Astronomy is one of the most fascinating fields of science — from exploring distant galaxies to unraveling black hole mysteries. But pursuing advanced study in this domain can be expensive. Thankfully, many globally-competitive fully funded scholarships exist for astronomy students at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Whether you’re dreaming of studying astrophysics at Cambridge, uncovering cosmic phenomena in Australia, or researching galaxies in the UK or USA, this guide highlights the top opportunities with full tuition, living stipend, health coverage, and travel support.
Let’s dive into the best fully funded astronomy scholarships you can apply for now.
1. 🎓 Gates Cambridge Scholarship — University of Cambridge (UK)
Level: Master’s / PhD
Coverage: Full tuition, living allowance, airfare, visa costs & more
Who Can Apply: International students outside the UK
Ideal For: Students pursuing astronomy, astrophysics, space science, or related research at Cambridge
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious fully funded awards globally. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it supports outstanding graduate students — including those studying astronomy and related sciences — at the University of Cambridge.
📌 Benefits:
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Full tuition fee coverage
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Annual stipend for living expenses
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One economy flight to/from the UK
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Visa and health surcharge fees covered
📌 Application: Apply to the graduate program AND the scholarship via the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal.
👉 Apply Link: https://www.gatescambridge.org/programme/the-scholarship/ Gates Cambridge
💡 Tip: PhD candidates must upload a research proposal and references; strong leadership qualities and academic excellence boost selection chances.
2. 🌟 Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship — Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge (UK)
Level: PhD
Coverage: Full tuition + research funding + travel & accommodation
Who Can Apply: Any nationality
This highly selective award, offered by the Boustany Foundation in partnership with Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, funds an exceptional student to pursue a PhD specifically in astronomy at one of the world’s top institutions.
📌 Why It’s Great:
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Specifically targeted for astronomy research
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Covers tuition and associated academic expenses
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Offers a research environment at a leading center for astrophysics
👉 Apply Link: https://boustany-foundation.org/scholarship-programmes/astronomy-phd-cambridge/ Boustany Foundation
💡 Note: This scholarship is offered only once every few years (check deadlines).
3. 🌏 PhD Studentships — Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh (UK)
Level: PhD
Coverage: Full tuition + stipend + research support
Who Can Apply: UK & International students
The University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Astronomy offers industry-level PhD studentships in astrophysics, cosmology, and space sciences. These studentships fully fund doctoral study for international candidates and may include additional graduate scholarships such as the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund nomination.
👉 Apply Link: Search for Edinburgh Astronomy PhD studentships on the official institute site (applications typically via the university admissions portal):
https://www.ed.ac.uk/astro/doctoral-studies
💡 Tip: Early November to January is the typical application window for the next academic cycle.
4. 🇦🇺 Research Training Program (RTP) — Australia (Multiple Universities)
Level: Master’s / PhD
Coverage: Full tuition + living stipend + research funds
Who Can Apply: Domestic & International students
Australia’s Research Training Program (RTP) is a government-funded scheme that supports research degrees including astronomy, astrophysics, and space sciences at leading universities like Monash, ANU, Sydney, and Macquarie.
📌 Benefits:
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Covers full tuition costs
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Generous living stipend
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Eligible for travel and research support
👉 Apply Link: Check the specific university’s scholarship page, e.g., Monash RTP:
https://www.monash.edu/scholarships/search/advanced#/?keyword=RTP
💡 Tip: Some universities automatically consider RTP applicants once you apply for research admission.
5. 🎓 Clarendon Scholarship — University of Oxford (UK)
Level: Master’s / DPhil (PhD equivalent)
Coverage: Full tuition + generous living stipend
Who Can Apply: International students, including those studying astronomy or astrophysics
The Clarendon Scholarship at Oxford is highly competitive and is awarded on academic excellence and potential. It supports full tuition fees and generous living costs — perfect for astronomy graduate research at one of the world’s oldest universities.
👉 Apply Link: https://www.ox.ac.uk/clarendon
💡 Tip: Application for Clarendon is built into the Oxford graduate application — no separate scholarship form needed.
6. 🚀 STFC Funded PhD Scholarships — UK Physics & Astronomy
Level: PhD
Coverage: Full tuition + stipend (via STFC partnership at UK universities)
Who Can Apply: UK & sometimes international candidates
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) funds a wide range of PhD projects in astronomy, astrophysics, and space science at UK universities (e.g., University of Leicester, Durham, Manchester). These are fully funded opportunities where universities advertise specific research projects.
👉 Apply Link: Search “STFC PhD studentship” + university name (e.g., Leicester):
https://www.leicester.ac.uk
💡 Tip: STFC projects are research-specific, so align your interests with the research topic before applying.
