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“This project offered the WUN partnership the opportunity to support the exploration of a research topic which does not find great economic academic funding internationally. ”Laurette Bristol, University of Sheffield, visited the University of California, San Diego.
The programme is open to postgraduate research students, postdoctoral candidates and academic staff/faculty within the WUN partnership. Awards are available for travel to another WUN member institution, and must involve exposure to research environments overseas.
Before you fill in your application please read these guidelines carefully. You can also make use of the help available to you through the RMP and WUN Coordinators in your own institution.
WUN members currently participating in the programme are as follows:
| University | Participation |
|---|---|
| University of Alberta | Accepts: case by case basis |
| University of Bergen | Sends and accepts awardees |
| University of Bristol | Sends and accepts awardees |
| University of Leeds | Sends and accepts awardees |
| Nanjing University | Sends and accepts awardees |
| Pennsylvania State University | Sends and accepts awardees |
| University of Sheffield | Accepts awardees, scheme for outgoing students in abeynance |
| University of Southampton | Sends and accepts awardees |
| University of Sydney | Sends and accepts awardees |
| University of Western Australia | Accepts: case by case basis |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Accepts awardees |
| University of Washington, Seattle | Please check with nominated RMP contact** |
| University of York | Sends and accepts awardees |
| Zhejiang University | Accepts awardees |
Applicants should consult their relevant RMP contact at an early stage as each institution sets their own priorities. However, broadly speaking priority is normally given to applications which relate to current and emerging areas of WUN activity. These can be found on the WUN website research page.
The University of Washington, Seattle specifies that awards to UW should commence no earlier than 3 months after the awardee contacts UW to say that they have been successful in obtaining an award to enable all administration and visa requirements to be fulfilled. Please contact the RMP officer at Washington as early as possible.
Pennsylvania State University requests that all incoming applicants ensure initial contact with the University is made through their supervisor or RMP officer to the PSU supervisors or RMP officer.
Nanjing University requests that all incoming applicants ensure that initial contact with the University is made to their possible host supervisor and then to the RMP officer with a letter of invitation from the host supervisor.
The University of Bristol has specific guidance on the Research Mobility Programme therefore students and staff should check the institution website before applying. Follow this link to Bristol's RMP page.
The University of Leeds encourages applications from all members of its PhD and academic community, including postdocs and senior academics.
WUN Partner institution students interested in visiting UW-Madison need to:
Useful contacts:
The University of Sydney requires that all incoming applicants make initial contact via their home institution RMP Coordinator contacting the University of Sydney RMP coordinator (see below).
Outbound applicants at the University of Sydney are selected via the annual IPDF-INRC as part of a wider research collaboration project. It is possible, however, for outbound applicants to seek funding at the Faculty level to participate in the program. In either case, applicants should contact the University of Sydney RMP Coordinator before making contact with the host institution.
| University | RMP Contact | Local web-site | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Quinney | |||
| Elisa Lawson | |||
| Margaret Jones | |||
| University of Bergen | Ellen Margrete Grong | University of Bergen WUN pages | |
| University of Bergen | Bjorn Erik Andersen | University of Bergen WUN pages | |
| University of Bristol | Isobel Howe | University of Bristol WUN pages | |
| University of Leeds | Anoushka Kulikowski | ||
| Nanjing University | Cong Cong | ||
| Nanjing University | Zhang Lwei | ||
| Pennsylvania State University | Jennifer Dickey | Pennsylvania State University WUN pages | |
| University of Sydney | Nicholas Haskins | University of Sydney WUN pages | |
| University of Washington, Seattle | Lauren Jorelle | ||
| University of Wisconsin, Madison | Kimberly Coulter | University of Wisconsin, Madison WUN pages | |
| University of York | Sandy Ritter | University of York WUN pages | |
| Zhejiang University | Yang Yuwen | ||
| Zhejiang University | Hu Zhengming |
Postgraduate applicants are advised to speak to their supervisor for approval, first of all.
Further queries can be directed to the local RMP coordinator. In some partner universities the RMP and WUN administrators are different people. The WUN Administrators manage all WUN activity across their university, whereas the RMP Coordinators only deal with the Research Mobility Programme.
