PhDs can be very expensive. In many countries, you will have to pay high tuition costs as well as rent and food. However, you do not need to use an agent. The following awards can be applied for directly.
Gates Cambridge is currently open for applications. It closes on either 8th December 2026 or 6th January 2027, depending on your course. The Chinese Government Scholarship is open for 2027/2028. The dates when applications open and close vary by university in China. The Hungary scholarships are not yet official. The German DAAD and several Australian scholarships have now closed. However, there are paid PhD positions within the EU Doctoral Networks.
Please note that the dates below were correct in November 2026. Dates can change, so make sure to always check official websites.
What Does ‘Fully Funded’ Usually Include?
- Tuition or waived tuition
- Monthly stipend/salary
- Health insurance or a contribution towards it
- Accommodation or an allowance
- Travel costs to the host country and visa costs
Some are only partially funded and may not cover all costs. For example, some do not cover your living costs. Check the description.
Scholarship/Course Closing Dates
- EU Doctoral Network Jobs (MSCA) – Each vacancy has its own specific closing date. Check the advert on EURAXESS.
- Gates Cambridge – 8th December 2026 or 6th January 2027, depending on your course.
- Stipendium Hungaricum – Likely 15th January 2027.
- Chinese Government Scholarship – Different closing dates per university. Dates I found ranged from 31st January to 1st April 2027.
- DAAD Doctoral Programmes – Closed. The next call is not official.
- Australian Government RTP – Closed at several universities for the 2027 intake.
Currently Open or Soon to Be Open
1. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (University of Cambridge, UK)
Only open for postgraduate study. Funds PhDs and some 1-year master’s courses. Around two-thirds of awards go to PhD students.
Closing Date: 8th December 2026 or 6th January 2027 at 11:59 p.m. (UK time). Which date you apply by depends on your course. Most courses have a closing date of 6th January, but I found one course with a closing date of 7th January. Please check the official page.
Funding: Covers tuition, living costs, travel costs, and visa costs. PhD funding can be up to 4 years.
Notes: Apply directly to Cambridge. You will need to tick a box for Gates. PhD students will need to have a research proposal. You cannot be a UK citizen. You may lose some living costs if you have a salary or large award. The round for US citizens living in the US closed on 14th October.
2. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Open for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD study. A Chinese Embassy notice (27th October 2026) states that the 2027/2028 round is open.
Closing Date: Different closing dates per university. Dates I found ranged from 31st January to 1st April 2027. Please check the university website.
Funding: Covers tuition, accommodation (dorm room) or an allowance, monthly stipend, and medical insurance. The stipend will depend on your level. Please check how much PhD students receive.
Notes: Apply directly to a Chinese university. Some universities require you to have a signed acceptance letter from your supervisor. Some pages state age requirements, usually under 35. Do not pay any application fees until you have checked the university site.
3. MSCA Doctoral Networks (European Union)
Paid PhD positions within a European research network. Not a scholarship. Adverts are uploaded throughout the year on EURAXESS.
Closing Date: Different closing dates per vacancy. Please check the advert.
Funding: Covers salary and research costs. You cannot be charged tuition by the host university.
Notes: Apply to the host university within the network. Some guides state that the closing date for applications is 24th November 2026. This is for networks submitting proposals. You cannot already have a doctorate. There will be a mobility requirement, so please check each advert.
4. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
Open for all levels of study, including PhD. The official Hungarian Embassy page I found stated that the 2027/2028 call was not published.
Closing Date: Likely 15th January 2027 (2:00 p.m. CET). The last round closed on 15th January 2026. Guides state that the portal will open around mid-November. Likely.
Funding: Covers tuition, monthly stipend, contribution towards a dormitory, and health insurance. The programme does not cover all living costs.
Notes: You must be nominated by your sending partner from your home country. This is a second step after applying via the portal. PhD students had to submit a statement from their supervisor in the last round. Check if your country is eligible.
Closed in 2026: Applying Next Year
5. DAAD Research Grants and Doctoral Programmes (Germany)
Only open for postgraduate study. Fully funds a PhD in Germany for non-German citizens.
Closing Date: The last round closed in September 2025. At the offices I checked, the dates were 3rd September and 24th September. Dates vary per country office. The next round is not official. Previous rounds have closed in autumn, so the 2027 start date likely closed. Likely. Guide pages state 6th August 2026 and around 31st October 2026. Please check the official page.
Funding: Monthly stipend, research allowance, insurance, and travel costs. Funding starts at up to 3 years and can go up to 4 years. Different monthly stipend amounts apply. Please check the official page.
Notes: You must have contact with a supervisor or a doctoral programme in Germany. German citizens cannot apply.
6. Australian Government Research Training Program (International)
Only open for postgraduate study. Funds research master’s and PhDs. There is no national form. Each university will have its own rounds.
Closing Date: The 2027 intake closed at UWA on 15th September 2026, UTS on 7th October 2026, and Griffith on 12th October 2026. One guide stated 10th November 2026, but I could not match this to a university. Please check the official page. The next rounds will likely open in mid-2027. Likely.
Funding: Usually offsets tuition and provides a living stipend. Some universities provide health cover. Each university will have its own package. Please read your offer carefully.
Notes: International positions are limited. One guide states there is a 10% limit. Check whether you need a supervisor.
How to Choose the Right Scholarship
Look at Your Profile
What level of degree, subject, and age are you? Some scholarships have age requirements.
If you already have a supervisor, then DAAD and Australian rounds would be best. If not, start with Gates Cambridge or MSCA adverts.
Choose the scholarships where you can specify exactly what research you would do.
Check Your Country
Hungary requires a sending partner from your country. Please check this list first.
Gates Cambridge does not accept UK citizens. DAAD does not accept German citizens.
Chinese embassies will have their own notices. Please check the notice for your country.
Check the Deadlines
Gates Cambridge requires references and a research proposal. Ask your references this week.
Chinese universities and Australian rounds vary per school. List all dates.
Usually, late applications will not be accepted. All deadlines are final.
Common Mistakes
Paying Someone to Apply for You
You can complete the forms yourself. Use the funder’s website or university page.
Sending Copy-and-Paste Emails to Professors
Mention their work and what you would like to study. Keep it brief.
Starting to Apply the Week of the Deadline
References, proposals, and transcripts can take weeks to complete. Start now.
Conclusion
The closest deadline is Gates Cambridge. This closes on 8th December 2026 or 6th January 2027, depending on your course. Chinese universities will start closing in late January. Hungary likely closes on 15th January 2027. EU Doctoral Network jobs have individual closing dates.
Tomorrow, search the Cambridge course directory. Find your course and note the funding deadline. Email one potential supervisor.