Savanna Hoffman
Getting paid to pursue a PhD is a common concern for students. PhD programmes that don't offer some form of compensation are rare but they do exist. PhD studentships are more common in STEM subjects, and each stipulates its own application process and entrance requirements. PhD stipends can be as high as US$100,000 in some countries, while in others, students get paid minimum wage. In the US, PhD students are discouraged from external employment, and universities offer a tuition waiver and an annual stipend. In France, the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research provides a short-term employment contract called a 'doctoral contract' for PhD candidates, regardless of nationality. In New Zealand, international PhD students are eligible to pay the same fees as local students and can apply for dedicated scholarship schemes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PhD stipends | Up to $100,000 in some countries |
| Countries with high stipends | Austria, Finland, Netherlands |
| International PhD fees in New Zealand | Same as local PhD students |
| PhD funding in France | Doctoral contracts, Eiffel Excellence Scholarships |
| PhD funding in the US | Tuition waiver, annual stipend, Fulbright programs |
| PhD funding in STEM fields | More common |
| PhD funding in Economics | Competitive |
| PhD stipends range | $20,000–$30,000 per year |
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What You'll Learn
PhD funding in the US
PhD students in the US are generally offered admission with funding, which is provided via teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or a combination of the two. PhD students are often discouraged from engaging in external employment, so universities offer a tuition waiver and an annual stipend.
Some US PhD programmes offer 'full-ride' scholarships that cover tuition fees and living expenses. The Fulbright Commission, for example, administers several funding schemes for international students, including Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships, which may cover the entire degree. The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers scholarships to British citizens and foreign nationals settled in the UK. Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellowships offer Indian students funded research placements in the US, and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides Nigerian doctoral students with the opportunity to conduct PhD research in the US.
Some universities that offer fully-funded PhD programs include:
- Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri: PhD students in computer science or computer engineering receive fully paid tuition and health insurance, as well as a stipend to cover living expenses and a new laptop.
- Emory University, Georgia: Economics PhD students receive a stipend of $40,324 per year for five years, as well as a full tuition scholarship worth $70,200 per year and a $4,762 annual subsidy for health insurance.
- Rice University, Texas: Students in the Jones Graduate School of Business receive full financial assistance, including a research or teaching assistantship, a tuition waiver, and an annual stipend.
- University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business: The college provides full funding to "virtually all admitted students," including tuition and fees, an annual stipend, and comprehensive health insurance covered at 90%.
- Cornell University, New York: All students admitted to the chemical engineering PhD program receive a full tuition waiver, health insurance, and a stipend, which can come from a teaching or research assistantship or fellowship.
- New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development: Full-time PhD students are eligible for an annual stipend of $34,883 for the 2025-2026 academic year, tuition coverage, and student health insurance for five years.
- Stanford University, California: The Graduate School of Education offers a "five-year funding guarantee" that includes tuition aid, a fellowship stipend, an assistantship salary, and coverage of the standard cost of attendance.
It is worth noting that PhD students' financial experiences can vary. While some may receive sufficient funding through stipends, others may need to pick up a job on the side to make ends meet, especially in metropolitan areas with high living costs.
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PhD funding in Europe
PhD funding varies across Europe, with some countries offering more competitive stipends than others. Generally, PhD students can explore several avenues for funding, including scholarships, research or teaching assistantships, and grants. Here is a breakdown of PhD funding in some European countries:
Austria
Austria is a popular choice for PhD candidates due to its rich cultural and academic heritage. The country has a strong commitment to academic excellence and research, with universities often collaborating with international partners. The University of Vienna, for example, offers competitive stipends to its PhD students. Government funding also supports doctoral research, making Austria an attractive option for PhD funding.
Finland
Finland is known for its high-quality education system and is also ranked highly for the number of publications per researcher and the impact of research publications. The country offers competitive stipends, with institutions like the University of Helsinki providing substantial financial support. Government funding is also available for stipends, reflecting Finland's commitment to fostering the next generation of researchers.
France
In France, the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research provides specific funds for research through short-term employment contracts called 'doctoral contracts' for PhD candidates, regardless of their nationality. These contracts are for three years, renewable for one year, and include a minimum salary level and a legal framework similar to a standard work contract. PhD students in France can also apply for bursaries from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR), which offers the Eiffel Excellence Scholarships aimed at international students.
Denmark
Denmark offers funded scholarships and academic vacancies for PhD students, with research fields spanning formal sciences, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and more. The Innovation Fund Denmark manages a three-year PhD programme in cooperation with the industry sector. Universities and students of all nationalities may be accepted.
Other Sources of Funding in Europe
The European PhD Hub is an online platform that connects universities, students, and businesses for research and innovation collaboration. It provides a central portal for doctoral open positions, cooperation calls, and professional networking opportunities. Additionally, the European Union (EU) offers various scholarships and academic vacancies funded by EU scholarships for scholars or artists from Ukraine and Russia.
General Tips for PhD Funding
When applying for PhD funding, it is essential to adhere to deadlines and apply as early as possible. Self-funding can be an option for those with the necessary resources, and mentioning this in the application can be beneficial. Many PhD students also work as teaching or research assistants to supplement their income, and scholarships and grants are also widely available.
