Deadline: 08-Jun-2026
The Postgraduate Research Awards provide funding support to PhD students registered at UK higher education institutions to conduct overseas fieldwork and data collection. The programme is designed to advance geographical knowledge by enabling doctoral researchers to carry out original, high-quality, and innovative field-based research.
The award offers up to £2,500 in funding to support essential research expenses. It is intended to supplement existing PhD funding and is specifically aimed at supporting fieldwork that has not yet taken place. Successful applicants are notified by mid-March 2026.
What are the Postgraduate Research Awards?
The Postgraduate Research Awards are competitive research grants supporting doctoral students in geography and related disciplines.
The programme focuses on enabling:
- Overseas fieldwork
- Primary data collection
- Empirical research development
- Original academic contribution
- Early-career researcher development
The funding helps PhD students establish themselves within their research field through real-world, field-based academic work.
Purpose of the Programme
The awards aim to strengthen geographical research by supporting direct engagement with field environments.
Core Objectives Include:
- Advancing geographical knowledge
- Supporting original doctoral research
- Enabling overseas fieldwork
- Encouraging innovative methodologies
- Strengthening empirical research capacity
- Supporting early-career academic development
Key Features of the Award
Funding Amount
Successful applicants may receive:
- Up to £2,500 per award
The funding is intended for:
- Fieldwork-related expenses
- Overseas data collection costs
- Essential research travel costs
Funding Scope and Limitations
The award:
- Supports only future fieldwork
- Does not fund completed research
- Cannot replace primary PhD funding
- Is designed as supplementary financial support
Eligible Research Activities
Funding may support:
- Overseas fieldwork
- Data collection activities
- Site-based research
- Travel for academic fieldwork
- Field equipment and research tools
- Research logistics directly linked to fieldwork
Who is Eligible?
The programme is open to doctoral researchers in the UK.
Eligible Applicants Must Be:
- PhD students
- Registered at a UK higher education institution
Funding Priority
Preference is given to applicants who:
- Do not receive full fieldwork funding from research councils
- Do not have equivalent institutional support
- Require supplementary funding for fieldwork
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete application package.
Required Documents
Application Form
Applicants must complete and submit:
- Official application form for the award
CV Requirement
Applicants must provide:
- A one-page CV
References
Applicants must arrange:
- Two referees
At least:
- One referee must be the PhD supervisor (for student grants)
Project Eligibility Requirements
Proposed research must:
- Be aligned with geographical research aims
- Involve fieldwork not yet completed
- Demonstrate originality and innovation
- Be feasible within the proposed timeline
- Include clear methodology and objectives
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are reviewed by an external panel of experts.
Key Assessment Criteria Include:
- Contribution to geographical knowledge
- Originality and innovation of research
- Feasibility of project design
- Clarity of research methodology
- Quality of planning and preparation
- Justification of budget and costs
- Ethical considerations
- Health and safety planning
- Environmental responsibility
- Social and cultural responsibility
Why the Postgraduate Research Awards Matter
Supports Early-Career Researchers
The programme provides critical funding for PhD students conducting field-based research.
Advances Geographical Knowledge
It enables new empirical research that contributes to academic understanding in geography.
Encourages High-Quality Fieldwork
The award promotes well-planned, ethical, and methodologically strong field-based studies.
Reduces Financial Barriers
The funding helps students who lack full fieldwork support access essential research opportunities.
Promotes Responsible Research Practices
Applications are assessed for ethical, environmental, and cultural responsibility.
How the Funding Can Be Used
Eligible costs may include:
- International travel for fieldwork
- Accommodation during field research
- Local transport for data collection
- Field equipment and materials
- Research-related logistics
- Data collection tools and resources
Application Process
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure you are:
- A registered PhD student at a UK institution
- Conducting geography-related research
- Planning fieldwork not yet completed
Step 2: Develop Research Proposal
Prepare a clear plan including:
- Research objectives
- Methodology
- Fieldwork location
- Data collection approach
- Timeline
- Expected outcomes
Step 3: Prepare Required Documents
Gather:
- Completed application form
- One-page CV
- Contact details for two referees
Step 4: Arrange References
Ensure:
- Supervisor provides one reference
- Second referee is appropriately qualified
Step 5: Submit Application
Submit the complete application before the deadline for review.
Selection Process
Applications are assessed by an external expert panel.
Review Process Includes:
- Academic quality assessment
- Methodological review
- Budget evaluation
- Ethical compliance review
- Feasibility analysis
Notification Timeline
Successful applicants are informed by:
- Mid-March 2026
Some applicants may also receive:
- Named awards within the broader funding scheme
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly justify fieldwork necessity
- Demonstrate strong methodological design
- Provide a realistic and detailed budget
- Highlight originality of research
- Address ethical considerations thoroughly
- Show feasibility within PhD timeline
- Emphasise contribution to geographical knowledge
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting incomplete applications
- Weak justification for fieldwork location
- Unclear methodology
- Poor budget justification
- Ignoring ethical or safety considerations
- Applying for already completed fieldwork
- Overlooking eligibility requirements
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Postgraduate Research Award?
It is a funding programme supporting UK-based PhD students to conduct overseas fieldwork in geography and related disciplines.
How much funding is available?
Successful applicants may receive up to £2,500.
Who can apply?
PhD students registered at UK higher education institutions.
What can the funding be used for?
It supports overseas fieldwork and data collection costs for research not yet conducted.
Can it replace full PhD funding?
No. It is supplementary funding intended to support specific fieldwork activities.
What is the application requirement for references?
Applicants must provide two referees, including at least one academic supervisor.
When are results announced?
Successful applicants are notified by mid-March 2026.
Final Thoughts
The Postgraduate Research Awards 2026 provide valuable financial support for PhD students conducting overseas fieldwork that contributes to geographical research.
By enabling original data collection and supporting innovative methodologies, the programme helps early-career researchers strengthen their academic profiles while advancing knowledge in geography and related fields.
For more information, visit UNDP.