Scholarships and External Funding

I strongly encourage all students in the lab to apply for scholarships and external funding. It’s not just about the money—though that certainly helps. Applying for scholarships gives you practice in writing about your work, setting clear goals, and building a strong academic CV.

In recent years, students in my lab have done very well with scholarships. That’s partly because they take their grades seriously, and also because they’re well supported and often have strong publication records. These things matter—scholarship committees look for academic performance, research potential, and productivity, all of which we work hard to develop here.

Even if you’re not sure you’ll win, it’s always worth applying. I always say: you already lost it if you don’t apply. Or as the saying goes, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Even when you don’t get the award, the process itself is valuable. It helps you clarify your research vision, build confidence, and prepare for future applications like postdocs and fellowships.

When you’re ready to apply, I’ll support you with feedback on your writing, letters of recommendation, and help finding the right opportunities. If you’re unsure where to start, just ask—there are more options than most people realize, and it's worth putting yourself out there.