- Fully Funded (PhD)Support
- Harvard UniversityHost institution
- ~US$50,000/yrLiving stipend
- PhD (GSAS)Level
- With admissionHow awarded
- Tuition + health + stipendCoverage
At a glance
full
Funding
€60k
Max amount
Dec 1, 2026
Deadline
Any country
Country
Harvard University
Provider
The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) guarantees a comprehensive financial support package to students admitted to its PhD programmes. Rather than a single named scholarship, the support is built into doctoral admission, making Harvard's PhD programmes effectively fully funded for the standard duration. The package typically covers full tuition and health fees, a living stipend (commonly around US$50,000 per year), and summer research support, for the years of doctoral study. Funding combines fellowship stipends, teaching fellowships, and research assistantships across the programme. Some master's programmes within GSAS have separate, more limited aid. There is no separate fellowship application for the core support: you apply to the Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD programme, and admitted students receive the funding offer. Applications follow Harvard's graduate admission cycle, with most PhD deadlines around early December for entry the following autumn.
What's covered
- Tuition & fees — Full tuition and health/insurance fees for the years of the PhD.
- Living stipend — A living stipend (commonly ~US$50,000/year), via fellowships, teaching, and research assistantships.
- Summer support — Summer research funding in addition to the academic-year stipend.
- Duration — For the standard period of doctoral study (typically ~5 years), subject to good standing.
How to apply
Apply to a Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD programme by its deadline; admitted students receive the funding package — there is no separate fellowship form for the core support.
- Choose a PhD programme — Select a Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD programme and review its requirements and faculty.
- Note the deadline — Most PhD application deadlines fall around ~early December.
- Prepare materials — Assemble transcripts, a statement of purpose, a writing sample/research statement (as required), GRE (if needed), and references.
- Apply for admission — Submit the GSAS application for your chosen PhD programme.
- Departmental review — The department evaluates applicants and makes funded admission decisions.
- Funded offer — Admitted PhD students receive the comprehensive funding package with their offer.
Eligibility
ProgrammeAdmitted to a PhD programme at the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Academic meritAn outstanding academic and research record meeting the programme's admission bar.
Research fitA strong fit with the department's faculty and research.
EnglishEnglish proficiency where required for international applicants.
Funded by admissionPhD admission includes the funding package — no separate fellowship application.
Core PhD funding is guaranteed with admission — you apply to the PhD programme, not a separate fellowship. Some GSAS master's programmes have separate, more limited aid.
Eligible countries
Any country
Deadlines
2027 PhD entry (typical)2026-12-01
Selection
Admission and funding decisions are made by the academic department and Harvard Griffin GSAS, based on academic excellence, research potential, and fit with faculty. Because funding is built into doctoral admission, the selection is effectively the PhD admission decision.
Verified sources
- Harvard Griffin GSAS — Financial Supportgsas.harvard.eduofficial
About the provider
Harvard University is one of the world's foremost research universities. Its Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) administers PhD and master's programmes across the arts and sciences and guarantees a comprehensive funding package to its doctoral students.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What are the Harvard Griffin GSAS Fellowships?
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The comprehensive financial support package guaranteed to PhD students admitted to the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences — effectively making Harvard's PhD programmes fully funded.
Who is eligible?
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Students admitted to a Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD programme. Admission is highly selective and based on academic excellence, research potential, and fit with faculty.
What does the package cover?
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Full tuition and health fees, a living stipend (commonly ~US$50,000/year) via fellowships/teaching/research assistantships, and summer research support, for the standard PhD duration.
Is there a separate fellowship application?
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No — core PhD funding is built into admission. You apply to the PhD programme, and admitted students receive the funding offer.
When is the deadline?
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Most Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD application deadlines fall around ~early December for entry the following autumn. Check your specific programme's deadline.
Does it fund master's study?
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The guaranteed package is for PhD students. Some GSAS master's programmes have separate, more limited financial aid — check the specific programme.
How long does funding last?
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For the standard period of doctoral study (typically around 5 years), subject to satisfactory academic progress and good standing.
How competitive is admission?
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Extremely — Harvard PhD programmes are among the most selective in the world, and funded admission is the norm only because admission itself is so competitive.
Which fields are covered?
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PhD programmes across the arts and sciences — humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering/applied sciences at Harvard.
Do international students get the same funding?
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Yes — the doctoral funding package applies to admitted PhD students regardless of nationality.
What is included beyond tuition and stipend?
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Health fees, summer research support, and access to additional research and conference funding within the programme, alongside the academic-year stipend.
What does "Griffin GSAS" refer to?
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Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences was renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences following a major gift; it administers PhD (and some master's) programmes and their funding.