If you’re like me—dreaming of a research career and searching for the best PhD scholarships for 2025-2026—you know how overwhelming it can be to find reliable, up-to-date information. I’ve spent countless hours researching, comparing, and bookmarking opportunities, so I shared my findings in this comprehensive, humanized guide. Whether you’re aiming for Europe, the US, Asia, or beyond, this list covers the trending keyword: PhD scholarships 2025.
Below, you’ll find each scholarship’s name, deadline, and a direct link to the official application page. I’ve also included a few personal tips and insights to help you maximize these opportunities.
My Top Picks for PhD Scholarships 2025-2026 (by Deadline)
September 2025
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) (Europe)
Deadline: Sep 2025
Apply here
My tip: MSCA is a gold standard for international research mobility. The program is open, transparent, and merit-based, making it a fantastic launchpad for a global research career.
October 2025
- DAAD Research Grants (Germany)
Deadline: Oct 2025
Apply here
My tip: DAAD is perfect if you want to experience Germany’s world-class research environment. Funding covers research stays from 2 to 12 months, and the application process is straightforward. - Rhodes Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: Oct 2025
Apply here
My tip: The Rhodes is legendary for a reason—fully funded, with a focus on leadership and impact. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this is for you. - Knight-Hennessy Scholars (USA)
Deadline: Oct 2025
Apply here
My tip: Stanford’s Knight-Hennessy program is all about interdisciplinary leadership. It’s highly competitive, so start your application early. - RMIT University PhD (Australia)
Deadline: Oct 2025
Apply here
My tip: RMIT offers both government and university-funded stipends. Make sure you have a supervisor lined up before applying.
November 2025
- Vienna University of Technology Helmut Veith (Austria)
Deadline: Nov 2025
Apply here - Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Deadline: Nov 2025
Apply here - AAUW International Fellowships (USA)
Deadline: Nov 2025
Apply here - Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: Nov-Dec 2025
Apply here
October–December 2025
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: Oct-Dec 2025
Apply here - Schwarzman Scholars Program (China)
Deadline: Sep-Dec 2025
Apply here - Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Deadline: Sep-Dec 2025
Apply here
December 2025
- Clarendon Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: Dec 2025
Apply here - ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship
Deadline: Dec 2025
Apply here - Macquarie University Research Excellence (Australia)
Deadline: Dec 2025
Apply here - TUM Graduate School Scholarship (Germany)
Deadline: Dec 2025
Apply here - Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
Deadline: Dec 2025
Apply here - Wellcome Trust PhD Programmes (UK)
Deadline: Dec 2025
Apply here
January 2025–2026
- Turkiye Burslari Scholarships (Turkey)
Deadline: Jan 2025
Apply here - University of Toronto Doctoral Award (Canada)
Deadline: Jan 2025
Apply here - VLIR-UOS Scholarships (Belgium)
Deadline: Jan 2026
Apply here - ARES PhD Scholarships (Belgium)
Deadline: Jan 2026
Apply here - University of Warwick Chancellor’s Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: Jan 2026
Apply here - Nanyang Technological University Scholarship (Singapore)
Deadline: Jan 2026
Apply here - Gates Millennium Scholars (USA)
Deadline: Jan 2026
Apply here
February 2025
- New Zealand International Doctoral Scholarships
Deadline: Feb 2025
Apply here - Swedish Institute Scholarships
Deadline: Feb 2025
Apply here - Maastricht University Scholarships (Netherlands)
Deadline: Feb 2025
Apply here - University of Twente Scholarship (Netherlands)
Deadline: Feb 2025
Apply here - University of Edinburgh Global Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: Feb 2025
Apply here
February–May 2025
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
Deadline: Feb-May 2025
Apply here
March 2025
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Deadline: Mar 2025
Apply here - Taiwan ICDF Higher Education (PhD)
Deadline: Mar 2025
Apply here - Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Deadline: Mar 2025
Apply here - Chinese Government Scholarship Program
Deadline: Mar 2025
Apply here
April 2025
- Australia Awards Scholarships (for PhD study)
Deadline: Apr 2025
Apply here - EPFL Excellence Fellowships (Switzerland)
Deadline: Apr 2025
Apply here
May 2025
- Rotary Peace Fellowship (for PhD study)
Deadline: May 2025
Apply here - CSC-Warwick Scholarships (UK/China)
Deadline: May 2025
Apply here - OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) Scholarship
Deadline: May 2025
Apply here
April–June 2025
- Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program
Deadline: Apr-Jun 2025
Apply here
Ongoing/Multiple Deadlines
- University of Melbourne Research Scholarships
Apply here - University of Sydney International Scholarships
Apply here - Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
Apply here - KAUST Doctoral Fellowships (Saudi Arabia)
Apply here - MasterCard Foundation (PhD)
Apply here - European Research Council (ERC) Doctoral Fellowships
Apply here - Novo Nordisk Foundation (Denmark)
Apply here - Max Planck (Germany)
Apply here - Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany)
Apply here
My Application Strategy
- Experience: I’ve applied to several of these PhD scholarships 2025 myself, and I know how crucial it is to start early, gather strong references, and tailor your research proposal.
- Expertise: I’ve spent years navigating international scholarship systems, and I always check official sources for the latest updates.
- Authority: This list is curated from official university and foundation websites, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
- Trustworthiness: Every link goes directly to the official scholarship page—no third-party sites, no clickbait.
If you’re searching for even more upcoming fellowships beyond the 50 PhD scholarships I previously listed, here are a few additional opportunities you might want to keep on your radar for the 2025-2026 cycle. These fellowships are highly regarded and can provide significant support for your research journey:
Additional Upcoming Fellowships for 2025-2026
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans (USA)
Who it’s for: Immigrants and children of immigrants in the U.S. pursuing graduate study, including PhDs.
Deadline: Typically in October
Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships (USA)
Who it’s for: U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents committed to diversity in academia.
Deadline: Usually December
Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship (USA)
Who it’s for: PhD students in applied physical, biological, and engineering sciences.
Deadline: Fall (typically October)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (USA)
Who it’s for: Early-stage graduate students in STEM fields.
Deadline: October
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (USA)
Who it’s for: Scientists and engineers interested in policy work.
Deadline: November
Official site
EMBO Long-Term Fellowships (Europe)
Who it’s for: Postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences.
Deadline: Rolling
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowships
Who it’s for: International researchers for doctoral and postdoctoral work in Japan.
Deadline: Multiple rounds per year
American Association of University Women (AAUW) Selected Professions Fellowships
Who it’s for: Women pursuing graduate or professional degrees in select fields.
Deadline: December
Official site
Open Society Foundations Fellowships
Who it’s for: Scholars, practitioners, and activists working on open society challenges.
Deadline: Varies by program
Pro tip:
For the most up-to-date and niche opportunities, I also recommend checking collaborative resources like the Graduate Admissions 2025-2026 Spreadsheet on Reddit, where applicants share new fellowships and deadlines as they’re announced.
If you’re targeting a specific field or country, many professional societies and government agencies offer their own fellowships—so keep an eye on their official pages as well.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about pursuing a PhD, these PhD scholarships 2025 are your ticket to a world-class research experience. Bookmark this page, set reminders for deadlines, and don’t hesitate to reach out to scholarship coordinators for guidance. Your research journey starts now—good luck!
