No one does this alone.

Now that you've found an award that seems like a good fit for your goals and interests, you'll want to think carefully about all the steps in the application process. What are the required components? How and when should you get started? We are here to help!

Make a Fellowships Advising Appointment

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need to know exactly what fellowship I want to apply to before meeting with SDFA?

    Not at all! We’re happy to meet with you to talk about your interests and goals, and then think through potential fellowship opportunities.

    Make a Fellowships Advising Appointment

  • What do I need for a fellowship application?

    Many — but not all! — fellowship applications will require:

    • A proposal (what the grant is for). This explains to a reviewer the what, where, when, and why of your plan.
      • Is what you propose feasible? Be sure to define the scope and address challenges or practical considerations!
    • A personal statement (who the grant is for). This is your chance to describe your preparation, qualifications, special skills, and anything else that makes you the right person to do the work you propose.
    • 1+ recommendations. Fellowships may have specific requirements for who should write these, but it will always help if they know you well and have a clear understanding of the fellowship and deadline.
    • A transcript. Sometimes, unofficial transcripts are allowed if they show certain details.
      • If an official transcript is necessary, contact fellowships@du.edu to see if we should order it for you.
    • Sometimes, a campus and/or national interview.
      • If you are participating in a national interview, contact fellowships@du.edu to arrange a practice interview and to access reports from other DU students who have gone through that award process.
  • Help! I need recommendations

    Fellowships may have specific requirements for who should write letters of recommendation, but it will always help if your recommenders know you well and have a clear understanding of the fellowship and deadline.

    Tips for Requesting Recommendations

    Remember:

    • You’ll need a reference or letter of recommendation someday because your best friends cannot be references.
    • Do your future self a favor! Create connections with your faculty, your supervisor, and other mentors before you need them to vouch for you.
    • The best letters of recommendation are personal. Your potential recommenders and mentors need to know who you are to write a good letter full of details and examples about you. So, cultivate those relationships.
    • Remember! Just because they were a nice professor, that doesn’t mean that they are the best person to write for you.
  • I missed the deadline, can I still apply?

    No. Deadlines are non-negotiable in the fellowships world. Look for other awards with later deadlines, or try again next year if you are still eligible. We can help you find other options and re-apply.

  • Can I apply again for a fellowship?

    You are welcome to reapply for a fellowship if you still meet its eligibility requirements! We can help you with your application, even after you graduate.

  • What should I do if I can't make it to my appointment?

    Cancel or reschedule using Calendly. You can also email us to let us know in a timely manner that you cannot make your appointment. Please let us know if you cannot come. Not showing up to your appointment wastes our time because we prepare for the appointment and wait around for you to show up.

    If you don’t show up to three appointments – meaning that you fail to cancel, reschedule, or otherwise let us know that you will not come before the appointment – we will not work with you.

  • Can I use an AI tool with my application?

    AI tools can be helpful starting points with career planning, researching graduate programs, and designing a timeline to help you create a fellowship application.

    HOWEVER, you should not rely on an AI tool to write your application for you. Fellowships want to invest in YOU! This means that the most successful applications are those full of personal details and specifics. An AI tool will generate a generic essay that could have been written by anyone. A generic application – whether written by a human or a robot – will not impress a selection committee.

    At the same time, some fellowships have strict rules about using/not using AI tools. Research the opportunity’s rules before you start using an AI tool.

  • It's April (or July) and I need funding for September. Can you help me?

    Unfortunately, no since most of these fellowships have deadlines six (6) to twelve (12) – even eighteen (18) – months before the grant’s start date. You may be able to find some smaller awards on short notice by using other databases, like Pivot. You can also look through Student Outreach and Success’s resource list for opportunities in the Denver Metro.