Events

PhD Plus is pleased to announce the first session in our 2025 Fellowship & Grant Writing Workshop Series. This multi-session summer series is designed to support graduate students and postdocs from all disciplines who are planning to apply to graduate or postgraduate fellowship programs and other types of grant and funding opportunities over the 2025-2026 academic year. During the first session, participants will gain insight into how to break down a funding announcement, and identify what reviewers are looking for and how they are asked to evaluate proposals. Attendees will also learn how to create a rubric to assess their draft materials, if the funder does not provide detailed evaluation criteria, and learn how to identify future funding opportunities and strategize on how to streamline the fellowship and grant writing process. This series is applicable to graduate students and postdocs in ANY field.  Students who are planning to apply for the NSF GRFP this fall are strongly encouraged to participate.Summer 2025 Schedule: June 5, 2:00 pm: Deconstructing Fellowship Announcements & Evaluation CriteriaJune 17, 3:00 pm: Creating Strong CVs and Cover LettersJune 26, 3:00 pm: Personal Statements and Essays: Crafting Your StoriesJuly 17, 3:00 pm: Research Plans and Statements: Framing Your ResearchAugust 6, 2:00 pm: Letters of Recommendation; Revising and RefiningAugust 11-15, TBD: Peer Feedback Sessions Register HERE

This summer workshop series supports doctoral students who are planning to apply for graduate or postgraduate fellowship opportunities. Participants gain insight into what reviewers are looking for, develop a better understanding of what made past applications successful, begin drafting application materials that highlight individual experiences and strengths, receive small group feedback on personal and research statement ideas, and more. This series is applicable to students in ANY field.Students who are planning to apply for the NSF GRFP this fall are strongly encouraged to participate. Graduate students who participate in three or more sessions AND participate in a Peer Feedback Session (or one-on-one meeting with a member of the PhD Plus team) and receive feedback on a fellowship application will be eligible to receive a credential on their transcripts. June 5, 2:00 pm: Deconstructing Fellowship Announcements & Evaluation CriteriaJune 17, 3:00 pm: Creating Strong CVs and Cover Letters June 26, 3:00 pm: Personal Statements & Essays: Crafting Your StoriesJuly 17, 3:00 pm: Research Plans & Statements: Framing Your ReseachAugust 6, 2:00 pm: Letters of Recommendation; Revising and Refining August 19, time TBD: Crafting a Holistic and Compelling Application PackageTimes TBD, Week of August 11-13: Peer Feedback SessionsRegister HERE

This summer Fellowship Workshop Series supports graduate students who are planning to apply for graduate or postgraduate fellowship opportunities. Participants gain insight into what reviewers are looking for, develop a better understanding of what made past applications successful, begin drafting application materials that highlight individual experiences and strengths, receive small group feedback on personal and research statement ideas, and more. This series is applicable to students in ANY field. Summer 2025 Schedule: June 5, 2:00 pm: Deconstructing Fellowship Announcements & Evaluation CriteriaJune 17, 3:00 pm: Creating Strong CVs and Cover LettersJune 26, 3:00 pm: Personal Statements and Essays: Crafting Your StoriesJuly 17, 3:00 pm: Research Plans and Statements: Framing Your ResearchAugust 6, 2:00 pm: Letters of Recommendation; Revising and RefiningAugust 11-15, TBD: Peer Feedback SessionsStudents who are planning to apply for the NSF GRFP this fall are strongly encouraged to participate. Graduate students who participate in three or more sessions AND participate in a Peer Feedback Session (or one-on-one meeting with a member of the PhD Plus team) to receive feedback on a fellowship application will be eligible to receive a non-credit PhD Plus credential on their transcripts. Register HERE

This workshop introduces applicants to the NSF GRFP. The virtual session will include an overview of the fellowship program and application elements, review the eligibility requirements, highlight the support UVA provides for applicants, and help participants take the first steps toward preparing their applications. Register HEREIf you have any questions, please contact Sam Lake

This Future Faculty workshop will orient participants to the faculty job search process, including walking through the different kinds of higher education institutions and types of faculty roles; expectations for research, teaching, and service for tenure-track positions; and how to make feasible plans for your job search.The discussion will lead to a greater understanding of the higher education landscape, more clarity on approaching post-PhD academic life, and how to plan for your search if you are applying during the 2025-2026 academic year. Registration Link to come.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to prepare and tailor your CV and cover letters for different types of opportunities. We will focus on faculty job searches and fellowship applications, but graduate students and postdocs preparing these documents for any opportunity are welcome to join.  This workshop is cross-listed as part of the Future Faculty workshops and the Summer Fellowship Series. Registration link to come, for this and any other Future Faculty workshops you would like to attend. Working on a fellowship application and want to attend our Summer Fellowship Series? Register HERE!

The research statement (or statement of research interests) is a common component of academic job applications. It provides an opportunity for the job candidate to describe one's research accomplishments, current work, and future direction while making a case on why your line of inquiry matters.In this session, participants will learn about approaches and best practices of crafting a compelling and cohesive research statement, especially for those in disciplines that require a research statement as a stand-alone document (versus as part of one's cover letter). NOTE: This discussion focuses on Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences research. For the session focused on STEM research click here.

The research statement (or statement of research interests) is a common component of academic job applications. It provides an opportunity for the job candidate to describe one's research accomplishments, current work, and future direction while making a case on why your line of inquiry matters.In this session, participants will learn about approaches and best practices of crafting a compelling and cohesive research statement, especially for those in disciplines that require a research statement as a stand-alone document (versus as part of one's cover letter). NOTE: This discussion focuses on STEM research. Find information on Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Research Agendas click here.

PhD Plus will host a condensed version of our summer Fellowship Workshop Series that is focused on the NSF GFRP on Monday, August 18, from 1:00 – 3:30 pm. The Bootcamp will provide insight into what reviewers are looking for, a chance to break down and understand the strengths of past applications, receive small group feedback on your personal and research statement ideas, and more. Registration link to come.

Test your skills and present your research in 3 minutes or less using only plain language. No slides allowed. If you use any jargon, the audience can ring their cowbells, and you'll have to go back and explain. Presenters and audience members needed, but all presenters get 1 drink on us! It's a fun, interactive and inclusive environment across all disciplines at UVA. Hope you can make it!