Fully Funded Ph.D. Scholarships in the USA 2026–2027 | Complete Guide for International Students
Studying for a fully funded Ph.D. in the United States is one of the most powerful academic opportunities available to international students. For the 2025–2026 academic year, many U.S. universities, government agencies, and global foundations are offering fully funded PhD scholarships in the USA that cover full tuition, monthly stipends, health insurance, research funding, and travel costs.
This professionally rewritten and high-SEO article is designed for students searching for PhD scholarships in the USA for international students, including applicants from Nigeria, Africa, Asia, and other developing countries.
🇺🇸 What Is a Fully Funded Ph.D. Program in the USA?
A fully funded Ph.D. program in the United States typically includes:
100% tuition waiver
Monthly living stipend ($25,000–$45,000 per year)
Health insurance coverage
Research and conference funding
Teaching or research assistantship opportunities
Most U.S. Ph.D. programs automatically provide funding once you are admitted, making the USA one of the best countries for fully funded doctoral studies.
Top Fully Funded Ph.D. Scholarships in the USA (2025–2026)
1. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program – Stanford University
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is one of the most competitive and prestigious fully funded PhD scholarships in the USA.
Eligibility: Open to all nationalities applying to any Ph.D. program at Stanford University.
Scholarship Benefits:
Full tuition coverage
Annual living stipend (about $34,000)
Travel allowance
Leadership development and mentorship
Deadline: October 9, 2025
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
The Fulbright Scholarship is the most popular U.S. government-funded scholarship for international students.
Eligibility: Students from over 160 countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Benefits:
Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Health insurance
Round-trip airfare
Fields: Almost all academic disciplines except clinical medical research involving patient contact.
3. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP)
The NSF GRFP supports outstanding doctoral students in STEM and social science fields.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.
Benefits:
$37,000 annual stipend
$16,000 annual tuition allowance
Funding for up to three years
4. DoD National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship
The NDSEG Fellowship provides guaranteed funding for science and engineering Ph.D. students.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens pursuing Ph.D. programs in science and engineering.
Benefits:
Full tuition coverage
$43,200 annual stipend
Health insurance and travel support
5. AAUW International Fellowships (Women Only)
The AAUW International Fellowship supports women pursuing doctoral studies in the USA.
Eligibility: Women from all countries except the United States.
Benefits:
$20,000–$50,000
Covers tuition, living expenses, and research costs
Deadline: December 1, 2024
6. Harvard University Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs
Harvard University offers fully funded PhD programs to both domestic and international students.
Benefits:
Full tuition waiver
Living stipend
Research and teaching funding
Fields: Humanities, social sciences, STEM, education, and public health.
7. Yale University Fully Funded Ph.D. Scholarships
Yale provides full funding for all admitted Ph.D. students.
Benefits:
Tuition coverage
Annual stipend
Health insurance
Fields: Arts, sciences, engineering, and social sciences.
8. University of Chicago Ph.D. Financial Aid
All admitted Ph.D. students at the University of Chicago receive full funding.
Benefits:
Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Health insurance
Popular Fields: Economics, political science, mathematics, physics, and data science.
9. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
The Mayo Clinic PhD Program is ideal for students pursuing biomedical research careers.
Benefits:
Full tuition
Competitive stipend
Health insurance and research support
10. NIH Oxford–Cambridge Scholars Program
This program supports collaborative biomedical research between the USA and the UK.
Benefits:
Full Ph.D. funding
Research and travel allowances
Joint supervision from NIH and Oxford or Cambridge
11. Hertz Fellowship Program
The Hertz Fellowship supports innovation-focused Ph.D. students in science and engineering.
Benefits:
Full tuition
Generous stipend
Mentorship and research funding
12. Meta (Facebook) Ph.D. Fellowship
This fellowship supports doctoral research in AI, computer science, and engineering.
Benefits:
Full tuition
$42,000 annual stipend
Conference and travel support
Deadline: September 20, 2025
13. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
This scholarship supports students from developing countries pursuing postgraduate studies.
Benefits:
Tuition and living expenses (grant and loan)
Deadline: March 31, 2025
14. Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future
A top fully funded PhD scholarship for women in STEM.
Benefits:
Up to $40,000 per year
15. World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowship
Designed for Ph.D. students from developing countries.
Benefits:
Up to $42,750 for research funding
16. IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship (Mathematics)
Supports international Ph.D. students in mathematics.
Benefits:
Up to $10,000 annually
🎓 How to Apply for Fully Funded Ph.D. Scholarships in the USA
Start applications early (August–October)
Prepare a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Write a clear research proposal
Secure academic recommendation letters
Some universities waive IELTS or TOEFL
🔍 Final Thoughts
The fully funded Ph.D. scholarships in the USA for 2025–2026 listed above offer international students a rare opportunity to earn a doctoral degree without financial stress. Whether you are from Nigeria, Africa, Asia, or any developing country, these programs can help you access world-class education and global research opportunities.
Apply early, stay consistent, and take the first step toward your Ph.D. journey in the United States.