GLI Funding Opportunities

The GLI offers several different funding opportunities to support students in a wide range of endeavors, from leading on campus through programming to pursuing professional development and training opportunities beyond Vanderbilt. We encourage graduate students to become familiar with the different funding available on campus and to apply for a wide range of funding during their tenure at Vanderbilt.

Graduate School Conference Travel Grant

Nature of the Grant: Students are encouraged to present their research at major regional, national, and international conferences. The Graduate School Travel Grant to Present Research will provide up to $1,000 in travel support for graduate students presenting their research at major meetings and conferences. Students may apply for one travel grant per budget year (July 1-June 30) for domestic or international travel. Students are allowed a total of three travel grants during their tenure at Vanderbilt.

Please include your Estimated Travel Grant Budget with your application.

  • Eligibility

    To apply the students:

    • Must be a Graduate School student (PhD, MA, MFA, MLAS, & MS).
    • Must be first author and presenter of research conducted at Vanderbilt.
    • Must be attending a major regional, national, or international conference.
    • Must have travel authorization from their department prior to travel.
    • Must begin their travel in the year the grant is awarded (grants are awarded per budget year July 1-June 30).
    • Must use the award for the conference listed in this application.
    • Cannot have received a prior travel grant during the academic year.
    • Cannot have received more than 2 prior travel grants during their tenure at Vanderbilt.
  • Guidelines

    Complete all parts of the InfoReady application, attach a copy of your abstract with the full author list included, and upload documentation from the conference organizers confirms your abstract has been selected.** Applications must be completed at least two weeks before you travel. Grants are limited to $1000. Additionally:

    • Airfare must be booked in World Travel/Concur.
    • International travel must be registered: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/global/travel-registration/

     

    **Graduate students in the Creative Writing program: In lieu of presenting original research, students must be a Vanderbilt representative at a premiere creative writing conference (ex: The Association of Writers & Writing Programs) as (1) a presenter at the Bookfair or (2) a current editor of The Nashville Review. In place of an abstract, the student must submit a statement of purpose (1-page) that outlines their role at the conference and how participation will benefit both them and the University. For conference documentation, please provide documentation of participation in the conference and/or proof of participation on The Nashville Review.

Dissertation Enhancement Grants

The GLI provides awards of up to $2,000 for research expenses related to a student’s dissertation. These funds are granted on a competitive basis and are designed to support PhD Students with outstanding potential to accelerate progress on their research, adding depth or breadth to their work. 

Grant ScheduleSpring RFAFall RFA
Funding PeriodJan 1st – July 31stJuly 1st – Jan 31st
Application OpensNovember 1stMay 1st
Application DeadlineNovember 22ndMay 22nd
Awards Announcedmid-Decembermid-June

  • Eligibility
    • Preference will be given to PhD candidates engaged in full-time dissertation research. However, all Ph.D. students in good academic standing are eligible to apply.
    • Student must have authorization from their department’s Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).
    • Students are allowed one GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grant per academic year and they may receive this award no more than twice during their career at Vanderbilt.
  • Guidelines
    • Grants are limited to $2,000, and all charges must comply with Vanderbilt finance policies.
    • The GLI reserves the right to award less than the full sum requested by successful applicants, based on the degree of need demonstrated by the proposal and budget, the number of successful applications, and the total available funds.
    • These awards are not a substitute for, nor a supplement to, graduate stipends, and they may not be used to fund credit-bearing coursework.
    • Award funds will either be provided directly to award recipients or directly to vendors via the Oracle procurement system.
    • Awards cannot be applied retroactively.
    • Funds may only be used as proposed in the application.
    • Proposed research activities must be completed within the funding period outlined above.
    • Applicants MUST be prepared to move forward with the proposed work if awarded a grant. 
    • We ask that students be responsible stewards of GLI resources. If the awardee cannot move forward with the proposed work, they must notify the GLI immediately. Recipients who fail to use their funding, barring extenuating circumstances, will be ineligible for future GLI DEGs.
  • Previous Awardees

