
Sanya Jain - Your Grad Coach 👩🎓
February 23, 2025 at 09:01 AM
How to Get a *Fully Funded PhD* in Europe (with Resources!) 🎯🎓
1️⃣ Choose the Right Country
Different European countries have different PhD funding structures:
✅ PhD as a Job (Paid positions 💰)
• Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium
• PhD students are employees with salaries, healthcare, and benefits (Avg. €2,000–€3,500/month!)
• Where to Find Jobs?
• 🇳🇱 Netherlands: www.academictransfer.com
• 🇸🇪 Sweden: www.universitypositions.eu
• 🇩🇰 Denmark: www.jobportal.ku.dk
• 🇩🇪 Germany: www.daad.de (Find DAAD-funded PhDs)
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland: www.jobs.ethz.ch
✅ Scholarship-Based PhDs (Full funding via scholarships 🎓)
• France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland
• Universities don’t employ PhD students, but you can apply for fully funded scholarships.
• Where to Find Scholarships?
• 🇫🇷 France: Eiffel Excellence Scholarship campusfrance.org
• 🇮🇹 Italy: PhD positions via www.phdportal.com
• 🇪🇸 Spain: La Caixa & Severo Ochoa PhD Fellowships fundacionlacaixa.org
• 🇵🇱 Poland: NAWA PhD Scholarships nawa.gov.pl
2️⃣ Find the Right PhD Openings
🔍 Best Websites to Search for Fully Funded PhDs:
🔹 www.findaphd.com (Europe-wide PhD search)
🔹 www.euraxess.ec.europa.eu (EU-funded PhD positions)
🔹 www.academicpositions.com (Research jobs in Europe)
🔹 www.jobs.ac.uk (UK & Europe PhD jobs)
💡 Pro Tip: Many professors list open PhD positions on their university pages BEFORE they appear on official job portals! Check university websites directly.
3️⃣ Contact Professors (Cold Emailing Tips 📩)
Before applying, reach out to potential PhD supervisors! Here’s how:
✅ Find Professors & Labs in Your Field:
• Search Google Scholar & ResearchGate for latest papers in your field.
• Check department faculty pages of top European universities.
• Use LinkedIn to connect with PhD advisors.
✅ How to Write a Cold Email That Gets a Response?
📌 Subject: “Prospective PhD Inquiry – [Your Research Area]”
📌 Keep it short & specific (3-4 paragraphs).
📌 Mention why their research aligns with your interests.
📌 Attach your CV & academic transcripts.
🔥 Bonus Resource: Get a winning PhD cold email template 👉 euraxess.ec.europa.eu
4️⃣ Prepare a Strong Application (SoP, CV & Research Proposal 📑)
Once a professor is interested, you’ll need to submit:
🎯 Statement of Purpose (SoP) – Clearly explain:
✔ Why you want to do a PhD
✔ Your research background
✔ Why this professor & university fit your goals
🎯 Academic CV – Showcase:
✔ Research experience & publications
✔ Technical & analytical skills
✔ Conferences & workshops
🎯 Research Proposal – Outline:
✔ What research problem you want to solve
✔ Your methodology & expected impact
✔ How it aligns with the professor’s work
📌 Need guidance? Check SoP & CV templates here 👉 www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice
5️⃣ Apply for Additional Funding (Extra Stipends 💰)
Even if your PhD is funded, you can apply for extra research grants & travel scholarships:
💵 Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD Fellowships – ec.europa.eu/mariecurieactions
💵 Erasmus+ Research Mobility Grants – erasmusplus.org
💵 DAAD Research Grants (Germany) – www.daad.de
💵 Swiss Excellence Scholarships – www.sbfi.admin.ch
💡 Pro Tip: Apply for conference travel grants to fund research visits abroad!
📌 Final Tips: What Makes a Strong PhD Candidate?
✔ Research experience (publications are a plus!)
✔ Technical & analytical skills relevant to the PhD field
✔ Strong motivation & fit with the lab’s research
✔ Good academic references (Ask professors who know you well)
✔ Persistence – If one professor doesn’t respond, email another!
PhDs in Europe are HIGHLY competitive but 100% achievable if you target the right programs and professors strategically. 🚀
💬 Have questions or need help? Drop a comment, and let’s get you into a fully funded PhD! 💪
📌 Save this post & share it with someone applying for PhDs in Europe! 🎓🔍
👍
🙏
7