Research Study Supports Grants for Part-time, Self-funded Research Students
About the Funding
Funding is available from the University to support self-funded, part-time postgraduate research students in their research activities. The funds are available for academic year 2009/10 only.
A total of £6000 will be offered in three rounds of around £2000 throughout the academic year. The first call for applications closes on 30 November 2009. There will be further calls in March and July 2010.
Applications of any value up to a maximum amount of £500 will be considered. It is hoped to support as many part-time research students as possible from this fund. No means testing will be applied but applicants are asked to request only what is necessary for them to be able to access the particular activity or purchase.
Eligibility: the applicant
To be eligible a student must:
- Be a self-funded, part-time postgraduate research student*
- Provide a breakdown of costs involved and ensure that costs stated are kept to a minimum
- Have endorsement from his/her supervisor**
*A self-funded student is defined as an individual who is personally responsible for paying their own tuition fees.
** If the lead supervisor is unavailable, endorsement can be sought from a second supervisor or the Director of Postgraduate Research Studies. The application form includes space for a signature but, alternatively, an email endorsement can be attached to the form.
Eligibility: what it can be used for
The funds must be used to support the research project. This includes wider researcher development opportunities that have a link to the research project, either in Cardiff or elsewhere. Examples include:
- Attendance at a UK or international conference
- Fieldwork expenses
- Survey/research costs, e.g. printing, stationery, telephone calls
- Purchase of equipment/consumables
- Reimbursement of assistants, advisors
The purchase must be made or the activity undertaken by the end of the academic session (30 September 2010).
The money is not intended to be used for the essential infrastructure, equipment or resources for which a School takes responsibility when it admits a research student. In endorsing the application, the supervisor will be asked to confirm that the expenditure is for something above and beyond this standard level of School commitment.
Application Procedure
Please complete the application form (available to download from the top right hand side of this page) and return it to the Graduate Schools Office, 60 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, or electronically to GraduateSchools@cardiff.ac.uk
Award Procedure
It is anticipated that demand will exceed the money made available. It is not considered appropriate to means-test applicants or to evaluate the applications against each other in a competitive way. All applications that are received by the close of the call will be screened for eligibility (both in terms of applicant status and activity proposed); those that are eligible will have an equal chance of being funded by random selection.
Payments
If successful, the funds will be paid to the student either:
a) As a reimbursement once receipts have been received, or
b) If it is necessary for the funds to be provided in advance, via a transfer to a named account in the student’s School, or via a personal cheque to the student. Documentation will be required with details of proposed expenditure e.g. conference registration forms etc.
Wherever possible, payment should be made via reimbursement, in line with general University policy. In some cases, however, payment may be necessary in advance. This must be justified on the application form and receipts and a brief report will be required when funds have been spent.
If you have any queries about the scheme, please contact GraduateSchools@cf.ac.uk