Departmental Travel Bursaries
Presenting your work at conferences, whether in the UK or overseas, is an important part of your research training. It helps you develop presentation and networking skills, engage with current research, and build academic connections. The Department of Chemistry offers bursaries to support student travel, including accommodation, subsistence, and registration fees. We expect students to present (poster or talk) at the conference they are seeking funding for.
Eligibility and Funding Available
Postgraduate students who do not have any travel funding attached to their studentship are welcome to apply for the bursary. Each application is reviewed individually and funding is not guaranteed. Your claim may include costs such as accommodation, subsistence, and registration fees.
The Department typically funds half of the required amount, and it is a requirement of the bursary that your supervisor matches this contribution. Example: For a £900 total trip, the Department may contribute £450 if your supervisor also contributes £450.
- PhD students may apply for up to £750 per application.
- MPhil students may apply for up to £500.
Application limits: Up to 2 applications per PhD student during their degree.1 application per MPhil student. No carry over of funds from year to year for PhD students.
Notification Timeline
You will normally receive a decision within four weeks from making your application. If you are awaiting decisions from other funders (e.g., College, Cambridge Trust, RSC), the Department may wait for these outcomes before confirming the final bursary amount.
Travel Insurance
As with all study/work related travel during your studies, please make sure that you have the right travel insurance in place before you go. Details of the University Travel Insurance Policy and how to arrange cover can be found below.
Sustainable Travel
From 1st Oct 25, all students are required to consider “greener routes” of travel when planning their trips. To assist you with this, please use the Sustainable Travel form (see below) to your travel bursary application.
Application Forms
All students wishing to make an application must complete and submit the forms below.
- Department Travel Bursary Application - Part I
Materials RIG students must also complete the additional form to show their supervisor. The supervisor must see this before they can sign off the Part I form.
- Department Travel Bursary Application - Part II
Please send the completed Part I application and the Sustainable Travel form to postgraduate.education@ch.cam.ac.uk
