How to Search for Graduate School Funding: Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants

# Introduction Graduate funding—whether in the form of scholarships, fellowships, or grants—provides non‑repayable money for tuition, research, travel, or other educational activities. The term “scholarship, fellowship, or grant” is often used interchangeably, but each may have distinct eligibility criteria and application processes. # When to Start Your Search - Begin searching **at least one year** before the start of your program. - Most fellowships and scholarships have deadlines **6–12 months** before the award is paid out. - Summer‑specific or smaller awards may have a quicker turnaround. # Eligibility Overview - **Graduate level**: programs at the master’s or doctoral level. - **International students**: many databases allow filtering by residency or citizenship status. - **Discipline‑specific**: some awards target particular fields (e.g., anthropology, architecture). - **Identity‑based**: certain scholarships focus on gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other personal identifiers. # Key Funding Search Tools ## Master’s Level - **GrantSelect** – searches across foundations, federal, and other sources; requires a UW NetID. - **Harvard CARAT** – searchable database with keyword and filter options; open to non‑Harvard students. - **CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder** – over 3,000 graduate opportunities sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. - **Illinois Database of Grants and Fellowships for Graduate Students** – public database with 1,000+ opportunities. ## Doctoral Level - **GrantSelect** – same as above. - **CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder** – same as above. - **Illinois Database of Grants and Fellowships for Graduate Students** – same as above. - **UCLA Graduate and Postdoctoral Extramural Support (GRAPES)** – free-to-search database with 625 opportunities. - **Duke University Research Funding Database** – public database with 900+ opportunities. # Crafting Effective Search Terms 1. **Start broad**: use general keywords such as the discipline name or a research interest. 2. **Filter by eligibility**: e.g., master’s degree, international student. 3. **Expand synonyms**: brainstorm terms in three categories: - Degree or program and research interests (e.g., rural, urban, geography). - Personal or cultural identities (e.g., gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation). - Field‑specific terms (e.g., architecture fellowship). # Follow‑Up Strategies - Visit the **official website** of each funding source for the most accurate and up‑to‑date information. - Explore related opportunities that may not appear in the database. - Use tools like **Grant Forward** to save searches and receive alerts. - Maintain a spreadsheet to track applications, deadlines, and status. - Review **closed opportunities** and past deadlines; many awards are available each cycle. # Additional Places to Search - **Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS) Blog** – sample listings. - **Academic Department** – may provide direct funding or information on departmental awards. - **UW Main Page Search** – use keywords to locate funding within UW webpages. - **UW Office of Fellowships & Awards** – maintains a funding calendar and offers application advising. - **UW Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships, and Awards** – searchable database for UW students. - **Diversity Funding Opportunities** – departmental nominations and diversity‑focused awards. - **Leadership Without Borders** – supports undocumented students. - **Research Centers at UW** – interdisciplinary spaces that may offer funding. # Known Eligibility, Funding, and Deadline Information - **Eligibility**: graduate level (master’s or doctoral), international status filter available, discipline and identity filters. - **Funding Types**: scholarships, fellowships, grants (non‑repayable money for tuition, research, travel, etc.). - **Deadlines**: typically 6–12 months before payout; summer and smaller awards may be quicker. # Unknowns and Source Limitations - Specific eligibility criteria, award amounts, and exact deadlines for individual opportunities are not listed in the source and must be verified on each funding site. - Some databases (e.g., GrantSelect) require a UW NetID, limiting access to UW affiliates. - The information was last updated on **October 7, 2026**; newer opportunities or changes may not be reflected. - The source text is treated as unverified; readers should consult the official funding pages for confirmation. # Conclusion Early, systematic searching—using broad keywords, filtering by eligibility, and following up on official sites—maximizes the chances of securing graduate funding. Keep track of deadlines, maintain a clear record of applications, and explore both university‑specific and external databases to build a comprehensive funding strategy. Source: https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/gfis/scholarships Checked: 2026-10-15T07:53:53.864864+00:00 Confirm details with the official institution before applying.