However, even trainees with access to financial support from a mentor or other source may have good reason to seek funding on their own. Trainees with a track record of securing funding may be particularly competitive for jobs in some settings. In addition, success in obtaining the first grant can lead to further success down the line. Government agencies, in particular, are dedicated to increasing the number of well-qualified researchers in aging and support the progression of trainees from one category of funding to the next as their careers develop. Types of Funding Many types of funding are available.
Research grants offset the costs of a specific research project.
Examples of other forms of support include travel grants, scholarships to attend a specific workshop or summer institute, fellowships for a period of study at a foreign institution and funding to analyze a specific data set. Funding is available for trainees at all levels, beginning as early as high school and extending through early career development. Special programs allocate resources to students who belong to underrepresented groups. The NIH has special fellowship mechanisms for ethnic minority students and students with disabilities. Professional associations can be helpful.