Show Me the Money: Information, Strategies, and Guidelines for Applying to External Grants and Fellowships in Graduate School

Fellowships and grants are a vital component of a successful and competitive academic record. However, the process of applying for and winning fellowships/grants is often opaque, forming a part of the “hidden curriculum.” We seek to “pull back the curtain” on fellowships/grants through three steps. First, we provide an overview of the utility of external fellowships/grants and discuss the different purposes that grants/fellowships can serve for graduate students throughout their graduate career. Second, we discuss potential trade-offs that might occur in the process of securing fellowships/grants. Finally, drawing from our own experiences, we provide guidance, strategies, and best practices for applying to these funding sources, with particular attention to differences in funding purpose, timing, and the profiles of the applicant. **NOTE: This manuscript is part of Strategies for Navigating Graduate School and Beyond, a forthcoming volume for those interested in pursuing graduate education in political science (Fall 2022 publication)