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Funding for current postgraduate researchers

NWCDTP postgraduate researchers have access to additional funding to support various aspects of their research. These opportunities are typically categorised into two main types:

  1. Discovery Funding

Discovery funding supports individual researchers in activities such as:

  • Fieldwork
  • Conference presentations
  • Specialist training
  • Outreach activities
  • Overseas Institutional Visits
  • Placements

This funding is specifically available to you as a researcher to facilitate your personal research goals and professional development.

DISCOVERY: Fieldwork and conference fund

NWCDTP postgraduate researchers are eligible to apply for additional funding to cover expenses directly related to fieldwork and/or conference attendance. This funding is designed to support research activities that enhance your academic development and contribute to your project.

During fieldwork, researchers will continue to receive their maintenance payments, provided all obligations under the Council’s terms and conditions have been met.

For detailed guidance, please refer to the following documents:

Application and Reporting Requirements

As part of your application, you are required to submit a Case Study Report (Sections 1–2) at the time of application, and a full report after the completion of your funded activity.

Application Deadlines

There are no set deadlines for submitting funding applications. The NWCDTP reviews applications on a rolling basis, with decisions typically provided within 2–3 weeks of submission.

DISCOVERY: Overseas Institutional Visits (OIV)

NWCDTP researchers can apply for funding for visits to overseas universities when such visits are essential for the development of specialist skills.

Researchers may apply to cover the expenses of these visits. In certain cases, a funded extension to their stipend may also be granted, with each application being assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Application and Reporting Requirements

As part of your application, you are required to submit a Case Study Report (Sections 1–2) at the time of application, and a full report after the completion of your funded activity.

Application Deadlines

There are no set deadlines for submitting funding applications. The NWCDTP reviews applications on a rolling basis, with decisions typically provided within 2–3 weeks of submission.

DISCOVERY: Specialist Training

NWCDTP postgraduate researchers are eligible to apply for additional funding to cover expenses related to specific training and development needs. This funding is designed to enhance skills that are crucial for the successful completion of a researcher’s programme.

The fund can be used to support the following activities:

  1. Training in Specialist Skills
    This includes costs related to specialist training courses necessary for your research. Eligible expenses may include course fees, travel, and subsistence during the training period.
  2. Support for Translating Research Findings
    The fund also provides tailored support for researchers seeking to develop skills in communicating their research to wider, non-specialist audiences.

For further details, please refer to:

Application and Reporting Requirements

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines. The NWCDTP aims to provide outcomes within 2–3 weeks of submission.

As part of your application, you must submit a Case Study Report (Sections 1–2) at the time of application, and a full report after the completion of the funded activity.

  1. Collaboration Funding

Collaboration funding is designed for activities that benefit a broader group of DTP students. These include:

  • Organising conferences or events
  • Providing training for groups of students
  • Knowledge exchange initiatives
  • Networking opportunities

This type of funding can be allocated to either an individual or a group of researchers, with the goal of supporting activities that have a wider impact within the DTP community.

COLLABORATION: Collaborative Skills

Applications are invited for grants of between £2K and £5K for ambitious and innovative doctoral training initiatives focused on the needs of arts and humanities postgraduate researchers in the institutions of the NWCDTP. We are not prescriptive about the kinds of activities which we seek to support, but we have identified a number of strategic priorities, and proposals that address one or more of these priorities may be at an advantage.

These priorities are:

  • Training in partnership working including public engagement. We would expect such training to be delivered in collaboration with organisations outside academia, such as one of the NWCDTP’s own strategic partners.
  • The development of research skills in digital humanities.
  • The development of skills in public policy engagement.
  • Student-led conferences, especially if they involve international networking.
  • Career development initiatives.

Application and Reporting Requirements

Applications can be received from Pathway leaders and representatives, PGR Research Development Teams in the seven institutions, students, supervisors and non-HEI partners.

As part of your application, you are required to submit a Case Study Report (Sections 1–2) at the time of application, and a full report after the completion of your funded activity.

Application Deadlines

There are no set deadlines for submitting funding applications. The NWCDTP reviews applications on a rolling basis, with decisions typically provided within 2–3 weeks of submission.

COLLABORATION: Cohort Development Fund (CDF)

The NWCDTP has an allocated fund available to support the integration of activities across institutions and pathways. The Cohort Development Fund (CDF) will support:

  • The development and delivery of disciplinary and interdisciplinary conferences and seminars (these events will develop knowledge with respect to subject matter and methodology within and across disciplines)
  • The development and delivery of staff/postgraduate researcher/partner led impact and engagement events. (these events will benefit postgraduate researchers by introducing them early to ideas and processes relating to research impact and public engagement)

Application and Reporting Requirements

Applications are invited from institutional pathway representatives to claim funding to run those events targeted at NWCDTP students. Postgraduate researcher-led initiatives are welcome, but applications must be made via a pathway leader or representative.