    Spring 2024 Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Joseph Benthal, Human Genetics
    Cody Christensen, Leadership & Policy Studies
    Sarah Hagaman, English
    Allison Lake, Human Genetics
    William Lowery, Chemistry
    Lindsay Martin, Biological Sciences
    Catherine McCormack, Anthropology
    Alexander Tripp, Political Science
    Perry Wasdin, Chemical & Physical Biology

    Fall 2023 Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Jessica Fletcher, History
    Monika Grabowska, Biomedical Informatics
    Krista Haapanen, Human & Organizational Development
    Lauren Kasper, Physics & Astronomy
    Sara Kirshbaum, Political Science
    Leigh Anne Tang, Biomedical Informatics
    Katherine Turk, Earth & Environmental Sciences
    Olawunmi Winful, Anthropology

    Spring 2023 Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Bryce Belanger, Earth & Environmental Sciences
    Yunli Chu, Cancer Biology
    John Gillespie, History
    James Held, Biological Sciences
    Sarah Jessup, Psychology
    Anne Kruse, Economics
    Taralynn Mack, Human Genetics
    Mariana Ramirez Bustamante, Political Science

    Fall 2022 Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Jeremy Espano, Interdisciplinary Material Sciences
    Payam Fathi, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
    Richard Hall, Leadership, Policy, & Organizations
    Graham Johnson, Biomedical Engineering
    Margaret Shavlik, Psychology & Human Development
    Trevor Thomas, History
    Simon Ward, Electrical Engineering
    Heesun Yoo, Political Science

    Spring 2022 Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Shashwat Dhar, Political Science
    Vineet Gupta, Religion 
    Dylan Irons, Political Science
    Kathryn Marshalek, History
    Emily Overway, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
    Brayan Serratos Garcia, Spanish & Portuguese
    Elizabeth Teeter, Earth & Environmental Sciences
    Emily Thompson, Hearing & Speech Sciences
    Linh Thi Thuy Trinh, Cell & Developmental Biology

    Fall 2021 Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Elvira Aballi Morell, Spanish & Portuguese
    Rachel Brown, Cancer Biology
    Taylor Engdahl, Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
    Nathan Frisch, Anthropology
    Shounak Ghosh, History
    John Gillespie, History
    Richard Hall, Leadership, Policy, & Organizations
    Srivatsav Kunnawalkam Elayavalli, Mathematics
    Daniela Osorio Michel, Political Science
    Kathryn Peters, Anthropology
    Steven Rodriguez, History
    Martina Schaefer, History
    Martin Schmitz, Economics
    Katerina Traut, Political Science

    Spring 2021 Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Kensey Bergdorf, Pharmacology
    Amanda Brockman, Sociology
    Christopher Khan, Biomedical Engineering
    Matthew Knowles, Economics
    Qimin Liu, Psychology & Human Development
    Eli McDonald, Chemistry
    Guangtao Nie, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
    Mohsin Rahim, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

    Fall 2020 Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Darwin Baluran, Sociology
    Ellen Casale, Special Education
    Genna Chiaro, Earth & Environmental Sciences
    Maria Luisa De Melo Tupinamba Jabbur, Biological Sciences
    Walter Ecton, Leadership, Policy, & Organizations
    Kyle Garland, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
    Phyllis Johnson, Anthropology
    Sangeun Kim, Political Science
    Gabriela Ore, Anthropology
    Katherine Snyder, Biological Sciences
    Paige Vega, Cell & Developmental Biology

    Spring 2020  Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Kaitlen Cassell, Political Science
    Kellie Cavagnaro, Anthropology
    Azadeh Hadadianpour, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology
    Alison Hessling, Hearing & Speech Sciences
    Sangeun Kim, Political Science
    Alexander Korsunsky, Anthropology
    Justin Marinko, Biochemistry
    Michaela Peterson, Earth & Environmental Sciences
    Terren Proctor, Anthropology
    Facundo Salles Kobilanski, Political Science

