Top PhD Abroad Scholarships 2025 for Indian Students

The number of Indian students going abroad for a doctoral degree has steadily increased during recent times. Although the overall cost is sometimes overwhelming, scholarships offer great help in covering expenses. The type and scope of the scholarship usually determine what expenses are covered. Ideally, it covers tuition fees, travel expenses, research materials/books costs and living allowances.

In this blog, we are identifying the top PhD abroad scholarships for Indian students to look out for in 2025. Continue reading to know more and understand the eligibility and benefits of the top overseas PhD scholarships for Indian students.

Best PhD Scholarships Abroad for Indian Students in 2025

Let’s explore some of the best PhD scholarships abroad available to Indian students in 2025.

1. Fulbright- Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships (USA)

Eligibility:

• Be registered for a PhD at an Indian institution on or before the specified deadline.
• Demonstrate a strong academic record and research aptitude.
• Justify the need to conduct research in the U.S., specifying objectives and identifying relevant U.S. academic resources and institutions.
• Ensure that their thesis submission date is at least three months after the grant end date.

Scope (Expenses covered):

• Assistance with obtaining the J-1 visa necessary for the fellowship.
• Monthly stipend to cover living expenses during the research period in the U.S.
• Health insurance coverage under the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) as per U.S. Government guidelines.
• Economy class airfare for travel to and from the U.S.
• Additional support for research-related expenses and institutional affiliation fees, if applicable.

Note: No allowances are provided for dependents, and the grant is not sufficient to support family members.

2. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

Eligibility:

• Strong English proficiency (IELTS 6.5+) and a minimum CGPA of 8.5/85% or equivalent; German proficiency recommended.
• At least 2 years of relevant work/research experience; submission of a research proposal or Statement of Purpose (SOP).
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) for exchange/short-term programs from the home institution.
• Proof of accommodation and compliance with visa insurance requirements.

Scope (Expenses covered):

• Monthly stipend for PhD students.
• One-time travel allowance to cover international travel to and from Germany.
• Comprehensive health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
• Research allowance for materials and project-related expenses.
• Possible rent subsidies or family allowances in specific cases.
• Funding for language courses or preparatory programs, if applicable.

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)

Eligibility:

• Open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom.
• Applicants must be applying to pursue a full-time/part-time PhD at the University of Cambridge.
• Applicants must demonstrate outstanding intellectual ability, strong research potential, leadership qualities, and a clear alignment between their academic qualifications, research goals, and the chosen PhD program at Cambridge.

Scope (Expenses Covered):

1. Full tuition fees at the University of Cambridge.
2. Maintenance allowance to cover living expenses.
3. One Economy class airfare to and from the UK.
4. Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs.
5. Additional discretionary funding for conferences, research, or other academic activities. (if applicable)

4. Australia Awards - Postgraduate Research Programmes (PhD)

Eligibility:

• Must be a citizen/resident of an eligible country (e.g., India), over 18 years old, and meet Australian university entry requirements.
• Need to demonstrate English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL-iBT 78 / PTE 58) and satisfy Australian visa requirements.
• Past Australia Awards scholars can reapply if they have lived outside Australia for twice the duration of their previous award.

Scope (Expenses covered):

• Payment of full tuition fees, stipend for living expenses, and an establishment allowance.
• Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC) and airfare in economy class (to and from Australia).
• Additional support includes academic assistance, fieldwork allowance, reunion airfare (if eligible), pre-course English, Introductory Academic Program (IAP), and supplementary academic support services.

5. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Canada)

Eligibility:

• Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students nominated by one eligible Canadian university, pursuing their first doctoral degree or a joint UG/PG research program.
• Must have a first-class average in the last two years, be enrolled full-time in a PhD, and have completed no more than 20 months of doctoral study as of May 1, 2024.
• Research areas include natural sciences, engineering, health, social sciences, and humanities; applicants must not hold other federal doctoral scholarships.

Scope (Expenses covered):

• Provides CAD 50,000 annually for up to three years to fund doctoral research.
• Covers tuition, living expenses, and research-related costs.

Full-time financing allows recipients to focus entirely on their PhD and enhances their status, global networking, and opportunities for scholarly collaboration.

6. Other Notable Scholarships

1. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland) :

• Supports international students and researchers to pursue PhD, postdoctoral, or research programs at Swiss universities.
• Covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance, housing allowance, and travel allowance.

2. Japanese MEXT Scholarship (Japan) :

• Fully funded scholarships for international students to pursue undergraduate, master’s, PhD, research, or teacher training programs in Japan.
• Covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, and round-trip airfare, along with access to research guidance and cultural exchange opportunities.

Types of Scholarships for Pursuing a PhD Abroad

Knowing the different types of scholarships is important when planning to apply for a PhD abroad. Here are the various types:

• Fully-funded Scholarships: These generally cover tuition fees, living expenses, travel and sometimes research costs.
• Partial Scholarships: These provide limited support, usually covering only a stipend, tuition fees, or specific expenses.
• University-specific Scholarships: Universities frequently provide merit-based awards or scholarships for certain programs.
• Country-specific Scholarships: Generally, offered by governments or national bodies for international students. (e.g. DAAD - Germany, Fulbright - USA)
• Research-specific Grants: Granted on the basis of the area of research, scope of project undertaken or international collaboration (e.g., Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks – Europe).

How to Increase the Chances of Receiving a PhD Scholarship?

Here are some tips for Indian students to obtain a PhD scholarship in a foreign country:

• Maintain an excellent record of academics and research publications.
• Prepare for the best research proposal and statement of purpose.
• Obtain credible recommendation letters.
• Get to know about professors and research groups in your field.
• Apply early and keep track of deadlines carefully.
• Participate in internships, conferences and research projects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for PhD Scholarships Abroad

Knowing the common mistakes to avoid is just as important as enhancing your application. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Missing application deadlines or filling out incomplete forms.
• Writing non-specific or generic research proposals.
• Vague or non-specific recommendation letters.
• Ignoring scholarship-specific instructions.

To Conclude

PhD scholarships abroad provide Indian students with just the adequate financial support to access world-class research and global exposure. However, in reality, even fully funded scholarships sometime cannot account for various miscellaneous and unforeseen expenses. This is where an Education Loan can help bridge the funding gap.

With Poonawalla Fincorp, Indian students can obtain a collateral-free Education Loan up to ₹1 Crore to cover living expenses, research materials, and travel costs for overseas education. Explore more on the official website and apply now to secure a seat at your dream university abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I prepare my application?

Start 12-18 Months ahead of time to write proposals, collect recommendation letters, and monitor deadlines.

Are work opportunities permitted when you're pursuing a PhD abroad?

Yes, most scholarships allow part-time work or research/teaching assistantships while pursuing a PhD; however, the major focus must be on full-time study and research.

Are travel expenses covered by scholarships?

Many fully-funded scholarships cover round-trip travel and provide travel allowances related to research.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship at the same time?

Yes, however, make sure to adhere to the rules of each scholarship to avoid future conflicts.

How can I increase my chances of selection for a PhD scholarship abroad?

Maintain strong academics, write a good research proposal, obtain impactful letters of recommendation, and demonstrate leadership, research potential, and a global perspective.