Funding for Dissertation Research
While developing the prospectus, you should investigate outside sources of research funding, such as 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 have templates to follow for grant applications. These templates are also suitable for preparing the prospectus.
Many foundations have only one or two application deadlines each year. Plan ahead. Submitting grant applications as you write your dissertation prospectus can help you stay on track. Missing grant deadlines, in contrast, may delay your research and the completion of the dissertation.
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