A PhD in Europe can be funded in two ways: through a scholarship or as a paid job. In several countries, including Sweden, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, many doctoral candidates are hired by the university on a salary rather than given a scholarship. This page covers the scholarship route and links to a full guide for each option.
PhD Scholarships Compared
Scholarship
Country
Monthly money
Worth knowing
Swiss Government Excellence
Switzerland
CHF 2,450
Needs a Swiss host professor; places cut to 200-250 a year
Eiffel Excellence (doctoral)
France
EUR 2,000
Up to 36 months if you start year 1 of a PhD in France; university nominates you
Stipendium Hungaricum
Hungary
HUF 140,000, then HUF 180,000
Free tuition; amount rises after the first four semesters
DAAD research grants
Germany
Higher than the master’s rate
Several programme types; check the DAAD database
Ernst Mach Grant
Austria
EUR 1,300
Research stay in Austria, not a full PhD; under 35
The Step Most Applicants Miss
For most PhD scholarships, you need a professor in the host country who agrees to supervise you before you apply. Without that letter, the application is incomplete. Our guide on how to email a professor for a host letter shows how to ask.
Common Questions
Can I get a PhD scholarship without a master’s degree?
Rarely. Almost all European PhD scholarships require a completed master’s degree, or one finished before the PhD starts.
Are Swiss postdoctoral scholarships still available?
No longer for new applicants. The Swiss government stops awarding postdoctoral scholarships from the 2027/28 academic year. Doctoral and research scholarships continue.
Figures checked in October 2026. Always confirm amounts and deadlines on the official scholarship website.