Amanda Cuevas, Director Fellowships & The Graduate School Process

Overview The Process of Pursuing Fellowships/Grants for Graduate School How to Strengthen Graduate Applications Continued Preparation Q&A/Discussion

The PROCESS of pursuing fellowship/grants for Graduate Study Know Thyself! Have a solid action plan Have proven research, leadership and service Know where you have been and where you are headed Why/how are you well suited/prepared for this next step? What contributions will you make in this next step of your journey?

The PROCESS of pursuing fellowships/grants for Graduate Study Do Your Homework What opportunities apply to your field of study? Google Keyword Search Databases

Fellowship Databases & Other Resources mlhttp://iris.library.uiuc.edu/~iris/deadlines/grad/science.ht ml Potential%20Funding%20Sources.htmhttps:// Potential%20Funding%20Sources.htm

The PROCESS of pursuing fellowship/grants for Graduate Study Know The Playing Field! What kinds of fellowships/grants are available to you through the Graduate College? Department? Program? Lab? where you are admitted? Is there a Fellowships Advisor available to you at your campus? What kinds of fellowships/grants have peers & faculty been awarded at your institution, department, program or lab?

The PROCESS of pursuing fellowship/grants for Graduate Study What kinds of fellowships/grants have been awarded to your PI? NIH RePORTER:

The PROCESS of pursuing fellowship/grants for Graduate Study Pre-Doctoral NIH NRSA F(30), F(31) and others FLAS

The PROCESS of pursuing fellowship/grants for Graduate Study Dissertation Check your Graduate College and/or Home Department

The PROCESS of pursuing fellowship/grants for Graduate Study Pay attention to details and deadlines Plan time for composition, review and revision(s) of proposal Peers Program Administrators Faculty advisor(s) Garner strong letters of recommendation specifically tailored for award Obtain transcripts (keep in mind campus closings during holidays) If applying through campus Office of Sponsored Research, know and plan for internal campus deadlines

How to Strengthen Your Application Pay attention to application purpose & deadlines Make sure your adequately answer all questions Make sure the award is a good fit Make sure you have the background (i.e. leadership, research, activities) to be a strong applicant for the award

How to Strengthen Your Application Write a strong rationale/personal statement Have strong and relevant letters of recommendation Garner appropriate support from faculty advisors/PIs to be able to carry out proposed project Edit, proofread and follow formatting guidelines!

Continued Preparation You get out of something what you put into it Strive for and attain excellence Know who’s who in the field Gain appropriate experience for program(s) Go above and beyond in your field: Publish Present at professional conferences Become involved in professional associations Find joy in the journey!

What are Nationally Competitive Awards? Nationally competitive scholarships/fellowships are highly selective funding opportunities for bright and talented students to pursue study, research or other creatively tailored projects at the undergraduate or post-Bachelor’s level. They are an award for past performance (stellar grades, leadership, community service, etc.), recognition of your future promise, and are springboards to greater opportunities.

Mission Statement To provide outstanding nationally competitive scholarship & fellowship advising services to GVSU students and alumni who show extraordinary potential in disciplines all across campus.

Awards of Interest? Refer to “Award Opportunities”

A Sampling of Award Opportunities Critical Language Scholarship Fulbright National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship NSEP David L. Boren Graduate Fellowship

Questions & Discussion