Postgraduate School Travel Grants
The Postgraduate School supports Master’s and Doctoral students by awarding travel grants to enable research outside South Africa. PGS Travel Grants aim to assist with travelling expenses of doctoral and research masters candidates who wish to interact with other scholars, learn new techniques, pursue research in specialist archives, or utilize specialist equipment or resources not available at the UFS. In order to ensure that trips are indeed integral to the student’s research and intellectual agenda, the PGS Travel Grants will be judged competitively during a submission process as outlined below. Deadlines are set twice a year and postgraduate students may therefore plan ahead with the submission dates in mind. The judging panel will consist of the academic co-directors of the Prestige Scholar Programme and at least one, preferably both, of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and the Registrar.
Please refer correspondence concerning the PGS Travel Grants to Ms Joy Nogabe [email protected].
Guidelines:
Availability of funds and the quality of the applications will determine the number and value of the awards. The committee may award between R20 000 up to R40 000 per applicant.
A brief report (150 – 300 words) is due no later than ONE MONTH after return to the office of the PGS. The report should indicate how the Travel Grant has benefited the postgraduate thesis or dissertation.
Upon their return students will be expected to present a summary account of their expense against their budget. Unspent amounts will be returned to the PGS.
If a Travel Grant is awarded but the student are not able to take it up, the director of the PGS has to be notified as soon as possible. If notified in time, arrangements may be made for retraction of the award or transfer to an appropriate date, at the discretion of the director. Otherwise, the student will be required to reimburse the PGS.
A student must spend at least 90% of the Travel Grant. If expenses are less, the student will be required to reimburse the PGS for the unspent amount.
Eligibility: All registered postgraduate students are eligible. PGS Travel Grants are not limited to South African students.
The applicant must be a registered student at the time of travel in a research master’s or doctoral programme at the UFS and must be a registered student.
Travel must be completed prior to graduation.
Grants will not be awarded retroactively. Students are encouraged to submit applications at the earliest travel grant deadline available.
The applicant must be in good academic standing.
A postgraduate student is only eligible for one travel grant per degree.
Exceptions may be considered by the adjudication committee if well motivated by the supervisor or international host.
The Committee does not support conference attendance or paper presentations.
The number of grants awarded in each cycle will depend on the budget available.
PGS Travel Grant Application Deadlines: 31 August 2012
To apply, download the application form and checklist. Submissions, with required addenda are due by 12:00 on the date of deadline. Should this fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the submission is due the PREVIOUS Friday. Typed applications should be submitted to the Postgraduate School, University of the Free State, President Steyn Annex Building, Room 312; P.O. Box 339, BLOEMFONTEIN, 9300.
For attention: Miss S Nogabe, tel. (051) 401-2045.
Criteria:
Applications are evaluated according to the strength of the ACADEMIC motivation for travel, with input from both the applicant and supervisor required.
Support from the relevant HOD or Dean is also necessary. Please note that the supervisor section should account substantially for the necessity of the intended travel component to the PSG development.
During their time away, applicants will be required to make one formal academic presentation.
Applications with detailed and realistic budgets will receive preference by the adjudication panel. Any additional sources of funding negotiated by the student will also count in the applicant’s favour. The Committee of Management reserves the right not to make an award.
