PGR Conference Fund

This fund is provided by The Doctoral Academy to support postgraduate researchers with the costs of presenting in academic conferences. 

PGRs can apply for:

• up to £400 to present at an international conference (conditional on applicants gaining overseas travel authorisation from the Faculty) 
• up to £200 to present at a UK conference
• up to £100 to present at a virtual conference
• up to £200 to attend a conference as an audience member. Please note, however, that priority will be given to those presenting. 

Please note the University requires all overseas travel to be authorised in advance by the relevant School Director and Faculty Pro-Vice Chancellor. If your application for PGR Conference Funding is successful, you will then need to complete this overseas travel authorisation form, and risk assessment and return both forms to the Doctoral Academy before funds can be released. 

If your application is successful, travel bookings will need to be made using an LJMU approved travel agency. School/Faculty Support staff or supervisors will be able to do this for you using the cost code provided by the Doctoral Academy. Please bear this in mind when estimating travel costs.  

There are three rounds of the competition:

Round 1: Opens Friday 27th September – closing 16:00 Friday 25th October 2024

Round 2: Opens Friday 17th January – closing 16:00 Friday 21st February 2025

Round 3: Opens Fri 25th April – closing 16:00 Friday 30th May 2025

Applications should be submitted through an online form, once the Competition opens, and by 16:00 on the closing date of the Competition Round

Funds must be used by 31st July 2025 and cannot be transferred to the following academic year. 

Your Application

Your application is more likely to be successful if you provide clear, concise evidence of the importance of the conference to your research. This might include the direct relevance of the conference themes or how your participation will help improve your future research.

Your chances will also be improved if you show evidence of applying to other funding sources (e.g. faculty funding; external funding).  

Your application needs to include a supporting statement from your Lead Supervisor, which gives a clear indication of the relationship of the conference to your research. This statement also needs to include details of any bench fees or Research Council funding that you are in receipt of.

Submit your applications via the online form, during the Competition Round 1, 2 or 3 Windows. You can upload supporting documents (abstract, confirmation of your presentation acceptance, supervisor's supporting statement) through the online form. If you have any difficulties, you can email attachments to Jo McKeon: j.m.mckeon@ljmu.ac.uk

Applicants will be notified within three weeks from the closing date.  

Successful applicants may be asked to present their research at one of the LJMU  Research Café events for the following academic year.