20+ Fully Funded PhD Scholarships and Fellowships in USA for International Students

Looking for PhD scholarships in USA? Look no further, we have put together a comprehensive list of fellowships and scholarships in USA for PhD international students.

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Before we get to the list…

Studying for PhD in USA Vs UK/Europe

The USA is majorly popular for postgraduate study for international students due to the high standard of academic study and the variety of subjects that are available. Studying a PhD in USA is not the same as in UK or Europe. For instance, students in the USA are usually in direct contact with their professor, compared with in the UK where students might find that their PhD program is headed by a professor who gives a little less flexibility to change their research and study areas.

PhD students in the USA are usually expected to undertake more teaching and marking, compared with PhD students in Europe. This can mean that undertaking a PhD in the USA will usually result in less free time outside of the university.

Applying for PhD in USA

Deadlines for applications to PhD programs in the USA tend to be between December and February, and institutions should let you know about your application by April. Institutions in the USA require international students to have a TOEFL score of around 90, but this does figure does vary between institutions. 

Starting early to make your PhD application allows you more time to apply for your PhD funding. The cost of PhD in the USA can vary between $28,000 to $40,000 per year. Below we have provided a list of PhD scholarships for international students in USA. Be sure to check often because we will be updating this page from time to time.

1.     IBM Fellowship Awards Program for PhD Students

The IBM Ph.D. Fellowship Awards Programme honors exceptional Ph.D. students who have an interest in solving problems that are important to IBM and fundamental to innovation in many areas of study. Fellows may work at internships, and be matched with IBM mentors with common research interests.

Application Deadline: 26th October

Value of the Program:

• a stipend for two academic years and, in the US,
  an education allowance for year one.
• In the US, fellowship recipients while in school
  will receive a stipend for living expenses, travel, and to attend conferences
  (US$35,000 for year one and US$35,000 for year two). US fellowship recipients
  will also receive $25,000 toward their education.
• Outside the US, fellowship recipients while in
  school will receive a competitive stipend for living expenses, travel, and to
  attend conferences for the two academic years. Fellowship stipends vary by
  country.

Duration of Program: two-year IBM PhD Fellowships are awarded worldwide.

 A fellowship includes

• All IBM PhD Fellows are matched with an IBM
  Mentor according to their technical interests, and they are strongly encouraged
  to participate in at least one internship at IBM while completing their
  studies.

2.     Microsoft Research Dissertation Grant for Doctoral Students

Microsoft recognizes the value of diversity in computing. The Microsoft Research Dissertation Grant aims to increase the pipeline of diverse talent receiving advanced degrees in computing-related fields by providing a research funding opportunity for doctoral students from groups underrepresented in computing.

Application Deadline: 30th March

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of the Program: 

• The Microsoft Research Dissertation Grant
  recipients will receive funding up to 25,000 USD for academic year to help them
  complete research as part of their doctoral thesis work.
• Microsoft will arrange and pay for travel and
  accommodations to grant recipients to attend a two-day Microsoft Research
  workshop in Redmond, Washington, in the autumn.
  • The
    workshop will provide grant recipients an opportunity to present their
    research, meet individually with Microsoft researchers in their research area
    and receive career coaching from Microsoft researchers.

3.     Microsoft PhD Fellowship in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics

Microsoft Research is on the lookout for exceptional students in computer science, electrical engineering, and mathematics, as well as interdisciplinary studies, to apply for the two-year PhD fellowship program. Department heads at universities in the United States and Canada should start preparing applications to nominate fellows now.

Application Deadline: 16th October

Number of Awardees: A maximum of three applicants per eligible department, per eligible university, will be accepted. A total of nine applications per university will be allowed.

Value of Fellowship: The fellowship recipient award will cover 100 percent of the tuition and fees for two academic years. A stipend is provided to help cover living expenses while in school. A conference and travel allowance is provided for recipients to attend professional conferences or seminars. The award includes the opportunity to complete one-salaried internship with leading Microsoft researchers working on cutting-edge projects related to the recipient’s field of study. Fellowships are awarded to recipients for two consecutive academic years.

