Funding support for current doctoral researchers

This fund is intended to support opportunities for Doctoral Researchers to enhance their doctoral training experience and increase future employability. 

Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis and could support activities such as: 

• presenting at conferences, 

• collaborating with partner institutions, industry, or other external organisations 

• travel or field work additional to the original PhD project plan 

• training specific to the research area of the PhD including workshops and summer schools  

Doctoral Researchers are expected to have first exhausted alternative funding sources, such as Research Training Support Grants (RTSG), industrial funding, project grants, School funding, funds from the supervisory team or Research area, where available. In addition, many professional organisations (“Institute of...”) provide access to “conference funds” for PhD student members. Doctoral Researchers who are self-funded with no access to alternative funding will be prioritised. 

Please note that Doctoral Researcher Support funds are limited and must be prioritised.  Awards will typically be made up to a maximum of: 

• £600 to support activity taking place within the UK;  

• £800 for activity outside of the UK but within Europe; 

• £2,000 for International activity outside Europe.  

Other research funds, School funds, or externally sourced funds may be used to contribute to partial payment of an activity where costs exceed this scheme’s maximum allowance; we strongly discourage the use of personal funds to cover costs in excess of the DRSF award. 

What do I need to know? 

You must discuss your plans and gain the support of your supervisor, establishing clear links to your research or training needs. Your supervisor will be asked to support your application with a short statement.  
The Doctoral Researcher Support Fund panel will review applications at the following times: 

It is important that you plan your activity well in advance to meet the panel dates above. Applications may only be considered outside of the published timescales in exceptional circumstances.

Funding awards will be prioritised for students in their later years of study and for those who are self-funding with no access to alternative funding.  
Funding will not be provided to students in their R3 extension period or beyond. 

Travel and accommodation should be appropriate for the activity and booked using the University’s approved Business Travel supplier, in accordance with the University’s travel policy. When submitting your application, please include quotes from this supplier. The guiding principle is that the most cost-efficient manner which meets the needs should be selected. 

Please do not make any purchases or bookings using your own money. You will not be permitted to retrospectively claim expenses for any activity or purchase against the fund where the purchasing procedures have not been followed, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please see the University Expenses Policy for information on what can, and cannot, be claimed.  

There is the opportunity to apply for this fund more than once, but we will only award one funding request over the lifetime of your PhD, so please be mindful of this when submitting an application.
 

I want to apply, what do I need to do? 

• Refer to the application form link below and note the application deadlines for the next available funding panel. 

• Be specific about why you are requesting funding, and how this activity will benefit you in conducting your research.   

• Ensure that you have the support of your supervisor – they will be asked to provide a statement. 

Complete the Application form to apply for funding.  

What happens after I apply? 

The Doctoral College will usually communicate the outcome of your funding application within a week of the panel date. 

If funding is approved 

• we will provide information about how to access the funds to make bookings. You will need to make the relevant travel/accommodation bookings through the approved University approved business travel supplier. Other activities (e.g. conference registration) should be booked through the School finance team.   
  Please note, bookings should not be made through 3rd party websites e.g. Airbnb. 

• You undertake your research activity or training. 

We will ask you to provide a short summary of the activity, and how you have benefited from it. This may be used to promote the Fund’s activities across the University.

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q. I need to undertake specific field work or purchase consumables to undertake work that is essential to my research, am I eligible to apply for this funding? 

A. Whilst we will consider all applications, we would not expect to see claims for equipment or consumables, or funding requests to undertake specific field work that is crucial to your research. This type of expenditure should have been considered (and funding provision made) at the outset of your research. 

Should an unexpected opportunity arise to undertake additional research activity connected to your PhD project, you should detail the benefit it would bring to your development and to the University e.g. in terms of collaborating with industry or research led institutions. 

Q. Can I use third-party booking agents (e.g. Airbnb, Kayak, Skyscanner etc.) to make my accommodation and flight booking? 

A. All travel and accommodation bookings should be made through the University’s approved business travel supplier; third-party sites (e.g. AirBnB, booking.com) should be used. We strongly recommend that you obtain quotes from the approved business travel supplier for your intended travel and accommodation so that appropriate costs can be included in your application. 

Q. I have had some funds from DRSF last year, can I apply again? 

A. So that we can support as many doctoral researchers as possible to undertake research activities, we only make a maximum of one award to any individual over the lifetime of the PhD. So, you will not be awarded any further funds. Please make sure you are requesting the support for an activity that has a significant positive impact on your PhD.  

Q. I received funds from DRSF but didn’t spend the full allowance – can I use the rest for another activity? 

A. The award you are given is to cover the activity you have applied to only - it is not a cash award that you can use for other activities. 

Q. My application was approved for DRSF but I couldn’t attend the activity as planned. Can I use the approved funds for another activity? 

A. We are unable to approve the use of the funds for another activity as default. Please email to inform us of the change, and if we are able to re-allocate the funds, we will do so. Please be aware that if you have gone into R3 Extension, you will not be permitted to use the funds.

The John Guest Phillips Travelling Scholarship was established in memory of Loughborough University of Technology’s fourth Vice-Chancellor, Professor J G Phillips.

