PhD Researcher-led Initiatives

The PhD Researcher-Led Initiatives programme has been established to encourage participation, creativity and leadership among Ulster University’s PhD Researcher community – with the intention of enhancing and complementing the existing Researcher Development Programme.

The fund supports short-term, well-defined initiatives that develop and deliver transferable skills, training experiences and/or resources that are relevant to researchers across two or more Faculties in the University.

These initiatives provide outstanding opportunities for PhD Researcher to network, collaborate and share research with one another, while also providing valuable experience for the organisers in event management.

Applications are considered twice per year and the application process is outlined below.

• First deadline: 31 November
• Second deadline: 28 February

The maximum amount is £500 per proposal.

Selection criteria

To be eligible, proposed initiatives must be:

• led by currently enrolled Ulster University PhD Researchers
• beneficial to PhD Researchers beyond the named applicants, and in two or more Faculties in the University
• innovative and address specific needs
• be relevant to the Researcher Development Programme (RDP) and the Vitae Framework
• achievable and realistic
• complement the timing of existing programmes on the RDP

Please read the guidelines below before completing the application form that will be sent to you by email.

Postgraduate-led Initiatives Guidelines

You are asked to read these guidelines carefully before you complete the application form for funding.

1. The event or initiative must relate to one of the domains in the Vitae Framework (www.vitae.ac.uk).  See Appendix I.
2. The funding should not be used for direct financial assistance to individuals.
3. Please outline in the proposal section of the application form;
   • the type of activity proposed i.e. seminar, conference, training event etc.
   • the main aims and objectives of the activity
   • the target audience
   • approximate number of students who will be attending the activity
   • desired learning outcomes
4. As total costs for the proposed initiative may be more than the amount of funding awarded, the support agreed may be a contribution towards the proposal.
5. Support from the Doctoral College should be acknowledged at any event or in conjunction with any material developed.
6. If your proposal includes a guest speaker, subsistence costs must be in line with Ulster University financial guidelines.
7. Your application must be approved by your Research Director or Postgraduate Tutor.
8. University premises should be used for all events. Doctoral College can help you to access these bookings.
9. Only activities aimed at and relevant to PhD Researchers in two or more Faculties will be considered for funding.
10. Successful applicants are asked to submit a short evaluation report after the initiative has taken place.
11. If funding is approved, this will be managed by the Doctoral College and all payments will be co-ordinated through the Doctoral College.  Receipts for all monies outlaid on the initiative (in line with the guidelines), must be submitted to the Doctoral College.
12. Any decisions regarding the approval of funding for a Postgraduate-Led Initiative will be taken by a panel comprising of staff from the Doctoral College.

If you wish to discuss your application before submitting please contact:

Lisa Thompson
Doctoral Development Manager
Doctoral College
l.thompson@ulster.ac.uk
Ph: 02890 3689863

The following PhD Researcher-Led Initiatives have been funded.