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PhD funding in the UK
PhD studentships are more common in science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM) subjects, and each stipulates its own application process and entrance requirements. PhD funding in the UK can come from five different sources:
- The UK government, through organisations such as the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), sets the rate, and in 2024/25 the minimum amount is £18,622, paid in regular instalments.
- Postgraduate Research Loans are available to individual PhD students. You may be eligible for a PhD loan of up to £28,673.
- Universities offer their own funded PhD courses, termed studentships. These are usually offered once a year, with applicants invited to apply in advance. Universities that have connections to industry are able to develop funded studentships with direct applicability to a specific service.
- Charities and trusts support individual PhD students through scholarships and bursaries. These are Merit Scholarships, and while they probably won’t cover all the costs associated with a PhD, they are nevertheless a very useful additional source of support.
- Companies seek answers to business-critical problems by investing in research and partnering with relevant universities.
In addition, if your current or previous university is a research-intensive institution, it is likely that they will be actively bidding for research grants from bodies such as the UKRI each year. A successful bid means recruiting for PhD students, who will be awarded funded studentships. Many will also include a stipend, which is an additional living cost allowance.
It is worth noting that PhD students often have a hard time getting by financially, especially in metropolitan areas where housing demand and prices are very high. Therefore, it is always easier to have some money saved away instead of relying entirely on the PhD stipend, or to cut costs by living in cheaper areas.
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PhD funding in New Zealand
PhD funding varies from country to country. In the United States, for example, PhD students are discouraged from taking on external employment, and universities typically offer a tuition waiver and an annual stipend. In France, the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research provides specific funds for research, which they use to offer short-term employment contracts called 'doctoral contracts' to PhD candidates, regardless of nationality. In Austria, the country's commitment to academic excellence and research makes it a top choice for PhD candidates. The University of Vienna, for instance, offers competitive stipends.
In New Zealand, there is no centralised application service for PhD students. Instead, you should apply directly to your chosen university. The country's higher education system is closely modelled on the UK's, where students complete undergraduate bachelor's degrees and then potentially continue on to study a master's and/or a PhD. There are eight universities in New Zealand, all of which are publicly funded, regulated, and accredited by the government. These universities carry out research in all major academic fields and can award PhDs and other doctorates.
Universities in New Zealand are free to set their fees for PhD programmes, but most will charge between NZD $6,500 to $7,500 (USD $3,690-$4,258) per year for a full-time course. The cost of living in New Zealand is relatively low compared to some other study destinations. As a rough guide, you should budget between NZD $18,000 and $27,000 (USD $10,219-$15,329) per academic year.
There are a variety of funding options available for PhD students in New Zealand, including scholarships and grants. All international PhD students are eligible to pay the same fees as local PhD students. Students can apply to dedicated scholarship schemes run by their university or use one of the government-run scholarships such as the International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS). Funding bodies such as the MacDiarmid Institute also offer scholarships. Additionally, some PhD programmes may already include funding for successful applicants, usually in the form of a fee waiver or a stipend. For instance, the University of Auckland offers a tax-free stipend of up to $34,569 per annum in 2025, with an annual CPI adjustment for up to 36 months full-time equivalent.
It is important to note that PhD funding can be highly competitive, and application processes may be lengthy and strict. It is recommended to apply as early as possible and to have all the required materials, essays, personal statements, and references ready before applying for funding opportunities.
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PhD stipends
In some countries, PhD students may receive a monthly stipend for a set period, usually the duration of their programme (around 4-5 years). During this time, the university typically covers tuition fees, student fees, and provides health insurance or a supplement to purchase it. The amount of the stipend can vary significantly, and it may be necessary for students to pick up a job on the side to make ends meet.
Some countries with competitive PhD stipends include:
- Austria: The country's commitment to academic excellence and research, along with government funding, makes Austria an attractive option for PhD stipends. The University of Vienna, for instance, is known for its competitive stipends.
- Finland: Finland offers competitive stipends with substantial financial support from institutions and government funding. The University of Helsinki is renowned for its high-quality education and doctoral offerings.
- The Netherlands: The PhD salary in the Netherlands is considered one of the best in the world, allowing some students to buy a house during their studies.
- France: The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research provides specific funds for research in the form of 'doctoral contracts', which guarantee a minimum salary level and outline the activities the candidate will be involved in.
It is important to note that the availability of funding may depend on various factors, including the student's academic record, research experience, publications, and standardised test scores. Additionally, funding opportunities may not always be widely advertised, so it is recommended to apply to multiple institutions and seek advice from supervisors or funding bodies to explore all options.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the university and the programme. PhD programmes that don't offer some form of compensation are rare but they do exist. PhD students can get paid through stipends, assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and grants.
Some countries with the highest stipends for PhD students include the Netherlands, Finland, Austria, and France. The Netherlands offers one of the best PhD salaries in the world, allowing some students to buy a house during their PhD. France offers a short-term employment contract called a 'doctoral contract' for PhD candidates, regardless of nationality.
When applying for funding, it is important to adhere to deadlines and apply as early as possible. It is also beneficial to apply to multiple institutions to increase the chances of acceptance with funding. Additionally, it is worth noting that STEM PhD programmes are more likely to offer funding than programmes in other fields.
