Watch this Space for Upcoming Workshops and Information Sessions!
Fellowships 101: Introduction to External Funding for Graduate School
Fellowships allow you to receive a salary and tuition, set your own research agenda, earn prestige and develop career enhancing networks. In this session we’ll cover the basics, including where to search for funding and what goes into a successful application. Learn about opportunities to work in national and international labs. External funding is not just for U.S. citizens! We’ll discuss options for international students as well.
Spring 2026 sessions have passed. Email madige@rpi.edu for a link to the recording of the session.
Students interested in the NSF GRFP, which provides 3 years of tuition and salary to graduate students in 30 STEM disciplines, are encouraged to view this introduction to the program. We discussed the benefits, eligibility, and the selection criteria for strong candidates. We also offered an overview of our successful BOOTCAMP program. Each year, Rensselaer students successfully earn this award. U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents are eligible.
Email madige@rpi.edu to request a link to the most recent information session on the GRFP.
NSF GRFP Bootcamp: 1st year graduate students (fall 2026) and rising seniors are encouraged to register for this proven 4 week virtual program (no classes required) to develop strong applications to the NSF GRFP. This asynchronous online virtual program of self-paced activities is designed to help you develop strong application statements. The next session begins August 3rd.
Please see this OVERVIEW of the benefits of the NSF GRFP and what to expect during the Bootcamp.
INDIVIDUAL FEEDBACK IS AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND. Email madige@rpi.edu for review of your 2026 application documents.
Eligibility:
- U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Undergraduate seniors and first year graduate students.
- Applicants may not have completed a year of graduate school in any program at any time. (Duel Bachelor's/Master's students may only apply during senior year.)
- 30 plus STEM fields (No MD, MD/PHD, or human subject clinical research)
Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship Program: The Department of War (formerly Department of Defense) SMART program offers a generous stipend, tuition, and the opportunity to work in DoW laboratories doing work in your field/discipline during summers and post graduation. Guaranteed work in your field after graduation. (United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom citizens are eligible)
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship: The NDSEG provides 3 years of stipend and tuition for PhD students that are doing work in areas that meet specific needs of the military as indicated in Broad Agency Announcements. View the information session to learn about eligibility, benefits, and approaches to creating a strong application. (United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or United Kingdom citizens are eligible)
Email madige@rpi.edu to request a link to the recording of the information session for both DoW programs.
Additionally, the following are workflows that have been developed to assist students developing strong applications for each program.
Spend an afternoons learning powerful strategies for crafting strong statements for grant and fellowship applications. We will focus on effective approaches for presenting content and revision strategies. Even the best writers will take away new strategies!
Look for this event fall 2026!
Fulbright is a U.S. State Department program that offers U.S citizens with a bachelor’s degree grants to engage with others in ~140 countries in multiple ways:
Research Study/Awards Design your own projects, affiliate with, or take classes at an academic or research institution. Many students do thesis or dissertation research abroad. Special grants are available in the arts, journal and communications, business, STEM, and public health advocates. Consider the Fulbright- National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship.
Teach English Abroad Spend a year teaching English at the elementary, high school, or post-secondary school level.
Earn a Graduate Degree Below is a sample of the many opportunities available:
Masters in Creative Industrial Design OR Energy Engineering in Taiwan
Masters in many fields in Israel
Architecture study in Milano Italy
PhD in: cancer, neurologic and psychiatric disorders, population health, biomaterials and regenerative medicine, or vascular biology in Ireland
For applications submitted fall of 2026; travel will take place fall of 2027.
Students seeking to travel during the 2027-2028 academic year should expect to complete the required RPI application process in August of 2026. Contact your Fulbright Advisor for details ASAP. Email madige@rpi.edu
The Office of Graduate Education helps students find and compete for external fellowships and grants. Workshops that introduce the funding search process and support for specific awards are offered on an ongoing basis. One-on-one writing consultations are available to support students in crafting clear and concise application materials.
Application Advising
Individual consultations for selecting and applying to fellowships are available by Teams. The office is part of a national fellowship advisor support network that can provide information and support for application to most programs. Additionally we will review and provide feedback on your c.v., personal, and research statements via email; madige@rpi.edu.
Always discuss your research proposal with your advisor before seeking additional feedback.
Additional writing assistance is available at the Center for Global Communication+Design.
Application Writing Resources
LEADERSHIP LAB: The Craft of Writing Effectively All graduate students and post-docs can improve their writing for publication and grant/fellowship applications. This presentation by Larry McEnerny, Director of the University of Chicago’s Writing Program, is highly recommended.
Writing in the Sciences Stanford University (free self-paced online course) This course covers everything from sentence-level issues like wordiness and verb choice to formatting a manuscript and communicating science to a non-technical audience. It is highly recommended by graduate students and faculty alike.
Writing Resources and Publications: Improve your writing with these guides and books recommended by the National Association of Fellowship Advisors. Many are available through the RPI library or can be purchased online.
- C.V. Tips and Tricks Do's and Don'ts for creating professional and effective C.V.s
- Resumes and Cover Letters for PhD Students Guide provided by Harvard University Office of Career Services. Many excellent examples.
- Find more writing resources, attend a workshop, or schedule a consultation on any communication project at the Center for Global Communication+Design.
