You can apply for the fund if:
- you have been accepted to present your research as a paper, poster or other format at a conference or other event
- you are a postgraduate researcher in the middle or later stages of your research degree (full time PhD researchers should be in the second year or beyond, part-time PhDs in the third year or beyond)
- your progression reviews are all up to date (if you’re not sure, check your project dates on eDoc)
- your thesis is not yet submitted
- any other available funds to help with research costs have already been allocated for this academic year (for example bench fees)
- you are resident in the UK. Distance learners and collaborative/partnership PGRs normally resident outside of the UK are welcome to apply for participation in virtual conferences
Please note:
This is a competitive scheme and funds are not guaranteed. Priority will be given to those who have not received support from the PGR Conference Fund previously, and from those who have not yet presented their research at an external conference.
Applications from middle and later stage PGRs will be prioritised, but applications from earlier stage PGRs will be considered if any funding remains available. These applications will be considered at two points during the year: at the end of January and the end of May.
Apply now via Microsoft Forms
Apply using the online form at least 6 weeks before the conference takes place.
Applications will be considered once submitted, and you will be notified of the outcome within three working weeks.
For the 2025/26 fund, you can apply for conferences happening up until 31 July 2026. The deadline for submitting applications is 29 May 2026. You will need to apply to the 2026/27 fund for conferences taking place after July.
As part of your application you will need to provide a statement about the value of participating in the event for your research and your development.
Before submitting the form, you will need to attach the following supporting documents:
- Evidence that your paper, poster or other format has been accepted by the conference organisers.
- A brief supporting statement from your supervisor endorsing your application (this can be an email).
If you have any problems uploading documents, please get in touch with Jo McKeon in the Doctoral Academy.
You will be informed of the outcome of your application within three working weeks of submission.
If successful, you will then need to liaise with faculty support staff who can assist you with making travel bookings or paying conference fees using a cost code provided by the Doctoral Academy.
At this stage, if you are travelling outside of the UK, you will need to supply a completed risk assessment form (Word, 174KB).
If you are studying in the UK on a Student Visa and are travelling outside of the UK, you should also record your conference travel dates as a short-term absence on eDoc. If you have any queries, please contact DoctoralAcademy@ljmu.ac.uk.
All funds for this academic year need to be claimed by 30 June 2026. If unspent, funds cannot be rolled over into the next academic year.
