GSRC Travel Grants
Now that you are a doctoral candidate, you are eligible to receive up to $1000 to present at and up to $500 to attend research conferences and creative events from the Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC).
To be eligible for funding, applicants must:
- be a doctoral candidate, enrolled full-time in an academic program, resulting in a research dissertation;
- have participated in one or more Graduate Skills Workshops offered by University Libraries, no more than one calendar year prior to the start of conference travel;
- have not been awarded the GSRC travel grant in this fiscal year (July 1 Current Year - June 30 Following Year);
- be able to certify that the event theme and presentation content (if applicable) are consistent with state law and regulations;
- submit the application no less than 15 calendar days prior to your departure.
Before submitting the application, please make sure to read the full guidelines.
Library & Research Services
Breaking news: University Libraries offers more than just study spaces and books!
- Graduate Skills Workshops cover topics such as Citation Management, Literature Review, Data Visualization and Analysis, Editing, Archival Work, and more. Becoming proficient in these skills will not only help you conduct your research more quickly but will also deepen your scholarly rigor. Scroll through the scheduled workshops to find something that will help you move closer to your research goals! (Note: If you plan to apply for the GSRC travel grant, make sure to attend at least one of these workshops within a calendar year of your travel.)
- Work with your Subject Librarian to look for materials related to your topic. They are trained to help students and faculty navigate the breadth and depth of research sources, and can pull you out of a scholarly rut.
- Struggling with statistics and data visualization? No need to stress about it and pay for tutoring sessions. Reach out to Nathanael Gay, the University Libraries' dedicated subject librarian, for help with statistical analysis and data visualization.
Libraries Services & Resources
Manuscript Clearance
FSU requires that every thesis and dissertation be cleared by the Graduate School for editorial errors and formatting issues. The deadlines for Manuscript Clearance are firm, and they must be adhered to in order to graduate in a given semester. The Graduate School publishes its deadlines at least a year in advance. Even if it feels like you still have plenty of time before your defense, check the manuscript clearance page to familiarize yourself with the process and the deadlines.
IRB/Human Subjects Research Support
The FSU Office for Human Subjects Protection (OHSP) & Institutional Review Board (IRB) serve to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects by adherence to applicable ethical principles and laws. If your research involves human subjects, it may need to be reviewed and approved by the IRB. This is a time-consuming process, so now is the best time to reach out to the FSU Office for Human Subjects Protection, attend an IRB workshop, and start working on IRB approval.
Office of Graduate Fellowships & Awards (OGFA)
Once you become a candidate, you will likely start to think about an important question: how will you fund your research? The Office of Graduate Fellowships & Awards supports students who are interested in applying for external funding opportunities, including fellowships, scholarships, grants, and awards.
These opportunities can enhance your profile, provide additional financial support, and play a key role in your professional development. Learning how to apply for funding is valuable now, helpful as you transition into the job market, and essential later when securing support for your own research projects.
To help you succeed, OGFA offers a range of resources and services, including:
- Workshops on how to search for funding opportunities and how to write competitive application materials, such as personal statements and letters.
- One-on-one consultations to help refine and strengthen your applications.
GSRC Writing Accountability Groups
You are now at a stage where your academic focus is almost entirely on your research and dissertation. However, many students struggle with writing on their own. The lack of a built-in community and a consistent schedule can lead to feeling overwhelmed by even the smallest tasks.
Enter the GSRC Writing Accountability Groups. Think of them as one hour a week that you are giving to yourself, to do the work that you care about. Establishing this small habit early on will help you grow your writing practice and introduce you to other graduate students who are in the same boat.
Learn More about Writinng Accountability Groups
Reading-Writing Center & Digital Studio
We often hear graduate students say that the Reading-Writing Center (RWC) & Digital Studio are just for undergrads, and we're here to bust this myth.
How can you use the Reading-Writing Center as a doctoral candidate? Here are just a couple of options:
- Feedback from someone other than your advisor. Graduate Assistants at the RWC will be happy to review your projects with you and offer a fresh professional perspective.
- Starting to write and overcoming writer's block. Writing Consultants from the RWC know how to deal with the fear of the blank page and can help you get your ideas on paper.
- Poster Design and (free!) printing. Consultants from the Digital Studio are proficient in Adobe Suite, Canva, and Microsoft Office, so they can help you organize everything for your poster. Moreover, each graduate student is eligible to print one poster per semester at the Studio free of charge!
Learn about the FSU Writing Center
Career Center
I know we all dream that a job offer will come hand in hand with the degree, but... To get a job offer even before you graduate, consider working on your portfolio and interviews with a career consultant from the FSU Career Center.
As a graduate student, you can take advantage of the following services that the Career Center offers:
- Free access to the Beyond the Professoriate online platform that will help you explore different career options in and outside academia.
- Career advising, document review, and mock interviews. Reach out to Nicole Lilly, doctoral career liaison, to schedule an appointment to get started.
- Job fairs, events, and workshops. Consider attending these events to connect with potential employers, mentors, and peers.
- Free Professional Clothing Closet. This resource is available to all FSU students to ensure access to high-quality professional attire needed to transition into the workplace.
Career Center's Services for Grad Students
Mental Health & Wellness
It can be tough to transition from being on campus, taking classes, and socializing with your cohort to working solo on your dissertation. We want you to be mindful of your mental and emotional well-being!
FSU has resources to support your wellness:
- The Counseling & Psychological Services offers short-term counseling to all FSU students. To make an initial appointment, call (850) 644-TALK (8255).
- The Center for Health Advocacy & Wellness organizes many wellness-oriented workshops and events, including Sound Baths, Guided Walks, and Meditation sessions.
- The Institute for Trauma and Resilience offers a collection of research‑based trainings and toolkits developed just for FSU students to enhance safety, resilience, and well‑being.
Community
If you are looking for ways to unwind and socialize with other graduate students, consider attending GSRC events and workshops.
- For coffee lovers, we host a monthly Coffee & Community event with free coffee and great conversations.
- All of our workshops feature free snacks and refreshments, along with a lot of information to support your graduate school journey.
- We also organize special events, such as our "Books and Boba" book club (with CHAW), a Graduate Student Resource Fair with a big prize giveaway, a writing retreat at the FSU Lakefront Park, and more.
Do you want a workshop that isn't on the calendar? Contact us and let's see how we can make it happen. You can also stay in touch with us via our Instagram and LinkedIn.