Checklist

Below is a summary of questions to consider when choosing graduate schools and awards.

Graduate school

Before choosing a program

• What is the stipend rate and cost of living in the area?

Before accepting an offer

• Is there an entrance award, tuition waiver, or work available as a teaching or research assistant? Will the department match any other offers?

• What is the stipend rate of other students in the department or lab?

• Do grad students focus on a single thesis project or do they explore several ideas?

• Do grad students ever help write grants in the department or lab?

• Are there departmental caps on funding?

After accepting an offer

• Are there any additional entrance awards to apply for?

• Are there any teaching assistantships available?

Awards

Finding awards

• Have you applied for the typical departmental, university, and governmental awards?

• What other organisations may benefit from or be interested in your research?

• Would any companies or not-for-profit organisations be interested in your research?

• Are there more fundable side projects or extensions to your project that would be viable?

• Have you skimmed award lists or grant databases?

Choosing awards

• What is the expected value?

• How well does your project fit with the organisation?

• Does the award stack?

• Does the organisation award multiple times?

• Can you list yourself as an applicant?

• Does the funder provide feedback after the decision?

• Does winning the award enable you to apply for other related awards?

• How much reusable work does the application entail?

• Are there any red flags, such as application fees?

Avoiding common pitfalls

• Is there an internal deadline?

• Does your department cap funding?

• Are there any wildcards to avoid procrastinating, such as creating the user account on the funding website, requesting reference letters, or getting printed transcripts?

• Have you given yourself enough time to complete the Canadian Common CV without complaining about it on Twitter?

• Did you give yourself a one-day buffer when submitting?

• Do you understand that success in graduate funding has more to do with how often you apply rather than academic achievement?

Writing applications

• Are you writing for the evaluation?

• Have you asked other people to review the application?

• If possible, have you nominated your own reviewers?

• Have you read other successful applications for the same award?

Before deciding

• Have you checked the “award holder’s guide” for any unexpected restrictions?

• Does the award stack on any other awards you have received since submitting the application?

• Is the project still feasible to complete?

After accepting

• Have you listed the award title and organisation (and optionally the amount) on your CV?

• Are there yearly renewals or progress reports required?

• Are any changes needed to the project?

• Does your department know about the award?

• Have you reminded yourself that the money will likely be delayed and you will take home less of it than you expect given taxes, fees, or unexpected changes?