    2019 Dissertation Enhancement Grant Awardees

    Keitlyn Alcantara, Anthropology
    Bradley Baker, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
    Kaitlen Cassell, Political Science
    Gabriella DiCarlo, Neuroscience
    Brandt Gibson, Earth & Environmental Science
    Lydia Harmon, Earth & Environmental Science
    Lauren Henry, Psychology and Human Development
    Phyllis Johnson, Anthropology
    Yu-ri Kim, Sociology
    Shih Liang, Hearing & Speech Sciences
    Jessamyn Perlmutter, Biological Sciences
    Lam Pham, Leadership, Policy & Org
    Derek Price, German, Russian and Eastern European Studies
    Katherine Snyder, Biological Sciences
    Jennifer Stewart, Clinical Psychology
    Yan Yan, Biological Sciences

Dissertation Enhancement Grants FAQs

  • What is the selection criteria for the GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grants?

    Dissertation Enhancement Grants are available to students for adding a unique element to their dissertation that enhances the work by increasing its depth or breadth beyond the basic requirements of their dissertation committee. The most important component of the application is to demonstrate that the award will support work that goes beyond the scope of the dissertation committees requirements. Funds should not be used to support fundamental components of the dissertation. Student should ask themselves, “If I did not add this component to my thesis would it still be accepted?” If the answer is no, it will not be a strong application. The selection committee will evaluate applications based on the following criteria (1) a succinct and digestible overview of current dissertation work written for an interdisciplinary audience; (2) a clearly articulated proposal to enhance the dissertation beyond the essential requirements of the dissertation committee, including clear project goals, a feasible timeline and a strong justification for how the work adds a special element to the dissertation;  (3) a budget justification that demonstrates planning, an understanding of costs, responsible use of funds, and a need (no other funds available).

  • If I am not a PhD Candidate, can I apply?

    Yes, all PhD students in good academic standing are eligible to apply. However, the dissertation enhancement grant does not support fundamental dissertation research. For this reason, preference will be given to PhD candidates – students who have an approved dissertation proposal – engaged in full-time dissertation research, as it is expected that candidates have a clear understanding of what is fundamental to completing their dissertation and what is an extra element that will enhance the essential elements required by their committee. All PhD students are eligible to apply, to accommodate students who are well into their research but who have not completed their candidacy requirements. In these cases, the applicant should address their candidacy status in the rationale section of the application, or they can ask their letter writer can do so in their recommendation (preferable as the rationale is a critical part of the application and space is at a premium).

  • How can Dissertation Enhancement Grant funds be used?

    Examples of appropriate uses for a Dissertation Enhancement Grant include:

    • Travel to sites of unique sources of research material, archives, and libraries.
    • Consultation or collaborative work with experts in the area of the student’s research when such support is not available at Vanderbilt, for example, learning a new research methodology or interviewing an author whom the student is studying.
    • Participation in a non credit-bearing specialty course or short course that will broaden the students understanding of research techniques, methods, or concepts that will enhance current dissertation work.
    • Unique services not available at the university, such as sophisticated data or chemical analyses.
    • The purchase of specialized small equipment items, supplies, and data sets; only if funds for such items are not available from other sources (adviser’s grant, departmental funds).
    • A research assistant or other personnel to carry out work that the student could not reasonably be expected to conduct (extensive analysis of data, computer programming, etc.), but whose inclusion will greatly improve the dissertation.
    • Payment of subjects participating in a research project, if the project is in addition to the basic dissertation research (e.g., is not required by the PhD Committee) and if a strong rationale is provided to show that subject payment, although not required, will enhance markedly the quality, scope, reliability, etc. of the data collected.
  • Can the Dissertation Enhancement Grant be used for travel?

    If travel is heavily focused on the applicants dissertation AND it adds an element that enhances their dissertation work, they should apply for a Dissertation Enhancement Grant. Please note, the purpose of travel must add to the dissertation (short course, traveling to archives, etc.) it cannot be a fundamental part of the dissertation. Students should ask themselves, “If I did not add this component to my thesis, would it still be accepted?” If the answer is no, they should not apply. If the primary purpose of travel is for professional or academic development (leadership workshop, learning skills, a conference that broadly applies to their research work, etc.) that will build the applicant’s skill set beyond their dissertation work, this travel would be better suited for a GLI Professional Development & Training Grant.  Conference travel where students will present their research is supported by the Graduate School Travel Grant and the Graduate Student Council Travel Grant.

  • Can grant funds be used for Vanderbilt Internal CORES services?

    Yes, grant funds can be used for CORES services. However, students need to be aware of the lag time for expensing in the CORES system. It may take a month or two for charges to be expensed and all costs must be expensed within the fiscal year their grant is awarded.  Therefore, all CORES services must be completed and expensed by April 30th.

  • Can I apply for a GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grant and a GLI Professional Development & Training grant in the same grant cycle?

    Students can submit an application for a GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grant and a GLI Professional Development & Training grant in the same grant cycle. However, they must fund different activities. If they are traveling, they must select the grant that is most aligned with the purpose of travel (see “Can the Dissertation Enhancement Grant be used for Travel?”).

  • Are references required in the dissertation research description? If, so do they count toward the page limit (2 pages)? 

    There is no formal requirement to include references. The use of references is largely dependent on the content applicants include in this section of the application. If you choose to use them, they will count toward the page limit. In the past applicants have used highly abbreviated citation formats.

  • Can figures be included in the research or enhancement description? If so, do they will they count toward the page limit (2 pages)?

    Figures may be used. If you choose to use them, they will count toward the page limit.

  • How will the award funds be dispersed?

    Award funds will either be dispersed directly to the award recipient as a stipend or they will be provided directly to vendors via the Oracle procurement system (lab supplies, CORES analysis, etc.). The grant administrator will coordinate with recipients regarding disbursement at the time of the award. If you are an international student, there may be tax implications for stipend payments. Please contact ITO to determine tax obligations.

GLI Professional Development & Training Grants

The GLI Professional Development & Training Grants will provide up to $1,000 of support for graduate students seeking non-credit bearing professional development and training opportunities to further develop their academic and professional skills. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, training workshops, short courses, conferences (where the student has not submitted an abstract), etc. Additionally, opportunities that will broaden the applicant’s skill set beyond their academic field of study (i.e. leadership training, project management short course, etc.) are encouraged.

Grant ScheduleSpring RFAFall RFA
Funding PeriodJan 1st – July 31stJuly 1st – Jan 31st
Application OpensNovember 1stMay 1st
Application DeadlineNovember 22ndMay 22nd
Awards Announcedmid-Decembermid-June

  • Eligibility
    • Be a registered Graduate School student (PhD, MS, MA, MFA, MLAS) in good standing.
    • Have completed one full academic year in the Graduate School.
    • Have authorization from your department (application will require DGS approval).
    • Training/professional development opportunity must occur within the funding period outline in the RFA.
    • Students are allowed one professional development & training grant per academic year.
    • During their Graduate School tenure masters students are eligible to receive one professional development & training grant and PhD students are eligible to receive two professional development & training grants.
  • Guidelines
    • Grants are limited to $1,000 and all charges must comply with Vanderbilt finance policies.
    • Award funds cannot be used for credit-bearing coursework.
    • Awards cannot be applied retroactively.
    • Proposed professional development & training activities must be completed within the funding period outlined above.
    • Award funds will be provided directly to grant awardees.
    • Funds may only be used as proposed in your application.
    • If traveling, airfare must be booked in World Travel/Concur (hotel accommodations do not have to be booked through the Concur system).
    • We ask that students be responsible stewards of GLI resources. Students who apply for the grant must be prepared to use the funds as proposed. If the awardee cannot move forward with the proposed travel, they must notify the GLI immediately. Recipients who fail to use their funding, barring extenuating circumstances, will be ineligible for future GLI travel awards.
  • Previous Awardees

    Spring 2024 Professional Development & Training Grant Awardees

    Lucas Borba de Miranda, Political Science
    Micaela Harris, Learning, Teaching & Diversity
    Miguel Herranz Cano, Spanish & Portuguese
    Junyi Ji, Civil Engineering
    Matthew Krantz, Biomedical Informatics
    Yunzhen Liang, Psychology & Human Development
    Arijit Sengupta, Electrical Engineering
    Kenton Shimozaki, Leadership & Policy Studies
    Kelly Tingle, Earth & Environmental Sciences

