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9.2. Fellowships and Research Grants

Fellowships and grants are the gold standard for grad funding—especially for research-heavy programs like PhDs. They often cover tuition and a stipend for living expenses.

• What They Are: 

  • Fellowships: Merit-based awards funding your education, often with no teaching or work required.

  • Research Grants: Money for specific projects—your thesis, dissertation, or lab work.

• Who Qualifies: 

  • Students with clear research goals or innovative ideas.

  • Often STEM or social science PhD candidates, though master’s students can qualify too.

  • Competitive applicants with publications or conference presentations.

• Examples: 

  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship: $37,000 stipend + $16,000 tuition for 3 years—STEM-focused.

  • Ford Foundation Fellowship: Up to $50,000 for underrepresented PhD students in any field.

  • NIH Research Grants: Funds medical or health-related projects—varies from $5,000 to full support.

• How to Find Them: 

  • Ask your advisor—professors often know about field-specific opportunities.

  • Visit grants.gov or your school’s research office for federal and institutional options.

  • Join academic societies—they list fellowships (e.g., American Historical Association).

• How to Apply: 

  • Write a killer proposal—outline your research, its impact, and why you’re the one to do it.

  • Get strong letters from professors who’ve supervised your work.

  • Meet deadlines—many are annual (e.g., NSF’s is October).

Tip: Start small—local or departmental grants build your resume for bigger wins.