How to do PhD abroad with scholarships for Indian students

In this guide, we will list the 7 popular PhD scholarships for Indian students to study abroad.

Why study your PhD abroad?

There are many benefits of studying a PhD from abroad for Indian students. The top 3 benefits are

Better funding: It is comparatively cheaper to do your PhD abroad than in India, as the tuition fee is generally lower around the globe. Moreover, you can complete your PhD abroad with scholarships for Indian students.

Wide network: By doing your PhD abroad, you can extend your network by getting to know individuals from different parts of the world.

Different culture: By doing your PhD abroad, you will develop a global perspective as you will be introduced to new concepts, ways of instruction, and academic communities.

Also read: What are the scholarship exams?

Documents Required to Apply for PhD Scholarships Abroad

Indian students applying for PhD scholarships abroad must submit a set of academic and supporting documents as part of the application process. Missing or incomplete documents can lead to rejection.

Commonly required documents include academic transcripts and degree certificates from previous studies, a detailed research proposal, a statement of purpose, and an updated academic CV.

Most scholarships also require two to three letters of recommendation from academic referees. Proof of English language proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL scores, may be required unless a waiver applies.

Some scholarships may also ask for a confirmed PhD admission letter, passport copy, or evidence of previous research publications.

Applicants are advised to prepare these documents well in advance to avoid last-minute delays.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Scholarships for Indian Students

Indian students applying for PhD scholarships abroad must meet certain academic and research-related requirements. While eligibility criteria may vary depending on the scholarship and country, the following requirements are commonly expected.

Most PhD scholarships require applicants to hold a relevant postgraduate degree (Master’s) from a recognised university with strong academic performance. In some cases, exceptional candidates with a Bachelor’s degree may also be considered.

A well-defined research proposal is one of the most important components of a PhD scholarship application. Applicants are expected to clearly outline their research objectives, methodology, and academic contribution.

English language proficiency is usually required for English-taught PhD programmes. Scholarships may accept IELTS, TOEFL, or alternative proof such as Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates, depending on the university.

Some scholarships require candidates to already be enrolled in a PhD programme, while others allow students to apply before securing university admission. Age limits and work experience requirements may apply for select scholarships.

How to Apply for PhD Scholarships Abroad (Step-by-Step)

Applying for PhD scholarships abroad involves a structured multi-step process. Indian students should start preparations at least 9–12 months in advance to improve their chances of success.

Step 1: Shortlist Countries and Universities

Identify universities offering PhD programmes aligned with your research interests and funding availability.

Step 2: Prepare a Strong Research Proposal

Your proposal should clearly define the research problem, objectives, methodology, and expected academic contribution.

Step 3: Secure a PhD Supervisor (If Required)

Many universities require applicants to contact and receive approval from a potential PhD supervisor before applying.

Step 4: Apply for PhD Admission

Some scholarships require a confirmed PhD offer, while others allow parallel scholarship and admission applications.

Step 5: Apply for Scholarships

Submit scholarship applications along with required documents such as SOP, CV, recommendation letters, and test scores.

Step 6: Attend Interviews and Final Selection

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews or research presentations before final decisions.

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PhD Scholarship Application Timeline for Indian Students

Planning ahead is crucial when applying for PhD scholarships abroad. Below is a general timeline Indian students can follow.

List of popular PhD scholarships for Indian students

• Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship
• Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship for International students
• DAAD Scholarships
• President's PhD Scholarships
• Eiffel Scholarship Program
• Cambridge International Scholarships

Comparison of Popular PhD Scholarships for Indian Students

Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships are six to nine-month fellowships designed for Indian scholars registered for a PhD at an Indian institution. The applicant will be affiliated with one U.S. host institution for his grant, so he should, in advance, identify institutions to be affiliated with and correspond with potential host institutions. The selected scholars can audit non-degree courses, conduct research, and gain practical work experience in the U.S.

The fellowship provides a monthly stipend, J-1 visa support, an accident and sickness program, round-trip air travel, applicable allowances, and modest affiliation fees. It does not provide any dependents allowance and is insufficient to support family members. It is intended for PhD students to conduct research essential to their dissertations/thesis, so the candidates should submit the expected PhD thesis at least three months after the Fulbright-Nehru grant end date.

Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships

The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation has supported innovative research and scholarship work for over four decades. Since 2016 the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation has been working with the Cambridge Trust to offer scholarships to Indian students at the PhD level in various academic subjects. Till now, over 350 scholars have benefited from these scholarships. The selection process for the scholarship consists of 2 rounds: shortlisting candidates based on the written evidence submitted and personal or zoom interview with a panel of experts.

The scholarship provides financial support to undertake research at an institution that must be utilized within nine months of being awarded. It provides a travel allowance of up to $1000, monthly maintenance expenses of up to $2000, up to $500 for buying materials, and a health allowance of up to $500.

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Gates Cambridge Scholarship for international students

A donation of $210 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation established the Gates Cambridge Scholarship program. Each year Gates Cambridge offers 55 full-cost scholarships to PhD students outside the UK. The candidates are selected based on exceptional intellectual ability, reasons for choosing the course, a commitment to improving other's lives, and leadership potential.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides funding for both core and discretionary components. The core components include University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance for up to 4 years, return airfare, inbound visa costs & Immigration Health Surcharge cost. The discretionary components include academic development funding of up to £500 to up to £2,000, family allowance of up to £10,944 for one child and up to £15,612 for two or more children, fieldwork funding, maternity/paternity funding, and hardship funding. Although the scholarship covers most of the costs, it does not cover bench fees or scientific equipment costs, or similar academic resources.

DAAD Scholarships

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is one of the world’s largest funding organizations for international students. Each year, DAAD supports over 100,000 German and international students and researchers around the globe. The DAAD scholarship provides a monthly stipend of 1,200 Euros as a monthly stipend, travel grant, free accommodation in the university dorms, insurance and health coverage.

An independent selection committee of specialist scientists reviews the applied candidates and selects them based on their qualifications, the quality of the research project, and the applicant's potential. The qualification selection criteria include academic achievements, academic progress, and knowledge of the working language. The quality of research selection criteria includes originality and relevance of the project, feasibility and consistency of the study plan, and incorporation of the project within the overall doctorate. The potential of applicant selection criteria includes career prospects, German language skills, and non-study-related activities.

President's PhD Scholarships

Imperial College London provides 50 President’s PhD Scholarships to attract candidates that show excellent academic performance and promising research potential. The President’s PhD Scholarships provides full tuition fees, a stipend of £22,900 per annum to assist with living costs, a consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first 3 years of study, and access to the full range of support at Imperial. The scholarship is available for both full-time and part-time study.

The President’s PhD Scholarships is a highly competitive scheme and has higher than usual eligibility requirements. The Faculties and College Selection Panel assess the candidates on academic excellence (past academic results, relative class position, awards and distinctions) and research potential (candidate’s research, the research plan and its potential contribution).

Eiffel Scholarship Program

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs developed the Eiffel Scholarship Program to assist French higher education institutions in attracting the best international students to PhD programs. French higher education institutions submit the applications for the scholarship, and applications sent directly by students or foreign institutions are declared ineligible.

The Eiffel program is awarded for 12 months in France. It does not cover the tuition fees but provides benefits like a monthly stipend of €1,700, international transportation, national transportation, insurance, housing searches, cultural activities, etc.

Also read: Can I get a 100% scholarship to study abroad?

Cambridge International Scholarships

The Cambridge Trust offers Cambridge International Scholarships to Indian students for undertaking research leading to a PhD degree at the University of Cambridge. The Cambridge International Scholarships aim to ensure that the highest-scored Indian students receive full financial support to undertake PhD studies. The selection criteria include the candidate's academic qualifications, references, and research potential, not the financial situation.

The Scholarships pay the University Composition Fee and a maintenance allowance sufficient for a single person. If the student receives a full-cost scholarship from any other source (excluding Gates Cambridge and Harding), then he can attend the Trust's events but will not get any monetary value. If the student accepts a Gates Cambridge Scholarship or a Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship, then his scholarship will immediately lapse.

