PhD/PsyD External Funding

[bcliff]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm starting a funded clinical PhD program this fall, and I'm looking for other sources of funding to supplement my stipend.

I'm familiar with the NSF GRFP (I didn't get it this year, but I plan on reapplying next year) and other sources of funding from the NIH (I think NIH funding is more geared towards second, third, and fourth year students though). I just discovered the DoD NDSEG Fellowship, which seems comparable in compensation to GRFP, but the application doesn't open until September. I've also seen scholarships & grants listed on the APA's website, but many of these funding sources have very explicit criteria on how they can be used - The award amount can only be used to cover the direct cost of a specific research project (research supplies, testing materials, compensating participants, etc.)

Is anyone familiar with other sources of funding that can be used more generally to help pay for school supplies and living expenses?

 

[WisNeuro]

It's highly variable, but doing work for grants and research is doable while in grad school. I actually made pretty good money in grad school as an independent evaluator for an RCT, and also as a psychometrist for a state Alzheimer's research project. It kept me hella busy, but I have no debt and was actually able to save money in general and for retirement as a grad student.

 

[bcliff]

That's definitely something I would be open to - I've been a psychometrist for a few years now, and I enjoy the work. I thought most PhD programs were reluctant to let their students do outside work though?

 

[WisNeuro]

My program was of the mindset of if you get what you need done in the program (classes, masters/dissertation, teaching, research) then you can do whatever you want outside of the program. Several of my classmates had outside jobs. We were fully funded and didn't need to have jobs, but it sure is nice to be able to have an extra financial cushion. Ask around in your program to see what some of the older students are doing. I wouldn't suggest trying to find an extra job right away. Feel out your workload and expected time commitments to see what you can feasibly manage.

 

[schoolpsy21]

That's definitely something I would be open to - I've been a psychometrist for a few years now, and I enjoy the work. I thought most PhD programs were reluctant to let their students do outside work though?

Yeah, just make sure to check your program's handbook for detailed information on the outside work policy, seeing as it will vary from school to school. My program prohibits outside work if you have full funding, and if they find out you are working elsewhere, your funding is "at risk".

 

[abiturient]

Yeah, just make sure to check your program's handbook for detailed information on the outside work policy, seeing as it will vary from school to school. My program prohibits outside work if you have full funding, and if they find out you are working elsewhere, your funding is "at risk".

I think most funding offers have this condition; mine does. However, at one of the interviews (not the school I am going to) students told me that they all work off-site starting third year and school turns blind eye to it... So I guess it depends.

 

[G Costanza]

I also went to a fully funded program and worked at a carwash part time for the first three years. One of the unexpected perks of working at a car wash 20 hours a week is that you work really hard at school so you don't end up working at a car wash 40 hours a week for the rest of your life.

 

[WisNeuro]

I also went to a fully funded program and worked at a carwash part time for the first three years. One of the unexpected perks of working at a car wash 20 hours a week is that you work really hard at school so you don't end up working at a car wash 40 hours a week for the rest of your life.

You mean it wasn't all like that Rose Royce song?

 

[Chalupacabra]

Yeah, just make sure to check your program's handbook for detailed information on the outside work policy, seeing as it will vary from school to school. My program prohibits outside work if you have full funding, and if they find out you are working elsewhere, your funding is "at risk".

Yeah, I know my program limits it to 10 hours a week and you have to go through a whole process of getting approved by your advisor and the head of the program.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Yeah, I know my program limits it to 10 hours a week and you have to go through a whole process of getting approved by your advisor and the head of the program.

That sounds pretty typical; I believe it was the same at my program. I don't know anyone who actually tried to do it, but the option was available.

 

[deleted343839]

You can try for an NRSA predoctoral fellowship but most folks don't get those awards until a bit later in their training. As for work, I agree with the advice already given that you should not jump into employment right away. I did some contract work in the later years of grad school, and it did make my financial circumstances much more comfortable, though it was tough to juggle with grad school.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I also went to a fully funded program and worked at a carwash part time for the first three years. One of the unexpected perks of working at a car wash 20 hours a week is that you work really hard at school so you don't end up working at a car wash 40 hours a week for the rest of your life.

Why do that when you could work for the New York Yankees, just by going against your every instinct? Or at least "working" on the Penske file? 😉