How to Apply for PhD Scholarships

Pursuing a PhD is a dream for many students. However, it requires substantial financial support. Scholarships offer significant financial support to students, alleviating financial burdens. They cover all the financial needs, including tuition fees, living expenses, stationery, and other education-related costs.

But getting these scholarships is highly competitive and requires a strong application process. In this blog, we will cover what are the different types of scholarships available for a PhD. Additionally, we will also learn what the basic requirements for a scholarship are and how to apply for the same.

What are Scholarships, and Why are they Important?

• Scholarships play a crucial role in students' academic journeys.
• These are one of the best financial aids that help students achieve their academic goals.
• Scholarships cover all the costs, such as tuition fees, living expenses, and other education-related costs, making higher education accessible to all students.
• Scholarships are not required to be repaid. They are sponsored by government bodies, private institutes, and other universities to encourage students to pursue their dreams.
• Scholarships are designed for students such that no financial constraints can stop students from achieving their academic dreams. Thus, scholarships are crucial for students.

Types of PhD Scholarships

Different types of Phd scholarships exist. These PhD scholarships are categorised based on various factors. The common types of scholarships are...

1. Merit-Based Scholarships

• Merit-based scholarships are awarded to candidates who showcase exceptional performance in academics, research, etc.
• These scholarships are funded by a government organisation, private institutions, and some top universities..Some of the merit-based scholarships are fully funded, while others are partially funded.

2. Need-Based Scholarships

• These scholarships are provided for students who are in financial need.
• The purpose of these scholarships is to provide access to education to economically weaker students.
• Thus, to be eligible for these scholarships, students have to provide their financial statements, which demonstrate their economic status.
• Like other scholarships, some need-based scholarships are fully funded, while others are partially funded.
• These scholarships are sponsored by government organisations, private entities, and other universities.

3. Program/University-Specific Scholarships

• Program-specific Scholarships are awarded to students in a specific field of study or research areas.
• Which means providers offer scholarships for research in a particular field.
• University-specific scholarships are provided to attract top talent; these come under merit-based scholarships.

4. Commonwealth Scholarships

• These scholarships are jointly funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and UK universities.
• These scholarships enhance the relations between the Commonwealth nations.
• The main aim of these scholarships is to attract the top talent that contributes to international development.
• India is a part of the Commonwealth countries. Students can make use of this opportunity if they wish to study in the UK.

5. Prime Minister's Fellowship for Doctoral Research

• The Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research is offered by the Indian government to encourage students in doctoral and industry-relevant research in top indian universities.
• It is a joint initiative of the Science and Engineering Board (SERB) and the Confederation of Indian Industry(CII).
• This scheme provides attractive fellowships and research grants to encourage research aligned with industry needs.

6. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships

• These scholarships are offered to students who want to pursue doctoral programs in science, technology, philosophy, etc.
• Students from India and other asian countries are eligible for these scholarships.
• These scholarships are merit-based; students are required to have exceptional academic performance to be eligible.
• A selection committee is designated to select the candidates for the scholarships.

7. Fulbright Scholarships

• Fulbright Scholarships are offered by the US government to all international students to study in the US.
• It is one of the prestigious initiatives that promotes cultural exchange between the US and other countries.
• The eligibility and selection process depend on the scholarship program and the country of origin of the student. 

PhD Scholarships in India 

There are different scholarships available for students to pursue a PhD in India. A few of the top scholarships are...

1. Scholarship: Ishan Uday Scholarship for North-Eastern Region
   Discipline: PhD
   Scholarship Type: Merit-Based/Need-based
   Funding Type: Partial Funding
   Eligibility: Students must have completed a master's degree. Must secure a PhD admission.
   Scholarship Amount: 78,000 per month
2. Scholarship: Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship
   Discipline: PhD
   Scholarship Type: Merit-Based
   Funding Type: Partial Funding
   Eligibility: Indian citizens, a Master's degree. The applicant should not be holding any other fellowship.
   Scholarship Amount: Fellowship amount 25000(taxable), Research grant 15 lakhs

PhD Scholarships Abroad

The top scholarships for pursuing a PhD abroad are 

1. Scholarship: Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation International Fellowships in the USA
   Discipline: PhD
   Scholarship Type: Merit-Based
   Funding Type: Partial Funding
   Eligibility: Both domestic and international students are accepted. Applicant must have an offer letter for a PHD.
   Scholarship Amount: USD 31000 for 12 months
2. Scholarship: Research Grants - Bi-Nationally supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle
   Discipline: PhD
   Scholarship Type: Merit-Based/Need-Based
   Funding Type: Fully Funded
   Eligibility: Applicant must be an Indian National. Must have earned a master's degree/diploma. Must have been admitted to a doctoral program
   Accepted at universities: German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD)
   Scholarship Amount: A monthly payment of EUR 1,400 during the stay in Germany. A research allowance of EUR 460

What are the Requirements to get a Phd scholarship?​

The basic requirements to get a scholarship are...

