Doctoral Intranet

Research Funding Resources

Kellogg PhD Research Funding Overview

Doctoral students may apply for funding to support dissertation research. Approved research funding can be applied towards items such as data sets, subject and surveying fees, field research (including travel), and research assistants. All funding must be spent within the current fiscal year: September 1 - August 31.

Funding of up to $2,700 may be provided by the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office may consider providing additional funding in the form of matching funds if the student has secured funding from an external source (i.e. an advisor, a center, TGS, etc.). 

Students may apply for funding jointly with another eligible Kellogg PhD student. Each student on a joint application may receive funding up to $2,700 and be considered for matching funds if they have secured funding from an external source. Each student must submit their own complete Pre-Work Form and application. Joint projects with faculty are not eligible for Kellogg PhD Research Funding. 

The application requires the support of the student’s faculty research advisor. Students should consult with their research advisor prior to applying for funding.

Eligibility

  • Kellogg PhD student
  • Enrolled full-time and in good academic standing
  • For Accounting, Finance, Financial Economics, MECS, Marketing, or Operations students:
    • Passed the Second-Year Research Paper requirement
  • For MORS or MORS & Sociology students:
    • Passed the Candidacy Paper requirement
  • In years 3–6 of the PhD program (as of the quarter of application)

Application Deadlines

The Winter 2026 Pre-Work deadline is January 16, 2026. The Winter 2026 application deadline is February 15, 2026.

The Spring 2026 Pre-Work deadline is April 1, 2026. The Spring 2026 application deadline is May 1, 2026.

Late Pre-Work Forms and applications will be considered for the next quarter.   

Application Process

The process has been structured into two steps:

  1. Pre-Work Form
  2. Research Funding Application

Step 1: Submit a Pre-Work Form

The student must submit a Pre-Work Form to Research Support before accessing the application. This step ensures research plans are complete and any proposed purchases are necessary. If revisions are required, Research Support will follow up with the student.

Timing of Pre-Work Form

The Pre-Work Form is available year-round, but keep in mind there are deadlines for each quarterly application cycle.

For projects involving the purchase or acquisition of data sets, timing can vary based on the nature of the project. Meeting the Pre-Work Form deadline does not guarantee that the student will be ready to submit the full application by that quarter’s deadline. If your project requires data acquisition, we strongly recommend submitting the Pre-Work Form as early as possible. 

The Pre-Work Form requires a preliminary budget that includes all funding sources—up to $2,700 from the Dean and any additional support (e.g., faculty advisor’s research account, department, center)—and information on any past Kellogg PhD Research Funding received. Legal costs for data acquisition must be included in the budget. These may be $200-$300, but costs vary depending on the project. Legal review is required by Northwestern and assures the student’s intellectual property rights and right to publish.
 
External funding sources must be confirmed (not just applied for) in order for the Dean's Office to consider providing matching funds. For those applying for TGS' Graduate Research Grant, please note that decisions are typically released two months after each cycle's recommendation letter deadline.
Quarter Fall 2025 Winter 2026 Spring 2026
Pre-Work Form Deadline September 15 January 16 April 1
Application Deadline
 October 15 February 15 May 1

Step 2: Submit the Research Funding Application

Once the Pre-Work Form is approved by Research Support, the student will receive a link to the online application form via email and must submit a completed application.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by:

  1. The student’s research advisor
  2. The student’s Director of Graduate Studies
  3. The PhD Program Director
  4. The PhD Program Faculty Director
  5. The Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Academics

Decisions will typically be communicated within one month of the quarterly deadline. 

Questions? Contact: kellogg-phdfunding@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 

 

TGS Graduate Research Grant

The Graduate Research Grant is a competitive award granted by The Graduate School to help PhD and MFA students and postdoctoral scholars in historically underfunded disciplines meet expenses related to scholarly research and creative endeavors. 

There are two application cycles each academic year for this grant. For more information regarding eligibility and deadlines, please visit The Graduate School website.