We encourage students to spend a period of time abroad to take advantage of a wide range of opportunities, enhance employability, and reflect on the impact of the PhD project. Visits must be beneficial to the completion of the PhD. The allowance represents a paid extension to your course of study for a visit, language training, attendance at relevant seminars or for research specific training, networking etc. not available in the UK.

You will be funded for a maximum of 4 weeks and SGSSS cannot fund more than £3,000 of expenses. Examples of appropriate activities are:

• Draft a peer-reviewed publication;
• Undertake additional specialist research training not available in the UK;
• Establish research links that will be beneficial to current or future academic career;
• Disseminate early research findings and interpretation with experts;
• Attend and participate in expert seminars where directly relevant to the student’s research.

We acknowledge the commitments or barriers faced by students, and welcome hybrid or virtual applications as well as in-person visits.

Due to the limited nature of the OIV funding stream, the application process runs as a competition and is only available to ESRC-funded students. Candidates are advised to read the application requirements carefully. Applications must be made at least three months in advance of the date of the visit, and applications forms must be submitted via SGSSS Apply. They must include a supporting statement from their supervisors and host institution. 

I met people and visited organisations that made me fizz with excitement, filled my head with ideas and intellectual connections, and filled my address book with names. – Hazel Booth, final year PhD student, Canada.