Doctoral Training and Development Support Fund

• This scheme is for PGRs who have not previously presented a poster or talk on the topic of their PhD research at a local, national, or international conference (excluding internal UoM conferences).
• All eProg milestones should be completed and up to date – or provide justifiable grounds for late completion.
• For PGRs in submission pending the conference or training must take place prior to their submission deadline.
• The application must be approved prior to the PGR attending the conference or training.
• Retrospective applications will not be considered.
• The fund does not support research or research associated costs (e.g. costs towards a placement that is for generating thesis data should not be eligible but a placement that is an internship for professional development can be eligible).

Applications will be prioritised as follows:

• Applicants who do not have access to a conference/travel or training budget through an existing studentship or sponsor arrangement.
• Applicants must demonstrate evidence of applying to an external body to cover some of the associated expenses or show a clear plan in place to apply for external funds (this is a mandatory requirement for conference travel requests). Please note inclusion of money from RTSG fund does not count as external funding application.
• Applicants who have not yet presented at an external conference.
• Applicants who have research and training needs that are not currently covered by the UoM Researcher Development Team.
• Applicants who are in years 2 or 3 of their research.
• Applicants who can demonstrate that the conference or training will have additional benefits.
• Applications where there is strong academic support regarding the quality of the presentation/data or the standing of the conference in the discipline.
• Applications where there is strong academic support regarding the quality of training as an industry benchmark.

Frequency

• The Doctoral Training & Development Support Fund can be applied for a maximum of twice, throughout the duration of programme.

• Submit the Doctoral Training & Development Support Fund Application Form.
• Submit in accordance with the advertised deadlines and prior to attendance at the conference/training.
• Include a statement of support from the supervisor that outlines the standing of the conference/importance of the training and the relevance to the PGR’s research.
• Include evidence of applying to an external body to cover some of the associated expenses or show a clear plan in place to apply for external funds (if applicable). This is a mandatory requirement for conference travel requests.

Please note that it can take 7-10 working days to acquire approval, and a further 7-10 working days to assist with travel and accommodation bookings. PGRs are advised to apply well in advance of their intended travel.

• Awards will be made up to a maximum of £500 per successful PGR and normally limited to one per academic year
• Conference registration fees
• Training and development attendance fees
• Transport
• Additional carer support e.g. for children, family members or themselves associated with attendance at a conference or training event, such as conference nursery costs or travel costs for children or carers.
• Standard class travel
• Accommodation
• Visa application costs (conference purposes only)