Whether you are a student applying for a fellowship or a new investigator who has not yet received independent funding, the process of finding financial support for your research is important to the success of your scientific future. With recent downsizing of the NIH budget, it may be helpful to consider alternative granting organizations and opportunities that venture beyond the scope of government funding.

Securing an individual predoctoral fellowship is one of the most impressive ways to demonstrate your scientific independence. It readily places you in a stronger negotiating position when hunting for research-related jobs after graduation...