Funding Frustration

It's been awhile since I have posted.  I might make it a New Years resolution to post more often.  

But certainly, the semester is finished.  I have one semester of course work left before I begin the bulk of my dissertation.  I say "the bulk" because I have already started my dissertation research.  I will do more over this January to put together my preliminary research.  I will have at least one presentation to put together.  I will prep my recital music and write my recital paper.  I have a few funding agencies I'm sending in applications to, and of course, I'd like to read a book for fun.  About conducting.

I will talk more about my dissertation later, but suffice it to say that I'm quite excited and I'm ready to get to work.  Except that I have another semester of course work.

I would like to circle back to a topic I brought up earlier: funding.  It is very difficult to find funding to go do research in another country.  I have had two meetings with our graduate college about finding funding.  I have done a lot of research myself.  I have made lists of potential grants and fellowships.  Then I have crossed most of them off my list because (and here is the kicker): I'm not eligible.  Most of it has to do with the fact I am not getting a PhD, but a DMA.  And apparently nobody wants to fund the research of a performance degree student.  There is an impression out there that the academic research requirements are not as high.  However, at my school?  The requirements are high, rigorous, and intense.  I will be lucky to finish my dissertation in just over a year (at least, that's what I'm told).  Also, a lot of the funding agencies that would have been able to fund me have lost their funding and closed applications until they get funding back (from the government).  On top of needing a PhD, some of the grants/fellowships require a two year commitment.  I can't/won't do that.  It's too long to spend away from family in the States.

Every time I look for funding, I end up frustrated.  My situation is certainly unique, it seems, for a person who wants funding.

So needless to say, I'm looking for agencies to fund my unique research.  Any suggestions?

 

Merry Christmas!