Capacity Building Fund Grant

We are pleased to announce that the recent grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. allows HTI to provide Capacity Building Funds. These funds are designed to provide financial support to scholars facing a current unexpected circumstance that may derail them from their doctoral studies. All currently enrolled HTI scholars are eligible to apply. This is another way in which HTI partnered with a major funder, Lilly, to ensure that HTI scholars make steady progress in their PhD program to complete their doctorate. Applications begin on September 1st and end on May 31st.

Examples of emergencies to be considered include, but are not limited to:

    • Financial strain caused by temporary job loss (self or spouse);
    • Emergency medical and dental expenses;
    • Emergency transportation and for food needs;
    • Technology/equipment needed to ensure continuity of online learning (emergency only, e.g., sudden breakdown of equipment that cannot easily and/or economically be fixed);
    • Homelessness or sudden loss of housing;
    • Sudden loss of childcare to cover academic schedule period;
    • Unanticipated expenses due to interruptions caused by COVID-19;
    • Illness or death in the immediate family;
    • Victim of an accident or crime;
    • Tuition costs not covered by institution;

Examples of expenses not covered by Emergency Funding:

    • Legal fines or expenses;
    • Non-essential personal bills;
    • Parking tickets, library fines, or other expenses mistakenly/carelessly incurred;
    • Previous debts;
    • More than one emergency in the academic year (second request would be treated as an exception);

HTI will be processing applications on a rolling basis. Selection of recipients will depend on the availability of funds and the scholar’s need. Award amounts will vary based on individual circumstances and will range from $500 – $3,000. All funds are considered a fellowship.Information provided by students will be used by HTI to determine eligibility for emergency funding. In addition, data provided as part of scholars’ applications will be used, in aggregate, to analyze need patterns and scholars’ outcomes to garner future grants. Scholars’ personal information will not be shared externally.

Application Form