funded phd programs europe

No need to fork out US$40,000 for a PhD – here are 10 fully-funded PhD programmes

The journey to obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a long and expensive one.

From completing a diploma or A-level programme to getting a bachelor’s degree, the journey only gets more expensive as you embark on a three to seven-year journey of obtaining your PhD. 

It’s why competition for a fully-funded PhD can be fierce.

On average, the total cost of a PhD programme is somewhere between US$30,000 to US$40,000 per year, depending on where you enrol. This expense does not include the cost of living if you are moving to a different city or country to study.

Multiply that with the number of years it’ll take for you to complete your studies, and you’ll see why it’s not an easy decision to make. 

Still, there are always ways to pursue higher education at a more affordable cost. While student loans are an option, you might want to aim for a fully-funded PhD instead.

Universities are not the only ones funding your PhD. Source: AFP.

What is a fully-funded PhD programme?

A fully-funded programme usually means full tuition reimbursement and a stipend to help cover the cost of living while pursuing the degree.

However, requirements differ according to the university.

Some universities offer a “no-strings-attached” fellowship where they receive funding but do not owe the university anything aside from their research. In many cases, a student will need to work part-time for the university by providing teaching or administrative assistance which might be useful in their professional career.

It’s also important to take note that universities are not the only ones funding your PhD.

Some grants might come from government bodies to support national research objectives and train future professionals to carry them out. Others could come from independent charities that have similar goals or businesses that see potential benefits to achieve their targets.

Financial aid typically does not include the cost of living. Source: AFP.

Things to know before you attempt to secure a fully-funded PhD programme

Before we jump into introducing some fully-funded PhD programmes, let’s take a closer look at how PhD funding starts out. 

Seek advice 

Reach out to an academic advisor or supervisor for advice on the next steps to take. Chances are that they can provide suggestions or even recommendation letters. Otherwise, they can leverage on their own knowledge and networks to redirect you to a better source of information. 

If an advisor isn’t available, try reaching out to the university’s graduates to get a clearer viewpoint from someone with first-hand experience.

Many PhD projects are actually advertised with generous funding, and this is particularly so for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects. 

However, it doesn’t mean you won’t find funding in other subjects like education, sociology or even English. 

Be sure you don’t single out universities in your search. Explore opportunities with external parties, such as business or industry partners too. 

Build a funding portfolio

Getting into the PhD scene is competitive, more so when you’re looking to score a fully-funded PhD. To help secure funding, put together a portfolio to make your case as strong as possible. 

Similar to a resume, your portfolio should outline what you plan to study, how long for, and above all else, why you wish to take the PhD. 

This demonstrates your commitment and understanding to the subject and its industry field.

Living costs and expenses

Not all funded PhDs offer to cover your living expenses, especially if you’re an international student. But even if they do, it’s a good idea to set aside some funds for your day-to-day life.

Some fully-funded PhDs offer accommodation for up to a certain amount of years, so if you intend on staying on for a longer period of time, it may be wise to have some finances ready for living on your own.

Determine your timeframe

It’s common for PhD students to work while studying. Part-time study offers that flexibility, but it also stretches out the length of your PhD and increases your maintenance expenses. 

Carefully consider your options before deciding on a part-time or full-time PhD, especially if you’re employed or have other commitments.

Don’t feel discouraged if you’re nervous about your chances of securing a fully-funded PhD. There are many other universities and programmes that readily offer generous funding and high stipends , such as MIT and Stanford University.

These stipends often cover tuition, living expenses, and healthcare, so don’t count them out.

10 fully-funded PhD programmes to check out

1. university of debrecen.

Stipendium Hungaricum provides fully-funded scholarships for international students to study their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University of Debrecen . This programme was designed to support the internationalisation of higher education institutions in Hungary, as well as strengthen relationships with those abroad.

The university is one Hungary’s best, home to almost 30,000 students from over 70 countries and territories. It offers a whopping amount of over 23,000 courses with over 600 degree programmes, so you’ll be sure to find what you need here. 

Apply here .

2. University of Iowa

The Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa offers a fully-funded PhD programme in fields such as accounting, economics, business analytics, and marketing. 

Tuition and fees are covered, and students are provided with a generous nine-month stipend of about US$20,000. On top of that, they are provided with annual adjustments and a fantastic health insurance plan that covers up to 90% of their medical bills.

Want additional funding? Some departments provide funding for research presentations at conferences, summer fellowships and paid time off for independent research. 

Learn more here .

Columbia University prides itself on offering guaranteed housing beyond the first year. Source: Columbia University Facebook.

3. Columbia University

PhD students at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University benefit from a robust compensation and benefits package – not just for themselves, but for their dependents too.

