Research Scholarship

What is a Research Scholarship?

Within the realm of scholarship awards given to promising candidates, development and research grants are some of the most diverse and the most important of all. They are provided to individuals who require extra funding to complete their research and make their contribution to global innovation and development.

*Note: Research scholarships are usually awarded to individuals who have done, are currently undergoing, or aim to complete a Masters or PhD Degree.

Are Research Scholarships Hard To Find?

No! If you visit Grants.gov and search “Research scholarship/grants”, you’ll find that there are over 1,600 open opportunities available to choose form. Each of theses diverse sponsorship programs and opportunities are legally authorized assistance programs that even federal grant-making agencies use to assist research.

What does “Research” mean?

“Research” in this case can be defined as the careful study done to discover and give a report on the existence of something new. Although most people might picture the researchers in white lab coats in a room filled with test tubes, the range is a little more diverse and can go into areas such as business or psychology.

How do you  get a research scholarship?

• The first thing you or your team need to consider before applying for a Research Scholarship is your expertise in your field of research. Do you or your organization have the potential to carry out the research effectively if given the grant?
• Next, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with a host of grant-making agencies and their programs to understand what is required from the researcher(s) before the research can be funded.
• Finally, once you’re sure your documents and application materials are ready, you can begin submitting your application to hundreds of research programs in your field so long you meet their criteria.

The 3 Most Popular Research Scholarships

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program in the USA
   

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program allows graduate students, young professionals and researchers from around the world to study and conduct research at universities in the U.S. or any other academic institution.

How to Apply

Since applications will be processed by either the bi-national Fullbright commission or the U.S. embassy, international students are advised to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in their home countries.

Eligibility

The scholarship eligibility and requirements vary by country. Please see the scholarship websites to find more information about the Fulbright Program in your home country.

Benefits/Value

The award will cover tuition, airfare, a living stipend, health insurance, and a host of other expenses. See the scholarship website for a complete list of the scholarship benefits.

2. 2. Cambridge International Scholarships

With the aid of the Cambridge Trust, the University of Cambridge is pleased to offer the Cambridge international scholarship to promising students and researches to help them undertake a PhD degree in the university.

How To Apply

Interested applicants should complete the online application form via the Applicant Portal, expressing their desire to be considered for funding. Applicants who wish to begin their PhD in the must apply before the deadline to increase their chances of success.

Eligibility

After the applicants have submitted their “desire to be considered for funding”, a University Committee will draw up a list of all PhD candidates across all disciplines. Only the academic committee will determine whether the candidates on the list are genuinely qualified for the scholarship.

Benefits/Value

The scholarships will cover the University Composition Fee with enough maintenance allowance for one person.

Please visit the university’s website to get a complete list of benefits.

3. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) was created to attract top-notch doctoral students and to also establish Canada as a global centre of research and higher learning. The scholarships are mainly awarded to candidates with a doctoral degree or combined M.A./PhD or M.D./PhD.

How to Apply

Applications are compiled by the student and submitted to “the nominating institution” before the deadline using the ResearchNet application system. The nominating institution then forwards a list of recommended candidates to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat to be awarded.

Eligibility

• Must be nominated by a Canadian institution which has received a Vanier CGS quota
• Must be pursuing your first doctoral degree (including joint undergraduate/graduate research program such as M.D./PhD, DVM/PhD, J.D./PhD).
• Must intend to pursue a full-time doctoral and research at the nominated institution.
• Must not have completed more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1, 2020
• Must have achieved a first-class average, as determined by your institution, in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent.
• Must not hold, or have held, a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC to undertake or complete a doctoral degree.

Benefits/Value

Awarded candidates will be given a grant of $50,000 for three years.

In a nutshell, acquiring a Masters’s or doctorate and also completing research is no doubt challenging for most individuals, especially if they are inadequately equipped financially. However, research scholarship programs have risen to assist these individuals and support them as they find new ways to contribute to innovation and societal development.