Duration of Fellowship: 2 years

4.     Microsoft Research Scholarship for Scholars in Europe Africa Middle East (EMEA)

The Microsoft Research PhD Scholarship Programme in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) was launched in 2004 and has so far supported more than 200 PhD students from more than 18 countries and 51 institutions. Microsoft scholarships consist of an annual bursary up to a maximum of three years for PhD supervisors and students to do collaborative research projects with Microsoft Research Cambridge.

Application Deadline: open 15 September to close 12th October

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: The monetary value of the award varies by country to reflect local differences in costs and overheads. Payment is made directly to the institution. The amount of the scholarship is the maximum amount Microsoft Research pays to the institution. In addition, every Scholar receives a fixed hardware allowance and conference allowance.

Duration of Program: Maximum of 3 years

5.     Facebook Emerging Scholar Programme

The Facebook Emerging Scholar Award is open to first or second year PhD students who are members of a minority group that is underrepresented in the technology sector. The award is open to students at universities in the US and abroad who are enrolled during the current academic year and studying computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, system architecture, or a related area.

Application Deadline: 31st October

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of the Program: 

• Payment of tuition and fees for two academic
  years
• $37,000 annual stipend
• Up to $5,000 towards conference travel funds

6.     Facebook International Fellowship for Doctoral Students

Facebook Fellowship Program is open to full-time PhD students (domestic and international) enrolled during the current academic year and studying computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, system architecture, or a related area.

Application Deadline: 31st October

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of the Program: Each Facebook Fellowship includes several benefits:

• Tuition and fees will be paid for the academic year
  (up to two years).
• $37K grant (one-time payment during each
  academic year).
• Up to $5,000 in conference travel support.
• Paid visit to Facebook HQ to present research.
• Opportunity for a paid internship at Facebook.

Duration of Scholarship: Facebook Fellowship Award to cover two years!

7.     Facebook AI Research (FAIR) Residency Program

The Facebook AI Research (FAIR) Residency Program is a one-year research training program with Facebook’s AI Research group, designed to give you hands-on experience of machine learning research. The program will pair you with a senior researcher or engineer in FAIR, who will act as your mentor. Together, you will pick a research problem of mutual interest and then devise new deep learning techniques to solve it.

Application Deadline: 26th January

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of the Program: Residents will be paid a competitive salary. Residents will also:

• Learn how to perform research in deep learning
  and AI.
• Understand prior work and existing literature.
• Work with research mentor(s) to identify
  problem(s) of interest and develop novel AI techniques.
• Translate ideas into practical code (in
  frameworks such as PyTorch, Caffe 2).
• Write up research results in the form of an
  academic paper and submit to a top conference in the relevant area.

Duration of Program: a one-year research training

8.     Columbia University International Postdoctoral Humanities Fellowship

The Columbia Society of Fellows in the Humanities, with grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the William R. Kenan Trust, will appoint a number of postdoctoral fellows in the humanities. Fellows are appointed as Postdoctoral Research Scholars (Mellon Fellows) in the Society of Fellows in the Humanities and as Lecturers in appropriate departments at Columbia University.

Application Deadline: 2nd October

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Fellowship: The Fellowship Stipend is $63,000. Medical benefits are provided, and subsidized housing is available. There is a $7,000 research allowance per annum.

Duration of Fellowship: The one-year Fellowship renews automatically for a second and a third year.

9.     University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS)

The U-M African Presidential Scholars Program (UMAPS) brings early career faculty members from African countries to the University of Michigan for residencies lasting up to six months. UMAPS accepts direct applications from faculty members of colleges or universities in Africa.

Application Deadline: 15thOctober

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of the Program: Those admitted to the UMAPS Program will receive:

• Four to six months residency at the University
  of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, paired with a faculty mentor with full
  access to the university’s resources
• Round-trip airfare from their home country to
  Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Free housing, and a modest stipend to cover
  living, health care, and research costs while at U-M. The UMAPS program is unable to accommodate
  spouses and/or dependents 
• Office/Laboratory space
• Opportunity to present research to the U-M
  community

Duration of Scholarship: Eligible scholars may apply to visit U-M for a semester (four months) or for a half year (six months) beginning in Late August – Early February

10.                        PEO International Peace Scholarships for Women to Study in USA and Canada

Members of P.E.O. believe that education is fundamental to world peace and understanding. The PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund is a programme of Women helping women reach for the stars. The PEO International fund provides scholarships for selected women from other countries for graduate study in the United States and Canada. The scholarship is based upon demonstrated need; however, the award is not intended to cover all academic or personal expenses.

