PhD applications/Funding applications

[askygoneonfire]

 Hello all,

I'm a noob and I'm afraid my first post is something of a plea - I do hope the content doesn't transgress any rules, I couldn't see anything prohibiting such posts...

I'm currently, desperately trying to write my PhD application.  I've previously been accepted for PhD study but had to withdraw when I didn't win the funding I need.  I've decided to give it another go this year and the funding deadline is February 12th.

Here's where this lovely community, I hope, may be able to help me - I need to know what I did wrong last time that meant I didn't get funding, so I need to know; What makes a really good funding application? What are top tips, phrases and nods that might make all the difference and finally get me on to my much desired PhD track? What phrases turn up again and again in funding applications that make funding bodies cringe and immediately toss aside the application?

If anyone is able to go a step further and actually read my proposal (90% of the funding application - the rest of the application being personal statement type stuff which I currently have a blank page for) I will be eternally in your debt - although I don't expect for a moment I can expect anyone to have time or inclination to do that.

For context; I'm a social and cultural studies student and the application is to the UK AHRC (via the university I am applying to). I have a relevant MA behind me.

Comments

[doctor_denmark]

I had AHRC funding for my MA and PhD. The biggest tip I can give is to write you application with the supervisor you're proposing to work with. AHRC money is decided from within each university now, and so people in the department you want to be in will know the internal politics and the research buzzwords favoured by those making the decisions. Don't be afraid to play politics a little. Nobody will apply for money and write the exact PhD they propose, so don't feel bad about it.

[askygoneonfire]

Thank you for your reply. Incredibly - and I base my surprise on the willingness Professors showed to help me with my MA application and my previous PhD application, beyond agreeing in principle to supervise me and suggesting a second supervisor, my proposed supervisor at this University has told me to submit my formal application and then she'll contact me again. I'm at a bit of a loss as to why this is but there we are, unfortunately it looks as though I can't turn there for assistance.

Thanks for the assurance regarding proposal versus production. It's good to know I can be a bit more daring in my proposal than I perhaps have been so far.

[missycd]

From this, I am gathering that you are applying to do the PhD at a different university than where you did your MA and previous PhD?

If this is true, than your prospective supervisor doesn't know you, your previous research or what you wish to investigate and become a world expert in (the essence of what obtaining the PhD means).

See if you can talk to some other PhD candidates at the university especially if they are in the same department that you are going to be in to get ideas and help from.

I would also suggest putting in your proposal well before the February deadline to give you time to refine it from your supervising professor's comments.

[askygoneonfire]

Hi, actually I am applying to the same university I did my Masters at however it is 3 years since I graduated and I'm taking a side step into a slightly different department, so no, the supervisor doesn't know me.

I am looking to have my complete application in by this time next week and have been working on it - or rather trying to contact friends who are working on PhDs for help and contacting the potential supervisor - for over a month now.

As I say above, as I understand it, the supervising professor is not willing and/or able to give me feedback in order to refine it. She has indicated as much, which is why I am looking outside the sphere of the University for assistance.