This snapshot is built from CollegeWhale’s own scholarship database and planning tools. It shows how many awards are available for Philosophy majors, how much money is on the table, and what early-career pay and typical college costs can look like.
We currently have 15 Philosophy scholarships available in our database. These awards may come from professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and private sponsors. We’re actively adding scholarships tied to Philosophy. Check back often or use our main scholarship search to uncover more awards that fit your profile.
Across these listings, the total advertised award value comes to roughly $1,094,000. Many scholarships for this major list flexible or renewable award amounts. As we continue to add additional Philosophy scholarships, this section will show an estimate of the total dollars currently available in our database.
Graduates with a Philosophy degree commonly see early-career median pay around $65,000 per year, depending on location, employer type, and experience.
Philosophy ROI Snapshot:
We estimate a typical 4-year net cost of college at about
$108,584.
First-year median earnings are roughly 60% of that total cost. At that pace, it would take about 1.7 years of early-career earnings to “earn back” your degree investment (before taxes and living costs).
The average cost of in-of-state college in the United States is $27,146 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628. According to data provided by educationdata.org as of 8/2025. Our ROI calculation is based on in-state average tuition. Median pay statistics are provided by bls.gov
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The Berggruen Prize for Philosophy & Culture is one of the world’s most prestigious awards recognizing individuals whose ideas have profoundly shaped human self-understanding and advanced fundamental thinking about culture, society, ethics and the human condition. Administered by the Berggruen
Award: $1,000,000 Deadline: November Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The Kristeller-Popkin Travel Fellowships, awarded through the Journal of the History of Philosophy (JHP), support graduate students and early-career scholars conducting research in the history of philosophy. The fellowships honor the legacies of Paul Oskar Kristeller and Richard Popkin, two
Award: $1,000 Deadline: December Est. Time: Med (~33 min)
The Liberty Fund Scholarship and Conference Grants in Philosophy support students, early-career scholars and educators who wish to participate in Liberty Fund seminars, colloquia and academic conferences focused on philosophy, political theory, classical liberalism and the intellectual foundations of a
Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~33 min)
The Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship supports Ph.D. candidates in the humanities and social sciences whose dissertations address questions of religious understanding, ethics, or values. Applicants must be in the final stage of writing their dissertation and enrolled at
Award: $31,000 Deadline: November Est. Time: Med (~58 min)
The NEH Fellowship Grant supports individuals pursuing advanced research in the humanities. This grant is available for both independent scholars and those affiliated with academic institutions, enabling recipients to dedicate time to research projects that advance knowledge in fields such
Award: $60,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Low (~13 min)This comprehensive collection of Philosophy scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Philosophy scholarship opportunities.
Philosophy scholarships and grants support students exploring ethics, logic, metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics, political theory, and other branches of philosophical inquiry. These awards come from universities, nonprofit foundations, academic societies, and private benefactors who recognize the value of deep analytical thinking, strong writing skills, and the study of ideas that shape human understanding. Funding often includes tuition assistance, research grants, essay contest prizes, and fellowships that support advanced scholarly work.
Students pursuing philosophy degrees develop powerful reasoning, writing, and critical-thinking skills that apply to countless fields — including law, public policy, teaching, ethics, communications, journalism, and academic research. Because philosophy is writing-intensive, many scholarships focus on essays, original research, or creative philosophical work.
The following guide outlines major scholarships, grants, fellowships, and academic awards available to philosophy students at every level — from high school to graduate school.
The Thomas D. Sullivan Medal in Philosophy recognizes high-achieving undergraduate philosophy students who demonstrate exceptional ability in research, writing, and philosophical analysis. Universities that offer this award often look for students who show promise as future scholars, researchers, ethicists, or teachers.
Eligibility typically includes:
Many recipients go on to graduate programs in philosophy, law school, or academic careers. The award highlights clarity of argument, originality, and meaningful contributions to philosophical discourse.
The American Philosophical Association (APA) is the leading professional organization for philosophers in the United States. The APA offers numerous awards, grants, and fellowships for students, educators, and scholars.
Programs include:
APA awards often strengthen graduate school applications and academic résumés, making them highly valuable for students pursuing advanced study.
Students specializing in ethics or moral philosophy can apply for dedicated awards recognizing academic excellence and contributions to ethical inquiry.
Key opportunities include:
These scholarships elevate students committed to understanding the philosophical foundations of human behavior and ethical decision-making.
The John Templeton Foundation is a major supporter of philosophical research related to “big questions” — free will, consciousness, virtue, the nature of reality, and the intersection between science and philosophy.
Applicants must:
Funding may support conference travel, publication expenses, summer research, or multi-year academic projects.
High school students planning to pursue philosophy in college can build early credentials through essay contests and research awards.
Notable programs include:
These programs allow students to demonstrate academic curiosity and critical thinking before entering college.
The Philosophy Now Award recognizes students, educators, and public thinkers who help bring philosophical ideas to broader audiences.
It typically rewards:
The award highlights the real-world importance of philosophy and encourages students to engage with the world beyond academia.
Numerous independent organizations fund philosophical research, writing, and academic study. These awards often target specific branches of philosophy, major thinkers, or interdisciplinary themes.
Examples include:
Many of these opportunities include access to conferences, workshops, or mentorship networks.
Most colleges and universities with philosophy departments offer internal scholarships to recognize academic excellence, writing, research, or departmental leadership.
Examples include:
Students should regularly check their department’s scholarship listings, as many philosophy awards are annual and limited to majors or minors.
Some of the most significant funding in philosophy is available at the graduate level. Fellowships may include tuition remission, stipends, and multi-year research support.
Examples include:
Graduate fellowships are among the most competitive awards, but they provide transformative academic opportunities.
Women remain underrepresented in professional academic philosophy. Several organizations offer scholarships to support greater gender equity in the field.
Examples include:
These awards encourage women to pursue philosophical leadership, teaching, and research.
Most philosophy scholarships require strong writing skills and a demonstrated passion for philosophical inquiry. A competitive application typically includes:
Applying broadly — to university awards, national scholarships, private organizations, and essay competitions — increases the likelihood of receiving funding.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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