By Monica Hruzd
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The mission of GradFund is “to help graduate students apply for extramural, merit-based funding to fund graduate study and research.”
Rutgers iJOBS hosted a fellowship application workshop on September 16, 2026, to help biomedical science PhD students navigate the fellowship terrain. The workshop included a presentation by Dr. Teresa Delcorso-Ellmann, Director of the Rutgers GradFund, on how to use their resources. Dr. Carol Lutz, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, spoke on peer review, drawing from her experience serving on several study sections for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Additionally, a panel of current PhD students and their mentors shared how they successfully obtained funding in recent years.
Navigating GradFund and Understanding Fellowship Opportunities
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As a student, on top of coursework and research, understanding fellowship opportunities, their requirements, eligibility, and deadlines can be confusing! Luckily, GradFund is here to help. Led by Dr. Delcorso-Ellmann, GradFund operates on a peer-mentoring model designed to provide a second set of eyes outside your specific discipline.
Applying for funding does more than support your research, it strengthens your resume, sharpens your writing, and makes you more competitive in the job market after you graduate. Additionally, drafting proposals clarifies your research direction and helps you to practice discussing your project with diverse audiences.
There are two different kinds of funding:
- Internal funding: Department or university fellowships used to support a student’s immediate training needs.
- External funding: Awards from external agencies and foundations that vary by academic preparation and background, stage of study, field of study, and career goals.
There are different types of support that you can apply for, such as: writing fellowships, scholarships, travel grants, archival research grants, language study grants, or grants for specialized training needs. The opportunities are endless! Therefore, it is important to understand the different award types: a scholarship supports tuition and associated costs of a degree program; a grant is support that covers research expenses, such as travel or equipment; and a fellowship supports living expenses while you conduct research or complete a degree program.
Before applying, consider why you need funding and how it aligns with your individual goals. Once you decide on the project you want funded or how you can benefit from funding, explore the Rutgers University database for fellowships in the sciences, Grants.gov, and opportunities through NIH grants and National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowships. When sifting through potential funding opportunities, always check eligibility criteria carefully, which can vary by discipline, research topic, academic preparation, stage of study (e.g., where you are in your PhD), and career goals.
Plan ahead! Identify what you want to apply for in advance and start preparing the application. Dr. Delcorso-Ellmann stressed the importance of understanding application timelines. You should start your application the year before you anticipate needing funding. Once you identify the fellowship you want to apply for, begin developing your application two to six months before the deadline. Many deadlines are in the fall, typically between September and December.
Although applying for fellowships can feel overwhelming, GradFund offers many resources. There is a Canvas self-paced course on writing fellowship and grant applications. In it, you can explore modules that walk you through developing an application. Additionally, you can schedule individual meetings with advisors on topics like researching funding opportunities, support for a specific funder, and application review. You can schedule an advising appointment on the myRutgers portal and attend workshops and mentoring programs. For specific questions, you can contact GradFund through their email at fellowship_advisor@gradfund.rutgers.edu.
Understanding Fellowship Application Scoring
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When putting together your application, it helps to know what reviewers look for. Dr. Lutz outlined the primary areas evaluated during review:
- The applicant
- The mentor/co-mentor
- The training plan
- The research environment
It is also important to know what happens after you submit your application. Once you submit, your proposal is assigned to a group based on its subject matter. It is then assigned to a subgroup or subsection. A selected scientific review officer is then tasked with the organization of a study section–a grant review panel of experts matched to your topic.
Reviewers typically evaluate 10 to 12 applications over four to six weeks. Reviewers meet in person or via teleconference. Each application has three reviewers. Applications are usually scored by all reviewers. However, the review panel does not determine the fundability. It only determines the score. Only about 50% of top applications reach the discussion phase. Applications with non-competitive scores receive full written feedback but are not be discussed to allow more time for discussion.
In NIH grant reviews, three factors are scored from one to nine:
- The candidate’s preparedness and potential
- The feasibility and rigor of the research training plan
- The institution’s commitment to the candidate and its resources
(Note: The overall impact score is not an average of individual criterion scores.)
Dr. Lutz also emphasized the importance of strictly following guidelines on font and formatting. Your application could immediately be denied for using the wrong font. Many agencies also have strict restrictions on AI use. Double-check these items before submitting.
Stories from Students Who Successfully Submitted Fellowship Applications
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Hearing from peers who have successfully secured funding for their applications is encouraging! In the final portion of the workshop, several students and their PIs shared their experiences.
American Heart Association (AHA): One of the biggest takeaways from the AHA discussion was that your research does not have to be specifically cardiac research to be a good fit. Ester Ko, an international student, explained how she creatively connected her own project to heart health and the AHA’s broader mission. She also noted that the fellowship is open to both international and US students. Her PI, Dr. Ratiq Huda, emphasized the importance of discussing the training plan and demonstrating that the lab has the equipment, resources, and funding.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): For students early in their graduate training, the NSF GRFP offers a unique opportunity because preliminary data are not required. Rachel Weirnick and Dr. Valerie Tutwiler explained that applicants must propose a research project that is within the general scope of your program. Because eligibility is limited to first-year students, it is an opportunity worth considering when you begin graduate school.
Pharma Foundation: International student Salman Sirajee and his PI, Dr. Subhajyoti De, focused on a lesson that extended beyond this particular fellowship: successful applications are centered around the mission of the agency. For instance, the Pharma Foundation’s mission revolves around the discovery, delivery, and establishment of medicine. Because Salman works with cancer patients, he successfully aligned his work with these core goals.
F31 NIH Predoctoral Fellowship: For the NIH F31, starting early was the strongest recommendation from Angelica Gonzales-Martinez and her PI, Dr. Amariliz Rivera. Unlike applications focused primarily on the science, the F31 places substantial emphasis on how the fellowship will support the applicant’s development as a researcher. Dr. Rivera highlighted the importance of preparing a detailed training plan with detailed schedules and activities that enhance Angelica’s training and knowledge. This grant is based on your science and your training. She also discussed the importance of having a co-mentor and a training team. No matter how experienced the PI is, a collaborator is always helpful. Angelica noted that this application requires many additional files, as her application totaled 64 pages!
NJ Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR): Samuel Tundealao’s experience applying for NJ commission grants highlighted the role that both mentorship and institutional support can play in a successful application. He noted that for this application, his mentor had to describes his mentorship style and process and how he plans to train Samuel. Samuel also praised the grant office for helping him navigate the application, writing, and the budgeting process. Unlike some other applications, NJCCR funding is limited to US citizens.
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Overall, these stories highlight the many types of fellowships you can apply for. The opportunities are endless, so get started! Applying for fellowships not only strengthens your resume, but also sharpens your writing skills, clarifies your research path, and teaches you the grant submission process. Securing funding is another plus! When you are ready to start your search for the perfect fellowship to apply for, head over to the Rutgers GradFund resources!
This article was edited by junior editor Matthew Brown and senior editor Janaina Cruz Pereira.