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Current Students:

External Funding Opportunities

These awards are fellowships that are awarded by state and national organizations to an individual student. Contact [email protected] for additional information.

For more information on GSBS-funded opportunities, please visit our GSBS Scholarships and Fellowships page.

Obtaining an external fellowship is highly beneficial for graduate students for many reasons. Fellowships often provide financial support for tuition, stipends, and research-related expenses. Some fellowships even provide unique professional development opportunities (i.e. training, workshops and networking events), which can help graduate students build skills and connections in their field. 

To assist with this endeavor, the graduate school has curated some information and resources. 

We ask students please complete the "Intent to Apply" form at least one month before submission of any external fellowship application. This form ensures the graduate school can adequately support students through the application process and provide any required documents. 

Fellowship resources

  • APPLYING FOR FELLOWSHIPS

    The GSBS offers robust support to students who are interested in applying for external fellowships including:

    • Providing official documents: If you are applying for an external fellowship please complete the “GSBS Intent to Apply for an External Individual Fellowship” form. This form will allow us to prepare any required documents for your application.
    • Offering application assistance: External fellowship navigation is available to help students with writing personal statements, reviewing application materials, and providing feedback on drafts. Make an advising appointment or email [email protected].
    • Providing information about fellowship opportunities: Check out current opportunities in our Career Connections monthly newsletter. We also have information on our list of common fellowships for biomedical students.
    • Workshops and courses: Find relevant workshops and advice for success on our professional development calendar. The GSBS also offers the course, GS21 1171 NIH Fellowship Proposal Development, to support students working on NIH fellowship applications.
  • CURRENT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

    The Office of Career Development will share specific upcoming opportunities monthly in the Career Connections newsletter. 

    We provide updated lists of additional funding opportunities through the Career Development Canvas Page.

  • WRITING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION

    Undertaking a fellowship application is a major commitment. See below for some tips on writing successful fellowship applications:

    •  Talk to your research advisor: Graduate level fellowship applications often require detailed research proposals and training plans and are improved by the guidance and feedback from your research advisor. Discussing your intent to apply for an external fellowship with your research advisor ensures that you receive support and guidance for your application.
    • Start early: Many fellowship programs have long application timelines, so it is important to start the process well in advance. This will give you plenty of time to gather all the necessary documents, and ample time to write and revise your application essays.
    • Research your options: There are many different types of fellowships available, so it is important to research which ones are most relevant to your field and goals. Look for fellowships that align with your research interests and career aspirations, and be sure to read the eligibility requirements carefully.
    • Tailor your application: Customize your application to the specific fellowship program you are applying for. This may include writing a personal statement that highlights your relevant experience and explaining how the fellowship will support your academic and professional goals.
    • Seek feedback: Ask colleagues, advisors, and mentors to review your application materials and provide feedback. They can help you identify areas that may need improvement and offer suggestions for strengthening your application.
    • Follow the application instructions: Make sure to carefully read and follow all the application instructions. This includes submitting all required materials and meeting all deadlines. Failing to follow the instructions can significantly decrease your chances of being accepted. In some cases, failure to follow the instructions will result in automatically rejecting your application.
  • FELLOWSHIP AWARD PROGRAM (FY25)

    Current program expires Aug. 30, 2025

    GSBS students who hold a GRA position at MD Anderson or UTHealth Houston, who are awarded funding from extramural sponsors will be awarded a one-time cash award of $1,000 in recognition of their achievement. GSBS students who received fellowships/grants with project start dates between Sept. 1, 2024-August 31, 2025 are eligible.

    Eligibility Guidelines

    Recipients
    On the date of the application deadline, the recipient must have held a GSBS graduate research assistant title at UTHealth Houston or MD Anderson. They must remain employed by UTHealth Houston or MD Anderson when the awards are disbursed.