The university provides financial support, full tuition remission, summer stipends, affordable Columbia housing, health and dental coverage, and childcare subsidies. They pride themselves on offering guaranteed housing beyond the first year – Arts and Sciences doctoral students are eligible for five academic years of student housing right from their first day.

Learn more here . 

4. Washington University in St. Louis

Doctoral students taking computer science or computer engineering at Washington University in St. Louis receive full tuition support and health insurance, among other perks.

The university is home to cutting-edge degrees and offers doctoral students a chance to qualify for one of three fellowships – The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin – Chancellor’s Fellowship , McDonnell International Scholars Academy , and the Dean’s International Award .

The university provides financial support for up to six years , as long as the student makes progress towards completion of their degree. On top of that, students receive a free Apple laptop in the latest model.

More information here .

5. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor offers generous funding to their doctoral students in engineering. Students can specialise in numerous areas of specialisation, such as aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, macromolecular science and engineering, and robotics.

This fully-funded PhD provides students with guaranteed funding between four to six years, a monthly living stipend and a comprehensive health insurance plan. Additional funding is available from a range of sources, including graduate student instructor positions and fellowships.

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Pursuing your PhD at the MIT Sloan School of Management demands a great deal of time, initiative, and discipline from every candidate. Only 19 students are selected from hundreds of applicants, but the rewards are worth it.

The school’s financial package will cover a period of five years guaranteed to doctoral students, given that you stand out academically. This includes a full academic year tuition, 12 terms of fellowship stipend, medical insurance, a new laptop, and a budget for conference travel or ongoing research.

Assistantship at Rice University could earn you full financial assistance. Source: Rice University Facebook.

7. Rice University

The PhD in business at Rice University is intended for those aspiring to become faculty members at business schools in prestigious research universities around the world. This assistantship could earn you full financial assistance which will come in the form of a tuition waiver and a generous stipend.

The Jones Graduate School of Business houses the PhD programme here where you can choose to focus on various areas of study including Accounting, Finance, Organisational Behaviour, and Strategic Management.

8. Brown University

Students admitted to any PhD programmes at Brown University are guaranteed five years of support including a stipend, tuition remission, health services fee, and health insurance subsidy.

There are also additional forms of financial aid too like federal loans specially for US citizens and permanent residents, private educational loans for both domestic and international students, and resources for scholarships, fellowships, and grants.

More here .

The University of Pennsylvania offers two ways for students to get full funding. Source: University of Pennsylvania Facebook.

9. University of Pennsylvania

There are two ways for Penn Graduate School of Education students to get full funding at the University of Pennsylvania .

The first is through the Dean’s Fellowship and Research Apprenticeship which includes tuition and fees, health insurance, and a living stipend. Students would also receive a fellowship and research apprenticeship package which covers four years of study.

The other is the IES Predoctoral Training Programme which offers financial and skill-building support to selected applicants. This multi-year training programme is designed to prepare PhD students committed to learning rigorous methods for conducting research.

10. Yale University

At Yale University , the School of Nursing offers fully-funded PhD degrees to its students. There are three types of scholarships available through programmes namely the Merit-Based Programme, Need-Based Programme, and Community Scholars Programme.

The Merit-Based Programme is awarded through admissions. All incoming students, both domestic and international, can sign up where they will go through a holistic review process. The Need-Based Programme is for US citizens and permanent residents.

Lastly, the new Community Scholars Programme provides complete remission of tuition, fees, and health insurance along with an annual stipend for selected students.

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Funding sources for PhD studies in Europe

PhD positions in European countries are funded through a diverse range of sources. Understanding the different funding sources for PhD studies in Europe is pivotal: With this knowledge, prospective PhD students can turn their abstract ambition to pursue a degree in Europe into a concrete strategy.

Doing a PhD in Europe

For starters, to qualify for PhD studies in most European countries, a master’s degree is required. Furthermore, in many European countries, PhD students are treated as employees. This means that they are formally employed, receive a salary and make pension contributions.

The money that is used to pay for PhD positions can come from a variety of sources. However, prospective students are often not aware of the wide range of possibilities to fund their PhD studies.

PhD funding in Europe through university budgets

The most straightforward funding arrangement is PhD funding via university budgets. This essentially means that a university has money available to invest in PhD students.

Prospective PhD students cannot influence this funding source. Often, they simply have to apply to an open position advertised on a university website or a job portal.

PhD funding in Europe through external project grants

During the application process, applicants often have to showcase how they fit into the specific project. Furthermore, they have to make suggestions of how they would approach and execute certain tasks to meet the project’s goals.

PhD funding in Europe through individual grants from governments & research councils

The PhD positions that are created from individual grants by scientific research councils often require unique, individual PhD research projects. These projects offer room for creativity but require a high degree of independence.

