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Research Enhancement Fund – Travel and Conference Funding

Information for Applicants for Travel and Conference Funding

Guidance for Applicants to the Doctoral College Research Enhancement Fund (DCREF) - Travel and Conference Funding

As a registered Doctoral or MPhil student, you are encouraged to apply for funding to undertake a wide range of personal development activities that might not normally be available in an Academic Unit.  This fund provides support so that you can take advantage of opportunities afforded by participation in UK and International events and conferences throughout the year.  

This funding is not designed to replace funding that you receive from your Academic Unit and you will need to investigate alternative sources of funding prior to making your application.

You will need a supporting statement from your Academic Supervisor to confirm that this opportunity has the potential to enhance your research and experience.  You will need to detail how you will be engaging in the event, for example by presenting a paper or organising a workshop.  The application needs to explain how this will add value or impact to your research and you will need to demonstrate the outcomes and outputs that would be result of this activity.

Please ensure you consult the PGR Travel Guidance  especially in relation to travel abroad and the need for a risk assessment.

Please ensure you demonstrate value for money with realistic costings for the activity.  Please bear in mind that the maximum award is usually £1500.

Selection Criteria

The DCREF has been extremely popular, offering value-added activities to our PGR Students since March 2022. The number of applications is such that from September 2022 the following changes have been made to the DCREF-Travel and Conference Fund to give priority to those most in need, and to ensure that as many PGR Students as possible have access to funding support.  Please note: 

  • It may not be possible to support all applications.   
  • Applications must be made at the appropriate call (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/doctoral-college/current-research-students/current-student-funding/enhancement-funding/) prior to the event date.
  • Priority will be given for funding to Self-Funding Postgraduate Research Students, with no visible means of support for travel and conference participation.  
  • A maximum limit on each application to the DCREF Travel and Conference Fund will normally be set to a maximum of £1500. Costs in excess of this will be subject to further scrutiny and will be considered on a case by case basis.
  • Impact of the proposed activity, value for money, personal safety and environmental impact are all considerations that will be made when evaluating each PGR Student Proposal.  
Information for Successful Applicants
  • You will be sent a ‘you have been successful’ email from the Doctoral College that will set out how your travel and conference costs will be covered for you.  
  • It has been agreed that you will now have the option of these costs being paid for you in advance of your travel.   
  • You will be directed to go to your relevant School/Unit/Institute, and each Academic Unit will have a nominated contact point for you. However, before any travel or accommodation can be booked you will need to contact the University Travel Agent - Selective Travel for a quote for your trip at their portal the Hub at here.
  • You must take a copy of the Successful Decision Email from the Doctoral College with you to your Academic Unit.  
  • The Academic Unit will then arrange booking and payment of your travel, accommodation, and conference costs. Travel will be arranged for you through the University approved Travel Agents – Selective Travel Services.  
  • Academic Units will follow the University Travel Regulations for Staff and PGR Student Travel (found here for reference)  
  • We cannot normally pay for day-to-day subsistence costs such as food and drinks.
  • Alternatively, you may prefer to pay for the costs associated with travel, and the option remains available to you to claim expenditure back in arrears (with accompanying receipts).  
  • All awarded funding must be used within the financial year (1st August - 31st July) that the application is made.

 

Student feedback

"Thanks to funding from the Doctoral College, I was able to attend the full Butterfly Conservation Symposium 2023....this was an invaluable experience, and from what I learned, the ideas I had, and the connections I made, I will be benefitting for years to come. "

"the conference was a fantastic experience which has already been beneficial to both my research and professional network.....and I am deeply grateful to the DCEF Travel Bursary for making this trip possible." 

"I am very grateful for the DCEF in allowing me to attend a large, international conference to present work and foster connections that I hope will continue to support my research career after completion of my PhD and beginning my career as a clinical academic."

Further Information:

Additional Guidance can be found here:  

Guidance for Students (here)

Guidance for Academic Units (here) 

Process Information for Professional Support Colleagues (here)

If you have any queries please contact us at doctoralcollege@ncl.ac.uk