A recap of the ABUAD Alumni Association’s exclusive funding workshop, featuring a Postdoctoral Fellow from Georgia Tech.
Navigating the world of academic and professional funding can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure which opportunities are right for you, or how to present yourself to win them. That’s why the ABUAD Alumni Association recently hosted an exclusive workshop with Dr. Adetola Adewole, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. Here are the five key insights every ABUAD alumnus should take away.
1. Know Exactly What You’re Chasing
Before you apply for anything, understand what type of funding you’re looking at. Dr. Adewole broke down the four core categories:
- Scholarships: direct financial support for your education.
- Fellowships: funding designed to support an individual specifically as a researcher.
- Awards: recognitions that may be purely prestigious, or may come with a monetary prize.
- Grants: dedicated financial support to fund a specific project or research initiative.
Knowing the difference changes how you frame your application and whether you’re eligible in the first place.
2. Merit Alone Won’t Win It
A common misconception is that funding is awarded purely on academic achievement. Dr.Adewole identified five pillars that actually determine success:
- Fit: does your profile align with the donor’s core mission?
- Timing: are you applying within the optimal window?
- Eligibility: do you strictly meet every foundational criteria?
- Presentation: is your story told in a compelling, professional manner?
- Attention to Detail: did you follow every single instruction to the letter?
3. Always Read the Fine Print
Securing the funding is only half the battle. Dr. Adewole urged every attendee to verify these key terms before accepting any offer:
- Coverage: what exactly does the award cover tuition, living expenses, travel?
- Disbursement: how and when are the funds actually paid out?
- Duration: how long does the financial support last?
- Milestones: are there GPA, reporting, or service requirements to maintain it?
- Strings Attached: are there return policies, employment bonds, or strict renewal conditions?
4. Rejection is Data, Not Defeat
“Rejection is not the end of the road,” Dr. Adewole reminded the group. “It does not mean you are not good enough; it usually means the opportunity was not the right fit at that time. Treat it as feedback, adjust your strategy, and try again.”
This reframe from rejection as failure to rejection as strategic information, is one of the most practical mindset shifts any emerging scholar or professional can make.
5. The Network you’re already in is an asset
Events like this one are part of what the ABUAD alumni network offers its members: direct access to practitioners who have navigated the systems you’re trying to enter. Dr. Adewole’s insights are freely available to anyone who shows up. The question is: are you showing up?
Keep pushing, keep applying and let’s keep growing together.
— Waleola Funmilola,
Vice President , ABUAD Alumni Association