Whether it is grants or internships or leadership roles for students, these can often be competitive positions, with dozens if not hundreds of applicants for limited places. Here are some things you can do to make your application stand out.

Apply with intention. By this, I mean, ask yourself if you have a good reason or applying and not just because something will look good on your CV. Does it align with your academic work or direction? What value does it lend to your journey?

Consider the nature of the opportunity and the bigger questions. Take your time with this. What do you hope to gain from this funding/position intellectually and professionally? How will you use this advantage in the long term? Think broadly about how it lets you speak to a social issue or intellectual inquiry. Similar questions will apply if it is an internship or another competitive position.

Make a note of all the required conditions, documents, and deadlines. Check the eligibility criteria and read up on what priorities are defined on the call for applications. Some organizations will ask for a cover letter, a CV, and maybe even other additional documentation. Others may require you to provide answers to set questions. If you need recommendation letters, ask for them in advance. Here is a guide for how to ask for letters. Ensure that you meet the deadlines.

Focus on your application letter or cover letter. Check if the organization has set a word or page limit for these and stick to it. If the opportunity does not require you to design a project outline, you can instead highlight your eligibility and suitability to the position. Often, organizations want people who will gain from the opportunity, but they also want candidates who can bring something to the table themselves— a unique or necessary perspective, life experience, a useful skill set, disciplinary knowledge and so on.

If you need to submit a project proposal:

• What is your project? Does its scope fall within the parameters of the opportunity and the vision of the organization? Why is it deserving of the support you’re requesting? What need does it fulfil that hasn’t yet been addressed by other projects?

If there is funding attached to the opportunity:

• What kind of support do you need specifically? Is it access to material resources, technology, a team, more training? Can you break down how you would use the funds?

Ensure that you write in straightforward, precise, and detailed terms about your objectives, methods, and requirements. It helps to signpost to the organization’s eligibility criteria. Some people even choose to address those criteria explicitly, point-by-point. The application is the place to make a good first impression as a candidate. You do not need to rehash your whole CV. But it can help to highlight specific transferable skills that seem relevant to this application. Back up your assertions with reflective examples. Proofread!

You may be asked to interview. It helps to review the call issued by the organization and the written materials you’ve submitted. You should know your own application well, including its potential weak points that you may be asked to clarify. Practice summarizing your project in under 60 seconds; this is an elevator pitch. Be on time and polite. Note down questions, if you’re nervous and tend to ramble. [I always do this!] And take a breath before answering. There is no rush. Better to answer slowly and thoughtfully than to muddle up a response in a rush. This is an opportunity to start a dialogue that they want to continue. It helps to go in with a confident and constructive mindset.

Be prepared for rejection. This is the sad, if honest, reality. Not every application will be successful; money is doled out selectively and positions are often limited. Most times, it has to do with several factors outside our control. Even a great application can get rejected. Remind yourself that it isn’t personal. You can always try again.

If you’re lucky enough to be successful in your application, remember the above as well. Those who are your competitors today can be your colleagues and collaborators tomorrow; be gracious. Remember to formally accept the offer and thank the selection committee, and make sure you know what their expectations of you are going forward.  

Here are some further resources:

“(Mandatory) Internships While Studying: Finding a Position and Writing an Application,” Munich Business School

“Prepare to Write Your Grant Application”, Harvard Catalyst

“Writing a Funding Application”, Resource Centre, UK

“Cover letter for a job or internship position”, MIT Communication Lab