Lokaartha guides researchers and students from Nepal, India, South Africa, Australia, and beyond toward fully funded PhD, Masters by Research, MPhil, and Masters positions at top universities worldwide - with complete transparency at every stage.
Lokaartha works with people who are ready to commit. Really commit. Not browsing. People who need the right support to do it properly, from first email to visa in hand, without guessing.
Working ProfessionalsWho want to pursue a fully funded PhD but cannot manage the months-long application process alone.
Researchers with Strong BackgroundsWho need structured, expert guidance from documentation through to offer.
Students Across Nepal, India, South Africa & BeyondWho are ready to apply and need the right support to do it properly.
"Based in Pokhara. Working globally. This is not a side project. Full-time focus. Every day."
While working in traditional education consultancies, we saw a common pattern. Students were often guided toward fee paying programs because of partnership models, even when funded options existed. University choices were limited to partner lists.
For research degrees like PhD, MRes and MPhil, this does not work. A funded PhD depends on research alignment, supervisor availability and funding, not on partnerships.
We also learned from personal experience how difficult it is to apply without complete guidance. That is why Lokaartha was built to work differently. We do not have official university partnerships for PhD and research degrees, so we do not restrict your options. We search wherever there is a good fit — Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and beyond — with full transparency at every stage.
We do not limit universities. We look for the right fit.
No partnership restrictions for PhD. We apply to any university where we see genuine research alignment and funding availability. Every email shared, every step transparent.
Not features. How we work. The difference? We tell you what others won't. Even when it means saying no. Especially then. Because protecting your time matters more than adding another name to a list.
Every message sent on your behalf is shared with you the moment it goes out. You will always know about every development first.
If your profile is not ready, we tell you clearly before taking your case. Protecting your time matters more to us than adding another name to our list.
One dedicated person handles your case - someone who knows your profile, your goals, and your research direction. Not a rotating team.
Every position shortlisted, every proposal written, every supervisor approached is built around your specific background. Nothing is reused.
We keep you informed through supervisor negotiations, funding discussions, offer letters, and visa documentation. You are never left wondering.
We limit how many students we take on so every person gets our full attention. If we cannot commit to you properly, we will tell you.
A funded PhD is not a quick process. It involves research alignment, supervisor outreach, proposal development, and interview preparation. We stay through all of it.
Every step and every expectation is communicated openly before you commit to anything. No surprises.
From your first profile evaluation to the moment your visa is in hand - and beyond.
Profile evaluation, 30-35 matched positions shortlisted, all documents written, all supervisor and university communication handled. Full support through to offer. Not a checklist. End-to-end.
Research-focused Masters are frequently funded and often the most strategic first step.
Written specifically for each application. Generic proposals do not move forward. Ours never are.
Finding the right supervisor is central. We identify those with active funding and contact them professionally on your behalf.
Every document written from scratch. Tailored to the specific position.
Orientation and document guidance once offer is accepted. Standalone Australia/USA visit visa also.
We are not a general IELTS institute. We work exclusively with PhD, Masters by Research, MRes and MPhil applicants from Nepal, India, Australia, South Africa and beyond. 16+ years experienced instructor, fully online from Pokhara.
Only PhD, MRes, MPhil applicants in same class. Students from Nepal, India, Australia, NZ, South Africa, Bangladesh, China, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE — exchange ideas and explore collaborations.
Personalized preparation based on your current level, target score, weaknesses and timeline. Usual 5-6 weeks, but flexible — some need more, some ready sooner.
Join free orientation first. Meet instructor, experience teaching, meet other research applicants. No pressure to continue.
🎯 IELTS classes in Pokhara • Online IELTS Nepal • IELTS for PhD • PTE for Research • Fully online from Pokhara, Kathmandu, anywhere in Nepal or overseas
Fully funded positions exist in more places than most applicants realize. Here is a breakdown of the key destinations we actively support.
All public universities tuition-free. PhD candidates are full employees with structured salaries. No tuition. Ever.
Tuition-free PhD through government-funded positions. Top-ranked for education quality.
Highest PhD salaries globally. 12 universities in global top 300. Employed as staff.
Full salary, union membership, parental leave. English-speaking academic environment.
Expanded funded doctoral positions significantly. Well-connected to European networks.
RTP covers tuition + stipend for PhD and MRes. Strong for MRes and MPhil.
Strong supervision. Excellent for Environmental, Agriculture, Engineering.
Tuition-free at most public universities. DAAD fellowships available. Engineering, Natural Sciences, Economics.
Check your fit →All funded PhD positions in Europe operate as employment contracts - no tuition, and a monthly salary for the full duration of your program.
| Country | Annual Stipend (USD) | Tuition | Contract Type | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NetherlandsHighest |
~USD 74,000 | Free | University employee | 4 years |
Norway |
~USD 54,000 | Free | University employee | 3-4 years |
Finland |
~USD 46,000 | Free | Grant / employment | 4 years |
Germany |
~USD 35,000-50,000 | Free | Research contract | 3-4 years |
Sweden |
~USD 42,600 | Free | University employee | 4-5 years |
Australia |
RTP stipend (~AUD 33,000) | Covered (RTP) | Scholarship | 3-4 years |
Ireland |
~EUR 19,000-25,000 | Often waived | Scholarship / stipend | 4 years |
New Zealand |
~NZD 28,000-33,000 | Often covered | Scholarship | 3-4 years |
Figures are approximate annual amounts. Actual stipends vary by university, department, and funding source. Contact us for guidance specific to your profile and target country.
Answer 5 quick questions and get an honest read on where you stand - and what to do next.
Most applications fail not because of weak profiles, but because of a misunderstanding of the steps and their sequence. Here is what the process actually involves.
Your academic record, research experience, publications if any, and English proficiency assessed honestly against the standard expected for funded positions.
A funded PhD requires a clear, focused research interest. This direction shapes every document you produce and every supervisor you approach.
In Europe and Australia, securing a funded position depends centrally on finding a supervisor with available funding who is genuinely aligned with your research.
Research Proposal and Statement of Purpose written specifically for each application. These are typically the deciding factor at this stage.
Processes vary significantly by country and university. We manage this on your behalf — timing matters and we know the requirements.
A substantive discussion about your proposal, methodology, and ability to carry out the work at doctoral level. We prepare you fully beforehand.
Funding structure, contract duration, start date, and additional benefits reviewed carefully before you accept. We walk you through every detail.
Requirements vary by country and visa category. We provide orientation and document guidance once your offer is accepted.
For researchers who have completed a thesis and want to take the next step toward a published academic record. We provide complete support through the publication process.
Students who came to Lokaartha have secured fully funded PhD and Masters positions across Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, Social Sciences, and more.
Lokaartha helped me understand that my profile was actually competitive - I just had no idea how to position it. They handled all the supervisor outreach and I received an offer from a university in Norway within five months.
I had been trying on my own for two years. Within three months of starting with Lokaartha, I had shortlisted supervisors, a completed proposal, and interview offers. The transparency was what I did not expect - I saw every email.
The research proposal they wrote was entirely specific to my background and the lab I was targeting. I could tell it was not copied from anything else. The supervisor responded within a week.
These are among the most frequently searched questions about funded PhDs globally - and the honest answers.
We work with students globally. Reach out via WhatsApp for the fastest response.