School of Social and Political Science

Funding Opportunities

Updated with new guidance on 19 September 2024

 

Please review all details of the fund carefully before submitting your application. You may reach out to ssps.student-development@ed.ac.uk with any questions. 

Are you planning an activity such as a networking event or hosting a guest speaker? Perhaps you are thinking about attending a conference or a professional development programme to help develop your career. Or are you planning your dissertation/thesis and seeking support with supporting research costs?

The Student Development Office has some funding to help with the costs of organising and attending these types of activities. You can apply for funding to support a range of activities including:

  • Dissertation and Fieldwork Research
  • Placement-Based Dissertations
  • Personal Development
  • Student-led Initiatives

Please review all of the details and guidance for the fund you are applying to carefully before submitting your application. 

You may reach out to ssps.student-development@ed.ac.uk with any questions. 

 

Which Fund Should I Apply For?

Dissertation and Fieldwork Research

Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate taught students.

This funding could be put towards associated costs for dissertation research or fieldwork such as travel, accommodation, or reimbursement for research costs.

PGR Research Support Fund

Open to all postgraduate research students.

This funding could be put towards associated costs for research or fieldwork such as travel, accommodation, or reimbursement for research costs, as well as presenting at a conference or taking part in an external development workshop or event.

 Placement-Based Dissertations

Open to postgraduate taught students on selected programmes.

This funding could be put towards associated costs for placement-based learning such as travel, accommodation, or reimbursement for research costs.

Personal Development Fund

Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate taught students.

This funding could be put towards attending a conference, taking part in an external development workshop or event, or facilitating collaboration and networking opportunities.

Student Initiative Fund

Open to all undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research students.

This funding could be put towards setting up a conference, hosting a speaker, holding a writing retreat, organising an event, or facilitating collaboration and networking.

 

Guidance and Important Information

When funds open and close can vary throughout the year according to the fund. While every application is reviewed and considered, funding is not guaranteed. 

Please review all details of the fund you are applying to carefully before submitting your application. 

  • Applications must be made in advance of any activity and as early as possible
  • Where retrospective applications are permitted, they will be reviewed on a case by case basis
  • All applications including travel and events must be received at least two weeks in advance.
  • Do not submit multiple applications for the same request.
  • Include as much detail as possible in your application.
  • The amount requested section should be itemised and as complete as possible.
  • The funding provided may not cover all costs associated with your activity.

Deadlines

  • The deadline to submit applications for funding opportunities will vary according to the fund.
  • Funds will typically open for applications in September for the upcoming academic year.
  • All funds must be claimed by the end of June so that they can be reimbursed within the University's financial year (which runs from 1st August to 31st July each year).

Travel

How To Apply

Select below which fund you wish to apply to, and read the additional guidance and specifications prior to applying. 

  • Read the Guidance and Information above carefully
  • Research your requirements and explore all possible alternatives and be mindful of the University's Sustainable Travel policy. Example: You are planning to travel to London for research, explore all travel options including flight, rail and bus and note in your application the reason for selecting your preferred transport method. 
  • Applications must be made in advance of any purchases. 
  • Items not listed on your application will NOT be funded. 
  • All fieldwork and travel funding applications must be accompanied by a completed risk assessment.
  • You must be connected to the University VPN to access the risk assessment form. For more guidance on how to access the VPN read here. 

 

PGR Research Support Fund

 

PGR Research Support Fund

Open to all postgraduate research students.

This funding could be put towards associated costs for research or fieldwork such as travel, accommodation, or reimbursement for research costs, as well as presenting at a conference or taking part in an external development workshop or event. 

Key Information 

The maximum funding available during the course of your PhD: 

For fieldwork (over the duration of your PhD): up to £750 

For presenting, your work, at conferences (excluding writing up period): up to £500 

Note: A total of £750 may be awarded to a successful applicant, this amount is not guaranteed. 

Any request for research funding must also be accompanied by an approved ethics form and applications will be discussed with and supported by your dissertation supervisor prior to approval.

Application Process

  • Read the Guidance and Information section of the Funding Opportunities page.
  • Research your requirements and explore all possible alternatives, remembering to check the University's Sustainable Travel Policy. Example: You are planning to travel to London for research, explore all travel options including flight, rail and bus and note in your application the reason for selecting your preferred transport method.
  • Applications must be made in advance of any purchases. 
  • Items not listed on your application will NOT be funded. 
  • All funding applications must be accompanied by a completed risk assessment.
  • You must be connected to the University VPN to access the risk assessment form. For more guidance on how to access the VPN read here. 

