NINE DTP can support visits to educational institutions around the world, via the ESRC Overseas Institutional Visits (OIVs) scheme.

Visits must be to a Higher Education institution, or an organisation with a substantive research office. The ESRC guidelines state that OIVs should provide support to students to:

• undertake additional specialist research training not available in the UK
• develop language skills
• establish research links that will be beneficial to their current or future academic career
• disseminate early research career findings
• attend and participate in seminars where directly relevant to their research.

The DTP can provide funding of up to £4,000 to cover the costs of travel and accommodation, and can provide an extension of the studentship for up to thirteen weeks at the discretion of the reviewing panel.

Overseas Institutional Visits are most likely to prove valuable in the final third of the period of funded study, owing to the nature of the visits in disseminating research findings; however, applications can be considered throughout the funded period if sufficient justification is provided.

Students can only receive funding for one OIV during the course of their funding. Funds are not limitless, and the DTP cannot guarantee it will be able to support all applications.

We have temporarily suspended the semi-annual application schedule for OIV applications. Applications may be filled at any point.

• OIVs should be undertaken during the full doctoral element of the award; they cannot be undertaken during the Masters or Research Methods training elements.
• Visits cannot be undertaken within the first three months of the Doctoral programme, or in the last three months of funded studies.
• Applications need to be submitted three months in advance of the proposed visit. Applications submitted later than this may be considered, but will be at risk owing to the time required for review, consultation, and the time required to arrange insurance, visas, etc.

• OIVs must be student led; students are expected to structure the visit with a clearly defined and developed programme of events and meetings to provide a clear justification for the expenditure and value of the visit.
• Visits must be to a Higher Education institution, or an organisation with a substantive research office.
• All applications must include a letter of support from the intended host institution, which should not only indicate their willingness to host the applicant but also detail how they will support the candidates activities.
• All visits are dependent upon the travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
• OIVs will be covered by the travel insurance policy of the award-holder’s host institution. The award holder will need to ensure coverage from their host institution is secured prior to departure.
• Award-holders must secure the support and authorisation of their primary supervisor for all applications. This should be presented in the form of a formal letter, email, or any other form of correspondence. The letter will need to confirm that the student is making good progress with their studies, and is on track to submit their thesis no longer than six months after the end of the funded studentship.

• Retrospective claims will not be considered except in exceptional circumstances; no funds should be spent or committed until such time as NINE DTP have given final approval on the application.