The function of a doctoral grant is to help students pursuing post-graduate degrees meet the financial burden incurred by their educational expenses. There are many different types of grants available with a variety of different purposes. Researching and determining what type of grant best suits your needs will increase your chances to expand your funding.
Determine your primary need for grant money. There are many different types of grants for PhD students, but determining exactly what you need the money for will help you to determine what type of grant best fits your situation. Grants that cover the cost of tuition are often granted to a limited number of students by the school you attend---so be sure to ask your financial aid officer what grants are available to you when you fill out your financial aid application. Travel and research grants are also often granted by schools in limited numbers to students who wish to travel abroad to do research, however, many times private organizations and education foundations also offer these types of grants to students. Field and dissertation grants are based on a student's chosen field of study. Some examples of organizations that offer field and dissertation grants are: The Smithsonian (a variety of fields) and the Wenner-Gren Foundation (anthropology).
Minority students have advantages over many of their while counterparts especially if they are interested in entering fields in which they are traditionally underrepresented. Grants such the American Indian Graduate Center Fellowship, National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, and the Black Collegian Organization all offer financial aid opportunities for minority students seeking degrees beyond their bachelor's degree.
Know the expectations of the organizations funding the grants you apply for. This is one of the most important steps in maintaining and securing grant funding. While some organizations require little effort beyond the application requirements, others may require community service, outside research or specific time line reports to document project developments. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in loss of funding.
Grants have stipulations that other types of financial aid may not. It is imperative that you understand all of the stipulations tied to the grants you receive and ensure that you are able to fulfill the requirements necessary in order to receive the funding awarded. Failure to do so may result in decreased funding and/or repayment of previously disbursed monies.