Funding Foundations

Most postdocs want to pursue an academic career. Obtaining funding to conduct your research is critical for a successful career in academia. This means that developing skills to find funding and write grants during your postdoc training is paramount.

PRISM offers a training on the Funding Foundations each year during the Fall Semester. This training was developed in collaboration with the Proposal Development Office, and is designed to teach life long habits for continuously exploring the funding landscape, develop a funding strategy, draft an original idea, and learn the importance that others play in getting funded.

Program Overview

The program relies heavily on an active and engaged group learning community. As such, participants will be expected to actively engage during sessions. Activities will range from guided self-reflection, online searches, reading, and discussions on finding funding competencies and grant writing strategy. The program uses a workbook and some prior preparation is expected for all sessions.

Program Details

5 sessions (1h)
In person - Gillis Building, conference room 104
Tuesdays at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM (you have the option to attend one or the other!)
Once a week
Starts October 14, 2025
Ends November 11, 2025

Schedule

10/14/2025 | Map out your career

10/21/2025 | Navigating the postdoc funding landscape

10/28/2025 | Building a strategy

11/04/2025 | Developing an original idea

11/11/2025 | Refine, refine, and feedback

Accommodating schedules

In an effort to accommodate as many participants as possible, sessions are offered twice in the same day, once at 12:00 PM and repeated once again at 5:00 PM. You have the option to attend one or the other each week.

Accommodating remote attendance

This program is held in person to foster an engaged group learning community. However, accommodations for remote attendance are provided for (1) postdocs who work outside of Lexington, and (2) if a participant is travelling to e.g. a conference.

Eligibility

All University of Kentucky doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars & fellows are eligible to participate. The program can accommodate 30 participants and seats will be given on a first-come-first-served basis. Priority will be given to postdocs but doctoral students are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Application

Application will close on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM EST (Midnight).

Apply