Palakkad: An assistant professor from Kerala has secured a fully funded PhD opportunity in the United States with a scholarship package worth approximately ₹3 crore.

Altaf Hussain, who teaches in the Commerce department at MES Kalladi College, Mannarkkad, Palakkad, has been admitted to the Department of Anthropology at William & Mary. He will pursue doctoral research in Economic Anthropology and has also received the Walter J. Sable Graduate Fellowship for the best research proposal.

A native of Vettathur in Perinthalmanna, Malappuram, Altaf said his journey began with extensive research into foreign universities offering funded PhD positions aligned with his academic interests.

Research topic and academic focus

His research is titled: Transnational kinship and family finance: how it reshapes family relationships, power structures within the family, and investment decisions in the context of South Asian migration.

The study examines how migration influences family dynamics, authority patterns and financial decision-making across borders.

Emailed 78 faculty members

With guidance from a friend, Altaf explored universities abroad that offered strong funding in his area. He studied faculty profiles in detail and shortlisted those whose research aligned with his own.

He then sent detailed emails to 78 faculty members, attaching his CV and explaining the connection between their research interests and his proposed topic, along with reasons for applying.

Ten professors responded, including faculty members associated with Harvard Business School, the University of Oxford and the University of Pennsylvania.

Professor Andre Wright from Harvard informed him about a suitable faculty member in the anthropology department at William & Mary and introduced him. That academic support played a key role in the application process.

Application process and eligibility

The PhD application window runs from October to mid-December. Applicants must submit: A detailed CV, Statement of Purpose (SOP), Personal Essay, Motivation Letter, Explanation of research alignment with the department and potential supervisor.

The SOP, which can extend up to five pages, focuses on academic background, research experience and specific interests. The Personal Essay and Motivation Letter outline the motivation behind the research topic, prior work and future academic plans.

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Those with only a Bachelor’s degree complete postgraduate-level coursework in the first two years. Students must have studied at least one paper in Anthropology or complete it within the initial coursework period.

Fellowship and funding details

The PhD duration is five years. Altaf will receive approximately ₹25.38 lakh per year as a stipend, covering living expenses including accommodation and travel.

The remaining portion of the nearly ₹3 crore package covers tuition fees, insurance and related academic expenses. In addition, he will receive:

  • ₹4.8 lakh under the Walter J. Sable Graduate Fellowship
  • ₹45,300 as a research grant during the first two years

Funding packages in US universities typically consider regional cost of living while offering stipends.

Choosing William & Mary

Although he received responses from faculty at globally ranked institutions, Altaf chose William & Mary due to its competitive funding structure and research support comparable to top US universities.

He said the main challenge was securing admission with a strong stipend, but faculty support and a carefully prepared application strengthened his chances.

His journey highlights the importance of research alignment, detailed preparation and direct academic outreach in securing funded doctoral positions abroad.