Application Deadline: opens 15th September; closes: 15th December

Value of Scholarship:

• The maximum amount awarded to a student is
  $12,500. Lesser amounts may be awarded according to individual needs.

11. Amelia Earhart Fellowship for Women in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Zonta International established the Amelia Earhart Fellowship in 1938 in honor of legendary pilot and Zontian, Amelia Earhart. Today, the Fellowship of US$10,000 is awarded annually to 35 talented women, pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace-related sciences or aerospace-related engineering at any University or College offering accredited degrees around the globe.

Application deadline: 15th November

Number of Awards: 35

Value of Program:

• Fellowship of US$10,000 is awarded annually
• The Fellowship enables these women to invest in
  state-of-the-art computers to conduct their research, purchase expensive books
  and resource materials, and participate in specialized studies around the
  globe.
• Amelia Earhart Fellows have gone on to become
  astronauts, aerospace engineers, astronomers, professors, geologists, business
  owners, heads of companies, even Secretary of the US Air Force.

Duration of Program: One year (current fellows can reapply to renew the fellowship each year)

12. AAUW International Fellowship for Women, Masters & Doctoral program in USA

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers International Fellowship for Women to study in USA. AAUW International Fellowships are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions are supported. Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree and must have applied to their proposed institutions of study by the time of the application.

Application Deadline: open August 1 to December 1.

Number of Awards: Up to five fellowships are renewable for a second year.

Value of Awards:

• Master’s/First Professional Degree Fellowship:
  $18,000
• Doctoral Fellowship: $20,000
• Postdoctoral Fellowship: $30,000

13. Ezera Research Fellowship for African Students at University of California, Berkeley

An endowment has been established in memory of Emeka Kalu Ezera to support graduate students from African countries at the University of California at Berkeley. The funds from the endowment are assigned to the Center for African Studies to aid student scholars at the graduate level concentrating in African Studies.

Application Deadline: 12th February

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of the Program: Funds may be requested for maintenance, travel, or research costs, as appropriate to enhance pre-dissertation and dissertation research on Africa.

14. AfyaBora Fellowship in Global Health Leadership for African Medical Practitioners

The Core Curriculum for the AfyaBora Fellowship is taught at the African partner institutions and brings together each new cohort of African and U.S. trainees. The Core Curriculum consists of eight one-week didactic modules. The AfyaBora Fellowship in Global Health Leadership works to fill an identified gap in training for African and U.S. health professionals. This innovative 12-month fellowship will prepare African and U.S. health professionals to lead and manage major health programs in African countries.

Application Deadline: 1st December

Number of Awardees: 20

Value of the Program: 

• Airfare from home to training sites of
  the AfyaBora Fellowship
• Monthly stipend equivalent to $1500 per month
• Evacuation insurance if stationed outside home
  country
• Accommodations and per diem up if attending
  didactic sessions and meetings outside of home country
• Housing allowance of up to $750 per month if
  placed outside of home country
• Reimbursement for other selected
  fellowship-specific activities in Africa (i.e. travel to rural sites, visa,
  etc.)

Duration of Program: 12 months

15. George Washington University Global Leaders Fellowship for International Students

The Global Leaders Fellowship is for incoming graduate students (master’s and doctoral) who have applied to the George Washington University for Fall admission. The fellowship is intended for GW graduate students who will be future leaders in their fields in their home countries, returning to their countries of origin to apply skills learned through their formal education at GW.

Application Deadline: 5th February

Number of Awards: 3

Value of the Program: The Fellowships will cover up to 18 credit hours will be awarded. The grantee is to provide funds from other sources for books, living, and other expenses, and must provide certification of this support.

