Illinois State University Scholarship 2027 in USA | Fully Funded PhD with $2,300 Monthly Stipend

Application Deadline: September 15, 2026

Are you looking for a fully funded PhD opportunity in the United States? The Illinois State University Scholarship 2027 offers outstanding international and domestic students the chance to pursue doctoral studies with full financial support.

Successful applicants will receive full tuition coverage, health insurance, and a monthly stipend of approximately $2,300 through a combination of Research Assistantship (RA) and Teaching Assistantship (TA) appointments. The position is based in the Andres Lab at Illinois State University’s School of Biological Sciences and focuses on cutting-edge research in aquatic ecology and genomics.

If you’re interested in biological sciences, ecology, fisheries, or environmental DNA (eDNA) research, this could be an excellent opportunity to advance your academic and research career in the USA.

Illinois State University Scholarship 2027 Overview

About the Illinois State University Scholarship 2027

The Andres Lab within the School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University is inviting applications from motivated students interested in pursuing a funded PhD.

The selected student will join an ongoing research project investigating the spread of the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), an invasive fish species affecting the Upper Mississippi River Basin.

The project combines several advanced research techniques, including:

• Environmental DNA (eDNA)
• Diet metabarcoding
• Population genomics
• Ecological monitoring
• Conservation biology

Researchers will evaluate both the distribution of the invasive species and its ecological impacts across the Illinois and Mississippi River systems. The project also provides opportunities to collaborate with state and federal environmental agencies on research that directly informs conservation and resource management.

Illinois State University Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• Full tuition waiver throughout the PhD program
• Monthly living stipend of approximately $2,300
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Funding for up to five years (subject to satisfactory academic progress)
• Financial support through both Research Assistantship (RA) and Teaching Assistantship (TA)
• Additional funding for research expenses
• Conference travel support to present research findings
• Opportunities to work alongside leading researchers and government scientists

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Hold a Master’s degree (M.S.) in:
  • Biology
  • Ecology
  • Fisheries
  • Wildlife Biology
  • Or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Be capable of working independently as well as within collaborative research teams.
• Show evidence of previous research experience or scholarly productivity.
• Have experience in aquatic field research.

Competitive candidates will also have experience with one or more of the following molecular biology techniques:

• DNA extraction
• PCR
• qPCR
• Library preparation
• Next-generation sequencing (NGS)

Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A one-page personal statement explaining:
  • Research experience
  • Research interests
  • Career goals
  • Why you are interested in joining the Andres Lab
• Contact information for three professional references

How to Apply for the Illinois State University Scholarship 2027

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official job announcement and review the complete position details.

Application Page: Click Here To Apply

Step 2: Prepare all required application documents.

Step 3: Email your complete application package directly to:

Dr. Kara Andres
Email: kjandr2@ilstu.edu

Step 4: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is strongly encouraged.

Preferred enrollment: Spring or Summer 2027

Application Deadline

September 15, 2026

Although applications are reviewed as they are received, candidates are encouraged to submit all required materials before the deadline to maximize their chances of consideration.

Why Consider This Scholarship?

The Illinois State University Scholarship provides more than financial support—it offers an opportunity to conduct impactful environmental research while earning a fully funded PhD in the United States. Students will gain hands-on experience with modern genomic technologies, collaborate with leading scientists, and contribute to conservation efforts that have real-world applications.

For aspiring researchers in ecology, fisheries, wildlife biology, or molecular biology, this scholarship represents an excellent pathway toward an international research career.