Additional information, including details of the research interests of many of the key academics involved in WUN activities is available from the WUN website accessible via the WUN home page at, http://www.wun.ac.uk.
“This help, support and advice not only enhanced the quality of my research and helped me gain skills in intonational analysis, it also greatly increased my confidence of carrying out research.”Angela Barry, University of Sheffield, visited University of California,San Diego
There are two application forms, one for faculty and one for students. Please ensure that you complete the correct form.
To apply, complete the correct RMP application form, and return it to your local RMP Co-ordinator before the relevant deadline [see below], along with any supporting documents as detailed in the application form.
Please note that Bristol has a different RMP application form which can be found at: http://www.bris.ac.uk/wun/researchmobility/
The following points should be kept in mind while completing the form:
Visits can last from one week up to six months, however clear reasons must be shown for longer visits. The average student visit lasts for 2-3 months.
** Please note, you need to allow at least three months for the application to be approved and to sort out travel and accommodation arrangements for your stay, please take this into account when you submit your application. **
Each institution provides its own funding and has discretion over the periods of time that are supported.
Generally, the RMP award will cover an international economy air fare and internal travel to the host institution and visa and related costs, where applicable. The award will contribute towards living costs at the equivalent rate of £800 per month (maximum) and may contribute towards research costs at the equivalent of £100 per month. These amounts may vary per institution, please ask your RMP Co-ordinator about your University award.
Please note that you are responsible for arranging your own insurance to cover the visit.
Member universities have agreed to waive bench fees for visiting students and faculty on RMP travel awards. In exceptional circumstances where expensive materials are required host institutions may apply charges. It is the responsibility of the applicant to establish from the host institution whether this is the case. Please confirm with the host RMP contact before completing your application.
The application should include a concise summary of the proposed exchange, including the anticipated benefits of the exchange to the applicant and their group, school or department.
Although relatively brief - no more than 1,000 words - the application must describe the project in sufficient detail to enable an evaluation of its intellectual merit and the broader benefits of the proposed collaborative activity.
Applicants must clearly state whether regulatory approval is required in the recipient university because of the nature of their research, for example, if it involves radiation or work with animals. Any approvals required must be secured before the application is submitted.
Students require the written support of two named supervisors - one from the home institution and one from the host institution.
Students are advised that the purpose of the programme is to enhance their PhD by providing access to experts and facilities not available at their home university. Potential host supervisors should therefore be identified in discussion with your home supervisor in the first instance.
Students should note that RMP awards are research travel awards. Students funded by UK Research Councils are advised to discuss the implications of travel funds for research with their PhD funder and with their home supervisor to ensure that all regulations are met with regard to the funding agreement.
Under the current funding rules of the UK Research Councils, participation in the RMP is treated as an integral part of a students study, not supplementary. Research Council funded applicants who have not timetabled a period of study overseas and are in the final stages of their PhD may therefore wish to consider a short-term award in order to eliminate complications relating to the need to extend the PhD study period. PhD students early in their period of study may wish to consider timetabling the possibility of study at a partner institution at an early stage and so create the opportunity to take up a lengthier award.
Please note that it is the responsibility of students to discuss this with their funder.
As a general guide successful applications will contain the following:
Receipt of your application will be confirmed.
A local panel will meet within six weeks of the deadline (often much sooner) to select successful applicants.
After the panel has met you will receive a letter telling you if you have been successful or not. If you are successful you will be asked to accept the award by letter and further details will be sent to you.
Your RMP Coordinator will inform the RMP contact at the host University of your visit.
You are required to send a feedback report to the RMP Coordinator at your home university within a month of your return. If you are a student your home and host supervisor will also be required to submit a short report.
This report should be in an email attachment consisting of a maximum of two sides of A4 and containing your RMP details (name, host university and department, date of visit, name and email of host supervisor if you are a student) and details of the following:
In addition, you may be asked to make an informal presentation on your visit to senior faculty.
The WUN RMP team wish you every success with your application!