Exeter – UBCO Sustainability & Resilience Partnership – Visiting Research Student Fellowship

Deadline:

March 24, 2025


Eligibility of Citizenship: Canadian, Permanent Residence, and International
Degree Level: PhD and EdD
Award Status: Open
Applicant Status: Continuing Students

Description

Quick Facts

Exeter and UBC Okanagan (UBCO) have developed a growing number of collaborations advancing mutual interests in teaching, research, and public service through formal agreements and joint funding mechanisms dating back to 2017. The next phase of collaborative engagement focuses on shared strategic priorities under the banner of the Exeter – UBCO Sustainability & Resilience Partnership.

We aim to generate exceptional research and teaching; to connect our talented researchers, educators, and higher education professionals in efforts to solve problems particular to our regional contexts. The approach recognizes the excellent foundations and existing linkages shared between Exeter and UBCO faculty, and gives fresh focus through three Key Thematic focus areas: 

  1. Adaptation to Climate and Ecological Change: Bringing together expertise from engineers, climate scientists, ecologists, environmental humanities, and policymakers to explore solutions to the climate crisis and build resilience in our communities. 
  2. Innovative Health Initiatives: Encouraging interdisciplinary approaches that impact positively on human health & performance, focusing on the needs of our regional communities, building outstanding health education together, and catalyzing new research.  
  3. Enhancing Social Justice: Combining the unique perspectives of Exeter and UBCO faculty / staff to lead progress to create a fairer, socially just, and inclusive society. We will seek to work in partnership with our local communities to structure our research, creative, and education initiatives together, delivering positive impact for the places where we are situated.  

The University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) and the University of Exeter are jointly offering funded fellowship opportunities for several MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate students per year to participate in research projects and creative activities.

Value:  $7,000 CAD / £4000 GBP
Term: Applicants may request a minimum of 2 weeks of support and up to 8 weeks.

Program Objectives

The Visiting Research Student Fellowship program will provide doctoral students with an opportunity to work with a supervisor on a research project. The key aim of the program is to foster collaboration, develop research skills, and provide students with meaningful experience with projects aligned with the academic and strategic priorities of both institutions. 

The specific objectives of the program are to:

  1. Support pre-defined, high-quality research activities to increase research productivity in one of the key thematic focus areas: Adaptation to Climate and Ecological Change, Innovative Health Initiatives, Enhancing Social Justice. 
  2. Provide PhD students with practical research experience in an international and interdisciplinary academic environment.
  3. Foster cross-institutional collaborations and academic development.

Student Eligibility

  • The Visiting Research Student Fellowship program is open to MPhil, PhD, and Professional Doctorate students currently enrolled at either the University of Exeter or UBC Okanagan.
  • Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and a keen interest in research.
  • Students must meet any additional eligibility requirements specific to the research project. 
  • Student must not have held a previous Exeter-UBCO Resilience and Sustainability Partnership Visiting Research Student Fellowship. 
  • Students must be eligible to hold the fellowship by the award start date for the duration of the fellowship. 

Cost Eligibility

Applicants should develop a budget that is accurate as successful applicants will be required to abide by official reporting, insurance and registration requirements as outlined in UBCO and Exeter policies.

Eligible costs include:

  • travel and subsistence costs (meals and accommodation) for the student.
  • air travel, which must be claimed at the most economical rate available.
  • travel cancellation insurance and seat reservation charges.
  • accommodations.
  • travel health insurance for the student if they do not receive any such benefits from their institution and/or other source.
  • safety-related expenses for field work, such as protective gear, immunizations, etc.
  • entry visa fees when required for the purpose of the exchange.
  • public transportation fees for travel made to the workplace.

The following items are not eligible for funding under this scheme:

  • student fees / tuition.
  • salaries and benefits.
  • third-party travel costs.
  • publication costs.
  • meeting, venue, and catering costs at host institution.
  • indirect costs, estates/capital costs, and overheads associated with internal research facilities.
  • passport and immigration fees.
  • reimbursement for airfare purchased with personal frequent flyer points programs.

