People often describe applying for or winning competitive fellowships as a crapshoot. However, I think that’s only true after the initial round of reviews/at the shortlist phase. #phdchat #academictwitter 1/7

With that said, it’s also important to note that the first cut often has little to do with merit and everything to do with knowing the secret formula for writing that particular grant application. 2/7

I guarantee you that 9 out of the 10 people who make the long/shortlist for a fellowship had access to someone’s winning application. That winning application served as a model for how to effectively communicate the research project to reviewers. 3/7

I learned that lesson after my first (and unsuccessful) attempt at winning the Ford. I later became an awardee for the predoctoral fellowship and an alternate for the dissertation fellowship after a few people graciously shared their materials/the formula with me. 4/7

After we both won major fellowships, @Sakiera_Hudson and I started hosting an annual workshop on applying for nationally competitive fellowships. We shared our essays and provided insight into the formula for the Ford and the NSF GRFP. Ppl thought the workshops were useful. 5/7

While I’m proud of the work we did, I also feel like it potentially contributed to the inequality that we hoped to address (because the information was only accessible to people who already enjoyed some level of privilege due to their affiliation with Harvard). 6/7

@Sakiera_Hudson and I want to spread the wealth. We will host a late summer/early fall workshop for folks interested in applying for the Ford and NSF fellowships. There will also be giveaways sponsored by @TheEbonyTower_. Stay tuned for more details! #phdchat #firstgendocs 7/7