You must have "taxable compensation" to contribute to an IRA. Not all taxable compensations is earned income.
See IRS Pub 590A "What is Compensation"?
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590a#en_US_2019_publink1000230355
"Scholarship and fellowship payments are compensation for IRA purposes only if shown in box 1 of Form W-2."
**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**
