Student Funding Opportunities

Fellowships, Grants, and Awards

All graduate students in the Human Genetics Department are expected to apply for fellowships and grants during the course of their stay in the department.  This is good training that allows students to think about their projects in terms of a fundable research project.  These awards also free up funds that are normally used for graduate student support, allowing that money to be put to other uses that will benefit students in the department.  Finally, this is an excellent way to enrich the student’s CV.  Below is some information regarding the funding sources that are available.

The National Science Foundation offers predoctoral fellowships to eligible students.  These are ideal in that the student enters a lab with funding for three or more years.  The deadline for these applications, however, is during the first year of graduate study, when most students are still rotating.  Thus, in most cases, these fellowships have already been awarded by the time a student enters the Human Genetics Department (the second year in graduate school). There are five major graduate student funding sources, listed below.

1. Several NIH Training Grants are available to Human Genetics graduate students.  The ones that have supported most students in our Department are: Genetics, Developmental Biology, and Cancer (also called MCRPT) (note that Microbial Pathogenesis, Neuroscience, and other training grants are also available).  These training grants advertise on a regular basis for new trainees - keep an eye on the bulletin boards.  Trainees are selected based on applications that are submitted to an advisory committee. Training Grants are usually restricted to students that have passed their preliminary exam.  These NIH-supported training grants require that trainees be a US citizen, US noncitizen national, or a permanent resident.  In addition to stipend support, the training grants provide money for travel to meetings, journal subscriptions, and other material that enhances the student’s education.  There are also annual retreats supported by the training grants that provide additional opportunities for training and for meeting colleagues in other departments.  In many cases, students who are not supported by the grant can attend these retreats and find out more about their community and about funding opportunities.

2. Graduate Research Fellowships ($12,000 + tuition) are awarded each year by the University.  Our department has been able to secure 1-2 of these per year.  Students should apply for these!  These also provide a good source of income for outstanding foreign students who are not eligible for NIH Training Grant support.

3. Graduate Research Supplemental Travel Awards are offered by the Graduate Council. This provides up to $400 for students to attend a scientific meeting to present their research. Approx 250 awards are made annually, campuswide. Instructions that can also be found on the Graduate School’s website: www.utah.edu/gradschool.

More information on funding opportunities for students can be obtained from the Graduate School Office in the Park Building (1-7642), or from Natalie or Carl Thummel.

Updated: September 2007