Also read: Can I get a 100% scholarship for studying MS abroad?

Country-Wise Comparison of PhD Scholarships for Indian Students

PhD scholarships vary significantly by country in terms of funding, duration, and eligibility requirements. Indian students should carefully compare scholarship offerings before deciding where to apply.

Countries like the USA and UK offer structured and highly competitive PhD scholarships with generous stipends, while European countries such as Germany and France provide affordable doctoral education with strong public funding support.

Comparing scholarships based on tuition coverage, monthly stipend, and duration can help students choose the most suitable destination for their academic and financial needs.

How Competitive Are PhD Scholarships for Indian Students?

PhD scholarships abroad are highly competitive, especially fully funded programs. On average:

• Acceptance rates range between 5–15%
• Academic excellence alone is not sufficient
• Research proposal quality and supervisor fit play a crucial role

Scholarships like Gates Cambridge and Fulbright-Nehru receive thousands of applications annually, making early preparation and strong documentation essential.

What Happens After Completing a PhD Abroad?

After completing a PhD abroad, Indian students can pursue multiple career pathways:

• Postdoctoral Research at global universities
• Academic roles such as Assistant Professor or Research Scientist
• Industry R&D positions in technology, healthcare, and innovation sectors
• Work visa extensions or PR pathways, depending on the country

Countries like Germany, the UK, and Canada offer post-study work options that allow PhD graduates to gain international work experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships grant?

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships provide a monthly stipend, J-1 visa support, an accident and sickness program, round-trip air travel, applicable allowances, and modest affiliation fees.

What is the selection process for Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships?

The selection process for the Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships consists of 2 rounds: shortlisting candidates based on the written evidence submitted and personal or zoom interviews with a panel of experts.

What does Gates Cambridge Scholarship funding for International students cover?

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides funding for both core and discretionary components. The core components include University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance for up to 4 years, return airfare, inbound visa costs & Immigration Health Surcharge cost. The discretionary components include academic development funding, family allowance, fieldwork funding, maternity/paternity funding, and hardship funding.

What are the benefits of the DAAD Scholarships grant?

The DAAD scholarship provides a monthly stipend of 1,200 Euros, travel grant, free accommodation in the university dorms, insurance, and health coverage.

What cover does the President's PhD Scholarships provide?

The President’s PhD Scholarship provides full tuition fees, a stipend of £22,900 per annum to assist with living costs, a consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first three years of study, and access to the full range of support available to postgraduates at Imperial.

Who developed the Eiffel Scholarship Program?

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs developed the Eiffel scholarship program to assist French higher education institutions in attracting the best international students to PhD programs.

Will I receive monetary benefits from Cambridge International Scholarships if I get any other scholarship?

No, you will not receive monetary benefits from Cambridge International Scholarships if you get any other scholarship. However, you can attend the Trust's events if you receive a full-cost scholarship from any other source (excluding Gates Cambridge and Harding).

What are the benefits of the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship?

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship offers a monthly stipend, J-1 visa support, health insurance, round-trip airfare, and other applicable allowances for Indian PhD scholars conducting research in the USA.

What is the selection process for Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships?

The selection process includes shortlisting based on submitted documents, followed by a personal or online interview with an expert panel.

What does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship cover for international students?

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, return airfare, visa costs, and health surcharge. Additional funding may be available for academic development, family allowance, and fieldwork.

What are the benefits of the DAAD Scholarships?

DAAD Scholarships provide a monthly stipend, travel grant, accommodation support, health insurance, and other essential benefits for PhD students in Germany.

What does the President’s PhD Scholarship provide?

The President’s PhD Scholarship covers full tuition fees, a yearly living stipend, a research consumables fund, and access to academic support at Imperial College London.

Who developed the Eiffel Scholarship Program?

The Eiffel Scholarship Program was developed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attract international students to PhD programmes in France.

Will I receive funding from Cambridge International Scholarships if I get another scholarship?

No, students receiving another full-cost scholarship will not receive monetary funding from the Cambridge Trust, but they may still attend Trust events.