1. Academic Qualifications

• A relevant master's degree, typically with good grades, enhances scholarship approval. 
• For merit-based scholarships, academic performance matters.
• Maintaining a consistent academic record is required to beat the scholarship competition.

2. Research Proposal

• A well-crafted research proposal highlights the objectives and significance of the applied research.
• This will help the providers to shortlist the deserving candidates amidst a plethora of applications.

3. Citizenship

• Some scholarships have citizenship specified in their eligibility criteria.
• It is recommended to thoroughly study the eligibility requirements before applying for a scholarship.
• This will reduce the scholarship rejection chances.

4. Age Requirement

• Some scholarship providers impose restrictions on the age criteria of students.
• Oftentimes, students overlook the factor and later face rejection.
• Make sure to confirm the age limit when applying for a scholarship.

5. Language Proficiency

• This often depends on the language of instruction of the chosen university.
• Some scholarships require the language proficiency test, which the student must meet.

6. Letter of Recommendation

• Letters of recommendation, typically from a research supervisor or professors, support the efficiency of the students.
• This is done to demonstrate the research ability of the student.

7. Statement of Purpose/ Motivation letter

• A motivation letter by the student demonstrating why the students want to do a PhD.
• Why do student choose that particular university, and how does their background match the project?

8. Standardised Test Score

• Some scholarships have standard tests to evaluate the eligibility of the scholarship applicants.
• A good score in these tests can help students get scholarships that they have applied for.

Apart from these are other requirements that typically depend on the scholarship provider, type of scholarship, etc. Students must make sure that they meet all the eligibility requirements to be eligible for the scholarship.

WeMakeScholars has comprehensive data that provides students with maximum scholarship availability in the scholarship market. The portal has all the available scholarships from the top institutes of different countries, leaving students with maximum scholarship opportunities. Thus, applying through WeMakeScholars can help students find scholarships that match their interests.

How to Apply for PhD Scholarships

A winning application is essential for a successful scholarship approval. Read further for a step-by-step process of scholarship application.

1. Find the Right Scholarship

• Often, students face rejection for not applying for the right scholarship.
• Students have to identify the scholarships that match their interests in the field of study, academic profile, financial needs, etc. 
• Based on these factors, students are required to choose the right scholarship type.
• This will lead to a successful scholarship process.

2. Check the Eligibility

• This is one of the important aspects of scholarships where students often make mistakes.
• Providers are very particular about the eligibility requirements of the student. 
• This is to ensure that the scholarships are awarded to the deserving candidates.
• Different scholarships have different eligibility criteria, so make sure to double-check the eligibility criteria.

3. Prepare all the Documents

• Scholarship providers assess all the documents to check the eligibility of the students for which scholarships are offered.
• Therefore, prepare with all the necessary documents beforehand to avoid scholarship rejections.

4. Follow the Application Process

• Follow all the instructions mentioned by the scholarship providers.
• Apply as per the guidelines mentioned in the scholarship portal, including the submission process.
• This helps students apply for a scholarship in a standard way. 

5. Submit your Application Before the Deadline

• This is the crucial step of the scholarship process. 
• Students must make sure that they submit the scholarship application before the deadline to avoid rejection.

6. Prepare for Interviews

• Some scholarships require attending the interviews to get the scholarship.
• A thorough review of the scholarship provider and the motive of the scholarship helps students nail the interview.
• Students must ensure that their academic goals align with the objective of the scholarships to ace the scholarship interview.

7. Consistent Follow-up

• A consistent follow-up after the scholarship application can help students fix the gap and enhance the chances of scholarship approval.

Conclusion

Scholarships are an important part of a student's journey. They offer incredible financial support to students with big dreams. There are many scholarships available for students to pursue a Phd.

In this, we have explored what are the types of scholarships available for students, along with the requirements of the scholarships. In addition, we have also covered how to apply for a scholarship. Apply through the WeMakeScholars scholarship portal and find the right scholarship.