Simple tips on how to get PhD funding

The prospect of applying for research funding can be extremely scary, but here are a few basic and simple tips that helped me along the way:

Know what you want to research

This seems obvious, but a lot of the time people only have a general idea about what they want to research. That is a great start, but when applying for funding you have to really show that you have thought about your research idea/area in depth and that you know exactly where you want to take your research. This means knowing precisely what your research questions are; what your research context is; what your methodology is going to be; how your research will impact the general subject area, and how it will make a contribution to knowledge.

Remember, funding bodies primarily base the quality of applications on their PhD proposals. Without a solid, well articulated PhD proposal that elucidates specifically what and how you aim to research, it will be really difficult to acquire funding.

Be concise

Usually, funding bodies will only give you a limited word count for your PhD proposal (around 1500 words!). Therefore, it is important to show the funding organisation that you are capable of not only getting your research ideas across well, but getting them across in a very concise and succinct way. Although it can be extremely difficult, try to be straight to the point and narrow down your ideas to the points that really matter (and that show off your ideas the best!).

Don't be afraid to ask for feedback

Asking for feedback can sometimes be the best thing you could possibly do- even if it's just getting a friend to proof read your proposal to make sure there are no spelling mistakes! It may also be worth contacting a lecturer in your department as, more often than not, they are willing to provide some constructive feedback regarding applications. At the end of the day, your lecturers have far more experience about what proposals should look like for funding applications, and could offer you a better direction. Besides, it's also nice to get some reassuring feedback!

Don't give up!

I know how hard getting funding is, especially from external organisations (e.g. research councils). Receiving funding grants are getting more and more competitive, which means there is more of a chance of being unsuccessful in your applications- no matter how great of an application you put forward. This can be incredibly deflating, but I would advise never to give up. The first time I applied for funding I was unsuccessful, but I tried again the year after and got the funding I wanted! If you really want it, you will find a way to get it, even if it means revising your research ideas and proposal.



Hope these are helpful!