GER Scholarship Fund

The University is home to a vibrant community of doctoral researchers pursuing innovative, high-quality research projects. Our research is globally engaged, which is reflected in the many international topics investigated, as well as the participation of our researchers in conferences around the world.

In support of this global engagement, we are pleased to offer The Globally Engaged Research (GER) Scholarship to doctoral researchers fully enrolled on any of our programmes. The scholarships are for the following four activities:

1. Participation in academic or professional conferences nationally or internationally, where doctoral researchers have been selected to present their research
2. Attendance at and participation in training courses and workshops to develop and enhance research methods skills
3. Organisation of seminars and conferences at the University of Westminster. This funding is for doctoral researcher-initiated events which seek to foster and develop our research community both within the university and beyond it
4. Doctoral researcher led training/development where funding is awarded for a specific piece of training or development activity that is not on offer at Westminster. Funds would cover costs of hosting a training event which would be open to all doctoral researchers

The scheme is open to all fully enrolled doctoral researchers at the University of Westminster on full-time, part-time and distance learning programmes. Applicants should not have been awarded their degree before the event/activity takes place, which must be for a conference, course or event taking place between 1 August and 31 July of the current academic year (01 August 2025 to 31 July 2026). 

Funding available:

• Participation in academic or professional conferences nationally or internationally – a maximum award of up to £1250
• Attendance at and participation in training courses and workshops for research methods – a maximum award of up to £1500
• Organisation of seminars and conferences at the University of Westminster – a maximum award of up to £1500
• Doctoral researcher led training/development – a maximum award of up to £2000

Funding can be put towards:

• Conference registration fees (where the doctoral researcher has been accepted to present their research) 
• Course fees, including summer schools and online courses
• National/international travel 
• Accommodation costs 
• Training fee/speaker expenses 
• Catering (category 3 & 4 only)

Applications to fund any of the following will not be considered:

• Accommodation costs which exceed £100 per night
• Meals and/or subsistence
• Events which fall outside of the scheme dates (1 August 2025 – 31 July 2026)
• Events and activities that took place in the previous academic year

When to apply:

There are four calls for applications throughout the academic year:

CALL 1 – AUGUST 2025

• Call opens: 01 August 2025
• Deadline for receipt of applications: 5pm, 27 October 2025
• Outcome by: 10 November 2025

CALL 2 – NOVEMBER 2025

• Call opens: 01 November 2025
• Deadline for receipt of applications: 5pm, 26 January 2026
• Outcome by: 09 February 2026

CALL 3 – FEBRUARY 2026

• Call opens: 01 February 2026
• Deadline for receipt of applications: 5pm, 27 April 2026
• Outcome by: 11 May 2026

CALL 4 – MAY 2026

• Call opens: 01 May 2026
• Deadline for receipt of applications: 5pm, 22 June 2026
• Outcome by: 06 July 2026

Please note the following:

• All applications will be reviewed following the deadline for submissions and applicants notified of the outcome as per the timetable above
• Late submissions will not be considered.
• Successful applicants will be required to submit a multi-media report detailing how the experience has benefited their research and personal development. This report must be submitted within one month after their funded activity. This should be sent to their Doctoral Coordinator and the Graduate School. The Graduate School may then upload these reports on to the Graduate School website for promotional purposes.

Supporting information:

Each category requires the following supporting information: 

• Participation in academic or professional conferences nationally or internationally requires: a completed application form and evidence of conference abstract/paper acceptance.
• Attendance at and participation in training courses and workshops for research methods requires: a completed application form and confirmation of workshop/course participation.
• Organisation of seminars and conferences at the University of Westminster requires: a completed application form.
• Doctoral researcher led training/development requires: a completed application form and an indicative list of participants which demonstrates demand for the proposed piece of training or development.

Application form:

• Applicants are responsible for ensuring Parts A and B are completed before submission to the School PhD Co-Ordinator.
• The completed application must be submitted to the Graduate School via: graduateschool@westminster.ac.uk by the call deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
• Applicants will receive confirmation from the Graduate School when the application has been received and validated.

Further guidance

How to make a strong application to the GER Fund:

If you have a question about the GER Doctoral Scholarship Scheme that is not covered on this page, please email graduateschool@westminster.ac.uk.

Projects funded by the scheme: