MRes in East European Studies: Overseas Fieldwork Grants

Applications for financial support to undertake overseas fieldwork associated with the preparation of the Second Year Research Dissertation will be considered. The plans submitted may also include attendance of an approved language course in the target country. This document provides guidance and the application form to be completed.

Choosing a project
Delivery of a Research Dissertation is a major element of the MRes degree. As part of their preparations, students are required to submit their topic proposal for approval in the second term of the First Year of study.

Fieldwork approval and grant form
Students should consult their Research Dissertation supervisor to discuss any plans for fieldwork in the summer. This should be done at the earliest opportunity and the discussion must include consideration of any personal risk associated with the fieldwork and how this will be managed. (Please note that students may also be required to apply for ethics approval and should do in a timely manner; for more information, see: http://ethics.grad.ucl.ac.uk/)

Summer language courses
Students planning to take additional language tuition during their fieldwork trip should seek advice about approved courses from their SSEES language teacher.

Fieldwork outside of the UK
Please be aware that you may need visas and additional insurance to live, study, and/or work in countries other than the UK. Students are responsible for managing their own visa requirements and for making arrangements for their health and welfare.

How and When to Apply for a Grant

Fieldwork grants are normally for work undertaken outside the UK in the summer period at the end of First Year of study.
In order to be eligible for support, field trips must be between 10 and 20 working days in duration.
The student's Research Dissertation supervisor, and the Head of Postgraduate Research, must approve the application/risk assessment form.
Applications must be submitted to the Head of Postgraduate Research by 1st March.
Once approval has been obtained, students should not delay in making their travel arrangements.
The completed application form must be presented to the SSEES Accounts Office (Room 409) accompanied by evidence of payment for the travel. It should be noted that receiving the grant can take up to six weeks and this needs to be budgeted.
It is not possible to apply for a grant in retrospect and no submission will be considered if it is received after the fieldwork has commenced.
SSEES has limited funds for fieldwork and students should understand that any grant they receive will not cover full costs.

Rates of Grant

Fieldwork grants will be based on the following rates:

Maintenance: £10 per day (if not living at home)
Travel: £150 (maximum)
Health insurance: £15 (maximum)

Fieldwork Risk Assessment

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of anything that may adversely affect you or others during the course of your fieldwork. Its objective is to identify the main risks that could arise and to minimise the likelihood of anything going wrong by using appropriate control measures. For example, you will consider:

What will the trip entail? (travel plans, accommodation, neighbourhoods to be visited, preparations for meetings/interviews)
What information will you need to have with you? (local transport facilities, local conditions, living costs, anticipated research expenses)
How would you manage an emergency? (useful contacts, financial back-up, travel insurance and medical cover)

Application/Risk Assessment Form

This page last modified Thursday 2 February 2012.