Neea Rusch

Doctoral Student Funding Survival Guide

This pages lists resources and tips for finding additional research funding as a doctoral student. It is especially aimed at unfunded and underfunded doctoral student at Augusta University. Most resources are generally applicable; independent of research topic, graduate program/college, citizenship, etc.

This information is based on my experience. It was accurate around 2021โ€”2025. Hopefully, it remains relevant thereafter, but I cannot offer guarantees. I am sharing this in case it helps someone else. The resources marked with ๐Ÿงก are confirmed (i.e., they worked for me).

IMPORTANT! If your research is related to programming languages, subscribe to TYPES Announce Mailing List for announcements of travel support and other useful messages.

At Augusta University

  • The Graduate School Travel Funds ๐Ÿงก
    For doctoral students affiliated with The Graduate School.
    The funds are available for travel involving research presentation or professional development. The amount is capped at $1000/academic year.

  • GSGA Travel Funding ๐Ÿงก ๏ธ
    For active1 or enrolled graduate students at Augusta University.
    Funding can be used to cover portions of conference travel/attendance, or journal publication costs, by reimbursement. The exact policies and amounts change regularly.

  • GrantSelect2
    For everyone with AU login credentials.
    Funding database of external fellowships, awards, etc. Use filters to exclude inapplicable entries (year of study, research topic, etc.).

  • InfoEd Sponsored Program Information Network (SPIN)2
    For students with an employment contract with AU.
    A funding database that is accessible to AU employees, including students with an employee ID.

  • Scholarship Universe3 ๐Ÿงก
    For all students with AU login credentials.
    This is a database of scholarships. Some scholarships are annual and internal to AU.4 Others are offered throughout the year to everyone who meets the specified eligibility criteria.

Resources Outside Augusta University

  • Look for travel grants or student scholarships on a conference website. ๐Ÿงก
    All students.
    Prioritize top conferences, as these have more sponsors with ability to support student travel. My awards page has many confirmed examples.

  • Look for student volunteer opportunities to offset conference attendance costs. ๐Ÿงก
    All students.
    Volunteering has many benefits, including social, but the exact benefits depend on the conference.

  • SIGPLAN Professional Activities Committee (PAC)
    Specific to programming languages research.
    Travel funding for cases where attendance is otherwise not possible. The student must be participating in a SIGPLAN sponsored event and be a member of ACM, and the advisor must be a member of SIGPLAN.

Footnotes

  1. An active student is a registered student at Augusta University who is not enrolled in the current semester. โ†ฉ

  2. Contact Sponsored Programs Administration for help with these databases. โ†ฉ โ†ฉ2

  3. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for assistance with scholarships. โ†ฉ

  4. The internal scholarships are very competitive, e.g., 3000 applicants in 2025. โ†ฉ

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