What funding sources are available to PhD students with disabilities?
March 21, 2016 4:52 PM Subscribe
What funding sources are available to PhD students with disabilities? That is, to STEM PhD students with hearing impairments.
I'm deaf and I'll be starting a PhD program in the biosciences this fall at a prestigious (for what it's worth) West Coast institution. My program guarantees full funding - roughly 40k/yr stipend plus tuition, full healthcare, etc. - from a mix of gov't and university-wide fellowships, along with departmental funds, for as long it takes to complete the PhD. The average time to the PhD in my program is about 5 years, but I'm wondering if there are any alternate funding sources or mechanisms out there that I should be looking into, since so much can happen from now until then and having extra flexibility and money never hurts. I've done some research into this via the googles and so on, but it's a little tough getting the full picture of what's out there on my own.
As far as I know, I've heard that the NSF GRFP gives a boost to applicants with disabilities via the broader impacts section, but I'm not sure how to go about leveraging that - so I'd definitely be interested in learning more about how to go about doing so. I have a cochlear implant, which also makes me eligible for stuff like the Graeme Clark scholarship - but perhaps there are other, private disability-specific scholarships or even fellowships out there with bigger tents (ie, not targeted at just deaf students) that I'd be eligible for?
Thanks so much in advance 😊
I'm deaf and I'll be starting a PhD program in the biosciences this fall at a prestigious (for what it's worth) West Coast institution. My program guarantees full funding - roughly 40k/yr stipend plus tuition, full healthcare, etc. - from a mix of gov't and university-wide fellowships, along with departmental funds, for as long it takes to complete the PhD. The average time to the PhD in my program is about 5 years, but I'm wondering if there are any alternate funding sources or mechanisms out there that I should be looking into, since so much can happen from now until then and having extra flexibility and money never hurts. I've done some research into this via the googles and so on, but it's a little tough getting the full picture of what's out there on my own.
As far as I know, I've heard that the NSF GRFP gives a boost to applicants with disabilities via the broader impacts section, but I'm not sure how to go about leveraging that - so I'd definitely be interested in learning more about how to go about doing so. I have a cochlear implant, which also makes me eligible for stuff like the Graeme Clark scholarship - but perhaps there are other, private disability-specific scholarships or even fellowships out there with bigger tents (ie, not targeted at just deaf students) that I'd be eligible for?
Thanks so much in advance 😊
Congratulations! You are quite well funded, and only need to bother applying for things that are prestigious or have very easy applications.
I watched an NSF webinar for their postdoc grants, and it sounds like broader impacts sections are pretty straightforward. Find a citation / evidence that a group you are part of is underrepresented at the level of science you're at, and say that. Your PI probably has good advice, they will be including you in their broader impacts.
Also, I believe they changed the rules for GRFP, so you can apply as a first year graduate student or a second year, not both. Since your need for funding isn't imminent, it might be worth waiting - you'll likely be able to write a stronger application in a year.
posted by momus_window at 8:32 AM on March 22, 2016
I watched an NSF webinar for their postdoc grants, and it sounds like broader impacts sections are pretty straightforward. Find a citation / evidence that a group you are part of is underrepresented at the level of science you're at, and say that. Your PI probably has good advice, they will be including you in their broader impacts.
Also, I believe they changed the rules for GRFP, so you can apply as a first year graduate student or a second year, not both. Since your need for funding isn't imminent, it might be worth waiting - you'll likely be able to write a stronger application in a year.
posted by momus_window at 8:32 AM on March 22, 2016
That's a decent package; although they say 5 years (it used to be 4), it may take a little longer.
Also, if your funding isn't tied to TAing/teaching, check with your supervisor on whether they're cool with you taking some (paid) teaching responsibilities. Some are, some expect you to teach, and some would rather you spend the time on the bench. If they're in the latter category, you can make the argument that you want the teaching experience to be a little more competitive when its time to look for a job.
Aside from google, the Department/Grad Secretary is a wonderful person (if they aren't, pretend that they are) whom you should strive to become friends with; they should be able to steer you in the right direction, if they don't already have a list of additional scholarships that you'd be eligible for.
posted by porpoise at 11:07 AM on March 22, 2016
Also, if your funding isn't tied to TAing/teaching, check with your supervisor on whether they're cool with you taking some (paid) teaching responsibilities. Some are, some expect you to teach, and some would rather you spend the time on the bench. If they're in the latter category, you can make the argument that you want the teaching experience to be a little more competitive when its time to look for a job.
Aside from google, the Department/Grad Secretary is a wonderful person (if they aren't, pretend that they are) whom you should strive to become friends with; they should be able to steer you in the right direction, if they don't already have a list of additional scholarships that you'd be eligible for.
posted by porpoise at 11:07 AM on March 22, 2016
Keep in mind that the department will likely take whatever outside funding you get.
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 12:07 AM on March 23, 2016
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 12:07 AM on March 23, 2016
For NSF broader impacts, you need to be able to talk about impact on people who are not you. If you have made a presentation about being a member of your group, or talked to other members of your group about being a scientist, or posted a list of relevant scholarships to your website, or blogged about your experience in a place you are willing to share with the NSF, this would count.
posted by yarntheory at 2:26 AM on March 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by yarntheory at 2:26 AM on March 23, 2016 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
My point being, I don't know your age, but if you are under 25 you should absolutely rush to apply for as much as you can, and don't feel too let down if you're 25 or over and don't find much. Full tuition plus stipend is a pretty amazing setup.
posted by telegraph at 6:19 PM on March 21, 2016