Europe remains a powerhouse for space science and astrophysics.
Home to world-class research institutions and direct collaborations with agencies like the European Space Agency (ESA), CERN, and ESO. If you’re aiming to pursue a fully funded master’sRizzq or PhD program in space-related disciplines in 2025, multiple European countries are offering scholarships that combine academic rigor with direct exposure to leading space missions, observatories, and simulation labs.
Here are the top scholarships and fully funded opportunities available in Europe for students interested in space science, astrophysics, and related fields.
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Astrophysics and Space Science (AstroMundus)
Participating Universities:
- University of Rome “Tor Vergata” (Italy)
- University of Göttingen (Germany)
- University of Belgrade (Serbia)
- University of Padova (Italy)
Why It Stands Out:
A prestigious joint Master’s program offering mobility across partner institutions and a rich curriculum in observational astrophysics, theoretical modeling, and instrumentation.
What’s Covered:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend (€1,000–1,200)
- Travel and relocation allowance
- Health insurance
Deadline:
Applications open late 2024, close by January 2025
2. ESO Studentship and Fellowship Programs – Chile & Germany
Offered By:
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Programs Offered:
- PhD Studentships in Munich (Germany)
- Postgraduate Fellowships in Garching and Santiago
Focus Areas:
Galactic structure, cosmology, instrumentation, adaptive optics, exoplanet science
What’s Covered:
- Monthly stipend
- Research supervision from ESO staff
- Access to ESO telescopes and data archives
- Living and travel expenses (fully funded)
Deadline:
PhD applications close May 2025, Fellowships close October 2025
3. CNRS & Sorbonne Astrophysics PhD Fellowships – France
Host Institutions:
- Sorbonne Université
- Paris Observatory
- CNRS Laboratories (e.g., LERMA, APC)
Research Areas:
Cosmic microwave background, dark energy, galaxy formation, gravitational waves
Funding Includes:
- Full tuition waiver
- Monthly salary (~€1,900/month)
- Research funding
- Conference and travel support
Deadline:
Spring 2025 (program-specific deadlines apply)
4. Leiden University Master’s & PhD Grants – Netherlands
Departments:
Leiden Observatory, part of the Dutch Research School for Astronomy (NOVA)
Programs:
- MSc in Astronomy (with tracks like Cosmology, Instrumentation, and Data Science)
- PhD in Space-Based Astrophysics and Theory
Scholarships Available:
- Leiden Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
- NOVA Research Grants
- NWO-funded PhD positions
Coverage:
- Full or partial tuition
- Monthly stipend (PhD fully salaried)
- Lab and research project funding
Deadline:
MSc: February 2025
PhD: Open year-round based on available positions
5. University of Vienna – PhD Positions in Astrophysics
Institute:
Vienna Doctoral School in Astrophysics
Key Research Areas:
Planet formation, stellar evolution, astrochemistry, high-energy astrophysics
Benefits:
- 4-year fully funded PhD contract
- Monthly salary under FWF standards (~€2,300/month)
- Travel and conference budget
- No tuition fees
Deadline:
Annual calls close in March 2025
6. European Space Agency (ESA) – Young Graduate Trainee & PhD Opportunities
Who Can Apply:
Graduates and postgraduate students from ESA member states
Fields:
Satellite operations, planetary science, Earth observation, instrumentation
Programs:
- Young Graduate Trainee (YGT) Scheme
- Co-funded ESA PhDs with European universities
Support Includes:
- Monthly salary (~€2,500)
- Travel and living allowance
- Access to ESA facilities and missions
Deadline:
YGT: Open in February 2025
PhD: Varies by university collaboration
7. Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics – Germany
Location:
Garching, near Munich
Programs Offered:
- PhD via IMPRS (International Max Planck Research School for Astrophysics)
- Focused on theory, cosmology, supernovae, black holes, and computational astrophysics
Funding Includes:
- Monthly stipend (~€1,500+)
- No tuition fees
- Research travel and conference support
Deadline:
Annual application cycle closes November 2024
8. Nordic Five Tech Master’s Scholarships – Scandinavia
Universities:
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)
- Aalto University (Finland)
- DTU (Denmark), NTNU (Norway), Chalmers (Sweden)
Programs:
Space Science and Technology, Remote Sensing, Earth Observation
Scholarship Benefits:
- Full tuition waiver
- Monthly living allowance
- Access to Arctic and Nordic observatories
Deadline:
December 2024 – January 2025
Wrapping Up
From observational astrophysics and deep space modeling to space mission design and instrumentation, Europe is rich with opportunities for funded graduate studies. With leading institutions tied to space agencies and global research networks, these scholarships allow students to work at the forefront of scientific discovery.
Start early by preparing your academic transcripts, personal statement, research proposal (for PhD), and references. Application deadlines for 2025 programs mostly fall between late 2024 and early 2025, so timing and attention to detail are critical.
