If you are an international student, one of the questions that you may have is: “Are there funding opportunities available for me?” The answer is a resounding yes! Although there are fewer options available, it is possible to secure external support as an international student. Some major funders that support international students are:
SSRC International Dissertation Research Fellowship, American Council of Learned Societies Mellon Dissertation Completion Fellowships, AAUW International Fellowships & National Science Foundation DDRIG.
This list is not an exhaustive list. Please use the GradFund Database to locate other potential funders.
The following three posts offer guidance on applying for funding as an international student:
“Applying for Grants and Fellowships as an International Student: Part 1 and Part 2 “
In this two-part series, Fellowship Advisor Senem Kaptan breaks down the top four myths that international students believe about the world of external funding. These myths include the idea that there is no funding available for international students, that planning ahead to apply for funding is unnecessary, that being an international student makes you a less competitive applicant, and that you do not need to apply for funding if you do not plan on continuing your career in the United States. Learning to overcome these myths will give you the push that you need in order to draft and submit your applications.
“Applying for Funding as an ESL or EFL Student”
In this post, Peer Mentor Maria Elizabeth Roldan uses her personal experiences to highlight the challenges that ESL and EFL students face when applying for funding. One of these challenges includes imposter syndrome, which impacts ESL and EFL students acutely. Imposter syndrome can lead students to believe that their ideas and experiences are not valid, but Roldan offers advice about how to overcome these feelings and how to gain confidence in your ideas. This post also stresses that once your ideas are on paper, it is important to seek feedback from multiple sources and proofread closely. Finally, remember that being bilingual or multilingual is an asset, not a barrier to be overcome.
Still need help figuring out how to navigate the world of external funding as an international student, and which awards you’re eligible for? Schedule a “What can I apply for?” meeting with GradFund. Book your appointment here.
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