PhD funding in Europe through individual scholarships from foundations

There are many foundations that either support or fully fund PhD studies in Europe. These foundations are often connected to political parties, religious institutions, specific industries, companies or non-profit organisations.

Prospective PhD students have a high degree of influence when it comes to this source of funding. They tend to be in charge of the whole application process.

PhD funding through governmental scholarships from countries of origin

Applicants usually have to undergo two application processes: One to receive the scholarship, and another one to secure a position at a European university.

Part-time PhD funding in Europe through non-academic employers

If there is a connection between a PhD topic and a non-academic job, some employers enter a formal arrangement that covers PhD fees. Furthermore, they allow the PhD student to do PhD-related work during some of their ‘regular’ working hours.

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I Completed 4 Fully-Funded Graduate Programs in Europe (And You Can, Too)

By Andrew Anžur Clement, PhD

By the time I turned twenty-seven, I had moved to Europe and earned two Master’s degrees and two PhD’s in the social sciences. I was paid to do them, and I completed all four programs with no student debt and money in the bank. How did I possibly accomplish this? In this article, I’ll discuss my experience completing four graduate programs in Europe in under six years while realizing my dream of living in countries across the continent. I’ll also provide some tips on how you can forge a similar path by following the funding. 

My Journey to Advanced Studies at Graduate Programs in Europe

Back in 2011, I was a college kid who studied abroad in Budapest, Hungary, and decided that I didn’t want to go back to the United States. The following semester, I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California and, having made up my mind to move to Europe, decided to figure out a way to pursue higher education there. 

One little-known tip that made this process easier was investigating getting EU citizenship through ancestry . Because of my family roots, I was able to claim Slovenian nationality. This was one of the smartest decisions I made because it simplified the entire process of moving to and around Europe over the coming years. 

Of course, the process of getting citizenship is complicated and varies from country to country, so this advice won’t apply to everyone. If you don’t have European ancestry, don’t worry! The second little-known tip is that there are actually lots of opportunities to get paid to study in Europe, even for non-citizens. I took advantage of these opportunities to pursue multiple degrees. Here are some tips for how you can do the same. 

4 Tips for Pursuing Fully-Funded Graduate Programs in Europe

1. investigate the higher education programs of the european union.

Beyond the lifestyle, there’s another great reason to make the move to Europe for your graduate studies: it’s generally cheaper than studying domestically, and can even be lucrative. Unlike in the US where grad school often means taking on lots of student debt , European programs are comparatively inexpensive, and the EU offers great opportunities that will pay you to study. Erasmus Mundus and Erasmus+ programs are open to candidates from all nationalities. These are double-degree programs, meaning that you complete one year of study at each host university, write one thesis and get two degrees. The courses are mostly taught in English, and a fully-funded scholarship is available.

I applied to an Erasmus Mundus Double Master’s Program in Global Studies and was accepted to the University of Wrocław in Poland as well as the University of Vienna in Austria; however, I was not offered the fully-funded scholarship. This would pay off in the long run, as you can only be awarded an Erasmus graduate scholarship once across both the master’s and doctoral levels, and I would eventually successfully apply for this grant to fund my doctoral studies. So how did I still manage to fully fund my degrees in International Relations from Wrocław and in Global Studies from Vienna? Read on in my next tip.

2. Investigate funding opportunities from international charity organizations

As I wasn’t awarded the Erasmus Mundus scholarship for my Master’s, I looked around for other funding sources. After some research and applications, I was awarded a one-year Ambassadorial Scholarship from Rotary International , which provides funding to Americans to study abroad for their higher degrees. This grant covered my program in Poland, and I was also able to use the remainder of my scholarship to finish my graduate program in Vienna the following year. 

Funding organizations like Rotary International want to know that you’re willing to give back to and be engaged with the organization. As a part of my grant, I was required to make a number of presentations to Rotary clubs in my host district, which at the time in 2012 was all of Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. While it was at times difficult to keep up with my in-person classes and coursework as I traveled around  Ukraine giving presentations to Rotary clubs and participated in a Rotary service project in Yalta, these experiences gave me the opportunity to connect with new people across multiple countries. Now, it’s always an instant connection whenever I meet Rotarians around Europe.

Rotary has since adapted the Ambassadorial Scholarship Program, and it’s now known as the Rotary Global Grant Scholarship . If you can speak a language other than English , you’ll be considered a far more attractive candidate, provided you’re applying to study in a region where that language is spoken. 

ProFellow Tip: Learn everything you need to know about how to win a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship from program alumna Luisa Banchoff. 

3. Find a supervisor as quickly as possible – even before you go

The EU’s higher education programs stress the concepts of “mobility” and cultural exchange. As I explained above, programs offer the opportunity to earn two degrees from one program, but you’ll have to move to a different host institution and country every year — or more frequently — to do that. This means that a totally different organizational culture, education and grading system, and departmental structure come with every move. Having a supervisor or mentor from the outset is key in getting up to speed.

