Introduction

You’re ready to take your academic journey to the next level—but the high cost of living and tuition in Europe can feel overwhelming.

Fortunately, in 2025, a range of fully-funded PhD scholarships are available for international students, each offering a generous monthly stipend to cover your research and living expenses.

We’ll walk you through:

• The key details and stipend amounts for each scholarship

• Actionable tips on choosing and applying for your ideal program

• A clear comparison table to help you decide

• Frequently Asked Questions to answer your burning questions

Let’s dive right in so you can focus on planning your research—and not your budget.

Fully Funded PhD Scholarships Europe

Below are the seven highest-impact, fully funded PhD scholarships in Europe for 2025, each offering a competitive monthly stipend:

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks
  The European Commission funds these Doctoral Networks as part of Horizon Europe. Fellows receive a gross living allowance of €3,400 per month, adjusted by country correction coefficients, plus €600 mobility and potential €660 family allowances. This comes with an employment contract and social security coverage EURAXESSEURAXESS.
  Learn more

• DAAD Research Grants – Doctorate Programmes in Germany
  Sponsored by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, these grants provide monthly payments of €1,300, along with health insurance coverage and a flat-rate travel allowance www2.daad.deDAAD.
  Explore DAAD grants

• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
  The Swiss Confederation’s Excellence Scholarships offer CHF 1,920 (≈ €1,900) per month, covering living costs for doctoral researchers at Swiss universities and federal institutes of technology Im BrennpunktEURAXESS.
  Apply via Swiss FCS

• Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (Doctorate Level)
  France’s Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères provides €1,800 monthly, plus international and national transportation, insurance, and cultural activities support Campus FranceCampus France.
  Details on Campus France

• Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship
  The Irish Research Council awards a €22,000 annual stipend (≈ €1,833 per month), plus up to €5,750 in fees and €3,250 in research expenses Irish Research CouncilIrish Research Council.
  Read the call

• Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes Doctoral Scholarships
  Germany’s national academic foundation supports outstanding PhD candidates with €1,650 per month, along with health insurance grants and family allowances www2.daad.de.
  Learn more

• Interdisciplinary PhD Scholarship, University of Groningen
  This Netherlands-based scholarship offers €2,249 monthly for research at the Faculty of Economics and Business PickAScholarship.com.
  Check eligibility

Comparison Table of Top 7 PhD Scholarships

How to Choose the Right PhD Scholarship

Selecting the perfect funding path isn’t just about the highest stipend. You should also consider:

• Research Fit

  • Does your topic align with the host institution’s expertise?

  • Can you secure a supervisor who champions your work?

• Eligibility Requirements

  • Nationality restrictions (e.g., Eiffel’s country-specific calls)

  • Academic prerequisites and deadlines

• Duration & Renewal

  • One-year vs. multi-year support

  • Possibility to extend beyond initial funding period

• Additional Benefits

  • Research expenses or travel grants

  • Family or health insurance allowances

  • Networking, training, and career development

By matching your personal needs with a scholarship’s strengths, you’ll boost your chances of both selection and success.

PhD Scholarship Application Tips for International Students

Securing a top European PhD scholarship is competitive—but with a clear strategy, you can stand out:

1. Craft a Compelling Research Proposal

   • Define precise objectives and methodology.

   • Highlight the novelty and impact of your work.

2. Secure Strong References

   • Choose supervisors or mentors who know you well.

   • Provide guidance on how they can speak to your strengths.

3. Demonstrate Mobility & Adaptability

   • Emphasize your readiness to work abroad.

   • Mention any prior international experience.

4. Showcase Collaborative Skills

   • MSCA and other networks value teamwork.

   • Highlight past interdisciplinary or cross-cultural projects.

5. Mind the Deadlines and Document Requirements

   • Prepare transcripts, language tests, and CV early.

   • Allow time for translations, notarizations, or embassy authentication.

6. Leverage Your Unique Profile

   • Share extracurricular achievements, leadership roles, or outreach work.

   • Tailor each application to the specific scholarship’s objectives.

Funding Strategies Beyond Scholarships

Even after landing a major scholarship, you can enhance your funding toolkit:

• Teach or TA

  • Some institutions allow 10–25 percent academic employment alongside your PhD.

  • This builds teaching experience and adds to your income.

• Apply for Top-Up Grants

  • EU and national agencies occasionally offer small grants for travel, conferences, or lab equipment.

• Industry Collaborations

  • Partner with companies on your research to secure project-based funding.

• Crowdfunding & Fellowships

  • Platforms like Experiment.com can top up niche research costs.

• Postdoctoral Planning

  • Map out future grants (e.g., MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships) early to ensure seamless funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I hold two scholarships simultaneously?
A: In most cases, you can’t exceed the total funding limit. However, some agencies (like the Irish Research Council) allow combining their award with small grants, provided you don’t surpass the stipend value Irish Research Council.

Q: Are tuition fees covered?
A: Most of these PhD scholarships include fee waivers or cover tuition. For example, DAAD grants exempt you from fees entirely DAAD. Always confirm with the funding call.

Q: Do I pay taxes on my stipend?
A: Tax treatment varies by country. MSCA fellowships under an employment contract may have deductions, while pure scholarships (e.g., Eiffel, Swiss Excellence) often do not EURAXESS.

Q: What if I need to extend my PhD beyond the funding duration?
A: Some programs (e.g., Studienstiftung, DAAD) allow extensions or part-time top-up funding. Plan ahead by checking the selection committee’s criteria.

Q: How competitive are these scholarships?
A: Acceptance rates vary. MSCA and Erasmus-funded programs are highly competitive (often < 10 percent); national schemes like Swiss Excellence or DAAD have slightly higher rates but still demand excellence.

Conclusion

You now have a clear roadmap to the Top 7 PhD Scholarships in Europe for International Students with Monthly Stipends (2025).

By choosing a program that aligns with your research goals, preparing a standout application, and leveraging supplementary funding strategies, you can secure the financial support you need—and focus on what matters most: advancing knowledge and building your academic career.

Take the next step today: review the detailed calls, prepare your documents, and submit applications well before deadlines. Europe’s leading research institutions are waiting for you!