    Awards

    GSBS students must have received one of the following types of competitively reviewed extramural funding:

    • NIH F30/F31/F99 predoctoral fellowships
    • Equivalent predoctoral fellowship requiring a research proposal and providing stipend funds awarded by other extramural sponsors

     The Notice of Grant Award must:

    • Name the student as the fellowship recipient, or name the student as the primary investigator of the fellowship
    • Must list UTHealth Houston or MD Anderson as the recipient institution
    • Have an initial performance period start date in FY2025 (Sept. 1, 2024-Aug. 31, 2025)

    Selection for an institutional training grant, internal fellowship, or other internal funding mechanisms are not eligible. Examples of ineligible awards include appointment as a T32, TL1, or CPRIT Graduate Scholar or Fellow; internal fellowships/scholarships funded by endowments, gifts, or other soft funds; pilot grants; SPORE CEP/DRP awards. Administrative supplements, including NIH supplements to promote diversity, also do not qualify for this incentive program.

    Application and Review

    Applicants must complete a short application and upload a copy of the Notice of Grant Award.

    • Applicants whose awards have project start dates in FY2025 (Sept. 1, 2024-August 31,2025) may submit their applications on a rolling basis through 5:00 PM CT on Friday, Aug. 30, 2025.
    • We will continue to accept applications from students who received awards in the final quarter of FY2024 (grant start dates from June 1-August 31, 2024) through November 30, 2024.

    GSBS students who hold a GRA at UTHealth Houston apply here.

    GSBS students who hold a GRA at MD Anderson apply here.

    Review and Processing

    MD Anderson Trainee Career Enhancement will fund awards for MDA-based GSBS students. GSBS will fund awards for UTHealth Houston-based students. Review and processing will be carried out in an identical manner. 

    A one-time award will be processed through Payroll and subject to taxation. 

    Institutional Contacts:

    GSBS: Sarah Herzog: [email protected]

    MDA: Heather Brien: [email protected]

  • NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH F AWARD FELLOWSHIPS

    Applicants for any NIH F awards are encouraged to fill out the “GSBS Intent to Apply for an External Individual Fellowship” form. For additional questions please email [email protected] or schedule a Fellowship Advising Appointment.

    F30/F31: Ruth L Kirschstein-NRSA Fellowship Program

    The purpose of the Kirschstein-NRSA program is to enable promising predoctoral students with potential to develop into a productive, independent research scientists, to obtain mentored research training while conducting dissertation research. 

    Students interested in applying for an F30/F31 are encouraged to take the NIH Fellowship Proposal Development Course. 

    This course is designed for students who intend to submit an NIH fellowship application (F30 or F31) at the end of the course. Participants will learn about the components of a fellowship application, how to develop an effective training plan, and the peer review process. By the end of the course, participants will have developed a complete draft of their application. Participants are expected to have completed the GSBS Scientific Writing Course, or equivalent, as the Research Strategy and Specific Aims sections will not be covered.

    For additional resources in drafting your application please visit the Career Development Canvas Page and the NIH Application Guide.

    There are several funding opportunities through the F30/31 programs. Please carefully review the criteria for each fellowship through the NIH Navigator for Funding Opportunities.

    Deadlines are in April, August, and December each year.

    F99/K00 Individual Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award

    The purpose of the Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00) is to encourage and retain outstanding graduate students who have demonstrated potential and interest in pursuing careers as independent researchers. The award will facilitate the transition of talented graduate students into successful research postdoctoral appointments.

    F99/K00 awards are managed by individual institutes within the NIH. We encourage you to explore these opportunities using the NIH Navigator for Funding Opportunities.

    For additional resources in drafting your application please visit the Career Development Canvas Page, and the NIH Application Guide.

    Deadlines vary by funding institute for this program. 

Training Grants

The goal of the training grant programs is to prepare qualified predoctoral trainees for careers that have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation.

Training grants are supported by a variety of institutional programs and departments. Pre-doctoral appointees to training grants receive funding for a portion of their graduate student stipend. Several training grants also provide additional funding and opportunities for professional development. 

A list of current training grants available to support GSBS students is regularly updated in the Career Development Canvas page. Please review each grant's application materials for eligibility.