Grants Program for Students
The Drexel University College of Medicine Alumni Association evaluates grant applications from DUCOM students in order to provide them with financial support for their professional development and to further their academic and research experiences in their pursuit of academic excellence in their field of study.
While the majority of the grants aim to support an individual student’s professional development (i.e., presenting research at a medical or scientific conference), there may be circumstances where the Alumni Association elects to disburse funds to support compelling projects or events hosted by recognized student groups. Such projects or events should have an educational focus and/or enhance the interactions between students and alumni and/or promote tradition or the awareness of the Alumni Association. Please see below for more information for these Discretionary Grants.
Disbursement of Funds
Please be aware that the method of disbursement of funds awarded for any type of grant will differ depending on a student's financial aid and student loan status. For example, if you have reached maximum capacity on your federal student aid, any grants received will be used to pay down that debt and will not be distributed to you as cash. If you have questions about how you will receive funds if your application is accepted, please contact alumrel@drexel.edu.
Types of Funding
Two types of Professional Development Grants are available: Academic (Tier 1) and Experiential (Tier 2). DUCOM students who are presenting at a medical or scientific conference may qualify for Academic Tier 1 Grants. DUCOM students who have a longitudinal opportunity to further their professional experience (i.e., performing summer research) may meet the criteria for Experiential Tier 2 Grants.
Students can apply for up to two Tier 1 Grants per academic year and up to one Tier 2 Grant per academic year.
Funding Tiers
Academic (Tier 1)
These grants may be available to students who are giving presentations (poster or oral) at a recognized medical or scientific conference. Applicants for these grants are eligible to receive up to $500.
In order to receive this kind of academic funding, the applicant is required to be presenting at a conference, and will be asked to provide a report to the Board
An individual may apply for up to two Academic Tier 1 Grants per academic year for presenting at two different medical or scientific conferences. First-time applicants will be prioritized ahead of repeat applicants. The Board may invite funded grantees to give an oral presentation at a Board meeting and/or may request that the grantee share their conference abstract, poster or presentation with the Board.
Experiential (Tier 2)
These grants may be available to those students who have an opportunity to further their professional experience (i.e., offset costs for students doing summer research). Individuals who are awarded these grants can receive up to $250 for their experience.
In order to receive this kind of experiential funding, the grantee may be required to prepare a short written report to the Board about the funded activity and its impact on the grantees professional development.
None of the above grants (Tier 1 or 2) may be applied to the purchases of food or beverages.
The Alumni Association’s support must be acknowledged in all printed materials (e.g., posters), presentation slides, and in oral communications for those presenting at a conference/meeting (provided that the notice of funding precedes the date of the conference presentation).
While the majority of the grants offered support an individual student’s professional development, there may be circumstances where the Alumni Association elects to disburse funds to support compelling projects or events hosted by recognized student groups. Such projects or events should have an educational focus, and/or enhance interactions between students and alumni and/or promote tradition or the awareness of the Alumni Association.
Tier 3
- For these grants, the Alumni Association may be able to support budget requests up to $1,000.
- The proposed grant will either directly serve the community or support members of the DUCOM community.
- The activity must be hosted/delivered by a recognized student organization or program
- A detailed budget as well as a project report will be required for these types of grants
- The Alumni Association’s support must be acknowledged at the event and in all associated written materials in print and online (provided that the notice of funding precedes the date the program takes place).
These Discretionary Grants aim to enhance educational, professional, cultural and social components of student life at the College of Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies. Funding of programs that include and promote the active participation of alumni is particularly appropriate, as are those that reflect the College’s mission statement to excel and innovate “in education, research, and delivery of compassionate care in our culture of diversity, spirited inquiry, collaboration and opportunity.”
A recognized student organization or program may apply for one Discretionary Grant per academic year. Grant applications from organizations and programs that have not previously received Alumni Association support are particularly encouraged.
Please note: These types of Discretionary Grants are not the Association’s major priority and may not be funded at each budget cycle. Please ensure therefore, that any Discretionary Grant application for would support a compelling project that enhances student life at the College of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies.
How to Apply
Please note: Students on EDGE years or independent study are not eligible to apply for an Alumni Association Grant.
The Finance Committee of the Alumni Board of Directors reviews all applications. To submit a grant application, please complete the following:
- Funding Request Form: When completing your funding request form, please specify the dollar amount of the funding you are asking for and why receiving a grant from the Alumni Association will help to support your personal professional development.
- Letter of Support: Applicant must have a faculty or staff sponsor and must request that a letter of support from that faculty or staff sponsor be submitted in support of the grant request to medical.alumni@drexel.edu. Alternatively, include the signed letter of support may be submitted with their grant funding request form. Faculty members applying for a grant that benefits students (Discretionary Grant) may submit a letter of support on their own behalf.
- Budget: All grant applications must include a budget outlining actual (or estimated) expenses. Applications without budget information will not be considered.
- Deadlines for Applications: There are four funding cycles each year, with the following deadlines:
- September 1, 2023
- November 1, 2023
- February 1, 2024
- April 1, 2024
All applications must include a budget breakdown outlining actual (or estimated) expenses.
Note: Due to the timing of Alumni Association Board Meetings, funding decisions may not be announced for more than a month after a cycle closes.
Acknowledgement and Use of Funds
The financial support of the Alumni Association must be acknowledged on all work related to the grantee’s funded project, including academic posters, presentations, publications and manuscripts, marketing materials (for events) and flyers.
Contact medical.alumni@drexel.edu to obtain the specific language and the College of Medicine Alumni Association logo that should be used. Failure to comply may result in forfeiture of funding.
Alcohol, some travel related costs (i.e., car rentals, gasoline, or business or first class travel) or programs that took place prior to the date of the grant submission will not be funded. Please see the FAQs for more information.
For More Information
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more details. You may also contact the Alumni Association at medical.alumni@drexel.edu, or call 888.DU.GRADS (toll-free) or 215.895.ALUM (2586).