7. 🇦🇺 ANU Astronomy & Astrophysics Scholarships — Australian National University (Australia)
Level: PhD
Coverage: Full stipend + tuition + research support
Who Can Apply: Domestic & international students
The Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics at ANU offers fully funded PhD scholarships covering tuition waive and a yearly stipend. Students are automatically considered when they apply for the PhD program in astronomy.
👉 Apply Link: https://www.anu.edu.au/study/scholarships/search
💡 Note: Confirm eligibility once you apply for the PhD; no separate scholarship form is usually required.
8. 🇿🇦 National Astrophysics & Space Science Programme (NASSP) — South Africa
Level: Honours / Master’s / PhD
Coverage: Full tuition + living allowance + travel grants
Who Can Apply: International students
Hosted by South African universities, NASSP is a collaborative astronomy program that offers fully funded postgraduate study (including astrophysics and space science). It prepares students for careers in research and observation sciences.
👉 Apply Link: Visit the SAAO NASSP page: https://www.saao.ac.za/opportunities/bursaries-scholarships-study-programmes/
💡 Tip: This program is ideal for students interested in observational astronomy and outreach.
9. 🌍 Chevening Scholarships — UK Government (Global)
Level: Master’s
Coverage: Full tuition + living stipend + travel
Who Can Apply: International students from eligible countries
While not astronomy-specific, the Chevening Scholarship fully funds a one-year master’s degree in the UK — ideal for programs in space sciences, physics, or astrophysics. Recipients often study STEM subjects at top UK universities.
👉 Apply Link: https://www.chevening.org/
💡 Tip: Chevening supports leadership potential — related research projects in astronomy/science communication are strong fits.
10. 📜 Rhodes Scholarship — University of Oxford (UK)
Level: Master’s / DPhil
Coverage: Full tuition + stipend + travel
Who Can Apply: International students from eligible Rhodes regions
The Rhodes Scholarship is among the most prestigious global awards. While general in scope, Rhodes scholars often pursue graduate study in astronomy, physics, or engineering at Oxford — fully funded with living support.
👉 Apply Link: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/
💡 Tip: Check country quotas and deadlines early — Rhodes is highly competitive.
11. 🇯🇵 Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship — Japan
Level: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
Coverage: Full tuition + living stipend + travel support
Who Can Apply: International students globally
The MEXT Scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education allows students to study at Japanese universities, including physics and astronomy programs, with full funding.
👉 Apply Link: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap_stopj-applicants.html
💡 Note: Apply through Japanese embassies or directly to universities.
12. 🌎 Türkiye Scholarships — Government of Turkey
Level: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
Coverage: Full tuition + monthly stipend + accommodation support
Who Can Apply: Global students
The Türkiye Scholarships program is a fully funded government initiative that allows international students to pursue studies (including astronomy or astrophysics) at Turkish universities. All expenses are covered, making it ideal for international astronomy aspirants.
👉 Apply Link: https://www.turkiyescholarships.gov.tr/
🧠 FAQs — Fully Funded Astronomy Scholarships
❓ What does “fully funded” mean?
A fully funded scholarship typically covers:
✔ Full tuition fee
✔ Monthly stipend for living costs
✔ Health insurance and visa fees
✔ Travel costs (sometimes)
✔ Research support or conference funding
This allows students to focus fully on study and research without financial burden.
❓ Who is eligible for these scholarships?
Eligibility varies but typically includes:
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Strong academic records
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Evidence of research interest or potential
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Letters of recommendation
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English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)
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Research proposal (PhD applicants)
International applicants from most countries can apply to many of these funds.
❓ Can I apply to multiple scholarships?
Yes! You can (and should) apply to multiple opportunities that match your profile. Many universities allow simultaneous applications to departmental funding and external scholarships (like Gates Cambridge or Chevening).
❓ Are there scholarships for undergraduates?
Most of the scholarships listed are for postgraduate study, but programs like MEXT, Türkiye Scholarships, and university-specific awards often support undergraduate astronomy study as well.
❓ When should I start preparing?
Start 12–18 months before your intended study date. Many scholarships have deadlines in November–January for the next academic year.
❓ Do these scholarships require admission first?
For many (e.g., Gates Cambridge, Clarendon), you must apply for admission first, then submit or opt into scholarship consideration.
🌠 Final Tips for Astronomy Scholarship Success
✔ Start early — deadlines come fast.
✔ Write a research proposal that shows your passion for astronomy.
✔ Gather strong references from professors or research mentors.
✔ Tailor your application for each scholarship’s criteria (leadership, research potential, goals).
✔ Reach out to departments early — professors can support your application.