As Central Asia’s leading research-intensive university, Nazarbayev University (NU) invests in research that matters for the region, including fully funded PhD scholarships.
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, NU will offer 200 PhD scholarships —around 100 more than the number provided in previous years. This expansion reflects NU’s strategic commitment to strengthening its position within the global academic community and nurturing a new generation of researchers for Kazakhstan and the broader region. Funding for the expansion comes from the University and Social Development Fund (NU Impact Foundation).
President of Nazarbayev University, Professor Waqar Ahmad noted: “As Central Asia’s leading research-intensive university, NU has established a strong reputation for the quality of its doctoral graduates. We have world-class faculty and outstanding research facilities. We are therefore able to guarantee bright and ambitious doctoral students the environment to excel in their doctoral studies. The doubling of PhD scholarships reflects our commitment to outstanding research that is relevant to addressing national and regional challenges, and to growing research capacity in Kazakhstan.”
The University funds doctoral scholarships across all its disciplines. While the additional scholarships will benefit every field, there will be a stronger focus on increasing doctoral numbers in physical sciences, computer science, engineering, and medicine.
“We aim to have over 1,000 PhD and professional doctorate students at NU. To achieve this, we will continue to fund increases in doctoral enrollment in the coming years. To manage this growth, we are launching a Doctoral Institute — a new academic structure designed to provide centralized support for doctoral students, strengthen mentorship, and broaden the range of doctoral programs. The Institute will also foster interdisciplinary research and enhance the international integration of early-career scholars,” said Dr. Luis Ramon Rojas-Solórzano, Associate Provost for Graduate Studies.
Now in its 15th year, Nazarbayev University is the best-regarded research university in Central Asia, according to Times Higher Education, and holds 106th position among young universities globally. NU continues to uphold high academic standards while expanding its impact in science, education, and human capital development—both within Kazakhstan and beyond.
