Educational Grant Applications

My first 5 grant applications were rejected. Every single one. Here's how I went from £10k to £10m in research grant funding: I remember opening that fifth rejection email and thinking maybe my research just wasn't good enough. Maybe I wasn't cut out for this. Then a panel reviewer told me something that changed everything. She said: "I stopped reading on page 2." Not because the science was weak. Because the way I presented it was. I had buried the real-world impact on page 3. I led with the literature gap instead of the problem. My methodology was sound but my narrative was invisible. I was writing for academics. I should have been writing for funders. So I rebuilt my entire proposal structure around three principles. I now call it the 3P Proposal Structure. P1: Problem Framing. Lead with the real-world problem and its cost. Not the gap in the literature. Funders don't fund gaps. They fund solutions. "This problem costs the NHS £2.3 billion annually" hits harder than "this area remains under-explored." P2: Path Innovation. Show what you will do differently. Not just what you will study. Every applicant studies something. Very few explain why their approach is the one that will actually work. P3: Projected Impact. Connect your outcomes to the stakeholders who fund research. If the funder can see themselves in your story, you win. Same research question. Completely different proposal structure. The next application secured half a million pounds. Then a million. Then over the course of my career, more than £10 million in research funding. Grant writing is storytelling. Your research is the plot. The funder needs to see themselves in the story. What's the most frustrating feedback you've received on a grant application? Save this framework. Repost for anyone applying for funding. #GrantWriting #AcademicFunding

Here is an interesting career column in Nature by Gerald Schweiger on what he calls a “point of no returns” in research funding. The core idea is simple and uncomfortable. At some point, the total cost of competing for grants becomes equal to, or even higher than, the money that is actually being awarded. Time spent writing proposals, reviewing them, coordinating consortia, and running administrative processes can collectively exceed the value of the funded research itself. When that happens, the system is no longer inefficient. It is extractive. Using the concept of the Szilard point, the author illustrates this with the EU funding call “GenAI for Africa.” Out of 215 proposals, only two are expected to be funded. Depending on the assumptions, the estimated total cost of preparing and evaluating those applications ranges from about €5.3 million to more than €40 million, for a call with a total budget of €5 million. Even the most conservative estimate suggests that taxpayers and researchers may have spent more on the process than on the science. What makes this especially troubling is not just the waste of money, but the waste of attention, energy, and intellectual focus. Early-career researchers learn very quickly that publishing, networking, and even choosing research questions are often subordinated to one overarching goal: securing the next grant. Science becomes optimized for survival in funding competitions rather than for curiosity, rigor, or societal impact. This is not an argument against selectivity or quality control. Scarce resources always require difficult allocation decisions. But it is an argument against pretending that hyper-competition is automatically fair, efficient, or meritocratic. When success rates drop below one percent, we are no longer selecting the best ideas. We are mostly selecting who can afford to play the game longest. If we want to change this, we need to be willing to rethink funding as a system, not just tweak individual calls. More focused calls, staged application procedures, partial lotteries after quality thresholds, or peer-nomination models are not radical ideas. They are pragmatic attempts to reduce systemic waste and redirect effort back to where it belongs. A concrete first step would be this: funders should be required to publicly report not only success rates and awarded budgets, but also estimated application and evaluation costs. Once we routinely ask whether a call is approaching or crossing the Szilard point, it becomes much harder to justify business as usual. Here is the link: https://lnkd.in/dyDqzBNR #Academia #ResearchFunding #AcademicLife #ResearchSystem

My 9 tips to help you write an outstanding Masters + Scholarship personal statement After navigating the process myself and securing admission and a full scholarship to Sciences Po, I've distilled my experience into ten key strategies.  1. 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Why this subject? Why this university? Why you? Why now? Let these answers form the backbone of your essay.  2. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄, 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹: Anyone can claim they are a "leader" or "determined." Prove it. Describe the project you fought to complete, the obstacle you overcame in your research, or the initiative you built from the ground up. Evidence is everything.  3. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 & 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: Create a clear arc connecting your undergraduate studies, work experience, and extracurriculars directly to your future academic and career goals. The admissions committee needs to see a logical trajectory that their program is the essential next step for.  4. 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 & 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀!!!: Generic statements are the fastest way to get rejected. Mention specific professors you want to learn from, name particular research centres, and cite unique course modules. This demonstrates genuine interest and meticulous research.  5. 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: Instead of "founded an initiative," say "reached 500+ youth", "with 40%+ women", "and helped 25+ secure jobs." Numbers provide scale, context, and make your contributions tangible.  6. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯): Choose recommenders who know your work and character intimately, not just those with the most impressive titles. A genuine, detailed letter from a direct manager who can attest to your passion and resilience is far more powerful than a generic one from a high-level contact.  7. 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Word limits can be brutal but they teach you to be impactful. When writing your P.S you must remove all fluff and ensure every sentence serves a purpose, advances your narrative, and strengthens your core message within the word limit.  8. 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 '𝗚𝗼����𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱': Your entire application from personal statement, scholarship essays, and CV must tell one cohesive story. Find your central theme (e.g., "leveraging business for social impact") and ensure every element reinforces this narrative.  9. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: Scholarship committees, in particular, look for candidates who will become change-makers. Articulate not just what you want to be as a professional, but what you want to do for your community, industry, or the world. Honestly this process is demanding, but deeply rewarding. It forces you to articulate your vision for your future even beyond the application. You've got this! --- What other aspects of the application process would you like me to share about?

