Applying for grants and fellowships requires coordination of various activities and people. This checklist is intended to remind graduate students at UD of steps they may need to take in order to smooth the process and avoid creating problems for other people.
1. Identify potential sources well in advance of deadlines: use library search tools, professional organization listservs and Web sites, the Graduate Office Web site, the Research Office, and your own department’s resources to identify potential sources of funding for your work. The more lead time, the better.
2. Study the fellowship or grant announcement. Note carefully whether you qualify and whether there is a good match with your goals and needs. Determine whether you have the time to generate a strong application. Make an early go/no go decision.
3. Prepare an abstract summarizing your project. Write in language intended to reach a broad audience. Remember that no one is as expert as you. Share your abstract with others to be sure it makes sense: that the work is important, focused, and necessary.
4. Consult with your advisor and graduate director. Make sure any funding source you target makes sense for your stage of career development. Assess your project and degree timeline for good fit with the timeline of the grant or fellowship award.
5. Secure proper approval if human subjects are involved. Make sure you have completed training in human subjects research protections before you submit your project for approval. Human subjects review takes time and involves a committee that meets on their own schedule, not yours. Read the solicitation carefully and understand if approval must be obtained before you submit your funding application, or if you can have the Research Office certify that the project will be appropriately reviewed before the work starts.
6. Determine what institutional signatures are needed. Make sure you have planned adequate time for institutional review and sign-off, if such is required.
7. Determine whether you need supporting letters. Give letter writers plenty of time and give them guidance so they can write strong letters.
8. Prepare a draft of your proposal, carefully following the agency’s guidelines and language. Continue to write in ways that engage a broad audience. Prefer a plain, direct, visual style.
9. Review and revise multiple drafts. Get peers to review your proposal. Seek your advisor’s feedback.
10. Prepare a budget. Be clear about allowable expenses and overhead, if allowed. Review your budget with your advisor or with a grants officer in the Research Office.
11. Allow plenty of time for assembling, printing, filing, signing, and sending.
Coordination of internal awards, support for graduate students in all areas
Contact: Charlie Riordan, Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education (riordan@udel.edu)
http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/current/
Human subjects review, training in grants and award processes, advice and support, institutional coordination
Contact: Leigh Botner, Manager, Proposal Development (lbotner@udel.edu)
http://www.udel.edu/research/preparing/funding.html
Training and support for finding awards, fellowships, and grants
Contact: Carol Rudisell, Librarian (rudisell@UDel.Edu)
Resources for Foundations and Grants
http://www2.lib.udel.edu/subj/foce/
Foundation Grants to Individuals Online
http://www2.lib.udel.edu/database/gtio.html (Access from Morris Library computers only)
Community of Science Funding Opportunities
http://fundingopps.cos.com/
Helpful Web sites with information about funding opportunities for graduate students:
Michigan State University
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3gradinf.htm
Duke University
http://ors.duke.edu/orsmanual/graduate-and-professional-student-funding
Cornell University
http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/?p=132
UC Berkeley
http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/financial/deadlines.shtml#extramural