As part of your application, you are required to submit a Case Study Report (Sections 1–2) at the time of application, and a full report after the completion of your funded activity.

Application Deadlines

There are no set deadlines for submitting funding applications. The NWCDTP reviews applications on a rolling basis, with decisions typically provided within 2–3 weeks of submission.

COLLABORATION: Research Network

The aims of the scheme are:

  • To promote the closer integration of our postgraduate researcher cohort by means of the creation of research groups working across pathway boundaries.
  • To develop postgraduate researchers’ skills in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary working.
  • To develop postgraduate researchers’ capacity to become research leaders.

We invite bids for sums up to £2,000 for sustainable networks. Small bids (in the region of £200 to £400) are welcome for pilot initiatives, such as reading groups that might develop into fully-fledged networks.

Application and Reporting Requirements

We ask for groups of at least three postgraduate researchers to apply for this. The lead applicants must be DTP funded postgraduate researchers – however the network will be open to all.

As part of your application, you are required to submit a Case Study Report (Sections 1–2) at the time of application, and a full report after the completion of your funded activity.

Application Deadlines

There are no set deadlines for submitting funding applications. The NWCDTP reviews applications on a rolling basis, with decisions typically provided within 2–3 weeks of submission.

COLLABORATION Targeted funding

In 2024 the DTP will devote specific targeted funding to the following research themes (in addition to our standard research funding schemes):

Artificial Intelligence
Collaboration
Community

There will be particular funding available to support work in these areas, broadly interpreted.
Between £500 and £5000 will be available for projects such as:

  • Conferences
  • Workshops
  • Work in Progress studios
  • Co-working and network initiatives
  • Outreach activities
  • Knowledge exchange
  • Exhibitions and performances
  • Research training
  • Research as practice
  • Residencies
  • Learning by practice
  • Future networks
  • Enterprise activity
  • Careers and postdoctoral opportunity

We are interested in applications that:

  • might develop into future funding applications with the DTP or other outside funding bodies
  • embed research methods.
  • engage with non-academic partners.

Application and Reporting Requirements

Applications are welcome that involve DTP alumni.
Successful projects will be given the opportunity to develop follow-on bids and expand their scale in future funding Targeted Funding rounds.
Potential applicants are advised to contact the DTP Director, Jerome de Groot, to discuss their applications.

Funding applications should be made by groups consisting:

  • at least one NWCDTP-funded postgraduate researcher and postgraduate researchers from at least two Universities, or;
  • at least one NWCDTP-funded postgraduate researcher and one DTP partner organisation, or;
  • at least one NWCDTP-funded postgraduate researcher and one postgraduate researcher from Liverpool Hope University and/ or Liverpool John Moores University, or;
  • at least one current NWCDTP-funded postgraduate researcher and at least one alumni of the DTP.

Pathway representatives and academics can apply as part of a group. Postgraduate researchers not funded by the NWCDTP can apply as a part of a group.

Eligible projects must:

  • Be relevant to PGR students from a wide range of arts and humanities disciplines across the DTP.
  • Begin in the academic year 2020-21, but in the case of programmes of events they may continue into the following academic year, provided that this is made clear in the application.
  • Generate an output or legacy of some kind: publications, podcasts, blog posts etc. as appropriate.

 

As part of your application, you are required to submit a Case Study Report (Sections 1–2) at the time of application, and a full report after the completion of your funded activity.

Application Deadlines

There are no set deadlines for submitting funding applications. The NWCDTP reviews applications on a rolling basis, with decisions typically provided within 2–3 weeks of submission.

How to Apply for Additional Funding

Details of available funding opportunities for postgraduate researchers can be found below.

To apply, please complete this MS form:

The form covers all funding categories, and you will be asked to select the one relevant to your application. If you are applying for more than one activity, you must submit separate applications for each.

Please note that applications for Placements are managed through a different process. For further details, visit our Placement and Knowledge Exchange page.

Preparing Your Funding Application

When preparing your application, make sure to:

As part of the application process, you will be required to submit a Case Study Report (Sections 1 and 2) at the time of application, and the full report (Sections 1–5) upon completion of the funded activity.

For any questions related to funding or studentship payments, please contact your institutional representative.

North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership