How to Stand Out When Applying for a Funded PhD

#1 Play to your strengths

When applying for a PhD project, or designing your own, it’s best the play to your strengths. Funders look for applicants that have proven success and familiarity with the content and processes they intend to use.

This doesn’t mean you need a completed research degree under your belt already, or be published in your field. It means, if you work best with case studies, plan your research around that. If you have previous experience with a particular experiment or method, apply for projects that relate. Then, make sure you highlight your suitability in your cover letter and CV.

#2 Acknowledge your weaknesses

When applying for a PhD, you want to put your best foot forward. While it’s important to sell yourself, showing that you’re aware of any weaknesses can demonstrate a level of maturity and preparedness when approaching the degree.

However, only mention your weaknesses if the university or funder has the ability to train you. Institutions spend thousands on securing resources so highlighting any that you plan to use demonstrates you’ve put consideration into your application.

Some examples of resources you may take advantage of include: postgraduate language courses, taught Masters modules (to help fill a knowledge gap adjacent to your research), or academic career training.

#3 Know the field and where it’s going

Now that you’ve demonstrated your personal ability to complete a research degree through the above two points, you’ll need to show you know exactly what you’re applying for.

The most important part of a PhD is contributing original knowledge to an academic field. Of course, you haven’t done the PhD yet and so there’ll always be more to learn! However, it’s important to put in the time to understand broadly where your field of study came from, where it’s been and where it’s going.

Communicating this in a concise and accurate manner will show that you’ve considered the research project in the proper context. It’ll also help you understand and discuss the importance of the research at a greater level than the predicted or desired results.

#4 Engage with your prospective supervisor

Finally, one of the key things funders look for is a good match between the student and their proposed supervisor. Do your interests line up? Does the supervisor have the expertise to guide you properly?

If you’re proposing your own research project, make sure to spend time researching appropriate academics to support your work. Then, email them to open up that discussion about whether or not they’d be interested in supervising you.

If you’re applying for an advertised project with a supervisor already attached, it’s still a good idea to reach out to them. Ask questions about the project, its conception and purpose. Asking the more detailed questions can help you construct a more impactful cover letter which targets all the necessary skills and information the supervisor and university would be looking for.

If you’re able to demonstrate these four things then you’ll be putting forward a strong application worthy of consideration from funders.