    Fall 2023 Professional Development & Training Grant Awardees

    Khrysta Baig, Health Policy
    Kimberly Bress, Neuroscience
    Jessica Collins, Biochemistry
    Natalie Favret, Molecular Pathology & Immunology
    Joseph Holden, Neuroscience
    KeShawn Ivory, Astrophysics
    Sara Kirshbaum, Political Science
    William Lamb, Astrophysics
    Catherine McCormack, Anthropology
    William Smith, Astrophysics
    Ashley Spirrison, Biomedical Engineering
    Minh Tran, Chemical & Physical Biology
    Jiaxin Jessie Wang, Special Education

    Spring 2023 Professional Development & Training Grant Awardees

    Audry Arner, Biological Sciences
    Chaeun Cho, Political Science
    Kell Cunningham, Philosophy
    Rossirys De La Rosa, Anthropology
    Marlna Eanes, Learning, Teaching & Diversity
    Micala Harris, Learning, Teaching & Diversity
    Ludwg Beethoven Jones Noya, Religion
    Oliva Nunn, Biological Sciences
    Johnn Peters, Mechanical Engineering
    Fangheng Yuan, Epidemiology

    Fall 2022 Professional Development & Training Grant Awardees

    Allegra Anderson, Psychology & Human Development
    Sarah Burriss, Teaching & Learning
    Casey Butrico, Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
    Sarah Glass, Cell & Developmental Biology
    Ebony Hargrove-Wiley, Basic Sciences
    Samantha Marshall, English
    Margaret Shavlik, Psychology & Human Development
    Alexander Tripp, Political Science
    Sarah Williams, Earth & Environmental Sciences
    Bethany Young, Nursing Science

    Spring 2022 Professional Development & Training Grant Awardees

    Jeffrey Boon, Nursing Science
    Sharice Clough, Hearing & Speech Sciences
    Sahai Couso Diaz, Spanish & Portuguese
    Danielle Dorvil, Spanish & Portuguese
    Amy Hill, German, Russian & East European Studies
    Sarah Jessup, Psychology
    Amina McIntyre, Religion
    Ludwig Beethoven Jones Noya, Religion
    Courtney Rehkamp, German, Russian & East European Studies
    Barbara Rodri­guez Navaza, Anthropology
    Nathaniel Tran, Health Policy

    Fall 2021 Professional Development & Training Grant Awardees

    Jennifer Barnes, Political Science
    Katherine Bryan, Hearing & Speech Sciences
    Everett Durham, Psychology
    Maura Eveld, Mechanical Engineering
    Mariia Gorchichko, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
    Jennifer Gutman, English
    Thomas Horseman, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
    Samantha Pegg, Psychology & Human Development
    Gabrielle Reimann, Psychology
    Margaret Rox, Mechanical Engineering
    Rachel Siciliano, Psychology & Human Development
    Rachel Teater, Mechanical Engineering
    Janiece Williams, Divinity School
    Jennifer Zachry, Pharmacology

    Spring 2021 Professional Development & Training Grant Awardees

    Jose Luis De Ramon Ruiz, Spanish & Portuguese
    Kelsey Dillehay, Special Education
    Azadeh Hadadianpour, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology
    Sara Jones, Teaching & Learning
    Heather Meston, Teaching & Learning
    Derek Price, German, Russian and East European Studies
    Michael Rudloff, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology
    Camille Wang, Neuroscience
    Mingli Yang, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
    Anna Young, History

    Fall 2020 Professional Development & Training Grant Awardees

    Maria Paula Andrade Diniz de Araujo, History
    Cleothia Frazier, Sociology
    Sarah Glass, Biochemistry
    Dasom Lee, Sociology
    Vladislav Lilic, History
    Natalie Noll, Biomedical Engineering
    Kody Wolfe, General Engineering
    Madison Wagener, Psychology

