How do you email a professor about funding?

19 min read

How to write an email

After completing an undergraduate program, students try to proceed for their higher education either for masters or for Ph. D programs in a top-ranked university abroad. Studying in different countries carries various expenses like living costs, tuition fees, etc.

So having a fund will help you to ease your journey. For achieving funding opportunities, the first thing on the checklist is contacting the professor. But to send an excellent email for this opportunity might seem confusing and tricky.

So, how do you email a professor about funding? This blog will help with that! When you apply for a particular program, you can simply email the professor to pursue a master’s or Ph. D.

But if you specifically want to apply for a research grant or research assistantship, follow these few tips on how do you email a professor about funding. Check out the sample emails as well.

This will guide you to make your email well enough to get selected for the desired program. This email will carry all your qualifications, but it will also show your writing style, which says a lot about your proficiency. So, you must compose an A-quality email!

email to a professor

Tips to remember how do you email a professor about funding?

In this article, you will find a summary of the research assistant (RA) and Ph.D. program. Additionally, the guideline on how do you email a professor about funding. When you send an email to a professor, you have to keep in mind that this will be the first thing to be noticed from you.

So, these tips will help you to make your email professional, clear and brief.

1. Research about your program.

First of all, look for the program you want to apply particularly. If you want to apply for a master’s program, then for funding, you need to apply for a research assistantship (RA).

On the other hand, if you want to apply for Ph.D., then apply for the Ph.D. funding program or work under a specific research project which matches your Ph.D. topic.

How to find a professor for research funding.

The most challenging thing to receiving funds is finding professors for supervision. Look at all the universities’ websites for any new position for funding a research program. But the chance of getting opportunities like this is very little.

Therefore, you need to find a professor according to your research subject to contact them directly about the fund. That is the most convenient way to obtain a fund.

For this, you need to follow their research program and published paper thoroughly to understand their topic. You can attend their specific conference or webinar about their topic. You can also reach the students who are currently studying under this program to get a better idea.

As Wayne Whilman, Ph.D., senior academic professional, Georgia tech. (Quora) said, “ Finding funding in a professor’s research group is much like networking for a job.”

Before writing an email to a particular professor, it is essential to have clear concepts about them and their field of work. Make sure to gather all the information about the program before sending an email.

Funding your higher studies

2. Do not send a generic cold email!

When you apply for a higher studies program, you will send hundreds of emails to different professors. But do not send a generic email to everyone. It will not give your professor a concise idea of how you are appropriate for this project.

Be specific about this particular program so that the professor will understand your actual interest in this.

3. Best time to send the email to a professor.

After researching the program, you should reach out about the funding program six months before the application process. Because the professor is submitting the fund, it takes about six months for the federal agency to grant them.

So if you apply beforehand, then your chances get higher to get selected for a fund.

Research opportunity

4. Description of the email.

This email is going to be an integral part of your admission process. That is why the email has to be appropriate. You have to remember that you are sending it to a professor.

So it should look like a formal application. The things that you should be considered are-

Subject line: Use a specific subject line so that it does not get unnoticed. Write the purpose of the email.
Salutations: Do not start the email with HI, HEY. Never use Mr/ Mrs..Even if you write “Respected Sir/ Madam,” they can get offended. As you did not use their name specifically. So you can address them like,

Dear Dr. ______

Dear Prof. _____

Details about your educational background and experiences: You have to write all your education qualifications. If you have any experience with this specific program, write about it. Mention your published paper if you have any. Write your Most significant achievement in research, leadership, anything that works for this program. Demonstrate why you are fit for this program, department, and also for the university as well. Mention your CGPA if it is high so that they will understand you are good at your academic field. If you have a lower CGPA, my advice will be not to mention it for the funding request. You just add it to the CV so that they will figure out if it’s needed.

Things you need to mention in your email

5. Conclusion of the email:

To conclude your email, you should use appreciative words to make a good impression on yourself. Do not use any words that sound harsh. Keep it simple. Finish it by expressing your enthusiasm for this project.

For example,

Thank you so much for your time and for reading my email about the research opportunity. Hoping to hear from you soon.

I appreciate you taking the time to read my application for the research internship for this project. I will be honored if I get the opportunity to work with you on this project.

6. Add other test scores:

If required or not, try to add the test scores like IELTS, GRE, transcripts, or any research-related certificates to let your professor know about your proficiency. As an international student, test scores like this holds a more excellent value in funding program.