The Travelling Scholarships awards up to £500 for full-time postgraduate research students to extend their knowledge of their subject, either within the UK or overseas.

For more details on the Award, including how to apply, please see  John Guest Phillips Travelling Scholarship | Student Handbook | Loughborough University

We understand the pressure of combining university studying with elite level sport.

In addition to the considerable benefits of first-class coaching, access to world class facilities, strength and conditioning and sports medicine support, Loughborough Sports Scholarships offer financial support as well as access to a sports mentor, a life skills programme, and the opportunity for flexible study. Scholarship holders receive up to £5,000 per year. 

The fund can be used to support Doctoral Researcher activities that enhance the research culture and community within and across Schools.

Established in direct response to the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) results and is intended to support and encourage Doctoral Researcher led events and initiatives across the University which contribute to creating a positive research culture and research community at Loughborough.

The fund can be used to support Doctoral Researcher activities or initiatives that enhance the research culture and community within and/or across Schools, or across the wider University. Events that encourage collaboration across Schools and Research Challenges, and which support the creation of an inclusive academic community at Loughborough, are particularly encouraged.

Initiatives must be led by Doctoral Researchers. Where applications relate to events (either standalone or a series), these must be open to all interested Doctoral Researchers.

Doctoral Researchers are encouraged to put forward their own novel event proposals. Examples of previous events supported through this fund include:

• Journal and writing clubs
• Doctoral Researcher conferences
• Discussion groups and reading groups
• Presentations and seminars

Use the link below for full details and eligibility information.

Do you need funding to cover tuition fees, living costs, research costs or travel, but haven't been able to secure money from traditional sources such as the Doctoral College or a Research Council?

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online is all about alternative sources of funding - especially charities - which can make awards to any student regardless of subject.

The Alternative Guide Online contains a huge database of funding opportunities, as well as comprehensive guidance and numerous tools to help you prepare a winning grant application. The Doctoral College holds a licence to the Guide, and so it’s free for all students and staff to use!

You will need either to login from a campus-based computer or register with your university email address. 

Research Professional

As a member of the Doctoral College, you have automatic access to Research Professional, an online database of research funding opportunities. It also provides a source of international research policy and practice news. You are free to browse the content of this site, create customised searches or use the pre-set searches on the Doctoral College page (see under Early Career Researchers) which have been set up to help you find external sources of funding for travel, study or early career fellowships.  

• To log in, use the University account option and your Loughborough username and password.

Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust

The trust provides postgraduate bursaries of up to £5,000 to UK students in financial need, who have a parent or spouse, or are employed themselves, as a commercial traveller, pharmacist or grocer, and who are registered on a full-time postgraduate degree course at a recognised UK university. Applications open annually every June, and close in September.  

• Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust

Postgrad Solutions Study bursaries 

Bursaries worth £2,000 are available to students starting postgraduate courses. 

• Postgrad Solutions Study bursaries 

Sir Thomas White Loan Charity loans 

These are available to postgraduate students resident in Leicestershire and Rutland for the past three years. If you meet the criteria you can apply for an interest free loan of up to £10,000. 

• Sir Thomas White Loan Charity loans 

The Reid Trust 

This trust supports women educated in Britain who have appropriate academic qualifications and who wish to undertake further training or research in the United Kingdom, each year the Reid Trust makes six to ten awards of up to £1500 each. 

• The Reid Trust

Sports Scholarships

For full details, see the Loughborough Sport website. 

• Loughborough Sport Scholarships

UK government PhD loans

 The key details are:

• loans up to £28,673 (this may be reduced if you apply after your first year)
• available across all subjects
• intended to contribute towards the costs of your PhD.

To be eligible you must be:

• a UK or EU national ordinarily resident in England or an EU student who meets certain criteria,
• aged 59 or under,
• accepted for PhD study at a UK university,
• not in receipt of Research Council funding.

Part-time students are also eligible to apply.

Repayment of the loan begins when your income is over a certain amount (the ‘threshold’ amount). The postgraduate loan repayment rate is 6% on earnings over the threshold amount, but this could be significantly higher if you have other student loans relating to undergraduate study.

Interest will be charged from the day you get the first payment.

• Government Doctoral Loan website. 

The Hardship Fund

If you find yourself in financial difficulties, advisors in the Student Advice and Support Service may be able to help. 
In addition, the University has a fund available to help students who are facing financial hardship. The award is not automatic and students need to make a full application via the  Student Support Hardship and Emergency Loan webpage. 

•  Student Support Hardship and Emergency Loan

Students Disabled Allowance

Students with Disabilities are entitled to funding from the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). This helps disabled Postgraduate students with expenses incurred as a consequence of their disability. For advice, contact the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity team (SWAI) on campus. Detailed information is also available on the gov.uk website. 

• Disabled Students Allowance

Government benefits for Postgraduate students

Full-time UK Postgraduate students usually do not have to pay Council Tax. Part-time UK Postgraduate students may be eligible for housing, council tax or other benefits. For details, contact your local benefits agency or visit the Department for Work and Pensions website.

• Department for Work and Pension