Having a first-class degree or distinction isn’t always enough to secure a PhD scholarship — here’s how to stand out. The competition is tough, and many equally brilliant candidates are fighting for the same spots. So, how do you position yourself as the top choice for a scholarship? Here are my golden tips: 💡 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 Every field demands specific technical skills — programming, data analysis, lab techniques, or fieldwork. Identify what’s essential in your field and start learning. Push your code to GitHub, share data visualizations, or showcase your skills in ways that can’t be ignored. Let potential supervisors and scholarship reviewers see proof of your expertise. 🤝🏾 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 Your referees can make or break your application. Generic recommendations are a red flag. Identify academics who can vouch for you, and start building relationships now. Use every interaction as a chance to demonstrate the qualities you want them to highlight in their letters. Your goal is to make it effortless for them to write a glowing recommendation when the time comes. 🔬 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Experience matters, even if it’s unpaid. Collaborate on research projects, write papers, or assist in data collection. Start by reaching out to PhD students or postdocs — they’re often more approachable and eager to collaborate. Remember, it’s not just about having experience, it’s about showing results. Document your contributions and share your findings. 💰 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 Scholarship panels often value applicants who have a track record of securing funding. Start by applying for small grants to attend conferences or workshops — even a $200 award can make a difference. It shows initiative, it builds your credibility, and it makes the panels more confident in your potential. ✍🏾 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 A PhD is built on writing, so start honing your skills now. Contribute to papers, write blog posts, or share insights on LinkedIn. The more you write, the clearer and more persuasive your communication becomes — an invaluable skill for any researcher. 🌟 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 Build a strong digital presence that tells your story. Highlight your skills and share your learning journey. Opportunities often come through connections and people remember those they see consistently engaging in meaningful discussions. If you stay silent about your skills and achievements, you risk being overlooked when the right opportunity comes along. _____________________________ What steps are you taking today to stand out as a future PhD candidate or secure your next opportunity? Drop your tips, experiences, or questions in the comments — let’s share and learn together! #PhD #Academia #Growth #LearnWithSofiat 

I have been selected twice for the Chevening Awards I wasn’t awarded it the first time because I hadn’t secured an unconditional offer from my universities, but I succeeded on my second attempt. From my experience, here are some tips you should consider when applying: - Carefully choose the fields of study you will apply for at universities, and make sure they are related to your areas of work. - Familiarize yourself with the application so it becomes clear to you. - The essays you write should reflect your personality, experiences, and future goals. The language does not need to be complex, but it should be clear and simple, use SMART method and provide clear examples and evidences. - If you studied in non English environments start thinking now about the type of English test you will choose and begin preparing for it, so you don’t suffer from last-minute stress in case you are shortlisted for an interview or awarded the scholarship afterwards. I struggled with that my first time make sure you don’t do this mistake. - Regularly check the scholarship’s website and its social media pages; you will find answers to all your questions as well as detailed explanations of the stages of the scholarship and its requirements. - Do not hesitate to ask about anything. Contact former scholars none of them will hesitate to help. - Know that the scholarship attracts the best young people in in the world, so focus on the points that you believe make you stand out from others, especially in your essays, this is your only chance to impress the assessment panels, don’t by shy but also be honest. - Apply to as many universities as possible before the interview stage to ensure you get accepted by some, in case you are rejected by the three universities you originally selected. - Seek help in reviewing your essays before submitting them in the application and don’t use AI to write for you, your own words are more valuable. Good luck to everyone #CheveningSMA #Mycheveningjourney #StudyinUK

