Fully Funded PhD Programs in USA for International Students in 2025

If you’re planning to get a PhD in USA, you probably know how expensive it can be. Tuition alone can cost ₹30-40 lakh per year, and that’s before adding living expenses. For international students, these numbers can feel a lot.

But many students don’t actually pay these costs. Top universities like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford offer fully funded PhD programs in USA for international students - covering tuition, living expenses, and research costs. This means you can focus on your studies instead of worrying about money.

Many students—especially from India—have secured full funding through research assistantships, teaching roles, and university fellowships. 

Nearly 70% of PhD students receive full funding. If they can do it, so can you [National Science Foundation (2023)].

Continue reading to find the right programs, eligibility, understand funding options, and apply with confidence.

What Does a Fully Funded PhD Program Cover?

Does a fully funded PhD mean everything is paid for? In most cases, yes. Universities that offer fully funded PhD programs in USA for international students cover tuition, living expenses, and research costs.

Expense	What’s Covered?	Average Value (per year)
Tuition Fees	Fully covered at most top universities	$40,000 – $55,000 (₹33 – ₹45 lakh)
Living Stipend	Monthly stipend for rent, food, daily expenses	$25,000 – $45,000 (₹20 – ₹37 lakh)
Health Insurance	University-provided or subsidized insurance	$2,500 – $4,000 (₹2 – ₹3.3 lakh)
Research Costs	Covers lab materials, fieldwork, software, etc.	Varies based on research area
Conference Travel	Some programs provide additional travel grants	$1,000 – $5,000 (₹83,000 – ₹4 lakh)

Are There Any Hidden Costs?

Even with full funding, some expenses may not be included. For example:

• Visa & Immigration Fees – A USA student visa (F-1) costs around $510 (₹42,000).
• Housing Deposits & Relocation Costs – Some universities require an upfront payment before you move in.
• Books & Course Materials – While some programs provide research grants, textbooks and software licenses may be extra.

Different Funding Sources for PhD Students

Funding Type	What It Covers	Who Provides It?
University Fellowships	Full tuition + stipend	Universities (Harvard, Stanford, Yale)
Teaching Assistantships (TA)	Salary + partial tuition coverage	University departments
Research Assistantships (RA)	Stipend + research funding	Professors & research grants (NSF, NIH)
External Fellowships	Full funding or partial grants	Fulbright, Gates Cambridge, Knight-Hennessy

Top Fully Funded PhD Programs in USA (2025)

Many top universities offer fully funded PhD programs in USA for international students. This means you can focus on your research, learn from top professors, and use world-class facilities—without worrying about money.

So, where should you apply? Here are some of the fully funded PhD programs in USA for international students for 2025, which offer great opportunities for research and career growth.

1. Harvard University – PhD in Business, Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering

Harvard receives $1.5 billion+ in annual research funding across disciplines
Access to Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, and top STEM courses
Collaboration with MIT, Stanford, and leading global organizations
Graduates secure top positions in academia, consulting, and policymaking

Field	Funding Details
Business	Full tuition + stipend (~$42,000 per year/₹34.5 lakh)
Sciences & Engineering	Research & teaching assistantships + grants
Social Sciences	Fellowships covering full tuition & health insurance

2. Stanford University – PhD in Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business

Located in Silicon Valley, offering direct access to Google, Tesla, and Apple
Home to Stanford AI Lab, Hoover Institution, and world-class entrepreneurship programs
PhD students receive mentorship from Nobel Prize-winning faculty
Strong post-PhD opportunities in tech, academia, and policy research

Field	Funding Details
Engineering	Full tuition + stipend (~$45,000 per year/₹37 lakh)
Humanities & Social Sciences	Fellowships & assistantships available
Business	Research assistantships & grants

3. MIT – Fully Funded PhD in Science, Technology, and Management

MIT’s $20+ billion endowment ensures full funding for all PhD students
Home to MIT Sloan, CSAIL (AI lab), and world-class engineering research
Strong collaborations with NASA, IBM, Google, and the USA government
PhD graduates have a 95%+ employment rate, often in leading R&D roles

Field	Funding Details
Science & Technology	Full tuition + stipend (~$45,000 per year/₹37.3 lakh)
Management	Sloan School of Management provides research assistantships

4. University of California, Berkeley – PhD in Computer Science, Law, Economics

Berkeley’s Computer Science & Economics programs rank among the top 5 globally
Access to over $700 million in annual research funding
Part of the UC system, allowing interdisciplinary research collaborations
Graduates work in academia, policymaking, and Fortune 500 companies

