Students studying physics who wish to pursue top-tier coursework or a fully financed PhD but are unsure where to begin? The Top 15 fully funded scholarships and fellowships in physics that undergraduates, master’s students, and PhD candidates should be aware of are listed in the practical, SEO-friendly guide below. Every entry contains information on what it covers, who is eligible to apply, and a fast tip to increase your chances.
Tuition, living expenses, travel, and research expenditures can all be covered by fully funded physics scholarships, allowing you to concentrate on science rather than money. Some are financial packages that are particular to a university (typical for PhD programs in the US), while others are government scholarships or external fellowships that you can apply to at many different universities across the world. I’ve combined the two categories below to provide you with practical, powerful choices.
1. Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford):-
Who & level: Oxford accepts exceptional graduates from qualified nations for postgraduate study.
It includes travel expenses, a hefty stipend, and university tuition.
Why physics benefits greatly from it Top labs and supervisors are accessible through the Rhodes community and Oxford’s physics departments.
2. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (University of Cambridge):-
Who & level: Postgraduate students from outside the UK applying to Cambridge.
What it includes: The entire study cost (tuition plus maintenance), plus extra money for development and discretion.
Why physics is so popular with students: access to top physics groups worldwide and robust support for PhD researchers.
3. Marshall Scholarship (UK):-
Who & level: US nationals pursuing master’s or doctorate degrees in the UK.
It covers living expenses, travel expenses, and university costs.
Why it matters: Numerous recipients undertake research in engineering or physics at prestigious UK universities.
4. Fulbright (Study / Research Awards):-
Who & level: Study/research abroad grants; citizens of participating nations (country-specific regulations).
What it includes: health coverage, a monthly stipend, and frequently research or tuition expenses (which differ by nation).
Why it’s used by physics applicants: Great for one-year research stays for PhDs, master’s degrees, or research visits overseas.
5. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA):-
Who & level: PhD candidates and postdocs in fellowships and doctoral networks sponsored by the EU, both domestically and abroad.
What it covers: Research training, international cooperation, mobility allowance, and salary/stipend.
Why it’s strong: MSCA provides funding for numerous interdisciplinary projects and doctorate networks in physics throughout Europe.
6. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) — USA:-
Who & level: Permanent residents and US citizens pursuing graduate degrees in STEM fields, such as physics and astronomy.
What it includes: a multi-year stipend in addition to the institution’s cost-of-education grant.
The reason it’s transformative US graduate students studying physics benefit from early-career financing, which offers them flexibility and status.
7. NDSEG (National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate) Fellowship — USA
Who & level: U.S. citizens pursuing PhDs in S&E disciplines related to the DoD, such as physics.
What it includes: A sizable stipend, full tuition and fees, plus health insurance (often for three years).
Why students of physics apply: generous assistance and career paths in research related to military.
8. Hertz Foundation Fellowship (USA):-
Who & level: PhD candidates in engineering, mathematics, or applied physical/biological sciences.
What it includes: flexible support (typically for up to five years) and a multi-year stipend.
Why it is notable: incredibly prestigious for theoretical and applied physics studies; excellent network of mentors.
9. Gates / Commonwealth / Chevening-style UK Scholarships:-
Commonwealth Scholarships (for Commonwealth nationals) typically cover master’s or doctoral tuition, living expenses, and travel.Future leaders can pursue a fully financed one-year master’s degree through the UK Foreign Office’s Chevening Scholarships.
10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD):-
Who & level: Foreign students enrolled in a few combined Master’s programs in Europe, some of which focus on advanced physics.
What it includes: A portion of accepted students receive full scholarships that include tuition, travel, and a monthly living allowance.
Why students of physics select EMJMD: Strong EU financing, built-in research mobility, and the opportunity to study abroad.
11. DAAD Scholarships (Germany):-
Who & level: Researchers, PhD candidates, and graduates from around the world who come to Germany to study and conduct research.
It includes health insurance, travel expenses, a monthly stipend, and perhaps tuition (depending on the situation).
Why physics: Germany is home to top-notch research facilities and well-organized PhD programs, many of which get funding from the DAAD.
12. University-funded fully funded PhD packages (USA / Canada):-
Who & level: PhD candidates accepted into physics departments in the US and Canada.
What it includes: tuition reimbursement plus a living allowance through departmental fellowships or teaching/research assistantships (common in prestigious PhD programs in physics).
Why it’s practical Many prestigious PhD programs in physics in the US and Canada promise admitted students full financing, which is the same as a scholarship.
13. Vanier / Canadian federal doctoral scholarships (and successors):-
Who & level: The best PhD candidates to study in Canada (check out the current federal graduate research schemes for an update on program changes).
What it includes: a sizable yearly stipend for several years to fund scientific and engineering PhD studies.
Why it’s noteworthy substantial backing for Canadian doctorate applicants in physics.
14. Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund (IOP):-
Who & level: Doctoral physics research students, frequently from underrepresented backgrounds.
What it includes: funding assistance intended to broaden the diversity of PhD programs in physics.
15. JSPS Fellowships and other national research fellowships (Japan and beyond):-
Who & level: International pre- and post-doctoral researchers participating in Japan Research Visits (JSPS), as well as comparable national fellowships across the globe.
What it includes: Support for travel and research, a monthly salary, and a settling-in allowance.
Concluding remarks:-
Apply widely if you’re serious about receiving complete support for your physics studies. Combine external fellowships (MSCA, NSF GRFP, NDSEG, Hertz, Gates/Rhodes/Marshall, Erasmus Mundus, DAAD, JSPS, Commonwealth/Chevening) with university funding packages (PhD admissions). Make sure to match your research interests, country, and career stage with the appropriate possibilities, as each prize has unique eligibility and strengths.
FullyFunded Scholarship Nanjing University CSC 2026 in China
FullyFunded Scholarship Google MBA Summer Internship 2026 in USA
FullyFunded Scholarship Young Professional Fellowship 2026 in Australia
FullyFunded Scholarship Erasmus Mundus PROMISE 2026 in Europe
