Research Training Support Grant
The AHRC Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) provides support to study visits and
conference attendance for AHRC / CHASE funded doctoral students at Sussex. There is no
limit to the amount of funding any one student can receive from the total RTSG grant; however,
the funding awarded will not normally exceed £600 per student over the period of the grant.
The Doctoral School may use its discretion to award less than the maximum amount.
The RTSG will be administered by the Doctoral School on behalf of the University.
Allocation Process at Sussex
The Doctoral School will run the application process for all fully enrolled AHRC / CHASE
funded doctoral students at the University. The following eligibility criteria will apply:

Applicants must be award holders (full award, fees-only, full-time, part-time, and distance
learning are all eligible) to receive RTSG support. Funding will not be provided for students
in the writing-up stage of their course/project. Students with a full award will continue to
receive maintenance payments while abroad, provided they have met all their obligations
under the AHRC’s terms and conditions for their award.

Study visits and conference attendance must not take place before 1st October in the first
year of a student’s award.

Students would not normally be expected to receive more than one allocation from RTSG
funding.

The RTSG can be used to fund UK or overseas study visits and the costs of attendance
at UK or overseas conferences.
Assessment Criteria and Process
Funding applications will be considered by a panel chaired by Dr Maria Lauret.

Any funded study visits must be for the purposes of conducting primary research.

All activities must be essential to the satisfactory completion of the student’s
thesis/course.

The proposed budget must be evidenced, reasonable and as detailed as possible. Please
note, payment will be in the form of reimbursement. Documentary evidence, in the form of
receipts or equivalent, covering all expenses included in the budget, must be provided to
the Doctoral School Office in order for payment to be released.

The University would not normally expect a student to go on an overseas study visit to
multiple countries.

The University would not normally expect a student to go on a UK or overseas study visit
in the last three months of the funded period of their award, nor for the duration of a study
visit to exceed 12 months

The University would expect that students requesting funding for overseas conferences
would be active participants in the conference with either a paper or presentation
accepted. If a paper has been accepted then this should be stated in the “Purpose of
study visit or conference attendance” section.

Decisions are communicated by email normally within 2 weeks of the call closing.

Successful applicants will be required to submit a 400 word report of their experiences to
the Doctoral School, these will be posted on the Doctoral School Blog
http://doctoralschool.wordpress.com/

Students travelling abroad must obtain University of Sussex travel insurance for the trip.
Further details regarding insurance cover and the relevant application form can be found
at this link http://www.sussex.ac.uk/finance/services/corporateaccounting/insurance
Any queries on eligibility or on completing the application form below should be directed
to Anna Izykowska, Doctoral School, Falmer House, University of Sussex BN1
9QF: a.izykowska@sussex.ac.uk
Doctoral School
September 2014
Personal details
Name:
University registration number:
Details of study visit or conference attendance
Please give the exact dates of your proposed
study visit or conference
If attending a conference: please tick the box to
indicate if you will be presenting at the
conference and attach confirmation from the
conference organisers if you have been
accepted to present
City/region and country to be visited
Have you previously applied for AHRC RTSG
funding?
YES / NO
Please explain any practical (not academic) requirements or problems you foresee in
making arrangements for your study visit or conference attendance in the box below,
including any relevant restrictions on obtaining visas.
Funding bid
Please enter the total sum of funding you wish to bid for from the RTSG. The Doctoral School
reserves the right to offer awards of less than this sum.
£
Budget – Costs
Please complete a detailed budget plan for funding your proposed study visit or conference
attendance. Bear in mind that you should take the cheapest option wherever possible. Please
include a cost for each of the specified items below or write ‘n/a’ (not applicable.) The blank
boxes are for you to enter further items and costs as necessary. Please give full breakdowns
as far as possible, for example including all elements of travel. If you need more space, please
attach a complete separate copy of your budget to this application form.
Item
Amount
Travel
(Please express as x nights at y price)
Accommodation
Access to research facilities
Visa charges
Conference fees
Purpose of study visit or conference attendance
Please explain how your proposed study visit or conference attendance will make an essential
contribution to your research or to your development as a researcher. (Maximum: 350 words.)
Student’s declaration
I confirm that I have read the guidance on eligibility and, based on these, believe that my proposed
study visit or conference attendance is suitable for support. I undertake to inform the Doctoral School
if the study visit or conference attendance is cancelled or if the length, location or nature of the visit
is changed. I understand I will be required to provide documentary evidence for any payment(s) to be
released.
Signed:
Date:
Supervisor’s statement of support (Maximum: 350 words.)
Supervisor’s endorsement
I confirm that for the proposed study visit is for the purpose of conducting primary research and is
essential to the satisfactory completion of the student’s thesis/course or the Conference identified is
suitable to enhance the individual’s development as a researcher.
Print name:
Signed:
Date:
To be completed by Doctoral School
Approved by
Print name:
Signed:
Date: