other APF doctoral scholarships include the Clarence J. Rosecrans Scholarship and William C. Howell Scholarship.

Contact

Scott and Paul Pearsall Scholarship
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5843
foundation@apa.org
Scholarship Link

29. Sigma Alpha Iota Doctoral Grant

Deadline: March 15th

As the international music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota offers a Doctoral Grant to award $2,500. It’s for full-time PhD candidates in the final stages of conducting dissertation research related to:

  • music education
  • music therapy
  • musicology
  • ethnomusicology, etc.

Eligible awardees must:

  • be initiated SAI members
  • be in good financial standing with the fraternity
  • be currently enrolled in accredited American doctorate program

Besides the grant for doctoral students, there’s also an International Study Grant and Conducting Scholarship for Graduate Students.

Contact

Sigma Alpha Iota Doctoral Grant
One Tunnel Road
Asheville, NC 28805
(828) 251-0606
nh@sai-national.org
Scholarship Link

30. Wadsworth International Fellowships

Deadline: March 1st

Annually, the Wadsworth International Fellowships are granted by the Wenner-Gren Foundation. The $17,500 awards support students under 35 years of age. They must be undertaking doctoral study leading to a PhD in anthropology at an accredited U.S. university. Fellows must be from countries where anthropology is underrepresented, such as:

  • South Africa
  • Haiti
  • Vietnam
  • Iran
  • Chile

Priority is given to applicants who haven’t begin their doctoral training and haven’t already earned an undergraduate degree outside their home country.

Contact

Wadsworth International Fellowships
470 Park Avenue South 8th Floor
New York, NY 10016
(212) 683-5000
internationalprograms@wennergren.org
Scholarship Link

Earning a PhD is a long-term endeavor that requires you to invest significant:

  • time
  • energy
  • money

Most PhD candidates have little time to spare in their research to work and bring home a paycheck. Doctoral research grants and scholarships can provide a critical lifeline to cover your tuition, research, and living expenses over at least four years. Unlike Federal PLUS loans, scholarships won’t accrue interest or need to be repaid. Reach for the highest level of education and achieve your research goals by applying for some of these 30 great PhD scholarships.

GCD Staff

This concludes our coverage of top PhD scholarships available today to make your terminal degree more affordable.

Find Your Degree!