Outside Funding 
Finding and Pursuing Grants and Fellowships

Grant and Fellowship seeking can be truly a daunting process!  While there are many grants and fellowships (tens of thousands) to choose from, finding the right grant for you--the one that matches your research, meets your needs, as well as you meeting its eligibility requirements--can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. This ISN Survival Document is designed to help sort through this process by giving you an idea of what you can (and cannot) expect as an individual seeking support for research as well as some basic tools and starting points for your grant-seeking adventure.

Does my stage in the degree program impact grant-seeking?  Yes. In general, as an individual scholar seeking support you can expect a lot to hinge upon your level of education.  There are many post-doctoral fellowships available (i.e. money to continue dissertation research after receiving your PhD, but before finding a job).  Grants and fellowships for students working toward their PhD are much more difficult to find and often have much more specific eligibility requirements (although there are some).

Is there a difference in grant availability for students according to discipline? You bet. You can expect a disparity between the money available for students of the Humanities as opposed to money available to students of the Sciences (the latter do much better in the grant world at all stages of research).  Generally, for students in the Humanities, library grants comprise the majority of available support while researching or working towards the degree--so familiarize yourself with collections in your field of study.  These grants usually cover traveling and living expenses while working with a given collection.

Do I have to have a specific project in mind before I start to look for grants?  No, but a sense of area of interest or topic can help. Although the most important aspect of writing a winning grant is a real "fit" between your project and the criteria of the grant, it is not always an organic process. In other words, many scholars begin by searching for grants and fellowships in their area of study and then develop projects that combine their interests with available funding—they use the grant and fellowship criteria to help them develop their research plans. (See Professor Ben Reiss comment on the Discussion Boards).

How far in advance should I begin researching grants? Most grant deadlines occur well in advance of the time you would plan your research--so think ahead! Even if you don't have a specific project in mind, look around at grants and fellowships in your area of study, not only will this process familiarize you with the institutions and resources, but it may also help you spark project ideas. You may also be surprised by how far in advance you will need to propose your project—it will give you a sense of time lines and help you plan your grant-seeking more effectively.

Other questions?  Let me know and I will do my best to find the answers!  Contact me at sdelgi@tulane.edu or use the ISN Discussion Board!

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Next to publishing, grant and fellowship seeking is probably the most important aspect of your CV. Grants and fellowships are considered extremely prestigious since they are awarded through a competitive selection process. So, don't be intimidated! Use these tools and go get 'em!

THE OUTSIDE FUNDING TOOLS

Steps for finding the right grant or fellowship for you.

A listing of print and online resources that will help you find grants and fellowships that suit your needs and information on the deadlines and requirements

A general overview of the application process, including a list of materials you may need.