For graduate students, the final stretch of a research project often comes down to one last experiment, a critical set of supplies or the resources needed to complete a manuscript. Even relatively small funding gaps can delay graduation and slow the pace of discovery.
This spring, the UK College of Medicine Office of Biomedical Education (OBE) awarded dissertation and thesis research grants to 14 graduate students, investing more than $67,000 to help students complete critical research milestones and move closer to earning their degrees.
The grants were made possible through graduate education block funding provided to the college by The Graduate School, to support graduate student success. Colleges utilize block funding to help students in various ways, such as covering travel to conferences or expenses related to research. Recognizing that many students encounter funding challenges late in their training, OBE launched the competitive program to provide targeted support for the final stages of dissertation and thesis research.
"We wanted students who needed a little extra financial help to get an experiment done, finish a dissertation or complete a manuscript," said Beth Garvy, Ph.D., senior associate dean for biomedical education. "The ultimate goal was to help students move their research forward."
Awards of up to $5,000 covered research-related expenses such as laboratory supplies, specialized materials and other project costs that can become barriers to completing a graduate degree. Following a competitive review by faculty reviewers and OBE leadership, funding was awarded to 14 students representing six departments across the College of Medicine.
“Receiving this thesis grant made a great impact on wrapping up my Ph.D. research program,” said Ana Isabel López-Porras, Ph.D., who recently completed her doctoral studies in the Department of Physiology. “It allowed me to increase the robustness of my data that will be shared on both my dissertation and a future publication. “Beyond the financial support, it was encouraging to know that my work was being recognized and supported by the College of Medicine.”
The funding process also gave students experience with grant writing. Applicants developed research proposals, justified project budgets and followed submission requirements modeled after external funding agencies.
"This was a real-world experience," Garvy said. "Writing a competitive proposal and making a clear case for your research are important skills for scientists at every stage of their careers."
Following the program's success this year, OBE leaders are exploring opportunities to continue similar funding initiatives.