Field	Funding Details
Computer Science	Full tuition + stipend (~$40,000 per year/₹33 lakh)
Law	Fellowships for international students available
Economics	Research assistantships & funding for fieldwork

5. Princeton University – PhD in Engineering, Natural Sciences, Public Policy

Princeton provides full funding for all PhD students from day one
Home to the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab (PPPL) and leading public policy institutes
Strong partnerships with NASA, National Science Foundation, and global think tanks
PhD graduates move into government roles, academia, and top industry research labs

Field	Funding Details
Engineering	Full tuition + stipend (~$44,000 per year/₹36 lakh)
Natural Sciences	Research fellowships & assistantships available
Public Policy	Fellowships for international students

6. University of Chicago – PhD in Humanities, Social Sciences, and Mathematics

UChicago is home to 89 Nobel laureates, making it a hub for world-class research
The university’s Humanities and Social Sciences programs rank among the top 5 globally
PhD students benefit from generous fellowships and teaching assistantships
Strong research centers like the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics

Field	Funding Details
Humanities	Full tuition + stipend (~$35,000 per year/₹29 lakh)
Social Sciences	Fellowships, research assistantships, and grants
Mathematics	Full funding + additional research allowances

7. Yale University – PhD in Law, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Studies

Yale’s Law School is ranked #1 in USA, making its PhD in Law highly sought-after
The university provides 100% tuition waivers and competitive stipends for PhD students
Home to top research centers like Yale School of the Environment and Yale Biomedical Research
PhD graduates often transition into government, think tanks, or academia

Field	Funding Details
Law	Fully funded for all admitted PhD students
Biomedical Sciences	Research assistantships and fellowships
Environmental Studies	Full funding + research grants

8. Columbia University – PhD in Business, Medicine, Journalism, and Engineering

Located in New York City, providing access to top research institutes and Fortune 500 companies
Home to the Columbia Journalism School, ranked among the best in the world
Columbia’s Business and Engineering schools offer generous research assistantships
PhD graduates often secure positions in top global organizations and media outlets

Field	Funding Details
Business	Full tuition + stipend (~$40,000 per year/₹33 lakh)
Medicine	Research funding from Columbia Medical School
Journalism	Fellowships for research and global reporting projects
Engineering	Full funding + industry-sponsored research grants

9. University of Michigan – PhD in Data Science, Public Health, and Physics

Michigan is a top 10 research university in USA, attracting $1.7 billion in research funding annually
Strong collaborations with NASA, NIH, and global health organizations
PhD students have access to the Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS) and public health research centers
Excellent post-PhD career opportunities in biotech, academia, and industry research

Field	Funding Details
Data Science	Full tuition + stipend (~$35,000 per year/₹29 lakh)
Public Health	Fellowships and government-funded research projects
Physics	Teaching assistantships + research grants

10. Johns Hopkins University – PhD in Public Health, Neuroscience, Engineering

Home to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, ranked #1 in the world
Johns Hopkins receives $3 billion+ in annual research funding, making it a leader in medical and health sciences
PhD students benefit from NIH-funded research programs in neuroscience and biomedical engineering
Graduates often work in public health agencies, global health organizations, and biotech firms

Field	Funding Details
Public Health	Full tuition + stipend (~$38,000 per year/₹31 lakh)
Neuroscience	Research fellowships and NIH grants
Engineering	Full funding + industry collaborations

11. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) – PhD in Physics, Computer Science, and Biology

Caltech is ranked #1 in USA for Physics and Space Science Research
Home to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, providing direct research opportunities
PhD students receive 100% full funding, including tuition, stipends, and research grants
Graduates work at Google, NASA, and top research institutions

Field	Funding Details
Physics	Full tuition + stipend (~$45,000 per year/₹37 lakh)
Computer Science	Research assistantships + fellowships
Biology	NIH-funded research grants available

12. University of Pennsylvania – PhD in Psychology, Political Science, and Sociology

UPenn is an Ivy League university with a strong reputation in social sciences and policy research
Access to Penn Wharton Public Policy Initiative for research in governance and economics
PhD students receive full funding through teaching assistantships and fellowships
Graduates pursue careers in academia, think tanks, and international organizations

Field	Funding Details
Psychology	Full tuition + stipend (~$40,000 per year/₹33 lakh)
Political Science	Fellowships and research grants
Sociology	Assistantships and industry-funded projects

