Funding

Scholarships & fellowships

Curated funding opportunities for lab members and prospective students. Follow each link to apply on the provider's official portal.

General admission criteria & requirementsTOEFL / IELTS · GRE · documents · country-by-country notes — tap to expand

A quick reference for students preparing to apply abroad. Always confirm exact minimum scores, requirements and deadlines on each university/programme’s official page — they change every cycle.

English language tests

  • TOEFL iBT — typically 80–100+ (competitive US programmes often expect 90–100).
  • IELTS Academic — typically 6.5–7.5 overall (UK, EU, Australia).
  • Duolingo English Test — accepted by many universities (~105–120).
  • PTE Academic — accepted by many UK/Australian universities.

Standardized / aptitude tests

  • GRE General — common for US graduate (MS/PhD) admissions; competitive ~310+. Many departments are now GRE-optional — check the programme page.
  • GMAT — business & management programmes.
  • SAT / ACT — US undergraduate admissions.

Core application documents

  • Academic transcripts & degree certificates (often attested; WES/ECE evaluation for the US).
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP) / motivation letter.
  • 2–3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs).
  • CV / résumé.
  • Research proposal (for MS-by-research and PhD).
  • Valid passport & proof of funding (for the visa).

By destination

  • USA — TOEFL/IELTS + GRE (often); SOP and 3 LORs; fall-intake deadlines usually December–January. Apply directly to departments and email potential advisors for funded PhDs.
  • UK — IELTS; personal statement; references; apply early for funded places.
  • Germany — English or German proof; some programmes require an APS certificate (for Pakistani students); strong CV & motivation.
  • China (CSC) — acceptance/admission letter from a host university, medical exam, study plan.
  • Türkiye · Commonwealth · Erasmus — follow each scheme’s official portal; eligibility & documents vary.

Need help preparing your documents? Our alumni who studied abroad are happy to advise.

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Austrian Scholarships & Research Grants (grants.at)

OeAD — Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Masters · PhD · Postdoc · Research visitsEuropeVaries by programme
Searchable database of Austrian scholarships and research grants for Masters, Doctoral and Postdoctoral study, as well as grants for research visits.

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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University assistant predoctoral - PhD Position in Inorganic & Materials Chemistry

jobs.univie.ac.at
Postdoc · PhDUnited States
University assistant predoctoral - PhD Position in Inorganic & Materials Chemistry Job Details | Universität Wien

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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PalmSens Photographic Competition 2026

PalmSens
Netherlands
🟢 Opens 1 May 2026
Choose from multiplexers, sensor cables, connectors, electrochemical cells, stirrers and more...

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

European Commission
PhD · PostdocEuropeSalary + mobility & family allowances
EU fellowships funding doctoral networks and postdoctoral research across Europe. Cycle: calls vary by action — check the portal.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Meet mobility rules (not lived in host country > 12 months)
  • Apply with a host institution & supervisor
  • Research proposal

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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EURAXESS — Research Jobs & Funding

European Commission
PhD · PostdocEuropeVaries (funded PhD/postdoc positions)
A Europe-wide database of funded research positions, PhD vacancies and fellowships. Rolling — search continuously.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Browse and apply directly to listed funded positions
  • Eligibility set per position

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT)

Government of Japan (MEXT)
Master's · PhD · ResearchJapanFull tuition + monthly stipend + airfare
Comprehensive funding to study and research at Japanese universities. Cycle: embassy track typically opens April–May.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Apply via embassy (embassy-recommended) or a Japanese university (university-recommended)
  • Academic transcripts, research plan, language proof

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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KAUST Fellowship (Saudi Arabia)

King Abdullah University of Science & Technology
Master's · PhDSaudi ArabiaFull tuition + stipend + housing + relocation
Generously funded graduate study at a leading research university. Rolling admissions — apply any time.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Strong GPA in a relevant field
  • GRE optional · English proficiency
  • Statement & references

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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KFUPM Graduate Scholarships

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Master's · PhDSaudi ArabiaFull tuition + monthly stipend + housing
Funded MS & PhD study at KFUPM. Cycle: intakes typically open in spring and autumn.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Strong academic record
  • GRE/TOEFL (programme-dependent)
  • Statement of purpose & references

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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Khalifa University Scholarships (UAE)

Khalifa University
Master's · PhDUnited Arab EmiratesFull tuition + monthly stipend
Funded graduate study at a top UAE research university. Rolling intakes.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Competitive GPA
  • GRE (recommended) · English proficiency
  • Research interests aligned with a supervisor

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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FindAPhD — Funded PhD Database

