Scholarships for Online PhD Programs & Fully Funded Online Doctorate Degrees
Are you in search of online PhD Scholarships, fully funded online doctorate programs or tuition free online PhD options in the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia or any other country of the world. Here are Top PhD Online, we offer you the opportunity to explore and compare the best online doctoral programs with links to the respective detailed lists and resources across countries, subjects, fast tracks, cheapest and no-dissertation models and more.
Browse By: Country | Subject | Fastest | No Dissertation | Cheapest | Fully Funded
What Are Online PhD Scholarships & Fully Funded Online Doctorate Programs?
It is important to first understand what online PhD Scholarships and fundings are. These funding programs offer students to cover the tuition cost and sometimes living cost as well for doctoral programs including online hybrid and traditional on-campus doctorate options.
A fully funded online doctorate program usually are the stipends to support your Online Doctoral Cost with living stipends – This kind of funding is usually offered through university assistantships or research grants.
Some Universities, Especially Public Universities in Germany also offer tuition-free online PhD and Doctorate Programs where the students have to pay only minimal semester contributions.
Online PhD scholarships and fully funded online doctorate programs are designed to make doctoral education more accessible to working professionals and international students. These funding options reduce or completely remove the financial burden of advanced study while allowing students to complete their research remotely or through hybrid formats.
A scholarship for an online PhD program typically covers part or all of your tuition and may include an allowance for books or research expenses. A fully funded online PhD extends further — it usually covers tuition, research costs, and provides a monthly stipend to help with living expenses.
Some universities, especially public institutions in countries like Germany, offer tuition-free doctorate programs, where candidates pay only minimal semester or administrative fees. While these are not always fully online, many now support remote research supervision or hybrid study arrangements.
Whether through a university scholarship, government grant, or international fellowship, these funding models allow students to focus entirely on their research — without worrying about debt or tuition fees.
Online PhD Funding Types
🎓 Scholarship
Covers full or partial tuition and may include research or book stipends.
Ideal for: Students seeking partial financial support while studying online.
💰 Fully Funded
Tuition and living expenses are fully covered, often through assistantships or fellowships.
Ideal for: Full-time researchers or professionals transitioning into academia.
🏛 Tuition-Free
Offered mainly by public universities in Europe. Students pay only semester fees or minor admin costs.
Ideal for: International learners pursuing hybrid or remote doctoral research.
Why Choose an Online PhD with Scholarship, Fully Funded or Tuition-Free?
To reduce the financial burden and make your Online Doctoral Program easy, it is highly recommended that you choose a Scholarship-supported or fully funded online PhD. Even you can also look for tuition-free online doctorate programs that many accredited top online Universities in the USA, UK, Germany, Australia and other countries of the world are offering, providing you the opportunity to flexibility, easy accessibility, and affordability all together.
Key Benefits of Scholarships and Fully Funded Doctoral Programs Online
Scholarship-supported, fully funded or tuition free online doctorate programs meant to offer professional an easy, affordable path to complete your doctorate without overwhelming cost. This scholarshipsupported or fully funded PhD online programs offers professional ease, flexibility of online learning with the prestige of accredited Doctoral Research.
Here are some Key benefits of Scholarship Supported, Fully Funded, or Tuition Free Online Doctoral Programs
- Cost savings: Offers affordability and peace of mind by reducing the debt and financial burden of a doctoral program.
- Flexibility: online/hybrid format allows working the flexibility to study as per their own pace and convenience an ideal option for professionals, international candidates.
- Access: Easy access allows international students to enroll in any Online PhD or Doctorate program with ease. (especially international scholarships for online PhD programs exist).
Things to Check:
Again It is highly recommended that you must ensure some important factors in enrolling any Online PhD or Doctorate Program to ensure that it fits all of your career goals and other requirements.
- Accreditation and recognition of the online doctorate.
- Delivery format: is it purely online or hybrid? Research residency required?
- Eligibility: many programs require a research proposal, supervisor, and sometimes relocation.
- Hidden costs: living expenses, travel, equipment, time zone difference.
Checklist Before You Apply
- ✅ Accreditation: Confirm the university and program are fully accredited.
- ✅ Supervisor match: Ensure a potential supervisor aligns with your research topic.
- ✅ Delivery format: Verify if the doctorate is fully online or hybrid.
- ✅ Living costs: Budget for housing, insurance, travel, and research expenses.
- ✅ Funding details: Check coverage (tuition, stipend, duration, renewal terms).
- ✅ Deadlines & documents: Track application dates, test scores, and proposal submission.
Top Universities Offering Scholarships or Fully Funded Online Doctorate Programs
Almost all the accredited universities across the USA and Internationally including UK, Canada, Germany, Australia and other countries of the world are offering hybrid or online PhD programs with scholarships, fully funded fellowships or tuition free online doctorate options. Below you can find the snapshot of verified universities and programs that regularly support online doctoral programs- for more detailed options you can visit our Countries Section.
