Overseas Institutional Visits

Develop your research through an international visit

NINE DTP can support visits to educational institutions around the world through the ESRC Overseas Institutional Visits (OIV) scheme. An OIV gives doctoral researchers the opportunity to spend time at an overseas institution in order to develop their research, build international networks, access specialist expertise, and enhance their future academic career.

What can an OIV support?

Students may use an OIV 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 findings;
  • attend and participate in seminars directly relevant to their research.

Funding Available

An Overseas Institutional Visit is an optional opportunity and is not undertaken by all ESRC-funded doctoral researchers. Students may only receive funding for one OIV during their doctoral studentship.

Applications are considered by a NINE DTP review panel and assessed on their academic value, feasibility, value for money and alignment with the student’s research programme. Funding is limited and NINE DTP cannot guarantee support for all applications.

The DTP can provide:

  • up to £4,000 towards travel and accommodation costs; and
  • a studentship extension of up to 3 months, at the discretion of the reviewing panel.

Due to these funding constraints it is most typical for an OIV to last ~4-8 weeks

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible to apply if:
✅ You are an ESRC-funded NINE DTP doctoral researcher.
✅ You have completed your first supervisor review.
✅ Your proposed visit is to a higher education institution or an organisation with a substantive research office.
✅ You have support from your supervisor and host institution.
✅ You can submit your application at least three months before the proposed visit.

Apply

Download application form here

Application Form

Application Guidance

Guidance to support you in completing your application

Additional Funding Guidance

Approaching a potential host

Reaching out to a potential OIV host may seem daunting. Here are some tips for identifying and confidently approaching potential OIV hosts.

Tips

Timing restrictions

OIVs should be undertaken during the doctoral element of the award and cannot be undertaken during the Master’s or Research Methods Training elements.

The visit must be completed before the final three months of your studentship. For example, if your funding end date is 30 June 2028, your OIV must be completed before 31 March 2028.

Students funded through DTP1 (students who commenced funding from Oct 2017- Oct 2023) may undertake either an OIV or a placement, but not both.

OIVs are typically undertaken in the final year of a studentship, as this is often the point at which students have research findings to disseminate, international networks to develop, and a clear understanding of how an overseas research environment can support their work. However, OIVs require careful planning and are subject to a number of timing restrictions, so students are encouraged to begin making arrangements well in advance of their proposed visit.

Preparing your application

Step 1: Discuss your plans with your supervisor

OIVs are student-led and should form a meaningful part of your doctoral development and research programme. You should consider any visa, immigration or travel requirements that may apply.

Step 2: Secure support from a host institution

All applications must include a letter of support from the intended host institution. The letter should confirm the institution’s willingness to host you and explain how it will support your proposed activities.

Step 3: Obtain supervisor approval

Award-holders must secure the support and authorisation of their primary supervisor in writing to submit to NINE DTP with the application. Supporting correspondence must confirm that the student is making satisfactory progress and is on track to submit their thesis within the funded period, taking account of any OIV extension requested.

Step 4: Submit your application

Applications (available to download from this page) should be submitted to your local NINE DTP office 3 months before the proposed start date of the visit. Applications submitted later than this can still be considered but may be at risk owing to the time required for review, consultation and travel planning requirements.

Step 5: Panel review

Applications are reviewed by the NINE DTP Directors. Funding is discretionary and approval is not automatic.

Step 6: Arrange travel and approvals

Students should not commit expenditure until final approval has been received from NINE DTP.

Travel, Insurance and Visa Considerations

All visits are dependent upon Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice.

OIVs are covered by the award-holder’s home university travel insurance arrangements. Students must ensure appropriate cover is in place before departure.

Student visa holders

Students who hold a UK Student visa should be aware that extended periods of study or research overseas may have implications for visa compliance.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you should seek advice from your university’s immigration or visa team before submitting an OIV application. NINE DTP cannot provide immigration advice, and approval of an OIV does not guarantee that the proposed visit is compatible with visa requirements.

Students are responsible for ensuring that any overseas activity can be undertaken in accordance with the conditions of their visa.

Read about recent NINE DTP OIVs

A selection of case studies from our NINE DTP award holders who have completed an Overseas Institutional Visit

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