There are a couple of other ways in which finding a supervisor as early as possible is a huge benefit:

• Having an established supervisor greatly increases your chances of being selected for an EU fellowship.

When I applied for the Erasmus Mundus joint doctorate in Globalization, Europeanization, and Multilateralism (now known as GEM-Diamond), I contacted a professor at the ULB in Brussels beforehand. She agreed to supervise my dissertation if I was selected, and we worked on the research proposal for the application together. While not all of my colleagues had supervisors at this stage, I am convinced that this was a key factor in my getting selected and winning the EU Erasmus stipend this time around.

• Your supervisor will know about and help you secure extra sources of internal funding .

During my graduate program in Vienna, though the support of a great supervisor, I was awarded a short-term stipend abroad from the University of Vienna for archival research in Pakistan, and even secured a host supervisor at Karachi University before arriving in the country.

Additionally, my supervisor at the University of Warwick was instrumental in helping me learn about paid departmental teaching opportunities during my year there. And through my supervisor in Belgium, I found out that an Anspach Foundation scholarship and its post-doc year at the University of Cambridge would have been an option, had I elected to stay in academia.

ProFellow Tip: Learn more about how to contact a potential PhD advisor from ProFellow Founder Dr. Vicki Johnson. 

4. Your fellowship is what you make it; the possibilities are limitless.

In November 2017, I defended my dissertation on the nexus between European identity formation, the EU’s right of free movement of persons, and tabloid media reporting. I earned doctorates in Political and Social Sciences from the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Brussels and Politics and International Studies from the University of Warwick in the UK. While in Warwick, I started writing fiction and elected to move to Slovenia to write full-time after I graduated. I had enough money left over from my PhD stipend to start my writing business, and I used the research skills that I acquired in graduate school to conduct research for my novels, including one alternative history series set in Brussels during the time I was a PhD candidate there.

But that wasn’t the only path available to me. Many of my colleagues from my PhD program teach in universities and work for NGOs or think tanks. Other graduates in my cohort include the current Montenegrin ambassador to the EU and the chief military and strategic advisor to the Japanese embassy in Kyiv. So, not only will you graduate with money in the bank, but if you pursue fully-funded graduate programs in Europe as I did, you’ll have plenty of professional options in front of you to choose from.

Interested in pursuing a fully-funded graduate degree in Europe? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Winning a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship .

© ProFellow, LLC 2022, all rights reserved.

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Andrew Anžur Clement , Fellowships for Graduate Study , Fellowships in Europe , Fully Funded Master's Programs , Fully Funded PhD Programs , Graduate School Scholarships

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How to Find Fully-Funded PhD Positions in Europe

• October 31, 2022
• Admission Guidance , Post graduate , Scholarships & Financial Aid , Student Admission , Study Abroad

Finding a fully-funded PhD abroad is not a straightforward process. In fact, for Indian applicants, the process is even tougher due to a variety of reasons. In this post, Ankita Murmu, who has written popular posts earlier on Stoodnt, writes about her PhD admission journey.

Fully-Funded PhD in Bioinformatics Admission Journey

By Ankita Murmu

A PhD was not something I wanted to step into initially. But here I am, a first-year PhD student at the Department of Bioinformatics , Semmelweis University .

Initial Struggles with Finding Internships Abroad

My decision to apply for a PhD admission started while I was still pursuing my master’s degree. I became interested in bioinformatics while working on my master’s thesis and decided to continue my research passion in this field.

Since the beginning, I had a clear idea about which research areas interested me. At that time, I had zero knowledge about how to get a PhD abroad.

I always wanted to go abroad to gain research experience. I did try for a few research internships during my bachelor’s as well as during my master’s. However, I wasn’t lucky enough to get into one!

Competition for PhD Admissions in India

My first option was definitely to pursue my PhD in India. Moving abroad was my plan B. I talked to a lot of people; my professors, friends, and family members regarding whether India or abroad would be better to pursue my PhD.

To be honest, the more I talked to people the more I got confused. But that didn’t let me lose my passion to pursue my PhD. I started applying to the PhD admission calls from all the premier institutions in India such as IITs and IISC during the last semester of my master’s.

I had the perception that because I have a valid GATE score, it would be easy for me to get admission. But things turned out to be quite the opposite. The competition to secure a few seats was extremely high. I got selected for a few interviews but couldn’t qualify for any of them. Although that was demotivating, I didn’t lose hope. I turned to my plan B!

Turning on to Plan B: Fully-Funded PhD Abroad

It did feel fuzzy at the beginning on how to go ahead with my PhD hunting abroad. So, I did a lot of research regarding this.

