Here are some places to look for graduate school grants:
* Your Graduate Program: Start by checking with your department and your university's financial aid office. They often have information about internal grants, fellowships, and assistantships specifically for graduate students.
* Federal Government Agencies: Agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and others offer grants for graduate students pursuing research in specific fields. Their websites are excellent resources.
* Private Foundations: Numerous private foundations award grants to graduate students. Search online for foundations focused on your field of study or area of interest. The Foundation Center (now Candid) is a good resource for finding information on foundations.
* Professional Organizations: Many professional organizations in various fields offer grants or scholarships to their members who are pursuing graduate education. Check the websites of organizations relevant to your field.
* Grant Search Engines: Websites like Grants.gov (for US federal grants), Fastweb, and Peterson's are designed to help you find grants based on your criteria.
* Your University's Career Services: Career services offices often have resources and advisors who can help you locate funding opportunities.
Important Considerations:
* Eligibility Requirements: Carefully review the eligibility requirements for each grant. Many grants have specific criteria related to citizenship, academic standing, research topic, and field of study.
* Deadlines: Grant deadlines vary widely, so it's crucial to apply well in advance.
* Competition: Grants are often highly competitive, so be prepared to submit a strong application.
In short, while grants exist, you need to actively seek them out. Begin your search early in your graduate program and dedicate time to researching and applying for relevant opportunities.