If you’re thinking about applying for external funding (and you should be!), it’s important to prepare yourself for the application process. Here are four things to do before diving into your proposal. 1. Schedule an appointment with GradFund– Whether you’re still figuring out which awards to apply for or you already have one in mind, […]
Alternative grants for STEM graduate students
Although the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) F31 grants are two of the most well-known research fellowships for STEM graduate students, they are not the only sources of substantial funding for graduate research. Below are some grants to consider if you are not eligible or […]
Yes, You Do Need Money to Conduct Your Dissertation Research
As a student of American politics, I have often heard from colleagues who are thinking of applying for research grants, “I just don’t know what I’d put in my budget proposal.” Many small research grants in the humanities and social sciences are tailored to students who need to fund things such as travel expenses […]
Applying to the NSF-GRFP: Advice from a Student in Neuroscience
The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) provides three years of graduate support to students pursuing doctorate degrees in STEM fields. Students in their first and second years of graduate education are eligible to apply. Many students tend to not consider applying until it is too late, as STEM students are often funded […]
Developing your Specific Aims for an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Individual Predoctoral NRSA (F30/F31/F32)
The NIH NRSA fellowship is a training award for pre- and post-doctoral fellows to supplement biomedical research training. One of the most important sections of this award is the Specific Aims section, in which the applicant must outline 2-3 research objectives for their fellowship. At one page maximum, this section is brief compared to other […]
Demystifying the NIH F31: Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award
In my time at Rutgers, I have seen substantial confusion, and perhaps some intimidation, regarding the NIH F31 award. The F31 is highly prestigious, and it is a great mark on your resume/CV when applying for academic, industrial, or government positions. The goal of this post is to breakdown this award and to encourage eligible […]
Navigating the GradFund Website
Graduate students at Rutgers have the option of consulting GradFund for advice on external funding, and their first interaction with GradFund will likely be on our website. The GradFund website offers a wealth of resources, but it can sometimes be difficult to focus on what you need. The purpose of this blog post is to […]
Getting the Most out of GradFund’s Website
Last Summer, GradFund rolled out its new website. Some of the site’s most exciting features include resource pages and a chat function. Continue reading this post to see how you can get the most out of our website. Learn No matter what stage of study you are, GradFund’s resource pages, which feature workbooks, articles, advice, […]
Approaching the NSF GRF: Considerations and Recommendations
The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRF) is an excellent opportunity for all early-career graduate students in STEM fields, including the social sciences. This prestigious fellowship offers a three-year annual stipend of $34,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution), and opportunities for international […]
Proposal Writing in the Humanities: Addressing Your Research Methods and Framework
When applying for external funding, graduate students in the humanities often find it difficult to explain complex theoretical or methodological frameworks. After spending time on their work, their academic silos, they find it difficult to explain their research approach to scholars outside of their fields. However, the ability to articulate your research methods is important […]