I had my mind fixed on going to universities within Europe majorly because of the less time duration to complete the PhD and research facilities.

I wanted to work on complex diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease using bioinformatics and wet-lab approaches. Accordingly, I started targeting those professors whose research interests matched mine.

So, I started cold-emailing professors in well-known institutes like the Center for Gene Regulation (CRG), European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and many more based on my research interests and the research profile of the professors.

Recommended Reading: Ph.D. in Biomedical / Biological / Life Sciences – Tips For Application and Admission

Centralized PhD Applications

However, I realized that some of these institutes’ PhD recruitment process is not in the hands of the supervisor but a completely different committee. They have their open PhD calls once or twice a year where the potential candidates have to apply and the hiring committee decides whom to select.

This kind of application is quite competitive and they look into many aspects of the candidate’s application such as previous research experience, previous grades, universities, publications, etc. Also, if the professor knows you it gives you an edge!

To be honest, Google was the first source in helping me get an idea about how to write cold emails to professors, or prepare a CV or a cover letter. I used to modify my emails each time I sent them. I believe this was important to make the professor who reads the email not think that I just copy pasted!

The objective was to make them think that I genuinely put my efforts into writing that email and I am very much interested in their research.

Important things I kept in mind while cold emailing professors to get a fully-funded PhD Abroad:

• I kept my emails concise and to the point. Nobody has time to read long emails!
• I highlighted the important words in “bold”. Eye-catching!
• I emphasized how I can fit into their research team by using my skill sets. Basically, convincing them to take me!
• I read their recent research papers and highlighted something that I liked or that I can further contribute to. Researchers or Professors love when someone praises their work!

Recommended Reading: How to Email Potential Supervisors: Tips by Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Recipient

My Experience of Finding a Fully-Funded PhD in Europe

The first few months of my PhD hunt were quite frustrating. I used to email 10-20 professors from different institutes or departments every day. Sometimes I used to get polite responses from most of the supervisors only when they are not taking PhD students other times it was just silent.

Then I tried a different approach. I started applying for open positions advertised on websites like findAPhd , Euraxess , and academic positions. Naturecareers and also on LinkedIn and the websites of the universities.

These open positions just ask for a CV and a cover letter and I felt it was an easy way to apply. But soon I realized this is the narrow and the harder way as the position requirements are mostly for one PhD student and the professors get hundreds of applications for that one position.

Luckily, I was invited for my first interview when I applied for one of the open PhD positions at the University of Warsaw. Similarly, I attended 10 more interviews from different universities but couldn’t make it to anyone of them.

I realized that my rejections were mostly due to my lack of bioinformatics skills. So, to upgrade my skills in bioinformatics, I attended workshops, took some online courses, participated in a Hackathon, and underwent internships as well.

I didn’t look for any Research Assistant or Junior Research Fellow positions because I wanted to focus entirely on my PhD hunting. Although, I would suggest anyone who wants to pursue a PhD abroad ( mostly if it’s within Europe ) gain at least one year of research experience before starting their PhD.

Networking and Family Support Always Help

I started my PhD hunting in the month of February 2021 and it was until October 2021 that I had no positive responses. It was discouraging and demotivating for me and I started losing hope.

My family was my biggest support during those times. I didn’t give up.

I came to know about the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship from one of my friends. The application opens in mid of November so I started contacting professors in August 2021.

Connecting with the Right Supervisor for a Fully-Funded PhD Abroad

It was at the beginning of November 2021 that my current supervisor invited me for an interview and voila! He was so impressed with my resume and bioinformatics skills that he wanted to hire me as a PhD student.

Again, the challenge was that I could only join his research group if I was successful in getting the scholarship.

Some Good News

In February 2022, my joy knew no bounds when I was nominated for the scholarship by the University Grants Commission, India. Finally, some hope and confidence started to build up in me in making my dream come true. But, I still had to wait for the final results until June 2022.

In between those months, I also received another PhD offer from Bar Ilan University, Israel. One of the professors I was working with on a remote project from Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany also decided to offer me a PhD position. But due to a delay in funding, I decided not to consider that (as I didn’t want to lose another year).

Finally, after receiving 40 rejections and waiting for almost a year, I was offered the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship and a PhD position at the Department of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University under Prof. Balázs Győrffy .

Not only I got it in my country of choice (within Europe) but also in the research area I was interested in. My PhD work revolves around analyzing multi-omics data for different cancer types and focusing on their diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic applications.

