Funding for Dissertation Research

While developing the prospectus, you should investigate outside sources of research funding offered by a number of institutions including but not limited to the National Science Foundation, Fulbright Program, Social Science Research Council, Smith Richardson Foundation, among many others. Securing outside funding is one of several important forms of external validation that can help a student on the academic job market. Outside funding is particularly valuable for students who anticipate needing to do field work as part of their dissertation research. Foundations normally provide templates or guidelines for students to follow when making grant applications. These templates are also a useful guide when preparing the prospectus.

Many foundations have only one or two application deadlines each year and these dates often change from year to year. Get started early and plan ahead. Submitting grant applications as you write your dissertation prospectus can also help you to think about your research design and project and to stay on track. Missing grant deadlines, in contrast, may delay your research and the completion of the dissertation.

What follows is a broad listing of many common fellowships that political science students have applied to in recent history. This list is not comprehensive, but rather captures many of the larger and better-known fellowships, as well as some substantively specific programs with which GW students have had success. In addition to this list, your committee and other experts in your area can serve as resources for fellowships specifically suited for your field of study. Start talking to the relevant people soon and get moving on the applications.

» Click here for a list of Fellowships and Grants
» Click here to use MIT's Fellowship Search-Engine