13. Duke University – PhD in Law, Medicine, and Business Administration

Duke’s School of Law and Fuqua School of Business are ranked among the top 10 in USA
The Duke University Medical Center provides PhD students with cutting-edge research facilities
Duke’s Law PhD program allows interdisciplinary research in policy, technology, and ethics
Graduates secure positions in academia, healthcare, legal firms, and multinational corporations

Field	Funding Details
Law	Fully funded for all admitted PhD students
Medicine	NIH-backed research funding available
Business Administration	Research fellowships + industry collaborations

14. Northwestern University – PhD in Materials Science, Finance, and Music

Northwestern’s Materials Science and Finance PhDs are ranked among the best in USA
The university has strong corporate partnerships, offering industry-sponsored research opportunities
PhD students in Music have access to the world-renowned Bienen School of Music
Graduates often work in investment banking, energy research, and academic institutions

Field	Funding Details
Materials Science	Full tuition + stipend (~$42,000 per year/₹34.5 lakh)
Finance	Research assistantships and business school grants
Music	Fellowships and creative research funding

15. Cornell University – PhD in Food Science, Civil Engineering, and Chemistry

Cornell is a leader in agriculture, engineering, and chemistry research, with a strong global impact
PhD students have access to Cornell’s Atkinson Center for Sustainability for environmental research
The Ivy League university offers fully funded PhD programs in USA for international students in all major disciplines
Graduates take roles in government research, environmental agencies, and multinational companies

Field	Funding Details
Food Science	Full tuition + stipend (~$40,000 per year/₹33 lakh)
Civil Engineering	Research assistantships + industry funding
Chemistry	Full funding + research grants

Top Fields of Study for Fully Funded PhD Programs in USA

Which PhD fields offer the most full funding? 

Some fields, like STEM disciplines, business, and public health, have higher funding rates due to research grants and industry partnerships. 

Others, like humanities and social sciences, may require external fellowships or teaching assistantships for full support.

STEM vs. Non-STEM PhD Funding Trends

Over 75% of STEM PhD students in USA receive full funding, compared to 55% of humanities and social sciences PhD students (NSF, 2023).

Category	Funding Availability	Main Funding Sources
STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)	High (75%+ full funding)	University fellowships, NSF/NIH grants, industry sponsorships
Business & Economics	Moderate to High	Research assistantships, business school fellowships
Public Health & Medical Research	Very High	NIH funding, university fellowships, global health grants
Law & Public Policy	Moderate	Law school research funding, teaching assistantships
Humanities & Social Sciences	Moderate to Low (55% fully funded)	External fellowships, teaching assistantships, research grants

STEM fields have higher funding because universities receive large research grants from the government and private companies. In contrast, humanities and social sciences often rely on smaller departmental fellowships and external scholarships.

Best-Funded PhD Fields (2025-26)

Field of Study	Funding Availability	Top Universities
Computer Science & AI	Very High (Tech industry-funded research)	MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley
Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Biomedical)	Very High (Strong federal and industry grants)	Harvard, Georgia Tech, Michigan
Business & Economics	Moderate to High (Business school fellowships)	Wharton (UPenn), Columbia, Yale
Physics & Mathematics	High (NSF and university-funded)	Caltech, Princeton, University of Chicago
Public Health & Medical Research	Very High (NIH-backed research)	Johns Hopkins, Harvard, UCLA
Environmental Science & Climate Studies	High (Federal climate research funding)	UC Berkeley, Stanford, Yale
Law & Public Policy	Moderate (Law school research fellowships)	Harvard, Georgetown, NYU
Humanities & Social Sciences	Moderate (Smaller grants, competitive fellowships)	Columbia, University of Chicago, Duke

Top Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in USA (2025)

Want to study for a PhD in USA without worrying about tuition and living costs? Several scholarships cover tuition, stipends, and research expenses. 

Here are some of the best fully funded PhD scholarships in USA for 2025:

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Eligibility	Open to international students from eligible countries
Who It's For	Students pursuing a PhD in any field at a USA university
Requirements	Strong academic background, leadership potential, and a clear research proposal
Coverage	Full tuition + stipend + travel and research funding
Courses Covered	All disciplines, including STEM, humanities, and social sciences

Tip: Fulbright applications are country-specific, so check with your local Fulbright Commission for deadlines and requirements.

2. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (Stanford University)

Eligibility	Open to international students applying to Stanford
Who It's For	Students with leadership potential and a vision for global change
Requirements	Strong academic record, leadership experience, and a compelling personal statement
Coverage	Full tuition + living stipend + research/travel funding
Courses Covered	Any PhD program at Stanford (Engineering, Medicine, Humanities, etc.)

Tip: Unlike many PhD scholarships, Knight-Hennessy is open to students from all disciplines.

3. Yale University PhD Funding

Eligibility	Open to all PhD students admitted to Yale
Who It's For	Students pursuing PhDs in humanities, sciences, or social sciences
Requirements	Admission to Yale’s PhD program
Coverage	Full tuition + stipend (~$40,000 per year/₹33.2 lakh) + research funding
Courses Covered	Law, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Social Sciences

Tip: Yale’s PhD funding is guaranteed for at least five years, ensuring financial stability.

4. Harvard University PhD Scholarships

Eligibility	Open to all PhD students admitted to Harvard
Who It's For	Academically outstanding students with strong research proposals
Requirements	Admission to Harvard’s PhD program
Coverage	Full tuition + stipend (~$42,000 per year/₹34.8 lakh) + research grants
Courses Covered	Business, Medicine, Law, Engineering, Public Policy

Tip: Harvard’s PhD funding is automatic for all admitted students, meaning no separate scholarship application is needed.

5. Columbia University PhD Scholarships

Eligibility	Open to all PhD students admitted to Columbia
Who It's For	Students with strong research backgrounds and academic achievements
Requirements	Admission to Columbia’s PhD program
Coverage	Full tuition + stipend (~$40,000 per year/₹33.2 lakh)
Courses Covered	Business, Medicine, Journalism, Engineering, Social Sciences

Tip: Columbia’s funding varies by department, so check with your specific fully funded PhD program in USA for international students for full details.

6. Duke University PhD Financial Aid

Eligibility	Open to all PhD students admitted to Duke
Who It's For	Students pursuing PhDs in law, medicine, business, engineering, and social sciences
Requirements	Admission to Duke’s PhD program
Coverage	Full tuition + stipend (~$32,000–$38,000 per year/₹26.5-₹31.5 lakh) + research grants
Courses Covered	Law, Medicine, Business Administration, Engineering, Social Sciences

Tip: Many PhD students at Duke School of Medicine receive additional NIH research grants for biomedical research.

7. Princeton University PhD Funding

Eligibility	Open to all PhD students admitted to Princeton
Who It's For	Students pursuing PhDs in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and public policy
Requirements	Admission to Princeton’s PhD program
Coverage	Full tuition + stipend (~$44,000 per year/₹36.5 lakh) + research grants
Courses Covered	Engineering, Natural Sciences, Public Policy, Humanities

Tip: Princeton PhD students are eligible for additional research and dissertation funding based on academic progress.

8. Johns Hopkins University PhD Scholarships

Eligibility	Open to all PhD students admitted to Johns Hopkins
Who It's For	Students pursuing PhDs in public health, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, and engineering
Requirements	Admission to Johns Hopkins’ PhD program
Coverage	Full tuition + stipend (~$38,000 per year/₹31.5 lakh) + additional research grants
Courses Covered	Public Health, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering

Tip: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health provides additional funding for global health research projects.

9. University of Michigan PhD Funding

Eligibility	Open to all PhD students admitted to the University of Michigan
Who It's For	Students pursuing PhDs in data science, public health, physics, business, and engineering
Requirements	Admission to Michigan’s PhD program
Coverage	Full tuition + stipend (~$35,000 per year/₹29 lakh) + research funding
Courses Covered	Data Science, Public Health, Physics, Engineering, Business

Tip: PhD students at Michigan’s School of Public Health often secure additional CDC and NIH research grants for epidemiology and healthcare policy research.

How to Apply for a Fully Funded PhD Program in USA for International Students?

Want to get into a fully funded PhD in USA but not sure where to start? Here’s how to apply:

Step 1: Choose the Right University & Program

Not all fully funded PhD programs in USA for international students offer full funding in every field. Research universities that align with your interests.

Field	Top Universities
Computer Science & AI	MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley
Public Health & Medical Research	Johns Hopkins, Harvard, UCLA
Engineering	Georgia Tech, Michigan, Harvard
Law & Public Policy	Harvard, NYU, Georgetown

Fact: Over 70% of STEM PhD students receive full funding, while humanities and social sciences may require external fellowships (NSF, 2023).

