External Funding Opportunities

Securing a competitive external fellowship offers a host of benefits, including:

• Distinguishing Your CV. Recognition by prestigious funding agencies enhances your academic and professional credentials.
• Research Clarity. Preparing an application sharpens your research focus and exposes you to valuable feedback from reviewers.
• Professional Development. Finding and securing funding opportunities is an important skill for students and postdocs interested in a faculty, academic, or non-profit career.

Applying for external funding can seem daunting, but the key is to start early and utilize the resources available to you.

• Start Early. Begin researching fellowship opportunities well before you expect to need one. 
• Leverage Available Resources. GrantGPS sponsors grant-writing workshops. These programs provide opportunities for you to learn the nuts and bolts of grant proposal writing, share tips for funding success with colleagues, and meet individually with grant-writing experts for feedback on a proposal. These are posted in the events calendar and in the Guarini Newsletter.
• Review Databases. The UCLA Fellowship Database is a comprehensive and free-to-search database for master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral funding opportunities.

As a reminder, see the tips above: start early and visit Dratmouth’s GrantGPS website. For a complete list of fellowships, review the UCLA Fellowship Database is a comprehensive and free-to-search database for master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral funding opportunities.

• American Heart Association (AHA) Predoctoral Fellowship. Supports research focused on cardiovascular and stroke-related fields. Provides funding for stipends and project support.

• DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF). For students pursuing doctoral degrees in computational science, with a focus on energy, national security, and the environment. Includes a stipend, tuition, and professional development opportunities.

• Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship. Supports graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in any field of study who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to academic excellence. Focuses on funding tuition and living expenses.

• Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Offers research, study, and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries. Open to graduate students from all disciplines, including STEM, to promote cultural exchange and global collaboration.

• Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Supports graduate study at the University of Cambridge for outstanding students worldwide, with an emphasis on leadership and academic excellence. Open to all disciplines, including STEM.

• Hertz Fellowship. For exceptional STEM students pursuing a PhD in applied physical, biological, and engineering sciences. Provides full tuition and a personal stipend for up to five years.

• L’Oréal USA For Women in Science Fellowship. Recognizes and supports outstanding women scientists in STEM pursuing postdoctoral research. Provides funding for research and leadership development opportunities.

• NIH F31 Individual Predoctoral Fellowship. Designed to enhance the training of promising graduate students in life sciences and health-related research. Supports doctoral dissertation research and related activities.

• NIH Predoctoral Fellowships, including Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowships. Supports postdoctoral and predoctoral students pursuing research careers in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences.

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). Supports outstanding graduate students in STEM and social science fields pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees. Provides three years of funding, including a stipend and cost-of-education.

• Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship. Supports women from developing countries pursuing STEM doctoral or postdoctoral research. Aims to empower women in academia and STEM careers.

• Schmidt Science Fellows. Supports early-career scientists in STEM fields who are interested in interdisciplinary research. Provides a stipend, research funding, and professional development opportunities for one year, with a focus on scientific innovation and collaboration.

• US Department of Energy Science Graduate Fellowship Program (DOE SCGF). For graduate students pursuing doctoral degrees in fields critical to the Department of Energy’s mission, including energy, environment, and national security. Provides tuition, a stipend, and research opportunities at DOE laboratories.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Reviewers often read dozens of applications, so your statement needs to grab their attention quickly. Ensure your proposal clearly answers these three essential questions:

1. What new insights or discoveries will your research contribute to your field?
2. Why is this research important?
3. How will you ensure your methods and conclusions are reliable?

Your proposal should be easy to follow, engaging, and memorable. Start with a strong opening that captures attention and structure your statement as a cohesive story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Keep It Clear and Accessible

Not all reviewers will be specialists in your area of research. Use plain language and avoid technical terms or jargon that could make your proposal difficult to understand. Aim to communicate your ideas in a way that is accessible to an informed but non-specialist audience.

Highlight Your Ideas

Begin with a research question or idea that genuinely excites you. Even if it’s unconventional, a unique project can stand out among other applications. Be clear about:

• The problem or question your research addresses.
• Your plan for conducting the research, including methods and approaches.
• How your approach is both innovative and grounded in your field.

Demonstrate your readiness to conduct independent research by showcasing both your foundational knowledge and your creativity, curiosity, and drive.

Flexibility is Key

If you’re early in your program, remember that your proposal is not a fixed plan. Funding agencies understand that research evolves as you progress. Focus on showing your potential to undertake meaningful research and adapt to new challenges.

If you’re further along and applying for dissertation-year funding, your statement should reflect your experience. Highlight your presentations, publications, and steps you’ve taken to advance your professional development.

Seek Feedback

Share your drafts with mentors, faculty members, peers, or anyone familiar with fellowship applications. Tailor your statement to align with the goals of the funding agency and seek feedback on how well your proposal fits their priorities. If possible, review successful applications for inspiration.

Attention to Detail Matters

• Bibliography: Include key references to demonstrate your knowledge of the field, but keep it concise. Show that you can identify the most important works.
• Proofreading: Ensure your statement is free of errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting. Mistakes can undermine the professionalism of your application.
• Guidelines: Follow all application instructions carefully to avoid disqualification.

Start Early and Refine

A competitive research statement takes time to develop. Begin as early as possible, allowing time for revisions, feedback, and polishing. Writing a strong proposal may take weeks or months, but the effort will be reflected in a high-quality final product.