FindAPhD.com
PhDWorldwideVaries (many fully-funded listings)
A global, searchable database of advertised PhD projects and funding. Rolling — search continuously.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Search by subject/country
  • Apply directly to the listed project & supervisor

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

DAAD — German Academic Exchange Service
Master's · PhD · ResearchGermanyMonthly stipend + travel + health insurance
Germany’s flagship funding for international students and researchers across hundreds of programmes. Typical cycle: many programme deadlines fall between August and October — confirm exact dates on the official DAAD scholarship database.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Relevant bachelor's/master's degree
  • Strong academic record
  • Language proof (German or English, programme-dependent)
  • CV, motivation letter & references
  • Research/study proposal (for research grants)

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU)

European Commission (EACEA)
Master'sEurope (multi-country)Full tuition + monthly allowance + travel/installation
Prestigious, fully-funded joint master’s delivered by consortia across European universities. Typical cycle: most catalogue programmes open October–January for the following intake.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Bachelor's degree (or final year)
  • Apply directly to a specific EMJM programme
  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • Transcripts, CV, motivation letter, references

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

China Scholarship Council
Master's · PhDChinaFull tuition + monthly stipend + accommodation + insurance
Comprehensive, fully-funded study at top Chinese universities. Typical cycle: applications generally run December–April, routed via your host university or the Chinese embassy.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Acceptance / pre-admission letter from a Chinese university
  • Under the programme age limit
  • Academic transcripts & degree certificates
  • Study plan, two recommendation letters, medical (Foreigner Physical Exam)

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK
Master's · PhDUnited KingdomFull tuition + airfare + living stipend
Fully-funded UK study for talented scholars from Commonwealth nations, with a focus on development impact. Typical cycle: nominating-agency deadlines are commonly September–October.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country
  • Strong academic background (usually first-class/upper-second)
  • Apply through your country’s nominating agency
  • Development-impact statement & references

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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ANSO Scholarship (CAS)

Alliance of International Science Organizations / Chinese Academy of Sciences
Master's · PhDChinaTuition waiver + monthly stipend + insurance
Funds outstanding international students for graduate study at Chinese Academy of Sciences institutes. Typical cycle: applications usually open January–March.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Admission to a CAS / UCAS / USTC institute
  • Within programme age limits
  • Two recommendation letters
  • Research proposal & transcripts

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

U.S. Department of State (USEFP in Pakistan)
Master's · PhDUnited StatesFull funding: tuition, stipend, airfare, insurance
One of the most prestigious fully-funded routes to graduate study in the USA. Typical cycle: opens in spring with deadlines around May (via the local Fulbright commission).
Requirements & eligibility
  • Bachelor's degree with strong record
  • GRE and TOEFL/IELTS
  • Leadership & community engagement
  • Statement of purpose, study objective, references

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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Chevening Scholarships (UK)

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Master'sUnited KingdomFull tuition + living costs + travel (one-year master's)
Fully-funded one-year UK master’s for future leaders. Typical cycle: applications open August and close early November.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Bachelor's degree (2:1 equivalent)
  • Typically 2+ years work experience
  • Three UK master's course choices
  • English requirement & leadership potential

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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CAS-TWAS President’s Fellowship

Chinese Academy of Sciences & The World Academy of Sciences
PhDChinaMonthly stipend + tuition waiver
Doctoral fellowships for talented students from the developing world at CAS institutes. Typical cycle: windows vary by institute — check TWAS/CAS announcements.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Citizen of a developing country (non-China)
  • Admission to a CAS institute / UCAS
  • Max age limit
  • Research proposal, supervisor acceptance, references

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Burslari)

Government of Türkiye
Bachelor's · Master's · PhDTürkiyeFull tuition + monthly stipend + accommodation + airfare
Government-funded study across Turkish universities at all levels. Typical cycle: the main round opens January–February.
Requirements & eligibility
  • Within age limits for the level applied
  • Academic transcripts & diploma
  • Letter of intent & references
  • Language: Turkish or English (programme-dependent)

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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HEC Indigenous PhD Fellowship

Higher Education Commission
Full stipend
Funding for full-time PhD scholars in chemistry and allied fields.

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

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DAAD Research Grants — Pakistan

DAAD, Germany
Monthly stipend + travel
Short and long-term research stays in Germany for doctoral candidates.

Applications are made directly on the provider's portal — confirm the exact deadline there.

Applying abroad?

Talk to our alumni

Many SDLab graduates now study and research around the world. They're happy to share first-hand advice on applications, documents and interviews.

Reach out respectfully via each alumnus's public profile, or ask the lab to make an introduction.