7. Keep the email precise and polished:

Do not make it too long using irrelevant information. Try to finish it within 3-4 paragraphs. Proofread everything for grammatical or spelling mistakes.

Everything you need to know about Research Assistantship (RA):

When you are particularly applying for research assistantship ( RA) funding, you will not receive any funds for your study program. But, you get paid for the designated task you are doing along with your studies.

You are going to work under your supervisor to help them in their research work. You will be expected to do specific research duties with some fixed timing. For this, you will get paid either monthly or per term that entirely depends on the university authority.

This opportunity will enrich your research skills for your field and help you through your educational expenses and costs.

So, if you think you have the potential qualities for a research assistantship, then check our sample email on how to send an email to a professor about research assistantship (RA)

Sample Email for Research Assistant (RA)

Subject: Applying for the research assistantship (RA).

Dear Dr. ______,

Hope this email finds you well. My name is _________. I have recently graduated from the University of _______. I have a good academic record with a cgpa _____. I am currently working as a research assistant at my University ________under the supervision of Prof. __________. I have published one paper on “ _________________.” My research interest includes _________.

In my thesis, I worked on the topic “________________.” And while working on my paper, I came across your research paper about ‘__________________”. I got inspiration from your paper about this topic. Therefore, I wish to complete my master’s under your supervision. I was wondering if you select me as your research assistant. It will be a great opportunity for me if I can learn from you. I have attached my CV and my _______ documents with this email.

I hope you consider me as a potential candidate for your program. Thank you so much for your time and for reading my email about the research assistantship. Hoping to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

_________
Contact number

Address

Everything you need to know about Ph. D. program:

When it comes to the Ph.D., you need to know that there are two types of funding. Some of the Ph.D. programs are advertised as funded on the official website under the Subject section.

If you want to apply to them, you do not need to worry about anything else. In that case, find the appropriate Ph.D. funding for you and send them an email.

P.H.D.

But if you have your project and want funds for that project, you need to send a complete description in your email. You need to write an elaborated report by following these few tips:

Give a comprehensive outline of your project

Since you are trying to for yourself-project, the faculty needs to know why they want to fund you or if you are eligible or not. That is why give a brief about your project, how valuable it can be for this subject, and its importance to get impressed with it.

Write an estimated value for your funding.

You need to calculate the precise amount that you are going to need for this thesis. If you can arrange the various expenses properly, the professor will be interested in you, plus they will get how organized and fit you are for the fund.

Don’t try too hard

You need to show how enthusiastic you are for this opportunity but do not try too hard to feel that you are craving this. Try to be formal with the email. If your project is solid, people will eventually get interested in it. Don’t worry!

Take advice for your faculties.

Try to take suggestions from your faculty or anyone who has expertise in this field before sending a brief of your project. Believe it or not, it will be beneficial for you. They will address the things you need to bring to your project.

Sample for Ph.D. program

Subject: requesting a Ph.D. funding /Applying for the Ph.D. opportunity

Dear Dr. _____,

Hope this email finds you well. My name is _________. I have recently graduated from the University of _______ with a GPA of 3.8 in my master’s program. I am currently working as a research assistant at the University of _______ under the supervision of Prof. __________. I have published two papers on “____________” and “_____________.” My research interest includes _________.

(if you have your project that you want to be funded, then give an elaborated description here with cost estimation and other required information)

In my thesis, I worked on the topic “_________” And while working on my paper, I came across your research different papers about ‘___________ and ____________”. I got inspiration from your paper about this topic. I have attended some of your webinars regarding this topic as well. Therefore, I wish to complete my Ph.D. under your supervision. / It will be great if I get the allocated fund for my Ph.D. project. I have attached my CV and my _______ documents with this email.

I hope you consider me as a potential candidate for your program. Thank you so much for your time and for reading my email about my Ph.D. project.

Hoping to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

_________

Contact number

Address

Admission process

Hopefully, you will get a thorough idea of how to ask advisors for funding. Keep sending emails to all the opportunities you feel are right for you. All the best for your journey!

Sadiali9
Bangladesh I am a final-year student in my undergrad program. I am an extroverted person who loves to make friends everywhere. I am passionate about my work and seek new opportunities every day.

Article Tags

# Funding # Research Opportunities

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