Do you have an idea for an initiative that promotes PGR student wellbeing and mental health; diversity and inclusion; or community and cohort building? Would you like up to £700 to get your project off the ground?
What’s it all about?
Doing a doctoral research degree provides academic, intellectual, professional, and social opportunities. However, there are many competing demands on your time and resources: career development and progression, conferences and publications, and extra-academic professional development – on top of your actual doctoral research! What’s more, life as a researcher can feel isolating and lonely, and never more so than during a pandemic!
The PGR Student Wellbeing Communities Fund supports initiatives which allow you and your peers to address the mental, physical and social wellbeing challenges which these demands can present. Initiatives can include a one-off or preferably a series of activities which may be academic, informal, creative, or active.
Who can apply?
All current doctoral research students, from all faculties at King’s, are welcome to apply. Faculty professional services staff working closely with PGRs to put together a proposal are also welcome to apply in partnership with PGRs.
What kind of activities can I get funding for?
We welcome applications for initiatives which demonstrate:
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New and innovative approaches to addressing wellbeing issues, building communities and creative networks of care and support, and offering spaces for reflection
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Capacity and intent to build PGR Student Communities at King's which are sustainable, ongoing, cohesive, and collaborative
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Intention, where possible, to support or connect students from BAME, LGBTQ+ and disabled communities, PGR students with caring responsibilities, and part-time PGR students
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Creativity and innovation in the use of online networking and social engagement activities
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Interaction across faculties, schools, departments, or other groupings
The Centre for Doctoral Studies has previously awarded funding for initiatives including:
- Crafternoon Session organised by the Research in Action Group
- Enabled in Academia: A Podcast for Young, Disabled Academics
- Wolfson CARD Yoga
- The Wohlbeing Festival as part of KCLSU Wellbeing Week
- PhD Coffee CommUnity Peers Support (PhD Coffee CUPS)
- Relax & Re-Set: Sufi Meditation PhD Survival Kit
- Neurodiverswing: dance classes for neurodiverse students
- In the Museum: engaging students with museum curators, artists and writers during lockdown
How will my application be assessed?
A panel will review and assess your application according to the following criteria, which you should follow closely when writing your application:
- Relevance: does your proposal clearly address a specific issue or question in relation to PGR student wellbeing and mental health; diversity and inclusion; or community and cohort building?
- Viability: is this initiative achievable; measurable; and clearly planned according to a timescale?
- Audience: does this initiative have a clear audience or target group?
- Budget: does this initiative have a clear and realistic plan for costs?
- Creativity: does this initiative have a creative or innovative approach?
- Longevity: will your initiative foster a sustainable community for PGRs that will continue to support and engage with one another beyond a one-off event?
- Inclusivity: have you considered how you’ll make your initiative as accessible and inclusive as possible e.g. for disabled students, or in reaching underrepresented groups?
- Outreach: how you will attract participants (e.g. newsletters, social media) and what are the critical time points?
Terms and conditions
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Awards will be for a minimum of £50 and for a maximum of £700 each.
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There will be two funding rounds in the 2023/24 academic year, with deadlines in February and May 2024.
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Initiatives must start within six weeks of the award being granted and should usually be completed within the current financial year (i.e. before 31 July 2024).
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The primary mechanism for payment from the CDS is via reimbursement through student expense claims. If the initial outlay of funds is going to be difficult, please get in touch to discuss alternatives.
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Reimbursement for activities must be submitted well before the end of the financial year (31 July 2024). If you anticipate any problems achieving this, please let us know as soon as possible.
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We are unable to supply funding for the purchase of alcohol.
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We will not fund initiatives which would duplicate existing or closely related ones, such as training courses or departmental schemes or activities.
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Students are permitted to apply for funding more than once, but priority will be given to those who haven’t previously applied.
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You can apply as an individual or as part of a group, but you will need to nominate a named contact on the application form.
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You will need to independently organise your activities and manage the administrative aspects of your initiative, such as bookings for events, creating marketing materials, paying suppliers, etc. See ‘How do I apply’ below for links to resources which you may find helpful when writing your application.
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The Centre for Doctoral Studies will provide marketing support for your initiatives, via the CDS newsletter, social media etc.
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Where appropriate, please supply a certificate of liability or insurance when using external trainers or suppliers.
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We will ask you to provide a short report on your initiative within two months of its start, and we may also request a follow-up report later on in order to evaluate the success of your ongoing community initiative, where applicable. We may also, with your permission, use your report (and any accompanying photographs or video) to publicise your initiative via the Centre for Doctoral Studies newsletter, blog and social media channels.
How do I apply?
Ensure that you’ve read the terms and conditions above carefully and then complete this application form by 12:00 (midday) on Monday 19 February 2024. You will be notified of the outcome of your application within three weeks of the deadline. There will be second application deadline on Monday 13 May 2024 at 12:00 (midday).
You may find the following resources helpful when writing your application:
Please direct any queries to doctoralstudies@kcl.ac.uk.