Anyone knows how the process with scholarships work? I have applied for a fully funded phd project. The university awards several scholarships across disciplines through these projects and there are about 10 for my discipline . I had an interview and I am waiting for the results. However, I emailed the supervisor asking if he has any updates and I got the most peculiar reply saying he doesn't know yet, which is ok bu then said he understands if I am stressed but I should wait because he is stressed too whether his project will get the funding. It is clearly stated at the university site that these are fully funded phds...so I really can't understand what he means. I thought they would only peak the person for each project. If anyone has any idea how these things work I would greatly appreciate any insight on the matter since I am really confused now.

There are some PhDs that are competitively funded - say there are 20 projects that conduct 20 interview rounds and select 20 people to do the projects, but then only 10 get funded. Sounds like yours is one of those.

My PhD was competition funded as TreeofLife describes - the university has to decide whether to fund the project as well as the candidate. Good luck!

Thank you guys for your help! I had no idea it might be like that. It becomes even more difficult...Obviously the supervisor will have the right to put forward more than one candidate and then it is up to the commitee to choose...He helped me greatly to restructure my proposal but then again I don't know...I am going to learn soon I guess.

I think generally the supervisor chooses the candidate and then it goes to panel, so the panel is choosing both the student and the project.

That's what I was thinking too. But his response to my last email was ambiguous giving me the impression that he had more than one oprtion available for a candidate. However, I don't know if the other two supervisors could suggest someone too because it is a supervisory team of 3 and he is the leading supervisor. It is very strange having the supervisor helping you and encouraging you and then acting from a neutral position leaving you to wonder.