Approx. 450,000 - 550,000 ISK per month (Subject to collective bargaining agreements)
Duration
3 years
Deadline
January 16 (Annual)
Level
PhD (Doctoral)
Acceptance
Varies by faculty
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
Aimed at domestic and international phd candidates, University of Iceland PhD Fellowship (Research Fund) is a fully funded scholarship for study in Iceland. The award covers The fellowship provides a full-time salary for three years, covering living costs and research expenses, while granting the recipient status as a university employee. and is open to phd (doctoral) students studying all fields available at the university of iceland including social sciences, health sciences, humanities, education, engineering, and natural sciences. The scholarship runs for 3 years. Eligibility is generally based on open to all nationalities. Requires a Masters degree with excellent grades and a confirmed PhD supervisor at the University of Iceland. The application deadline is January 16 (Annual), with an acceptance rate of approximately Varies by faculty. EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.
✨ Should I Apply for University of Iceland PhD Fellowship (Research Fund)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
10% - 15%
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approx. 450,000 - 550,000 ISK per month (Subject to collective bargaining agreements)
⏳
Duration
3 years
📅
Deadline
January 16 (Annual)
🔬
Fields
All fields available at the University of Iceland including Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities, Education, Engineering, and Natural Sciences
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 20-30 new grants per year
🌏
Study Country
Iceland
🏛️
Provider
University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands)
📊
Acceptance
Varies by faculty
The University of Iceland PhD Fellowship, funded by the University of Iceland Research Fund, is the primary source of internal funding for doctoral students. It aims to support high-quality research and strengthen the university's research environment by hiring PhD candidates as staff members for a period of three years.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to all nationalities. Requires a Master’s degree with excellent grades and a confirmed PhD supervisor at the University of Iceland.
🏛️ Host University
University of Iceland
🤝 Sponsor
University of Iceland Research Fund (Rannsóknasjóður Háskóla Íslands)
🔬 Fields of Study
All fields available at the University of Iceland including Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities, Education, Engineering, and Natural Sciences
✨ Key Benefits
The fellowship provides a full-time salary for three years, covering living costs and research expenses, while granting the recipient status as a university employee.
Varies (Estimated 200+ for the Research Fund specifically)
Applicants Last Year
Approximately 25
Winners
Varies by faculty
Acceptance Rate
10% - 15%
Competition Level
Win Probability
50%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes (PhD students at UI do not pay tuition, only an annual registration fee)
Living Stipend
Provided as a monthly salary under a formal employment contract
Total Award
Approx. 450,000 - 550,000 ISK per month (Subject to collective bargaining agreements)
✈️ Travel: Specific grants available within the fellowship for conference travel and research stays abroad🏠 Accommodation: No💊 Health Insurance: Covered via the Icelandic Social Insurance system (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands) after 6 months of residency🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: None for the fellowship; standard UI registration fee applies upon enrollment
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (PhD students at UI do not pay tuition, only an annual registration fee)
🏠 Living Stipend
Provided as a monthly salary under a formal employment contract
🏡 Accommodation
No
✈️ Travel Allowance
Specific grants available within the fellowship for conference travel and research stays abroad
💊 Health Insurance
Covered via the Icelandic Social Insurance system (Sjúkratryggingar Íslands) after 6 months of residency
🎁 Other Benefits
Pension contributions, paid vacation, parental leave rights, and access to the University's research infrastructure
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
The grant is fixed for 3 years; extensions must be funded by other sources.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must hold a Master's degree; must be accepted into a PhD program at UI; research proposal must meet quality standards.
🎓 Academic Level
PhD (Doctoral)
📊 Minimum GPA
First-class grade (typically 7.25 or higher on the UI 0-10 scale or equivalent)
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency required (TOEFL iBT 92+ or IELTS 6.5+; may be waived if previous degree was taught in English)
💼 Work Experience
Not required, though research experience is highly advantageous
🏆 Leadership
Not required
💰 Financial Need
Not considered (Merit-based)
🎯 Target Students
Domestic and International PhD candidates
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Detailed Research Proposal)
Rec Letters
Yes (2-3 letters of recommendation)
Interview
Yes (Typically conducted by the faculty or selection committee)
Application Fee
None for the fellowship; standard UI registration fee applies upon enrollment
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (2-3 letters of recommendation) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Proficiency required (TOEFL iBT 92+ or IELTS 6.5+; may be waived if previous degree was taught in English)
Interview: Yes (Typically conducted by the faculty or selection committee)
Min GPA: First-class grade (typically 7.25 or higher on the UI 0-10 scale or equivalent)
📋 Application Process
Identify and contact a potential supervisor months before the deadline to co-develop the research proposal.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure the research plan is highly specific, feasible within 3 years, and demonstrates significant contribution to the field.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
November 15 (Annual)
⏰ Deadline
January 16 (Annual)
🎤 Interview
Yes (Typically conducted by the faculty or selection committee)
🎓 Study Starts
September 1 or as negotiated
November 15 (Annual)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
January 16 (Annual)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (Typically conducted by the faculty or selection committee)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September 1 or as negotiated
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, quality and originality of the research proposal, feasibility, and the supervisor's research track record.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
University of Iceland PhD Fellowship (Research Fund)Current
Open to all nationalities. Requires a Master’s degree with excellent grades and a confirmed PhD supervisor at the University of Iceland.
This scholarship covers: The fellowship provides a full-time salary for three years, covering living costs and research expenses, while granting the recipient status as a university employee.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is January 16 (Annual). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: 10% - 15%. Acceptance rate: Varies by faculty. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Proficiency required (TOEFL iBT 92+ or IELTS 6.5+; may be waived if previous degree was taught in English), Yes (2-3 letters of recommendation) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.