How to Negotiate your Phd Funding Offer
So, you’ve been accepted into grad school—congrats! Now let’s talk about something people are so hush hush about — negotiate your funding package.
Yes, you can negotiate. And you should!
A lot of people assume whatever’s in their offer letter is final, but that’s not always the case. Schools want you to come, and this is your chance to make sure you have the resources to actually thrive in your program, not just survive. The key is to approach it as a conversation and an opportunity to gather your resources for the long journey ahead. Start with your department—usually the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)—and go from there. I recommend having an initial chat about your funding wether in a formal meeting and informal conversation, then following up over email to lock in any details. Conversations are best because you can more clearly assess tone and there’s less room for miscommunication.
Here are three things you can (and should) ask about:
1. Additional Funding Opportunities
Even if your school has a set stipend, there may be supplemental funding available that isn’t widely advertised. Many departments and graduate schools have additional fellowships or pools of money set aside for students with extenuating circumstances, such as:
Students who are parents
International students
Students with disabilities
First-generation or underrepresented students in academia
This could come in the form of a small departmental fellowship, an annual stipend supplement, or one-time funding to help cover unexpected costs. If your base stipend isn’t enough, ask if there are any additional funding opportunities available through the department or graduate school. Sometimes, all it takes is reaching out to learn what’s possible.
2. Guaranteed Summer Funding
A lot of schools don’t automatically fund grad students over the summer, which means you might be on your own for three months unless you secure a summer job. If your offer doesn’t mention summer funding, ask about:
A guaranteed summer stipend
A guaranteed RAship (Research Assistantship) or TAship (Teaching Assistantship) during the summer
University or department-funded research/travel grants
You don’t want to be scrambling for money every summer. If you can get this secured upfront, do it.
3. Funding for Conferences and Research Travel
Grad school isn’t just about coursework—you’ll need to go to conferences, do research, and maybe even attend specialized training or workshops. Some departments have funding for this, but it’s not always widely advertised. Ask about:
Conference travel grants
Research funding for fieldwork, archives, or interviews
Professional development support for workshops or training
If your department doesn’t have much, see if the university or external fellowships have options. But always ask—because sometimes, money is there, and they just don’t hand it out unless you bring it up.
4. Graduate Housing
Grad housing can be expensive (or straight-up nonexistent, depending on the school), especially since PhD programs tend to be in high-demand student markets. Some universities offer subsidized graduate housing, but spots are often limited, so it’s worth bringing up in your initial conversation if securing housing is a priority for you. The program might be able to put you in touch with residential staff and help streamline the process—especially if housing is competitive—or, better yet, guarantee graduate housing for a certain number of years.
In my experience, I was able to secure two years of subsidized graduate housing, which gave me enough buffer time to find affordable housing in my area.
Negotiation is Just a Conversation
I know the word “negotiation” makes it sound intense, but really, it’s just a conversation. Your acceptance means they want you, and now’s the time to leverage that to get the support you need.
The best place to start is within your department. Reach out to the DGS or whoever handles funding, have a conversation about your package, and then follow up over email to keep everything clear. This isn’t about making demands—it’s about asking questions, seeing what’s possible, and advocating for yourself.
Worst-case scenario? They say no. Best case? You secure extra funding that makes your life way easier. Either way, you won’t know unless you ask.
A Quick Disclaimer
I’m speaking from my experience as a PhD candidate in the humanities, where there’s often more flexibility in funding. STEM programs, especially those tied to external grants, may not have the same wiggle room—but it’s still worth having the conversation.