Recommended Reading: Fully-Funded PhD in Cancer Biology in Australia for Indian Applicant with Pharma Background

Tips for Finding Fully-Funded PhD Abroad

I would like to end this article by giving a few tips on PhD hunting based on my experience:

• You need a strong motivation to engage in PhD research. As simple as this sounds, it is important for students to know if having a PhD degree is the right step to take in the first place.
• Have a clear picture of what you want to do. Start planning early. A good PhD research takes a lot of time to conceive.
• Start building your skills and research profile based on your research interests.
• When you are applying for a PhD program and you are allowed to choose your own supervisor, try to look for a supervisor who would have your interest at heart. Ask the current graduate students (I personally did that)and check the supervisor’s profile thoroughly!
• I believe that the institution doesn’t matter much but if you have an excellent lab group and a supportive supervisor your PhD journey will be more fruitful.
• Surround yourself with people who can motivate you while you go through your PhD hunting process. This will help you a lot to not lose focus.
• Finally, have faith in yourself and be confident. Hard work always pays off!

If you have any questions or need any help in your PhD hunting you can always connect with me on LinkedIn .

About Ankita Murmu:

Ankita worked as a Data Curation Intern at NuGenomics. She completed her Bachelors & Masters in Biotechnology and interned at CSIR, Pine Biotech, and Guwahati Biotech Park.

Ankita comes from a land of the highest tea production in India and a place known for its red rivers and blue hills – Assam. Writing articles is her passion, traveling is her hobby and, she is a huge lover of food. 

You might also like to read Ankita’s Previous Articles:

B.Tech. Biotechnology Career Path in India: A Student’s Point of View

Common Problems Faced by Biotechnology Students in India – A Student’s Perspective

Why Learn Programming to Make it Big in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics

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€12M EU-funded fellowship scheme for threatened researchers launches

SAFE pilot programme will support up to 60 at-risk academics to continue their research in Europe

Collège de France, one of the consortium partners. Photo credits: Boreio Selas / Flickr

Up to 60 researchers who are facing threats at home or have had to flee their country, will be funded to continue their research in the EU, under a new fellowship scheme which launched on 1 September.

Candidates will be awarded a fully-funded fellowship of one or two years at doctoral or post-doctoral level in a host institution located in the EU, and will benefit from dedicated training.

The European Commission will provide €12 million for the Supporting at-risk researchers with fellowships in Europe (SAFE) pilot project, which will run until 2027. The consortium running the pilot will draw up recommendations, with a view to establishing a dedicated scheme.

A call under the SAFE project will be published later this autumn…

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We have 39 Biological Sciences (europe) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Biological Sciences

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Biological Sciences (europe) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Fully-funded phd positions in the life sciences/molecular biosciences, funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

International PhD Programme

International PhD programs are often designed for international students. Your PhD will usually be delivered in English, though some opportunities to gain and use additional language skills might also be available. Students may propose their own PhD topics or apply for advertised projects.

Austria PhD Programme

An Austrian PhD usually takes 3-4 years. Most students complete their projects within broader PhD programmes incorporating a curriculum of courses and training worth a certain number of ECTS credits as well as research towards an original thesis. This will be presented for a public examination by two academic experts. Most programmes are delivered in German, but some universities offer English-language teaching.

FAIROmics - PhD fellowship in Rational design of plant-based food fermentation genomics.

Phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Choose from a wide range of doctoral programmes that will take your academic, scientific, and research career further

Self-funded phd students only.

The PhD opportunities on this programme do not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Czech Republic PhD Programme

A Czech PhD usually takes 3-4 years. You will focus on an independent research project, but may also be required to complete an individual study plan set by your supervisor. At the end of your PhD you will normally complete two oral examinations: one on your subject knowledge, the other on your thesis. Most programmes are offered in Czech, but English-language teaching is becoming more common.

FMI International PhD Program Autumn Call 2024

Switzerland phd programme.

A Swiss PhD usually takes 3-5 years. Traditional doctorates focus on independent research; more structured programmes include additional training and sometimes involve two or more universities working in partnership. Both types of PhD require you to produce an original thesis and present it for a public examination. Some programmes are delivered in English, with others offered in German, French or Italian.

Funded MRC PPU PhD Programme 2025, University of Dundee, Scotland

4 year phd programme.

4 Year PhD Programmes are extended PhD opportunities that involve more training and preparation. You will usually complete taught courses in your first year (sometimes equivalent to a Masters in your subject) before choosing and proposing your research project. You will then research and submit your thesis in the normal way.

Recreating the Head and Neck Cancer Microenvironment

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Bio-fabricating constructs suitable for pulmonary valve replacement therapy in paediatric patients with congenital heart defect

Genome mining of novel antimicrobial natural products, mres: environmental attitudes and behaviours of brazilian mountain bikers (sas0203), advanced biomaterial for preventing catheter-associated infections, genetic and acoustic diversity in an invasive parrot, effects of urbanisation on insect biodiversity, funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

PhD Candidate: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience – Decision Confidence

Artificial intelligence-driven vaccine development to tackle the myxozoan parasite that causes proliferative kidney disease in farmed fish., exploration of the disease sequalae of gestational diabetes (part of the elemi womens health program).