    Spring 2020 Travel Grant* Awardees

    Stephanie Castillo, Communication of Science & Technology
    Sara Eccleston, Human & Org. Development
    Maura Eveld, Mechanical Engineering
    Richard Hall, Leadership, Policy, & Organizations
    Laura Hesse, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology
    Alison Hessling, Hearing & Speech Sciences
    Joseph Luchsinger, Basic Sciences
    Emily Matijevich, Mechanical Engineering
    Tin Nguyen, Special Education
    Gloria Pérez-Rivera, Anthropology
    Terren Proctor, Anthropology
    Julie Sriken, Community Research and Action
    Bryan Steitz, Biomedical Informatics
    Rachel Teater, Mechanical Engineering

    Fall 2019 Travel Grant* Awardees

    Sarah Arcos, Biochemistry
    Kymberly Byrd, Human & Org. Development
    Kelsey Dillehay, Special Education
    Stephanie Dudzinski, Biomedical Engineering
    Nicole Fisher, Pharmacology
    Elizabeth Flook, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
    Karin Gegenheimer, Leadership, Policy, & Organizations
    Mariia Gorchichko, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
    Benjamin Hardy, Physics & Astronomy
    Cody Heiser, Basic Sciences
    Tempest Henning, Philosophy
    Kuniko Hunter, Biomedical Engineering
    Geena Ildefonso, Basic Sciences
    Caitlyn Kirby, Biological Sciences (https://caitkirby.com/blog/2019-12-CIRTL-forum.html)
    Lindsay Kozek, Neuroscience
    Aaron Lim, Medicine
    Garrett Marshall, Mechanical Engineering
    Kayleigh McCrary, Economics
    Zachary Tripp, Mathematics
    Allie Utley, Religion
    Zhiyu Wan, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
    Kayleigh Whitman, History

    Spring 2019 Travel Grant* Awardees

    Julianne Adams, English
    Laura Adery, Psychology
    Keitlyn Alcantara, Anthropology
    Joshua Allen, Interdisciplinary Program in Materials Science
    Baig Al-Muhit, Civil Engineering
    Mehnaaz Asad, Physics & Astronomy
    Megan Ashley Aumann, Neuroscience
    Sean Bedingfield, Biomedical Engineering
    Rudraprasad Bhattacharyya, Civil Engineering
    Luis Bichon, Physics
    Pietra Bruni, Psychology
    Sahai Couso Diaz, Spanish & Portuguese
    Karen de Melo, Spanish & Portuguese
    Courtney Edwards, Cancer Biology
    Benjamin Hacker, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
    Gloria Han, Psychology
    Ella Hoogenboezem, Biomedical Engineering
    Ying Ji, Human Genetics
    Chris Ketchum, Creative Writing
    SangEun Kim, Political Science
    Kishundra King, Religion
    Kristine Koutout, Economics
    Alison Lutz, Religion
    Lisa Madura, Philosophy
    James Martes, Political Science
    Jonathan Martin, Biomedical Engineering
    Victoria Martucci, Human Genetics
    Ray Matsumoto, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
    Curtis Maughan, German, Russian & East European Studies
    Haley Mendoza-Romero, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
    Ayan Mukhopadhyay, Computer Science
    Kathryn Peters, Anthropology
    Eric Ritter, Philosophy
    Barbara Rodrigues Navaza, Anthropology
    Eulogio Kyle Romero, History
    Martina Schaefer, History
    Dylan Shaul, Philosophy
    Megan Ashley Skaggs, Latin American Studies
    Yi Song, Mechanical Engineering
    Alexander Thiemicke, Chemical & Physical Biology
    Lenie Torregrossa, Clinical Psychology
    Mariann VanDevere, English
    Paige Vega, Cell and Developmental Biology
    Amanda Wicks, English
    Jordyn Wilcox, Neuroscience
    Alexander Yang, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
    Laine Walters Young, Religion
    Amy Zheng, Chemical Engineering

    *In the summer of 2020 the GLI Travel Grant was rebranded as the GLI Professional Development & Training Grant in an effort to support a wider variety of opportunities for students.

Professional Development & Training Grants FAQs

  • What are the selection criteria for the GLI Professional Development & Training Grants?

