The SPH Student Grant Toolkit brings together resources to support predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees in identifying, preparing, and applying for research funding. Included are curated lists of funding opportunities, guidance on choosing the right grant mechanism, tips from faculty on writing strong proposals, and support for key application components such as letters of recommendation and RCR (Responsible Conduct of Research) training plans. The toolkit also highlights recent updates to NIH fellowship applications and provides templates, examples, and planning tools to help streamline the submission process.
Questions
For questions about the SPH Grant Toolkit, contact the SPH Office of Research at sph-res@umn.edu.
For questions about the student grant toolkit information, contact Katie Berry, PhD, Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, kmberry@umn.edu.
Student Resources
Grant Opportunities for Trainees resource provides a curated list of grant and fellowship opportunities for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees. Opportunities span the School of Public Health, the UMN Graduate School, other internal university sources, the NIH, and additional external funders. This list is designed to support trainees in identifying relevant funding mechanisms to advance their research and training goals.
Choosing a Grant Mechanism offers guidance on where to find funding opportunities—ranging from internal UMN mechanisms to NIH and other external sources. It also outlines key factors to consider when evaluating whether a specific grant mechanism aligns with your research goals, career stage, and project scope.
EpiCH Faculty Grant Writing Tips features three top grant writing tips shared by faculty in the SPH Division of Epidemiology and Community Health (EpiCH). These insights reflect a range of experiences and strategies to help strengthen proposal development and increase competitiveness.
Letters of Recommendation & Support outlines the types of letters commonly required for internal and external grant applications, including the distinctions between letters of recommendation/reference and letters of support. It also offers guidance on what information to share with letter writers to ensure strong, tailored letters that align with the goals of your application.
Changes to NIH Fellowship Applications reviews recent updates to NIH fellowship application requirements and provides an overview of key components specific to F series applications. It is designed to help applicants navigate changes and prepare strong, compliant proposals.
Effective Mentorship Teams offers guidance on building strong and supportive mentorship teams for an NIH grant. It includes practical tips and examples drawn from successful F31 and K99 applications to help students identify mentors, define roles, and strengthen the overall structure of their training plan.
The RCR resource guide provides an overview of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training requirements for individuals supported by NIH training-related funding. It includes a one-page summary of UMN training options that meet NIH standards, guidance for students on accessing eligible workshops, tips for documenting training in grant applications, and sample language and templates to support the development of a compliant RCR training plan.