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• International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Brain and Behavior
• Posted on: 2 September 2024

Fully-funded PhD Positions in the International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior

Job information, offer description.

Join our fully-funded international PhD program in neuroscience! Learn how brain circuits are linked to interesting animals behaviors and be part of the next generation of outstanding neuroscientists!

The International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior is a unique collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior – caesar (MPINB), the University of Bonn, and the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn. It offers a completely funded international PhD training and research program in neuroscience in Bonn, Germany. The focus of the program is neuroethology.

We offer an exciting opportunity to outstanding Master's degree holders (or equivalent) from any relevant field (life sciences, mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, etc.) to be immersed in a stimulating environment that provides novel technologies to elucidate the function of brain circuits from molecules to animal behavior. The comprehensive and diverse expertise of the faculty in the exploration of brain-circuit function using advanced imaging and optogenetic techniques combined with comprehensive training in fundamental neuroscience provides students with an exceptional level of knowledge to pursue a successful independent research career.

IMPRS for Brain and Behavior has currently 19 laboratories with an enormous variety of research projects being carried out. Successful candidates can choose to do lab rotations in the first six months of their PhD.

Doctoral candidates receive both theoretical training and hands-on training in a large range of cutting-edge techniques. In addition, they are exposed to a variety of research areas all touching on how sensory information is encoded in neural circuits and is ultimately transferred to behavior.

 The application period started on 1 August 2024. Please apply online before 1 November 2024 .

Exceptional candidates will be invited to attend an online selection symposium in February 2025.

Where to apply

Requirements.

You can apply if you meet the following requirements:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any relevant field (life sciences, mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, etc.)*
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Strong motivation to pursue a career in science
• Passion for neuroethology

Note: The right to confer degrees remains with the University of Bonn, and you must meet all the admission and degree requirements of the faculty where you choose to study.

*Master's students who will obtain their degrees before October 2025 can apply.

We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity for all applicants.

Additional Information

- Apply the latest innovative neuroscience techniques to fundamental neuroethology questions

- Neuroscience Boot Camp 

- Possibility of lab rotations

- Mentoring and guidance by a Thesis Advisory Committee

- A multitude of training opportunities

- International and administrative support

- Fully-funded PhD positions are available

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any relevant field (life sciences, mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, etc.) > has to be awarded before October 2025

Excellent candidates will be invited to an online Selection Symposium in February 2025.

The curriculum of the IMPRS comprises both theoretical and practical hands-on training elements divided into mandatory and optional courses. The range of expertise of the faculty provides rich coverage of the theory and methodology required for cutting-edge neuroscience research. The curriculum is structured in line with the graduation requirements of the degree-granting institutions (University of Bonn Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences as well as the Faculty of Medicine). IMPRS for Brain and Behavior is a four-year program, and the program language is English.

The main curriculum elements are:

• Neuroscience Boot Camp
• Lab Rotations
• “Classic Papers in Neuroethology” Reading Course
• Project Proposal and Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC)
• Annual Progress Meetings
• International Conferences
• IMPRS PhD Student Retreat (annual)
• Complementary Skills Courses

Work Location(s)

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Fully-funded Russian Scholarships 2023-2024: List of all Scholarships in Russia

Study in russia: list of scholarships in russia.

The government of Russia offers hundreds of fully-funded Russian Government Scholarships 2023-2024 to all international students. It is one of the best opportunity for international students to study for free in Russia.

Russia is one of the Top Study Destinations where international Students enjoy Fully Funded Scholarships and get paid by the Russian Government to study there. The monthly stipends and free education are the top joys that students enjoy while their stay in Russia. We have put together the list of all the Russian Scholarships on which international students can apply this year and we encourage you to share this list with your friends as well who are interested to study abroad for free.

The largest country in the world, the homeland of Tolstoy and Bulgakov, Russia, is also becoming the ultimate study destination for a number of international students. Russia is keen to make its higher educational institutions competitive and more supportive of international students. 13 of the Russian universities have been featured in the top 400 universities by QS World University Ranking. Russia has invested about 390 billion rubles in upgrading its educational system and bringing it in harmony with European institutions. 

Russian Universities and the Russian Government offer potential international students to study for free in Russia. There are a number of government-sponsored and state-funded scholarships that you can apply to. Moreover, the universities in Russia are also offering scholarships to international students in order to attract talent from outside of Russia.

The cost of a Bachelor’s Degree in Russia starts at 1,100 USD per year and can go as high as 6,100 USD per year.