    Professional Development & Training Grants are available to students pursuing unique opportunities to further their professional development and/or scholastic goals and interests. This includes opportunities to explore their broader field of study (beyond the focused scope of their current research projects), to explore related fields of research, and/or to acquire new skills (professional development).

    The most important component of the application is to demonstrate how the award will broaden the student’s skill set, provide professional development, and/or further scholarly goals beyond the dissertation. The selection committee will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

    1. a strong justification for how the proposed activities will benefit the student’s professional and academic development
    2. the students academic and service/leadership background.
  • Is travel supported by the GLI Professional Development & Training Grant?

    Yes. The GLI Professional Development & Training Grant was developed to support academic and professional skill development among graduate students. This includes training workshops, short courses, attending conferences where the student has not submitted an abstract, etc. Additionally, opportunities that will broaden the applicants skill set beyond their academic field of study (i.e. leadership training, project management short course, etc.) are encouraged. If students need to travel to attend the proposed activities, travel cost should be included in the grant proposal.  

    Examples of successful applications include: 

    • Conference Attendance 
      Lasers & Electro-Optics, SACNAS National Diversty in STEM, SciPy, ASCE Younger Member Leadership Symposia, and Society for Pastoral Theology Annul Meeting 
    • Workshops & Trainings 
      fMRI Wksp, Longitudinal Structural Equation Modeling Wksp, Seamus Heaney Centre Poetry Wksp, Training in Survey Methodology, Training Symposium on International Archives, Oral History Training Wksp, NSF Finding Your Inner Modeler III Wksp 
    • Short Courses (non-credit bearing) 
      Predictive Multi-scale Design, International Critical Theory Summer School, Social Conditioning, Center for Astrostatistics summer course for astronomers 
  • What grants are available to Vanderbilt graduate students that support travel?
    • The GLI Professional Development and Training Grant: $1,000 available support for graduate students seeking professional development and training opportunities to further develop their academic and professional skills.
    • Graduate Student Travel Grant to Present Research: a $1,000 grant available through the graduate school for students traveling to conferences where they have submitted an abstract and they will be presenting. 
    • Travel grant through the Graduate Student Council: a $500 grant available to active members of GSC who are traveling to conferences where they have submitted an abstract and they will be presenting. 
    • If a PhD student is traveling in a capacity that will enhance their dissertation beyond the work outlined in their PhD proposal, they may be eligible for a Dissertation Enhancement Grant.
  • How do I determine which grant is best aligned with my purpose of travel?

    Travel for professional or academic development (leadership workshop, learning skills, a conference that broadly applies to their research work, etc.) that builds the applicants skill set beyond their dissertation work is best suited for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant.

    Conference travel where students have submitted an abstract and will be presenting their research is supported by the Graduate School Travel Grant and the Graduate Student Council Travel Grant.

    Travel is heavily focused on the applicants dissertation AND it adds an element that enhances their dissertation work, is best suited for a Dissertation Enhancement Grant.

  • I am traveling to a conference, which grants should I apply to?

    If you are presenting (submitted an abstract) at the conference:

    If you are NOT presenting at the conference:

    GLI Professional Development and Training Grant – if you can provide a strong justification for how this conference will benefit your professional and academic development.

  • Can I apply for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant if I am traveling to a conference to present my research (I have submitted an abstract)?

    No. If a student has submitted an abstract to present at a conference, that travel is not eligible for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant. The GLI Professional Development and Training grant was developed to provide support for travel that is focused on supporting skill development beyond the dissertation, for which funds are not as readily available. For travel to present at a conference there are several funding mechanism available, including funds available through the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Council (for active members). Additionally, departments and professional societies may offer financial support for traditional conference travel.

    Note: If there is a workshop, short course, etc. associated with the conference where you are presenting that is available at an additional cost (above the basic conference registration fee), a student could apply for the workshop registration fee, but only the registration fee. Students must decide is this is a prudent use of one of their two available opportunities to receive a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant.

  • Can I apply for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant if I am traveling to an internship?

    Applicants can apply for travel to and from internships. HOWEVER, they must make a compelling justification for the benefits of travel AND financial need (unpaid internship).

