PhD Scholarships in the USA for 2024

Thinking about pursuing a PhD in the US but not sure how to fund your graduate education? US PhD scholarships can help cover tuition fees and living expenses so you can focus solely on your research and studies. 

Different Types of PhD Funding in the US

There are several different avenues for obtaining financial support for PhD studies in the United States. The most common sources of funding can be divided into the following main categories:

University Fellowships

Individual graduate programs and departments at American universities offer merit-based fellowships to outstanding applicants. Fellowship awards typically include a stipend to cover living expenses along with tuition remission. Prestigious fellowships like the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship are highly competitive but can boost a student’s CV. Be sure to thoroughly research fellowship offerings and deadlines at schools you plan to apply to.

Teaching Assistantships

Many PhD students in the US receive funding through teaching assistant (TA) positions where they assist professors in teaching undergraduate courses. As a TA, duties may include holding office hours, grading papers, and leading discussion sections. TA awards cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend. Competition for these teaching roles varies by department.

Research Assistantships

Working as a research assistant (RA) is another common form of financial support. RAs assist faculty members with their research projects in exchange for paid tuition and a stipend. The application process usually involves directly contacting professors in your areas of interest to inquire about any open RA positions in their labs. Having prior research experience greatly enhances your candidacy.

External Fellowships

National and international agencies offer fellowships explicitly for graduate study in the US. Examples include the Fulbright Student Program and fellowships from the Ford Foundation, NASA, and NSF. External fellowships are highly prestigious but require extensive preparation and very strong applications to secure. Be sure to carefully review eligibility requirements and deadlines.

Dissertation Fellowships

Some universities provide dissertation fellowships to support advanced Ph.D. students during their final research and writing phase. Most dissertation fellowships cover a 9-12 month period and include stipends tailored specifically for living off-campus. The application process usually occurs in the 4th or 5th year of study.

Private Scholarships

In addition to university and government sources, private organizations, companies, and non-profits offer Ph.D. scholarships targeted toward certain fields, careers, or demographics. Be on the lookout for these niche funding opportunities by exploring your professional networks and conducting tailored online searches. Competition will vary significantly.

Understanding the landscape of available options is key to developing an effective PhD funding strategy. The following sections provide more details on the most common sources and how to optimize your applications.

University Fellowships: Where and How to Apply

As one of the premier sources of PhD support, university fellowships should be a top priority in your funding search. Fellowship programs and requirements vary greatly across institutions, so researching individual school opportunities is crucial. Here are some guidelines for finding and applying for university fellowships:

• Search fellowship listings on graduate program/department websites under headings like “Funding” or “Graduate Fellowships.”
• Contact target program directors and admissions advisors, asking about specific fellowship opportunities. Inquire about average award amounts and if teaching/research is required.
• Focus fellowship applications on schools that match your research interests and where you can find an engaged advisor. Forming these connections yields the strongest cases.
• Have outstanding reference letters from research mentors address why you deserve this distinguished support. Quantify any awards, publications, or other achievements.
• Craft a compelling personal statement highlighting your drive, qualifications, and research agenda. Connect it back to the university’s mission and values whenever possible.
• Double-check all application details and requirements. Make sure to submit all materials, from transcripts to writing samples, together in one complete package on time.

With diligent searching and strong applications emphasizing your fit, drive, and readiness to succeed, university fellowships can be an excellent funding pathway.

Teaching Assistantships: The Inside Scoop

As the most direct route to steady support, securing a teaching assistantship is a priority for many entering Ph.D. students. However, not all departments advertise TA openings, and competition is often fierce. Here is insider advice on landing a teaching position:

• Contact faculty and current students in programs of interest before applying to get a sense of average annual TA allocations. This information is not always publicized.
• Formally inquire about application processes and deadlines, which may fall before the admissions decision. Express your teaching qualifications and interest early.
• Outshine the competition with relevant college teaching experience, tutoring on your CV, and interpersonal skills to connect with undergrads.
• Pursue disciplines where classes have sizable undergraduate enrollments and TAs are in demand, like STEM fields or large lecture courses.
• Consider applying to programs that have affiliated liberal arts colleges needing adjunct instructor support. This broadens your prospects.
• Attend graduate student recruiting events and communicate your teaching qualifications to faculty directly whenever possible to get noticed.
• Accept that being waitlisted is common until spots officially open up. Remain engaged and keep faculty aware of your continued interest.
• Negotiate package details like exact stipend amounts, health benefits, and tuition waivers up front before accepting an offer.