Applying to every scholarship but still getting rejected? The issue isn’t your qualifications; it’s how you present them! Here’s a detailed guide to building a strong scholarship application:👇 📌 Have a “Hero’s Journey” in Your Essay Most applicants say they're hard-working and passionate. Instead, tell a before-and-after story. What was the challenge you faced, what did you learn, and how did you apply it? 📌 Show Depth, Not Just Breadth in Extracurriculars Scholarship committees prefer someone who has mastered one field over someone who has done 20 random activities. ✅ Example: Instead of joining 10 clubs, be the founder of one impactful project (e.g., starting a mentorship program for underprivileged students). 📌 Use Cold Emails to Secure Research Experience Professors love students who show initiative. Cold email 20+ professors in your field asking for a virtual research assistant position. If even 1 says yes, it adds massive credibility to your profile. 💡Pro Tip: In your essay, write about how you contributed to real-world research instead of just stating your interest. 📌 Choose Recommendation Writers Strategically Many students pick their favourite teacher for recommendations. Instead, choose someone who has seen you grow or who is known in your field. 📌 "Connect the Dots" in Your Essay Every experience in your essay should lead to the next. Scholarship committees love cohesion. Everything should build up to why you need this scholarship and what you’ll do with it. 📌 Apply for Leadership-Based Scholarships Most students apply for academic-based scholarships, making them highly competitive. Instead, apply for leadership-focused scholarships (like Chevening, Schwarzman Scholars) if you have leadership roles in clubs, NGOs, or startups. 📌 Make the “Why This University” Answer Specific This is where most applicants fail. Instead of generic lines like “This university has a great reputation,” say: ✅ “Professor X’s research on renewable energy aligns with my goal of implementing solar grids in rural India.” ✅ “The university’s [specific lab] will help me prototype my AI-driven mental health chatbot.” 📌 Leverage LinkedIn & Twitter for Networking Many scholarships (like Fulbright) consider networking and recommendations. Follow alumni from your dream scholarship on LinkedIn and comment on their posts, ask for advice, and get insider tips. Remember, scholarships don’t go to the ‘best’ students. They go to students who know how to sell their story! All the best! ❤️

🚨 USDA Just Dropped 4 Major FY2025 Grant Programs — Over $100M in Funding Now Open The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service just opened four major grant programs designed to rebuild local food systems, expand supply chains, and strengthen market access for producers, food hubs, and community partners. These are highly competitive and politically sensitive—apply with intention. 🧺 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) $11M available | $50K–$500K awards Deadline: June 27 Supports direct-to-consumer sales (farmers markets, CSAs, agritourism, online platforms) Use of funds: tech upgrades, food safety certifications, marketing, on-farm food waste reduction, value-added production 🛒 Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) $11M available | $25K–$500K awards Deadline: June 27 Focuses on intermediaries (aggregators, distributors, processors) in local/regional food chains Use of funds: feasibility studies, infrastructure, cold storage, transportation, business development, labor and training 🌱 Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) $4.5M available | $100K–$1M awards Deadline: June 27 Funds regional coalitions working to coordinate food systems and align cross-sector efforts Use of funds: partnership building, systems planning, shared measurement, outreach, infrastructure coordination 🍓 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) $72.9M available | State-administered, check with your state ag agency Deadline: July 7 Supports fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, floriculture, and other specialty crops Use of funds: market expansion, technical assistance, research, environmental mitigation, access for underserved producers Note: Language and framing matter more than ever. Under the current political climate, terms like “equity,” “community-led,” and “justice” are being quietly removed from review guidance. Fund the same work—just use strategic, outcomes-based language. If you work with farms, food hubs, cooperatives, tribal producers, or rural coalitions, now is the time to align. These deadlines won’t move. Share this with your development teams, coalitions, or partners. Drop questions in the comments or DM me if you’re writing or advising on an application. #USDA #Grants #FoodSystems #LocalFood #FarmersMarkets #RegionalDevelopment #Nonprofits #EquityInPractice #GrantStrategy #FundingOpportunities #CommunityWealth #PublicPolicy #GrantWriting