  • Can I apply for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant if I am travel to a field location for research?

    The GLI Professional Development and Training grant was developed to provide support for professional and academic skill development beyond the dissertation, which tends to have less funding mechanisms available. Field research is narrowly focused on a student’s research and for that reason would not be a compelling application. If the proposed field work is enhancing your dissertation, you may want to consider the Dissertation Enhancement Grant.

  • Can I apply for both the GLI Professional Development and Training grant and the Graduate School travel grant to fund the same travel?

    No. The GLI Professional Development and Training grant and the Graduate School travel grant support different travel purposes. The Graduate School travel grant is for traditional conference travel to a conference where a students has submitted an abstract and will be presenting their research. That type of travel is not eligible for funding under the GLI Professional Development and Training Grant.

  • Can I apply for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant and a GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grant in the same year?

    Students can submit an application for a GLI Travel Grant and a GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grant in the same year. However, they must fund different activities. If a student is traveling, they must select the grant that is most aligned with the purpose of travel (see above).

  • If I received a GLI Travel Grant in 2019 or 2020, does that count towards the GLI Professional Development & Training Grant limit?

    YES. GLI Travel Grants were re-branded as Professional Development & Training grants in the fall of 2020, in an effort to include a wider array of professional development and training opportunities that do not necessarily require travel. Therefore, these grants are part of the same grant program and count towards your grant totals.

  • How will the award funds be dispersed?

    Award funds will be dispersed directly to the award recipient as a stipend payment. If you are an international student, there may be tax implications for stipend payments. 

*In the spring of 2020 GLI Travel Grants were re-branded as Professional Development & Training Grants in an effort to support a wider variety of opportunities for students.

GLI Graduate Student Programming Grant

The Graduate Leadership Institute Programming Grant was established to support student-organized programs and events that will enhance the graduate student experience at Vanderbilt. Priority will be given to proposals that support the following core objectives:

  • Create leadership and professional development opportunities for graduate students.
  • Strengthen interdisciplinary networks on campus and promote collaboration.
  • Build diverse and inclusive communities.
  • Create meaningful opportunities for graduate student engagement.

Awards of up to $2,000 will be granted through this funding opportunity. Additional funds may be available should the scale and impact of the program be deemed exceptional. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis during the academic year until funds are expended.

The 23-24 Grant Application has closed

  • Eligibility

    Students can apply as individuals or on behalf of a student organization on campus. To be eligible the primary applicant must:

    • Be a registered graduate school student (PhD, MS, MA, MFA, MLAS) in good standing.
    • Have a co-sponsor(s) that will match at least 10% of the GLI amount awarded in the form of direct funds or an in-kind match (non-cash contribution of value: event space, food, etc.).
    • Submit a complete application at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the program/event.
  • Guidelines
    • Grants are limited to $2,000, and all charges must comply with Vanderbilt finance policies.
    • The GLI reserves the right to award more or less than the full sum requested by successful applicants, based on the degree of need demonstrated by the proposal and budget, the program scale and impact, the number of successful applications, and the total available funds.
    • Award funds will either be provided directly to award recipients or directly to vendors via the Oracle procurement system.
    • Awards cannot be applied retroactively.
    • Funds must only be used as proposed in the application.
    • Applicants MUST be prepared to move forward with the proposed work if awarded a grant. 
    • We ask that students be responsible stewards of GLI resources. If the awardee cannot move forward with the proposed work, they must notify the GLI immediately (gli@vanderbilt.edu). 
  • Application

    Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year until funds are expended. Application Materials:

    1. Program Proposal (2-pages): Description & Rationale
      The proposal needs to explain how the proposed program meets the above core objectives, provide co-sponsor information, outline expected attendance, promotion plan, and timeline, and provide anticipated outcomes and benefits of the proposed program.
    2. Program Budget (full event budget & specifically how the GLI funds will be used)
    3. Signed letter of co-sponsorship

    Application materials must be submitted in PDF format via InfoReady

    Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please contact Irene Wallrich for application questions (615-343-7030 or irene.wallrich@vanderbilt.edu)