Russian Scholarships List

Below is a list of Russian scholarships for students who are interested in studying in Russia.

#1 HSE Gold Funding:

HSE University in Moscow, Russia; is supporting international students by funding their education via their Gold funding program. This scholarship is available for both undergraduate and graduate students. It contains trial tests and the scores of those tests are used in determining what percentage of tuition fee waivers will be offered to the students.

The tuition fee waiver starts at 25% and goes up to 70%. Students are also offered a monthly stipend/grant of 1500 RUB. Students can apply to this funding after getting enrolled in a listed program. The classes are taught in English so the students need to prove their English language proficiency if their first language is not English.

#2 State Ph.D. Positions at MIPT, Russia:

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology is on the lookout for potential Ph.D. students. The Ph.D. degree program is fully funded and is available for the Russian Nationals. The Ph.D. positions are for a number of faculties but some faculties are offering higher funding than others.

The applicants need to be enrolled in a Ph.D. program to get the funding. The applicants will be required to prove their English language proficiency if the program is taught in English and Russian language proficiency if the program is taught in Russian.

#3 Eastern European University Association Scholarship:

Eastern European University Association via its International Scholarship Foundation is aiming at international students. The scholarship money covers the tuition fee and accommodation charges of those eligible students who have been enrolled in an undergraduate program at any university in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

The scholarship is available for specified courses and undergraduate programs of recognized universities. Students will have to prove their language proficiency in the intended program.

EEUA is a not for profit organization that seeks to support brilliant students from all across the world so that they can pursue their higher education in Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine.

#4 NRU Scholarship:

National Research University’s Higher School of Economics is offering scholarships to international students who are enrolled in a master’s program.

The scholarship supports up to 70% of the tuition fee and is open for 17 of the master’s programs in NRU HSE. The minimum coverage is 25% of the tuition fee. The winners of the scholarship will also get a monthly allowance of 1500 rubles.

NRU is one of the most innovative and competitive universities in Russia. The sponsorship is offered in programs like business, law, finance, big data, management, economics, etc.

#5 Open Doors Russian Scholarship:

Ministry of Education and science of the Russian Federation along with Global Universities’ Association is giving out Open Doors scholarships to international students. The Scholarships are given on the basis of a competition known as Open Doors Olympiad or Open Doors Academic Competition. The winners get a chance to earn a master’s degree in one of the most prestigious universities in Russia. 

The scholarship winners will get a 100% tuition fee waiver and there are more than 300 awardees. Only international students are invited to apply and the subjects offered are Biology, Computer Science, AI, IR, Business, Management, Linguistics, Physics, Psychology, Chemistry, Technology, Engineering, and Economics.

#6 EMAS Scholarships:

Every month Eurasian Management and Administration School, Russia is offering 50 scholarships to eligible students to study MBA or Executive MBA. The scholarships are available for both online and on-campus modes. The scholarship grant is based on how well the applicant performs in the scholarship test. 

Several subject areas are affiliated with this scholarship such as marketing, finance, healthcare, management (strategic and general management). There is no need to prove English language proficiency even for the programs taught in English. However, a sufficient grip on the language is necessary in order to secure enrollment and scholarship.

#7 Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Russia, Scholarship:

Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, also known as Skoltech is offering Ph.D. and master’s scholarships to international students. The scholarship is available for several fields like Mechanics, Biotechnology, Mathematics, Space systems, Physics, Petroleum Engineering, Life Sciences, etc. Skoltech is affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is one of the leading science and technology institutes in Russia. The scholarship grant for MSc covers the full tuition, offers a basic stipend of 40k to 55k rubles, and also has monthly insurance.

The scholarship grant for Ph.D. offers a tuition fee waiver, gives a stipend of 85k to 105k rubles and medical insurance. The number of awards for MSc positions is 320 and for Ph.D. is 95. The duration for masters is 2 years and for Ph.D. is 4 years.

#8 Siberian Federal University Scholarship in Russia:

Siberian Federal University (SibFU) has opened up Ph.D. positions for a number of its doctoral programs. These programs are taught in English and are fully funded for both local and international students. The Ph.D. programs available are in the areas of Quantum Chemistry, Biophysics, Optics, Urban Design and Planning, Metal Forming, and Multidimensional Complex Analysis.

#9 Finance and Economics Scholarship at ICEF HSE:

International College of Economics and Finance (ICEF) of Higher School of Economics, Moscow is offering undergraduate scholarships to outstanding students. These scholarships are available for students of all nationalities and are partially funded. The scholarships are renewed each year and offer a tuition fee waiver of 15% to 75%.

HSE is a research university in Russia and its independent department of ICEF was founded in collaboration with the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1997.   The faculty and the education provided here is highly competitive and generous scholarships are offered here every year to outstanding students.

Yousaf Saeed

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