Applying to grad school in 2025 and worried about funding? Read This First Due to policy changes brought on by our current administration, big changes are coming for graduate school funding. If you’re first-generation or from a low-income background, it’s more important than ever to understand your options and plan ahead. Key Changes in Federal Loans The Big Beautiful Bill eliminates the federal Grad PLUS loan program starting July 2026. New caps on federal loans: -Master’s & most PhD programs: $20,500 per year, $100,000 lifetime -Professional programs (law, medicine): $50,000 per year, $200,000 lifetime These limits may not cover the full cost of attendance at many schools. What This Means for Master’s Applicants Full funding is rare for master’s programs and most students pay using a mix of loans, scholarships, and part-time work. With new federal loan caps, you may need to seek: -University or external scholarships -Graduate assistantships (teaching/research roles) -Private loans (often higher interest, fewer protections) Carefully compare program costs and funding offers especially at private or high-cost public universities. What This Means for PhD Applicants A silver lining is that most PhD programs in the U.S. still offer full funding (tuition waiver plus a stipend) for admitted students. Funding is typically provided through teaching or research assistantships and is not dependent on federal loans. Admission is highly competitive however and some of us learned the hard way (myself included) that funding may not cover all personal expenses or dependents. If you receive a full funding offer, you’ll likely not feel the impact from the new loan caps. Scholarships and Grants for First-Gen and Low-Income Students Many organizations and universities still offer scholarships for first-gen and low-income grad students. Examples include the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Davis Putter Scholarship Fund, and university-based fellowships. Check deadlines and eligibility for 2025 awards and make sure to consistently apply! Pell Grants and Federal Aid Pell Grants remain available for eligible low-income students but proposed cuts mean tighter eligibility and smaller awards for part-time students. Federal Work-Study and TRIO/GEAR UP programs may face reductions (some programs may also be cut entirely); check your school’s resources for updates. Proactive Steps to Take for Fall 2025 Applicants Master’s applicants: -Research all funding options before committing, which may involve talking to people at these programs. -Ask around about assistantships, scholarships, and expected out-of-pocket costs. -Be cautious about private loans. I don’t recommend them but if need be, always read the fine print. Continued in comments...

Jennifer, how did you secure fully funded scholarships to Yale University and the University of Cambridge while doing NYSC, with low or no income? I have been asked this so many times in DMs, emails, and online sessions. I will document my entire scholarship process in a 10-week LinkedIn series, step by step, to guide aspiring applicants through exactly what I did. Week one: Securing Mentorship and Pre-Application Funding Applying for graduate school can feel exciting until you realize the hidden cost of the journey. A big barrier that most people don’t talk about enough is “money.” This is not your tuition, but the cost of just applying. You need money for expenses such as application fees, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS funding, Transcript and Passport processing, Pre-departure costs (buying personal items, visa, and flight), and more. You need mentorship and structure, or you will burn out or get stuck halfway. Let me break it down: ✅ $70+ per application fee ✅ $20–$40 for transcript ✅ $300+ for GRE/TOEFL/IELTS ✅ $50+ for WES evaluation, DHL courier, passport renewals, etc. Suppose you are applying to 5–10 schools; you can easily hit $1,000 or more. For many people, this cost is enough to stop them before they even start. But the good news is I didn’t pay that much, and you don’t have to either. Here are the steps I took that helped me reduce or eliminate these costs: 1. Ask for help early. Before I started the process, I contacted people and asked direct questions, such as, “What did you pay out of pocket?” and “What helped you stay accountable?” I understood what was ahead. 2. Seek external support early. You can get free support from some organizations, many of which helped me with these costs. They are: ✅ EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program ✅ GAIN - Graduate Applications International Network ✅ The Michael Taiwo Scholarships ✅ i-Scholar Initiative (iSI) ✅ Education African Scholars Global Connect ✅ Also, check LinkedIn and Twitter for more Many of these opportunities require you to apply months before graduate school application deadlines. Stay alert to their calls for applications. 3. I started saving early. Even small costs can add up. I reached out to friends and family for financial support. 4. I created a list of expected expenses. This helped me avoid unexpected costs and other surprises later on. Don’t wait until you feel ready. Start taking these steps now. Start building your support system and financial safety net now, even if you are still unsure when you will apply. 5. I learned about application fee waivers (that is, the university will cancel these application fees for you!). I will talk about it and provide tips for applying in next week’s series. My friend Great O., a recent University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation graduate, inspired this series. He is currently running a 10-week series, too. Check out his profile for more tips from his journey. See you next time! #JenniferScholarshipSeries | 1 of 10

3 things we’ve done to improve the Shopify App submission experience: 1️⃣Created the guided submission dashboard You’ll get a clear checklist with concrete actions, contextual guidance, and automated confirmation as you complete each step so you can submit with confidence. 2️⃣ Added clear application statuses and actions  Now you’ll know exactly where you are in the process at a glance with actionable statuses that let you know what to expect next. 3️⃣ Redesigned review process  Critical requirements are now reviewed upfront, making the process more efficient and reducing rework. This new approach has cut review times by up to 30%. We’ve completely overhauled the Shopify App submission experience. We want you to have a thriving business on the Shopify App Store. These changes are helping. We want to make it easy to get your app live so we updated our process to give you more clarity, less friction, and faster speed to market. 👊