On a CV, where do you put applications for external funding?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appropriate way to list applications for external funding on a CV when applying to graduate school. Participants explore the implications of using terms like "pending" versus "applied for" and the perceived significance of such listings in the context of graduate school applications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that listing a fellowship application as "pending" implies certainty about the outcome, which may not be accurate, while "applied for" is deemed inappropriate for a CV.
  • Another participant agrees that "pending" may not be the best choice and notes that committees likely prioritize actual successes over applications.
  • A different viewpoint is presented, where a participant mentions that professors advised including the application to potentially enhance the application, despite uncertainty about its impact.
  • One participant argues that "applied for" is more accurate and may not harm the application, comparing it to listing a publication as "submitted."
  • Another participant concurs, suggesting that since it occupies little space, it may be worth including as "application submitted," despite concerns about professionalism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the appropriateness of terminology for listing applications on a CV. There is no consensus on whether to use "pending" or "applied for," and views on the significance of such listings vary.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the uncertainty surrounding the impact of listing applications for funding, with some suggesting that committees may not value these applications as much as actual awards.

Dishsoap
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When applying to graduate school, I consider it significant that I'm applying for external fellowships (since, in theory, it means the grad school may not have to fund me). Presently on my CV, I have a section for "national awards", and there I list

Blah blah blah award 1
blah blah blah award 2
blah blah blah fellowship (2016) (pending)Would this be correct? Would "applied for" be a better term?
I won't hear back about the fellowship until shortly after I hear about grad school acceptances, so there's no opportunity to change it once I hear back.

Thoughts?
 
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(Pending) implies a certainty - i.e. you have been told, but the formal announcement has not been made. (Applied for) is not something that belongs on a CV. And, frankly, while you may consider it significant, the committee probably won't. At that stage of their careers, they've all applied for things they didn't get.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
(Pending) implies a certainty - i.e. you have been told, but the formal announcement has not been made. (Applied for) is not something that belongs on a CV. And, frankly, while you may consider it significant, the committee probably won't. At that stage of their careers, they've all applied for things they didn't get.

I agree about "pending". My professors told me to put it on there (since it may boost my application slightly, having applied for external funding) but I'm not sure.
 
Dishsoap said:
When applying to graduate school, I consider it significant that I'm applying for external fellowships (since, in theory, it means the grad school may not have to fund me). Presently on my CV, I have a section for "national awards", and there I list

Would this be correct? Would "applied for" be a better term?
I won't hear back about the fellowship until shortly after I hear about grad school acceptances, so there's no opportunity to change it once I hear back.

Thoughts?

Nobody cares about the applications; they only care about the successes- same for papers, people only care about papers accepted for publication. 'Pending' is marginally important.
 
I would say "applied for" is the more accurate term. It may not help but I presume it won't hurt to mention it, especially if you think you have a reasonable chance of getting it. It is similar to listing a publication as "submitted".
 
Also true. It does only take up one line, so I'm sure it can't hurt. I will have it listed as "blah blah blah Fellowship (application submitted)". Maybe unprofessional, but it can't hurt.
 

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