Criteria for Applications

  • You must be a matriculated PhD student in SPS.
  • Your annual reviews must be up to date.
  • First year students (or first two years for part-time) are not eligible to apply.
  • Applications during the write up period will not be considered.

Application Window

  • There will be two application windows per academic year: 

           The First will run from 23rd September – 16th October (for activities after mid-October) 

           The second will run from 1st – 28th of February (for activities after mid-March) 

  • All funds are to be claimed by end of June to allow us to finalise these within the financial year. 

After Submission

  • Applications will be reviewed within two weeks of the deadline and you will be contacted by the Student Development Office regarding the outcome. 
  • More information about the processes will be provided once your application has be reviewed.
  • Money will not be transferred to you directly in advance of the activity.
  • You will not receive funding if other required documents have not been provided. Examples: Travel Risk Assessment, Ethical Approval Form, Fieldwork Risk Assessment.
  • Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Any unallocated funds will roll over to the next funding window.  

Travel

  • Any requests requiring travel must be accompanied by a Travel Risk Assessment. 
  • Bookings through other companies other than Diversity may be permitted (Remember to check the University's Sustainable Travel Policy | The University of Edinburgh)
  • PhD students can register as a travel booker with Diversity Travel. 
  • Travel booked through Diversity Travel will be invoiced directly to the University. However, if the cost of travel is more than the funded amount, you will need to reimburse the university for the difference. 
  • Risk Assessments must be submitted for approval at least 2 weeks prior to travel. Always await risk assessment approval before you travel. 

Travel Risk Assessments

Travel and Field Work Risk Assessment Form

All fieldwork funding applications must be accompanied by a completed risk assessment.  See PGR page for more information.

Non-Fieldwork Travel Risk Assessment

If you are applying for non-fieldwork travel (eg. conference attendance) please use the Travel Risk Assessment: RA1 form and email it to ssps.student-development@ed.ac.uk.  

For more information regarding fieldwork and travel policies for PGR students, visit the Fieldwork & Travel guidance page. 
Please contact your research supervisor before submitting this application. 

Apply Here - PGR Research Support Fund

*If you are attending multiple conferences please submit a separate application for each. 

 

PGR Student Initiative Fund

 

PGR Student Initiative Fund

The Student Development Office has a budget for undergraduate and postgraduate students to support initiatives that will benefit the student community within the School of Social and Political Science.

This funding could be put towards setting up a conference, hosting a speaker, holding a writing retreat, organising an event, or facilitating collaboration and networking.

Key Information 

The maximum available to request per student over the academic year is up to £500.

* While every application is reviewed funding is not guaranteed.

For events with associated costs such as venue hire, catering, and transport, all suppliers must be approved University suppliers.

Application Process

  • Read the Guidance and Information section of the Funding Opportunities page.
  • Research your requirements and explore all possible alternatives. Example: You are planning an event with speakers who are travelling, explore all travel options including flight, rail and bus and note in your application the reason for selecting your preferred transport method. 
  • Applications must be made in advance of any purchases or agreements with suppliers. 
  • Items not listed on your application will NOT be funded. 

Receiving Funding

  • More information about these processes will be provided once your application has been reviewed. 
  • Money will not be transferred to you directly in advance of the funded activity. 
  • All bookings with suppliers must be with approved suppliers who can invoice the School directly. All invoices must be proceeded by a purchase order created through the Student Development Office. Invoices with no purchase order will not be paid. 
  • You will not receive any funding if other required documents have not been provided. Examples: Travel Risk Assessment, Ethical Approval Form or Fieldwork Risk Assessment.

Student Expenses

  • We are only able to fund many activities through reimbursement of receipts and the completion of the Student Expenses Form (with the exception of Diversity Travel bookings). This form will be sent to you upon your application being successfully reviewed. 
  • For more information regarding expenses, please see the University of Edinburgh expenses policy.

Travel

  • Any requests requiring travel will need to be accompanied by a Travel Risk Assessment and booked through Diversity Travel, in accordance with the University of Edinburgh Sustainable Travel Policy.
  • Travel booked through Diversity Travel will be invoiced directly to the University. If the cost of travel is more than the funded amount, you will need to reimburse the university for the difference. 
  • Risk Assessments must be submitted for approval at least 2 weeks prior to travel. Always await risk assessment approval before you travel. 
  •  

Apply Here - Student Initiative Fund

 

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