The purpose of this funding is to allow you to attend and "present" (either a paper or poster) at international conferences. This funding is available only once during the tenure of your study.
Each division administers the funding and may have additional guidelines regarding eligibility. You must also provide a report to the division on your return outlining your participation and the benefit this had on your studies.
Some departments may also have additional funding available to assist with extra funding requests.
For information about booking travel, refer to the current University travel planning procedure
Division of Health Sciences
- A maximum of $2,000
- You can apply at any time but must be at least two months before the travel
- You mustn't have exceeded 4.0 EFT years at the time of conference attendance
- Where a student who meets the other eligibility criteria has already submitted a thesis that is still under examination, or they have completed the PhD, they may still make an application for funding to attend a conference that takes place within 6 months of the date of the first submission of the thesis, if (i) they are current holders of a publishing bursary, or (ii) if they have an employment relationship with the University of Otago. Students must present their PhD/DClinDent research at the conference under University of Otago branding
Email healthsciences.research@otago.ac.nz for more details.
Division of Health Sciences—PhD travel grants
University of Otago, Wellington Postgraduate Research Student Support Fund
- The School may provide up to $2,000 per student once during their PhD or master's thesis. This will cover non-working expenses such as conference registration, conference travel and training courses. Publication costs will not be covered. Priority will be given to applications where the student is making an oral presentation
- Applications are open to all currently-enrolled Otago postgraduate research students (PhD or master's by thesis). Applications should be in writing on the application form and include evidence of acceptance of an abstract or poster if seeking funding to attend a conference and a detailed budget for the proposed expenditure. There can be no carryover or accrual of funds. As funding is on an annual basis all expenses are to be paid in the current calendar year
- There will be three rounds of applications per annum, and students are encouraged to plan ahead in consultation with their supervisors. No applications will be considered outside of these dates. No retrospective applications will be considered
Applications for funding are due by the following dates:
- 1 February for conferences/events 1 March–30 June
- 1 June for conferences/events 1 July–30 September
- 1 September for conferences/events 1 October–1 March
Contact Trevor Williams for an application form or further information:
Email trevor.williams@otago.ac.nz
University of Otago, Christchurch Postgraduate Student Research Support Fund
This fund is available for all research students enrolled at the University of Otago, Christchurch. Applications accepted all year.
Contact Fran Cox for details, email postgrad.uoc@otago.ac.nz
UOC Postgraduate Support Fund (PDF 345KB)
Division of Humanities
- A maximum of $2,000
- If you are not a 100% Humanities student, you will be eligible for a pro rata amount
- It is expected that you will seek the cheapest airfare where practical and stay at budget accommodation
- Conference funding is not available for workshops and collaborative meetings, and normally only one conference per trip is eligible for funding
- The paper being presented must be directly related to your research for the current thesis (but the substance of the paper cannot have already been published or be under review for publication)
- If your thesis has been submitted, no funding will be provided
Humanities PhD Conference Funding
Division of Commerce/School of Business
- A maximum of $2,000 will be awarded from the division for each PhD student
Students whose supervision/EFTS is split across divisions are eligible to an amount proportional to their Commerce supervision. For example, a student who is supervised 80% with Commerce and 20% with Humanities is only eligible $1,600 - Applications should normally be received at least two months prior to the date of conference
- Application for virtual conferences is encouraged, provided the student is presenting their work, or otherwise contributing substantially to the conference (e.g. panel discussion)
- Applications for physical attendance at conferences are accepted, provided the student is presenting their work (full paper); these include travel and accommodation costs, according to University guidelines (including airport transfers). It is expected that students will seek the cheapest airfare (where practical) and stay at low-cost accommodation. A case for exceptions to these guidelines can be made in the application. Attendance at conference dinners is normally not funded. Per diems or sustenance are not funded
- Travel insurance must be purchased through the University. Costs of insurance should be included in the application
- International students must check their visa conditions and ensure any travel is permitted. All students must make themselves aware of, and adhere to, entry requirements for any country they intend to travel to.
- Visits to research institutions etc. whilst away are acceptable, but costs incurred outside conference attendance (e.g. travel to another city) must be funded from other sources. Travel must not impact the progress of PhD study
- Applicants are encouraged to discuss further conference support with their respective departments
Commerce PhD Conference Funding Eligibility and Guidelines (PDF 100KB)
Speak to the department administrator and your supervisor for further information specific to each department.
Division of Sciences
- PhD students are eligible for up to $2,000 over the course of their programme (not per year) for assistance to present a paper/poster at a conference
- It is preferred that the candidate present at a conference before submission of their thesis, however if the student has submitted a thesis which is still under examination, they may apply for funding to attend a conference that takes place within six months of the date of the first submission of the thesis
- Funding may be pro-rated based on their EFTS split. For example, a student who is supervised 80% with Sciences and 20% with Humanities would only be eligible for 80% of the $2,000
Please apply using the form available on the Division of Sciences website