External Funding

In 2021-22, UMass graduate students were awarded over $1.7 million through competitive external grants and fellowships from funders such as the National Science Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, and the Mellon/American Council of Learned Societies. The Graduate School Office of Professional Development supports graduate students and postdocs in their efforts to find and apply for external funding. Visit OPD's Grants & Fellowships page for more information. 

Limited Submission Awards and Grants

Foundations and federal agencies occasionally limit the number of applications or nominations an institution may submit for a specific funding program. When a call for proposals is “limited” the Graduate School sends out a call for interest to relevant graduate programs. If more than the “limit” express interest, the Graduate School uses an internal selection process to determine which application(s) will be submitted to the sponsor for funding consideration.

Limited Submission Opportunities are listed below along with the internal deadlines. Those interested in a particular program must contact hbauerclapp [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu (Heidi Bauer-Clapp) by the posted internal deadline.  

If you have identified a Limited Submission Opportunity that is not posted on the list below, please email hbauerclapp [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu (Heidi Bauer-Clapp) as soon as possible.

NIH Director’s Early Independence Award

For graduate students in NIH-relevant fields of study who complete their doctoral degree between June 1, 2022 and September 30, 2024.

The NIH Director’s Early Independence Award provides an opportunity for exceptional junior scientists to skip the traditional postdoc and start an independent research career at a supportive institution directly following the completion of their graduate degree or clinical training.

UMass may nominate up to two applicants for the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award. Applicants must be nominated by the institution at which they wish to conduct independent research upon completion of the advanced degree; current UMass graduate students who wish to conduct research with this award at another institution should apply under that institution. 

Internal Deadline: June 26, 2023

Funder Deadline: September 6, 2023

The UMass Limited Submission Opportunities process requires the following materials to be submitted to Heidi Bauer-Clapp (hbauerclapp [at] umass [dot] edu) by June 26: 

  1. Applicant’s name
  2. Applicant’s field of study 
  3. Applicant’s degree program (e.g. PhD, MD) and completion date (or expected completion date if in progress)
  4. Applicant’s CV
  5. A one-page, single-spaced statement outlining what the applicant plans to research during the funding period and how the award will advance their career plans
  6. A statement of support from a current UMass faculty member or researcher who will serve as the mentor/supervisor during the award period.

Items 1-5 should be submitted by the applicant; the statement of support should be sent directly by the faculty member/research supervisor. Please include “NIH Early Independence Award” in the email subject line. 

Consult the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award FAQ for more information about eligibility and the fellowship in general. Questions on the university’s internal Limited Submission Opportunities application process should be directed to Heidi Bauer-Clapp (hbauerclapp [at] umass [dot] edu).