Duration of Program: A Fellowship is renewable each year for a cumulative maximum of three years for Master’s candidates and up to five years for doctoral candidates. A grantee must submit renewal materials for the Fellowship each year; renewal is contingent upon the grantee’s grades (GPA of 3.0 or better).

16. Fox International Fellowships at Yale University – Graduate Student Exchange Program

The Fox International Fellowship is a graduate student exchange program between Yale and 19 world-renowned partner universities. Fox International Fellows are selected for their potential to become leaders in fields that are policy significant, historically informed, and socially meaningful.

Application Deadline: Application deadlines are in January/February each year: specific dates will be announced by each Fox partner university.

Eligibility: Graduate level students pursuing Doctoral or Masters level degrees and graduating master’s level students are eligible. Graduating bachelors’ level students of unusual merit and distinction may be considered but advanced, graduate level students are preferred.

Number of Awardees: Annually at least one student from each Fox exchange partner takes up residency at Yale, and at least one Yale student goes to each partner.

Value of Fellowship: Awards include round-trip travel, accommodations in rental housing provided by the Fox Fellowship and a generous living stipend to cover expenses. The Fellowship will also cover health insurance. All fellows are also able to apply for grants from a research travel fund up to U.S.D $2000.

Duration of Fellowship: 10 months

17. Short-Term Visiting Scholars Program at Michigan State University

Building on the capacity strengthening component of the project, several short-term graduate student visiting scholar positions for Nigerian students at Masters and PhD level will be offered at Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America over the 5 year life of the project. 

Application Deadline: 28th February

Number of Awardees: Five (3 Masters, 2 PhD)

Value of Program: 

• Travel related costs, lodging and meals. Travel
  related costs are limited to visa fees, visa procurement, and round trip air
  tickets from Nigeria to East Lansing, Michigan USA.
• Monthly stipend of $1,000. Up to 4 months for
  the Master’s Level, and up to 9 months for the PhD level.
• Medical insurance for the duration of the
  Project Scholar’s MSU program.
• No support whatsoever is provided for
  dependents.

18. Fulbright Foreign Scholarships

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. The scholarships are for study towards a Master’s or PhD degree, and can also be awarded for non-degree postgraduate studies. Study and research under this program is for one or more years at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions.

Application Deadline: varies per country, however on a general note, it is usually from February to May annually of the preceding year you wish to study.

Number of Awards: The number of awards varies per country, but approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year.

Value of the Program: The Fulbright program provides funding for the duration of the study. The grant funds tuition, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance. See the official website for the exact scholarship benefits.

Duration of Scholarship: The whole duration of the study, research or non-degree program – usually one year or more

19. Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program for International Researchers

The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program supports independent research and study related to Smithsonian facilities, experts, or collection for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program is open to Graduate Students, Predoctoral Students, Postdoctoral Researchers and Senior Researchers

Application Deadline: 1st December

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Fellowship: The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship award amounts are as follows:

• Graduate Student Fellowship**: $7,500.00
  for 10 weeks.
• Predoctoral Fellowship: $36,000 annually;
  research allowance up to $4,000.
• Postdoctoral Fellowship: $50,400 annually;
  research allowance up to $4,000.
• Senior Fellowship: $50,400 annually;
  research allowance up to $4,000.

20. Yale University Beinecke Library Visiting Graduate Student Fellowships

Graduate students (doctoral candidates) currently enrolled in PhD or DPhil programs from across the country and around the world are invited to apply for Beinecke Visiting Graduate Student Summer Fellowships. These fellowships support graduate students who wish to use Beinecke collections as a primary resource for their dissertation research.

Application Deadline: 1st November

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Fellowship: The fellowships pay for travel costs to and from New Haven and a living allowance of $3,000 per month.

Duration of Fellowship: three months

21. Symantec Graduate Fellowship Program

Symantec will award Symantec Research Labs (SRL) Graduate Fellowships to outstanding Ph.D. students. A key goal of the program is to fund innovative research that has real-world value, in areas where Symantec conducts business.

Application Deadline: 1st December

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Fellowship: Up to $20,000 USD to cover one year of the student’s tuition fees. Expenses incurred by the student to engage into research collaboration with Symantec, such as conference registration fees, travel expenses, hardware, etc will be reimbursed.

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