Offered by government, foundations and private sponsors, external fellowships provide financial support to graduate students and promote their growth as independent researchers. These awards are typically merit-based and an honor that will stay with you throughout your career. The Office of Graduate Studies is here to help our trainees learn more about these competitive awards and help you through the application process.
Division of Biology and Medicine
Office of Graduate Studies
External Fellowship Support
Brown University graduate students are highly successful in competing for external awards.
External Fellowship Support
Brown University graduate students are highly successful in competing for external awards.
Find a fellowship for you...
Common external fellowship opportunities are listed below. When you are looking for fellowship opportunities please take advantage of the SPIN+ (via InfoEd) database available through the Office of Sponsored Projects. It provides a broad range of funding opportunities from federal, governmental, international, private and corporate funders.
Common external fellowship opportunities
Current student / faculty pairs include:
Joseph Aguilera (PhD Student – MCB) / Professor Erica Larschan
Mayra Banuelos (PhD student – Comp Bio) / Professor Emilia Huerta-Sanchez
Myles Bartholomew (PhD student – MCB) / Professor Rich Freiman
Janet Joseph (PhD student - Pathobiology)/ Professors Pat Dubielecka-Szczerba, Laura Stroud
Amanda Ruiz, PhD (‘24) – Pathobiology / Professor Jake Kurtis
Joseph Aguilera (PhD Student – MCB) / Professor Erica Larschan
Mayra Banuelos (PhD student – Comp Bio) / Professor Emilia Huerta-Sanchez
Myles Bartholomew (PhD student – MCB) / Professor Rich Freiman
Janet Joseph (PhD student - Pathobiology)/ Professors Pat Dubielecka-Szczerba, Laura Stroud
Amanda Ruiz, PhD (‘24) – Pathobiology / Professor Jake Kurtis
How can we help?
The Office of Graduate Studies runs workshops throughout the year to assist students through the external fellowship application process. Trainees can find more information about these listed below, along with upcoming workshop dates and registration links.
OGS is also pleased to offer individual fellowship counseling services, by Melissa Walsh. Appointments are offered every Monday. For other questions please do not hesitate to contact Melissa via email.
Workshops
NIH NRSA Workshop Series
This is a three-part series dedicated to the NIH F-Series applications (F30, F31, F32, F99). The three sessions will cover an introduction to the application, and overview of the components of the application, grant writing tips and best practices, and what to expect from the peer-review process. This workshop series will be held in the fall and in the spring.
Spring workshop dates: February 6, February 11, February 19, 2025
The 5 W's of HHMI Gilliam Fellowship Workshop
The HHMI GILLIAM FELLOWS program aspires to build a more inclusive scientific eco-system by supporting scientists at two levels – graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors. This program provides a 3 year fellowship to support the student and their thesis advisors to enhance mentorship skills and serve as “change-makers”. Fellows and mentors join a vibrant community and are offered leadership training, professional development, and opportunities to engage with and learn from peers, program alumni, and HHMI Scientists. The next application cycle will open in the fall of 2024, with an expected application deadline in December 2024. Eligibility requirements and more info about the Gilliam can be found here.
This fellowship is unique and very different from NIH F31 or NSF GRFP applications. As such, we offer an information session for interested students and faculty to learn more and prepare for this fellowship. Previous awardees will join the discussion. This workshop takes place in the summer of 2025.
NSF GRFP Fellowship Workshop
NSF GRFP Fellowships are intended to ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States, particularly through the diverse talents of STEM. This workshop is intended for early stage PhD students who are interested in applying for an NSF GRFP fellowship and will cover best practices and things to consider when applying for this fellowship.
Fellowship Fun in the Sun
Join us for a casual workshop in the great outdoors (weather permitting!) during the summer months. In this workshop we discuss external fellowship opportunities, best practices, and things to think about when you’re applying for a fellowship. This is meant to be an informational introduction to external fellowships with plenty of time for questions and discussion.