Resources

The successful student will be considered a visiting research student at the host institution per the UoE and UBCO guidelines. Students may be granted access to resources at the host institution such as research facilities, libraries, and other resources including wellbeing and accommodation support.

Assessment Criteria

Criteria Description
Quality of the Proposed Research or Creative Activities
  1. Completeness of the background and literature review.
  2. Quality and originality of the questions and strategic importance of the proposal to address knowledge gaps in a key thematic focus area.
  3. Clarity of the goals, research design, and methods.
  4. Feasibility of the project and appropriateness of the project timeline, including timeliness of the visit.
  5. Identification of potential risks that may arise during the project and possible mitigation strategies.
  6. Appropriateness of the results and process to generate new knowledge and make an impact.
Quality of the Student
  1. Qualifications and previous training and experience of the applicant to undertake the activities described in the proposal.
  2. Evidence of leadership through contributions to the research field, in addition to curricular and/or professional contributions.
  3. Evidence of generating knowledge that is creative/original and of high quality.
Quality of the Environment
  1. Alignment of the proposed activities with existing research activities performed by the host supervisor.
  2. Availability of resources (personnel, facilities, and equipment) to achieve the research goals and ensure the success of the work.
  3. Evidence of mentorship and adequacy of the mentorship plan to support the student towards developing a personalized and world-class international student experience.

Application Process

Each year, PhD, MPhil, and Professional Doctorate students wishing to undertake collaborative work with the host institution must submit a full proposal by the deadline. A complete application includes the following components: 

  • Application form
    • Research proposal (max 1000 words) and appendix (if needed, max 1 page)
    • Quality of the student (max 500 words) 
    • Quality of the environment (max 500 words) 
    • Budget form 
    • Home supervisor approval 
    • Host supervisor approval 

The duration of each fellowship will be determined based on project requirements but will typically range from 2 to 8 weeks. Applicants will need to obtain approval from the supervisor of their home institution, the host supervisor as well as the authorized signatories from their Department/Unit at the time of submission. It is critical to check with the existing supervisor at the home institution and the potential host supervisor as early as possible to ensure the proposal is developed with their support and approvals are in place at the time of application. 

In order for your application to be considered complete, both the home and host supervisor must submit their approvals. Please ensure you submit the application well before the deadline to ensure time for these approvals. 

Important Dates

Date Activity
February 18, 2025 Calls for applications issued
March 24, 2025 Full application deadline
April 4, 2025 Anticipated notice of funding decision
April 11, 2025 Anticipated start of funding
January 30, 2026 Latest project end date (complete fellowship and expenditure)
1 month after exchange Final report submission deadline

Making Contact with the Host Institution

If you are interested in making an application for a Visiting Research Student Fellowship, but you require support in making contact with potential supervisors at the Host Institution, Exeter Students should please contact GP-Funding@exeter.ac.uk and UBCO students should please contact vprawards.ubco@ubc.ca for advice. 

FORMS

Exeter – UBCO Sustainability & Resilience Partnership – Visiting Research Student Fellowship Application Form

Additional Resources

For more information regarding the program, including support with setting up at the host institution and grant acquittal and reporting, please review the guidelines document.

Exeter – UBCO Sustainability & Resilience Partnership – Visiting Research Student Fellowship Guidelines Document

Conditions for Award Holders

Registration

  • In order to remain eligible for this fellowship, students must remain registered as a full-time student for each term of the fellowship payment. Students must register in their thesis course in each term of their studies to ensure that they maintain full-time status.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please consult your home institution contacts if you would like any additional information.

Exeter: Stuart Westhead (Global Partnerships Regional Head – North America & Europe) S.westhead@exeter.ac.uk; Global Partnerships GP-Funding@exeter.ac.uk  

UBCO: Pierre Rondier (Manager of Strategic Initiatives) pierre.rondier@ubc.ca; Strategic Research Initiatives Team vprawards.ubco@ubc.ca