In follow-up to my article on How To Fully Fund Your PhD, we began a series on fully funded PhD programs in various disciplines. There are several competitive, external fellowships that fund doctoral study, but if funding is a concern, it is a better strategy to apply to PhD programs that offer full funding to all admitted students. When a doctoral program indicates that they provide full funding to their PhD students, in most cases this means they provide each admitted student full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to six year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, which is why I recommend researching the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.

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Below is a list of universities that offer full funding to all of the admitted students to their PhD programs in international relations, international affairs and international development:

American University, School of International Service, PhD in International Relations (Washington, DC): All those admitted to the SIS PhD program as full-time students and who maintain good progress toward completing the degree are granted a Dean’s Fellowship in each of the first four years of study, unless a student opts to waive financial aid.

Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, PhD in Sustainable Development (New York, NY):  Full-tuition fellowships with stipends are available for all admitted students who are not already sponsored by their governments, employers, or a foundation. The fellowships are open to all admitted students regardless of citizenship.

Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, PhD in Public Affairs (Princeton, NJ): The doctoral program offers full merit-based funding to cover the cost of each student’s tuition and living expenses for four years. In return, each Ph.D. student is expected to work as a teaching assistant following completion of the general examinations for one semester or the equivalent of a “three-hour” teaching assignment. Ph.D. students also receive a 12-month stipend for research and living expenses, and are eligible to apply for other competitive graduate fellowships awarded by the Graduate School. 

Stanford University, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Focus in International Relations) (Stanford, CA): The department offers a standard package, consisting of a stipend and the payment of tuition and fees, to most incoming students. Both domestic and international students are eligible for this standard package. Although the Department cannot formally guarantee support beyond the first year, it expects to continue to provide an additional four years of support to students making satisfactory academic progress. This assistance normally covers the full cost of tuition and an additional amount for living expenses during the academic year. The latter amount is usually in the form of a stipend, teaching assistantship, or research assistantship.

University of California Berkeley, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Subfield in International Relations) (Berkeley, CA): The Political Science department supports its graduate students through a combination of department fellowships, university multiyear fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships. Most incoming students are awarded five years of funding support consisting of fees and non-resident tuition, and student health insurance. All funding packages are contingent on meeting minimum academic and residency requirements throughout the tenure of support. United States citizens and Permanent Residents are required to achieve California residency by the end of their first year in California to receive continued fee support.

University of Chicago, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Focus in International Relations) (Chicago, IL): As a general principle, we provide extensive funding for all students who matriculate in our doctoral programs. Applicants to our doctoral programs are considered for all fellowship resources at the University of Chicago for which they are eligible. We offer Divisional fellowships at two levels. Both levels provide support for up to five years, are contingent on good progress, and are renewed annually.

University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, PhD in International Studies (Denver, CO): The Josef Korbel School provides a three year full tuition waiver and living stipend for most applicants accepted to the doctoral program. In addition, doctoral candidates can take advantage of opportunities to serve as research assistants at the Josef Korbel School.

University of Guelph, PhD in International Development Studies (Guelph, Ontario, Canada): PhD students who are accepted at the University of Guelph are guaranteed a minimum stipend of $17,500 per year over three years of full-time study. However, most departments participating in the collaborative program set a higher minimum standard. 

University of Ottawa, School of International Development and Global Studies, PhD in International Development (Ottawa, Canada): The Faculty of Social Sciences has a minimum funding policy that guarantees funding of at least $19,000 for each of the four years of doctoral study to all new doctoral students meeting the requirements described below. A fifth year of funding is available under certain conditions. 

University of Washington, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, PhD in International Studies (Seattle, WA): The Jackson School aims to provide competitive financial packages for all admitted doctoral candidates. Determinations about financial awards are made at the time of admission and during the course of a student’s time at JSIS. Funding guarantees for consecutive years is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. All accepted doctoral candidates are automatically considered for fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.

Yale University, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Subfield in International Relations) (New Haven, CT): All admitted Ph.D. students receive five full years of funding, including tuition, health insurance, and a generous stipend.

Do you know of other PhD programs in International Relations and International Development that offer full funding to their doctoral students? We are happy to update this list, so please contact us or leave a comment below.

Also sign up to check our fellowships database to learn about other opportunities to fund graduate and doctoral study.

© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.