U.S. Universities Offering Online PhD Scholarships
| University | Funding Type | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| A.T. Still University (Missouri) | Scholarships & Capstone Funding | Online DNP, DHSc and EdD programs with partial tuition support and professional scholarships. |
| Capella University (Minnesota) | Tuition Discounts | Scholarships for working professionals and flexible online learning schedules. |
| Walden University | Merit & Diversity Scholarships | Online PhDs with up to 30% tuition reduction for eligible students. |
| University of the People (Global) | Tuition-Free Model | Accredited U.S. online university offering tuition-free doctorate pathways with small administrative fees. |
For more detailed Options of Online PhD Programs in the USA visit Top Online U.S. Universities →
International Universities Offering Scholarships & Fully Funded Doctorates
| University | Country | Funding Type | Program Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Liverpool | United Kingdom | Partial Scholarships | Online doctorates in Business, Education & Health with institutional aid for international students. |
| University of Edinburgh | United Kingdom | Fully Funded Fellowships | Research-based online PhDs in Education & Informatics with tuition coverage and stipends. |
| University of South Africa (UNISA) | South Africa | Low-Cost / Tuition-Free (Local) | Fully online PhDs with minimal fees for international students and free for locals. |
For more detailed Options of Online PhD Programs Online PhD UK ➞, PhD Online Australia ➞ and PhD Canada ➞
International Universities Offering Tuition-Free or Fully Funded Doctorate Options – Spotlight on Germany
Many international universities from UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, South Africa and other countries of the world are offering affordable and cheapest online doctoral programs. Even many public universities from these universities do not charge tuition fees for doctoral students, including international students. Public Universities from Germany are among the top of list for these kinds of accredited doctoral programs.
Why Germany is a Strong Option for Online/Hybrid Doctorates
- Public universities are funded by the government, with minimal tuition for most doctoral programs.
- Strong research infrastructure, international student population.
- Though purely online doctoral formats are less common, hybrid models or flexible research arrangements exist — require verifying delivery mode.
International & Tuition-Free Doctorate Options
| University | Country | Tuition / Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the People | United States (Global) | Tuition-Free (Admin Fee Only) | Accredited U.S. online university offering 100% online, tuition-free doctorate pathways with minimal assessment fees. Ideal for working professionals worldwide. |
| University of the Free State | South Africa | Low / Tuition-Free (Local Students) | Public university offering remote doctoral supervision in Education and Management. Minimal tuition fees for international students; free for South Africans. |
| Free University of Berlin | Germany | Tuition-Free (Semester Fee ~€350) | English-language PhD programs with no tuition; supports remote collaboration under academic supervision. |
| University of Bremen | Germany | Tuition-Free | Research-based doctorates with remote supervision options for international PhD candidates. |
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Germany | Tuition-Free | Top-ranked university offering tuition-free doctoral programs with research funding and international collaboration. |
“Important Note” — While tuition may be free, living costs, travel, possibly on-campus residency requirements, still apply.
How to Evaluate Online/Hybrid Delivery
- Check: Is the PhD fully online or is residency required ?
- Ask: Does the funding cover travel/relocation if needed?
- Check: Is supervision remote? Are research labs or field work compulsory?
- Verify: Are international students eligible for the funding/tuition-free model?
- For Detailed Tuition Free Online PhD in Germany Programs
Checklist: Eligibility & Application Tips
Before applying for an online PhD scholarship or fully funded doctorate, review the eligibility and documentation requirements carefully. A well-prepared application can significantly improve your chances of success.
- ✅ Degree Requirement: A recognized master’s or equivalent qualification.
- ✅ Research Proposal: A clear, focused research topic aligned with the program.
- ✅ Language Proficiency: Proof of English (IELTS/TOEFL) or other required test scores.
- ✅ Supervisor Confirmation: Contact a potential supervisor early in the process.
- ✅ Funding Documentation: Confirm stipend, coverage, and renewal terms.
- ✅ Deadlines: Submit all documents before institutional or funding deadlines.
Application Tips
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Research and contact potential supervisor early | Identify a suitable supervisor or research group. Send a concise proposal and CV to confirm supervision availability. |
| Tailor your CV and motivation letter | Customize your documents to the specific funding body or university; align your proposal with the department’s focus areas. |
| Monitor deadlines carefully | Plan proposal submission, references, and documents early. Funded PhDs often have fixed semester start dates. |
| Consider living costs and time zones | Estimate accommodation, insurance, and connectivity costs. Plan communication with supervisors across time zones. |
| Verify online format and support services | Confirm whether the program is fully online or hybrid, the platform used, and the availability of IT and library support. |
Avoid these common pitfalls” – e.g., ignoring semester contribution fees, assuming 100% remote when residency is required, missing language tests, misunderstanding funding coverage.
FAQs – PhD Scholarships
Fully funded online PhDs are rare, but some tuition-free models (like University of the People) or employer-sponsored pathways make it possible.
Yes! Many universities offer the same scholarships to online and on-campus students.
Start by checking the university’s financial aid page, then apply for external funding where available. Don’t forget about employer sponsorships!
Yes — many international students are eligible for scholarships or tuition-free doctorates, though you must check format (online/hybrid) and funding coverage.
H3: What does “fully funded online doctorate” really mean?
It typically means tuition is covered + stipend for living costs + research costs. But you must check if any residency or in-person requirements exist.
Not quite. “Tuition free” means you pay no tuition fee, but you may still cover living costs, travel, etc. “Fully funded” means all major costs are covered.
Yes — many German public universities permit no tuition fee for doctoral programmes, but you must verify whether remote/online is accepted, and factor in living costs.
Check that the awarding institution is accredited; the program is recognized in your country, and that you meet any professional/licensing requirements for your field.