During spring 2020, The Graduate School and Thompson Writing Program will pilot a workshop series focused on supporting humanities and social sciences students in writing fellowship applications and grant proposals. The workshops are based on a course, GS 810, offered in past semesters. See what students in the previous course had to say about its value.
Finding Funding
Wednesday, January 22, 1:30 to 2:30 pm
Seeking a fellowship or grant to support your research? Need dissertation support? Take this opportunity to learn how to search for funding by using Duke's subscription to Pivot. In class you'll create an account, update your profile, and plan a search strategy, leading to a short-list of likely funders. This workshop is offered by the Office of Research Support and is open exclusively to Graduate School students in humanities and social sciences disciplines. (Find future workshops open to all TGS students on the ORS website.) More information
Reading an RFP and Mapping a Sustainable Process
Wednesday, February 5, 1:30 to 3:00 pm
How can you read a Request for Proposals (RFP) and identify whether it’s a good fit for your project? This workshop will help you strategically read RFPs to find the best funding opportunities, then map your drafting process for the application. We’ll discuss creating a manageable timeline and a sustainable and flexible writing process. All attendees must have attended a prior Finding Funding workshop from the Office of Research Support, set up a Pivot account, and identified one or more funding opportunities for which to apply. More information
Writing for Interdisciplinary Audiences
Wednesday, February 19, 1:30 to 3:00 pm
Unlike much of your academic writing, fellowship applications and grant proposals will be read by an interdisciplinary audience. This workshop will help you make strategic choices about content and organization and help you avoid jargon. All workshop participants are required to bring a draft of a current funding application in order to participate. The workshop will devote significant time to peer review of your draft. More information
Revising for Structure
Wednesday, March 4, 1:30 to 3:00 pm
How can you shape your fellowship application or grant proposal in a way that appeals to an interdisciplinary audience? This workshop will help you revise your materials to meet expectations in multiple disciplines. All workshop participants are required to bring a draft of a current funding application in order to participate. The workshop will devote significant time to peer review of your draft. More information
Stylistic Editing
Wednesday, March 18, 1:30 to 3:00 pm
As you polish your fellowship application or grant proposal draft, what strategies can you employ to make your writing as easy to read as possible? This workshop is designed for writers who have a substantial draft in hand and are ready for fine-tuning language and style. The workshop will devote significant time to peer review of your draft. More information
Materials Review Workshop
Wednesday, April1, 1:30 to 3:00 pm
This workshop is offered only to participants who have attended at least two of the previous writing-focused workshops. This session will provide an opportunity to seek one-on-one feedback from the workshop series facilitator. Only participants with a substantial draft are eligible for this workshop. More information