Student Fellowships
A variety of fellowship opportunities are available to graduate students. We have experience with preparing successful applications to these agencies: please feel free to request additional information, including examples of successful proposals. Federal fellowships are only open to US citizens and permanent residents; non-federal fellowships are also open to foreign students. Here are the funding announcements and instructions for applying.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
These highly competitive NSF fellowships are open to applicants in the year before they begin graduate training and up to one year after training has begun, so incoming first-year students and second-year students can submit applications for the annual November deadline. Fellowships are for three years, and provide a generous stipend, plus a small allowance for travel and equipment. Christine Liu offers helpful advice on writing your NSF GRFP application.
NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein - NRSA Programs
These fellowships are best suited to students who have already amassed significant preliminary data or, better still, published a paper. The training plan is a critical component of the application. They are offered by a wide range of Institutes, and the specific application deadlines are Institute-specific. The fellowships are for up to three years, although shorter time frames are common, and cover the majority of the annual stipend, plus a small allowance for travel and equipment.
NIH Funding Announcements and advice on applying
American Heart Association
Students can apply to the AHA Midwest Affiliate for fellowship funding. Fellowships are for two years, and the annual deadline is generally in July. Research should be relevant to cardiovascular function and disease, or stroke. Fellowships cover the majority of stipend plus a small amount of additional support.
Travel Awards
The BSD Travel Award consists of up to $500 for travel expenses to a scientific meeting. Applicants can receive the award once a year and priority will be given to students presenting their own work (oral or poster presentation) and senior students. As part of the application process, applicants must supply the following information:
- Statement of purpose – please describe the project, including the following: Why is this question important? What is the significance of your research? How will your findings relate to larger scientific issues? What is the purpose in attending this meeting?
- Abstract and proof of submission
- Letter of recommendation from a faculty member
- Proposed budget (rough estimate)
Travel Awards are given twice a year, once in fall and once in spring, for travel within that calendar year.
Call for applications are sent via email to all BSD graduate students.
UChicagoGrad
UChicagoGRAD is a one-stop shop of integrated services to help graduate students and postdocs navigate their academic and professional careers. Led by faculty Director and Vice Provost Jason Merchant, UChicagoGRAD programs provide flexible training that complements support in academic units.
The UChicagoGRAD team are committed to serving the graduate and postdoc community, focusing on recruitment; skills and experience; career development; and alumni engagement.
Of particular interest to BSD students, UChicagoGRAD offers assistance in fellowship proposal development as well as resources for identifying other fellowship opportunities.
Postdoctoral Funding Opportunities
If you are near the end of your time as a graduate student and plan to complete a postdoctoral appointment, remember that there are many postdoc funding opportunities available.