Step 2: Contact Potential PhD Advisors

Identify faculty members with similar research interests
Email them with a personalized message and attach your CV
Clearly explain how your research aligns with theirs

Tip: A well-crafted email can increase your chances of admission.

Step 3: Prepare a Strong Research Proposal

Define your research problem
Explain your methodology
Show the impact of your research

Tip: Programs at Princeton, Yale, and Stanford expect detailed proposals, especially in humanities and social sciences.

Step 4: Meet Academic & Language Requirements

Requirement	Minimum Score
GPA	3.5/4.0 (preferred)
TOEFL	90–100
IELTS	6.5–7.5
GRE	320+ (varies by program)

Tip: Harvard, Columbia, and Yale have dropped GRE requirements for some programs—check before applying.

Step 5: Apply for Scholarships & Funding

University Fellowships – Automatically considered at MIT, Harvard, Stanford
External Fellowships – Fulbright, Knight-Hennessy, NSF
Teaching/Research Assistantships (TA/RA) – Available in most programs

Tip: NIH-funded research grants support many PhD students at Duke, Michigan, and Johns Hopkins.

Important Deadlines for Fully Funded PhD Applications in 2025

When should you apply for a fully funded PhD in USA? Most PhD programs have early deadlines between October and December for the Fall intake. Missing the deadline means waiting another year, so applying early is improtant.

University/Scholarship	Application Deadline
Fulbright Foreign Student Program	Varies by country (June–October 2024)
Knight-Hennessy Scholarship (Stanford)	October 9, 2024
Harvard University PhD Programs	December 1–15, 2024
MIT PhD Admissions	December 1, 2024
University of California, Berkeley	December 8, 2024
Columbia University PhD Programs	December 15, 2024
Princeton University PhD Admissions	December 1, 2024
University of Michigan PhD Programs	December 15, 2024
Johns Hopkins PhD Admissions	December 1, 2024

Tip: Some programs accept late applications until February 2025, but funding is limited for later applicants.

Required Documents for Fully Funded PhD Applications

Applying for a fully funded PhD program in USA for international students? Universities receive applications from all over the world, so a well-prepared submission helps you stand out.

Document	Purpose	Tips for a Strong Application
Research Proposal	Outlines your study plan	Be clear, specific, and relevant to faculty interests
Academic Transcripts	Shows past performance	Ensure official copies are provided
Statement of Purpose (SOP)	Explains your motivation	Focus on why this PhD fits your career goals
Letters of Recommendation	Confirms research potential	Request from professors familiar with your work
CV/Resume	Highlights academic & research experience	Include projects, publications, and internships
English Proficiency Test (IELTS/TOEFL)	Required for non-native speakers	Aim for TOEFL 90+ or IELTS 6.5+

Tip: Some scholarships, like Fulbright and Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, may require additional documents like nationality proof or development impact statements.

Selection Process for Fully Funded PhD Program in USA for International Students

How do universities select fully funded PhD students? The process varies, but most follow these steps:

Step 1: Application Screening

Universities review academic qualifications, research proposals, and letters of recommendation.

Fact: PhD programs at Harvard, MIT, and Stanford receive thousands of applications, but only 5-10% get accepted.

Step 2: Faculty & Department Review

If your research aligns with a professor’s expertise, you may be shortlisted.
Some departments request additional materials, like writing samples or coding tests (for STEM).

Step 3: PhD Interview

Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview (virtual or in-person).
Common questions include:

Question	What It Assesses
Why this PhD program?	Motivation & research alignment
How does your research fit here?	Understanding of faculty & department
What challenges do you anticipate?	Problem-solving & adaptability

Tip: Be prepared to discuss how your research contributes to the field and aligns with faculty expertise.

Step 4: Funding Decision

Final selections are based on academic background, research fit, and funding availability.
Some scholarships, like Knight-Hennessy (Stanford) and NSF Fellowships, also assess leadership and impact potential.

How upGrad Abroad Can Help You Secure a Fully Funded PhD in USA

upGrad Abroad makes getting into a fully funded PhD program in USA for international students easier. We help you find the right universities, create a strong research proposal, and apply for top scholarships like Fulbright and Knight-Hennessy. 

With 1:1 expert guidance, we assist in SOP writing, faculty outreach, and interview prep to boost your chances. Many students have secured funding at Harvard, Stanford, and MIT with our support.

Want to apply for Fall 2025? Let upGrad Abroad guide you every step of the way!