With the right preparation and persistence, landing a TA position is very achievable – especially in programs seeking qualified instructors.

Research Assistantships: The Insider Edge

While teaching is a surer bet, research assistantships offer meaningful experience invaluable for PhD success. However, unlike TA opportunities, RA roles are not advertised – they require you to find and pitch yourself for openings. Here’s an insider’s approach:

• Aggressively pursue potential advisors in your intended field starting about a year before applying. Send inquiry emails politely asking if they take new students.
• Consult faculty bios and publications to identify overlapping research interests to boost connection potential and funding appeal.
• Ask for a phone or video call to discuss research in-depth, highlighting relevant qualifications and passion for the specific projects.
• If a project seems like an ideal fit, politely inquire about the possibility of an RA role upon acceptance to catalyze your collaboration and learning.
• Highlight transferable skills from lab work, data analysis roles, or designing experiments that would add immediate value.
• Thank professors for their time, whether positions are currently available or not. Stay engaged and periodically check back once admitted.
• Consider applying to programs where you’ve successfully secured an RA agreement in hand. This demonstrates clear funding and focus.

With early outreach and a dynamic research discussion, passionate students can develop strong bonds, increasing their chances of receiving funding through impactful assistantship work.

Competitive National Fellowships

While long-shot awards, standout national fellowships like those offered through the NSF and Ford Foundation carry immense prestige and benefits. Here is insider advice on maximizing competitive fellowship applications:

• Start preparation over a year in advance, including refining research proposals, establishing references, and sharpening personal statements.
• Consult with faculty mentors experienced in winning major awards to strengthen all elements from technical aspect feedback to proofreading.
• Quantify your accomplishments and potential impact through data, outcomes, and specific examples free of generic language.
• Emphasize how your background, perspective, or targeted field enhances diversity and contributes new insights.
• Have letter writers specifically address how you meet each review criterion rather than general praise alone.
• Ask evaluators to return multiple drafts of letters for further refinement until they strongly advocate your case.
• Don’t obsess over perceived shortcomings, but portray well-rounded experiences beyond research with humility.
• Polish your “elevator pitch” to succinctly capture your compelling story in a minute or less for conversations.

While success is not guaranteed with no “sure bets,” investing deeply to develop a truly outstanding package enhances the odds for these prestigious awards.

Dissertation Fellowships: The PhD Finish Line

Entering advanced PhD study, securing external funding frees students to dedicate full effort to research and writing. Some ideas for targeting dissertation fellowships include:

• Research programs offered by your university, other institutions, or private foundations. Deadlines are typically a year before needed.
• Fellowship databases through professional organizations relevant to your field, including proposed research summaries.
• Private foundations focused on niche topics—broaden searches with variations on keywords from your work.
• Inquire with the department for internal application processes and work samples well ahead of deadlines, usually in years 4-5.
• Weave the story of evolution as a scholar with succinct literature review in personal statements.
• Ask the dissertation committee for strong advocates highlighting your impact and completion timeline.
• Emphasize additional academic products like early manuscript drafts or conference presentations in proposal packages.

Dissertation support signals confidence in your research and allows full concentration on completion. Targeting awards matching your work boosts competitiveness.

Private Scholarship Options

With diligent exploring beyond common listings, privately funded opportunities exist within most specializations or backgrounds. Consider these alternative search strategies:

• Network extensively within your intended field and related industries to uncover niche sponsors through professional listservs and conferences.
• Search foundation directories, fastWEB, and individual company websites using varied combinations of your research focus, identity factors, and career goals as filters.
• Consult with academic advisors and department administrators about any institutional partnerships with local foundations or alumni award programs.
• Check your graduate school, undergraduate alumni magazine, or larger universities within your state for localized funding prioritizing their affiliations.
• Browse nonprofit websites focused on your demographic or background, like cultural/ethnic heritage, military/veteran status, professional sectors, and more.
• Set Google Alerts and regularly scan listservs and organization newsletters within networks for new awards announced.
• Consider less traditional sponsor partnerships like crowdfunding your research proposal on platforms appealing to relevant supporters.

The key is creatively combining differentiator search terms beyond just research keywords to surface hidden opportunities. With an open and persistent mindset, privately supported PhD funding can be discovered across many niches.