The University is home to a vibrant community of doctoral students pursuing innovative, high-quality research projects. Our research is globally engaged, which is reflected in the many international topics investigated, as well as the participation of our researchers in conferences around the world.
In support of this global engagement, we are pleased to offer a series of scholarships to doctoral researchers fully enrolled on any of our programmes. The scholarships are for the following four activities:
- Participation in academic or professional conferences nationally or internationally, where students have been selected to present their research
- Attendance at and participation in training courses and workshops, to develop and enhance research methods skills
- Organisation of seminars and conferences at the University of Westminster. This funding is for doctoral student-initiated events which seek to foster and develop our research community both within the university and beyond it
- Doctoral researcher led training/development where funding is awarded for a specific piece of training or development activity that is not on offer at Westminster. Funds would cover costs of hosting a training event which would be open to all doctoral researchers
The scheme is open to all fully enrolled doctoral researchers at the University of Westminster on full-time, part-time and distance learning programmes. Applicants should not have been awarded their degree before the event/activity takes place, which must be for a conference, course or event taking place between 1 August and 31 July of the current academic year (1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025).
Funding available
- Participation in academic or professional conferences nationally or internationally – a maximum award of up to £1250
- Attendance at and participation in training courses and workshops – a maximum award of up to £1500
- Organisation of seminars and conferences at the University of Westminster – a maximum award of up to £1500
- Doctoral researcher led training/development - a maximum award of up to £2000
Funding can be put towards
- Conference registration fees (where the doctoral researcher has been accepted to present their research)
- Course fees, including summer schools and online courses
- National/international travel
- Accommodation costs
- Training fee/speaker expenses
- Catering (category 3 & 4 only)
Applications to fund any of the following will not be considered
- Accommodation costs which exceed £100 per night
- Meals and/or subsistence
- Events which fall outside of the scheme dates (1 August – 31 July)
- Retrospective activities (i.e., the event took place in the previous academic year)
When to apply
There are four calls for applications throughout the academic year.
- Call 1: applications open 1 August 2024, deadline 28 October 2024, 5pm
- Call 2: applications open 1 November 2024, deadline 27 January 2025, 5pm
- Call 3: applications open 3 February 2025, deadline 1 May 2025, 5pm
- Call 4: applications open 2 May 2025, deadline 27 June 2025, 5pm
Supporting information
Each category requires the following supporting information:
- Participation in academic or professional conferences nationally or internationally requires: a completed application form and evidence of conference abstract/paper acceptance
- Attendance at and participation in training courses and workshops requires: a completed application form and confirmation of workshop/course participation
- Organisation of seminars and conferences at the University of Westminster requires: a completed application form
- Doctoral researcher led training/development requires: a completed application form and an indicative list of participants which demonstrates demand for the proposed piece of training or development
Applicants are responsible for ensuring Parts A and B are completed before submission to the School PhD Co-Ordinator. The completed application must be submitted to the Graduate School via: [email protected] by the call deadline. Late applications will not be considered. Applicants will receive confirmation from the Graduate School when the application has been received and validated.
Further guidance
How to make a strong application to the GER Fund
If you have a question about the GER Doctoral Scholarship Scheme that is not covered on this page, please email [email protected].