I got two PhD offers, both saying that my application is considered for funding. The deadline to answer to one of them has come and I am supposed to sign a form saying something like: I am taking the place if I get funding from this uni, and I have withdrawn all my other applications. How can I agree to this, if nothing is known about funding yet? I can’t pay for my studies. What if I agree to one offer and won't get funding there after all? I will loose everything! What to do?

I would try talking to them ask when they expect to know about the funding - what type of funding is it? because if its departmental funding i think they can make the decision whenever. explain to them you would really love to take the place but don't feel you can withdraw your other applications until you know about funding see if it speeds them up a bit. of course if its research council funding you could be waiting a while but i'd still try and avoid saying you'll withdraw your other applications.

Of course if you don't mind lying and this one is your first choice you could just tell them you have withdrawn your other applications because if the funding comes through they'll never know and if it doesn't you'll have a back up

The university I have to answer now is not my top choice, and the results about funding will be available only in August. On the other hand, my top choice will give the results on funding in June, and they don't ask me to sign any papers right now. I wonder if I can just not answer to the first university and wait for results of the second one in June. Will the first uni automatically decide that I rejected their offer if I didn't reply on time?

Just a thought - if they are asking you to say you will withdraw from other institutes they are probably fairly certain they are going to offer you something - they want to make sure you are going to accept. - just a thought though

Thank you for your thoughts. I decided not to sign anything as of yet. In any case my top choice uni will make their decision on funding just in couple weeks. So I will wait. Although not sure what will the other uni will think since I haven't replied to their offer on time.

Have you asked why they want an answer now as it's a bit weird thay want an answer before they can tell you about funding? It's also unfair to expect you to make a decision without all the facts! Good luck with the funding! Hope it all works out.

Our guess would be that the university may be making an application for funding with you as a named candidate. This means that if they get the funding and you have withdrawn they will not be able to use the money for another student. Their dilemma is to find a good candidate for the PhD who will definitely accept it, if they don't then they will have to wait a year to apply again.

It sounds like you've probably done the right thing, but it may be worth dropping them a note explaining that because of the risk of being left without any funding you are considering another opportunity and will be able to let them know on a particular date.