The scheme aims to develop early career researchers and to strengthen our institutional partnerships by enhancing research collaborations with key partners. It is open to University of Glasgow:

• PhD students,
• Post-doctoral researchers; and,
• Early career staff. 

Support is available to work with the following institutions: 

• University of Hong Kong
• McGill University
• Smithsonian Institution.

Objectives

The objectives of this scheme are to:

• promote and strengthen new and existing research connections between the University of Glasgow and its partner institutions,
• introduce PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and early career staff to academic culture and professional contacts overseas and
• provide a first-hand experience of the partnership culture which is increasingly at the heart of academic collaboration.

Guidance

a. General Considerations

Applications should clearly demonstrate how their proposal will enhance the wider collaborative links between University of Glasgow and the partner with whom they wish to engage. 

Applicants should make sure their application reflects all costs (including visa, insurance and administrative costs) surrounding their proposed project. 

In light of possible travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants are encouraged to also consider virtual ways of engaging with their chosen host institution in case it is not possible to travel at the time of the proposed trip. This could include:

• Attending virtual meetings
• Arranging virtual workshops and events
• Conducting regular catch-ups with your host supervisor or relevant host contacts via Zoom/Teams.

b. Travel and Health insurance

Recipients should register their trip and complete the necessary travel Risk Assessment Procedure. More details can be found on the Travel Risk, Insurance and Compliance Approval Portal (TRIPCAP).

Recipients should also ensure they download the SafeZone app, prior to travel.

All postgraduate students should visit the Research Furth webpages. 

c. Visas

All applicants need to verify whether a visa is required for their study period and make all the appropriate arrangements accordingly.  

If a visa is required, please ensure that you apply well in advance of your departure, as the visa application procedure (which may involve attending an interview in London) can often take 2/3 months to process. Successful recipients who apply late may find it difficult to obtain a visa in time to coincide with their planned visit. 

Canada (McGill University)
British Citizens don’t usually need a visa to visit Canada for short periods, but will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before travel.  For more information about the eTA system, and to apply online, visit the  official Canadian government website. 

Hong Kong (University of Hong Kong)
British Citizens are permitted to visit Hong Kong for up to 6 months without a visa. However during the COVID-19 pandemic, different entry requirements are being applied in Hong Kong, including refusing entry to all non-Hong Kong residents. Recipients please check visa requirements well in advance of your intended travel.

USA (the Smithsonian Institution)
All recipients visiting the Smithsonian Institution must obtain a Smithsonian J-1 visa to allow their entrance into the USA in order to carry out their ECMS research project. This should be arranged as soon as possible as the visa can take up to 3 months to process and may require a face-to-face interview.

The cost of the visa is waivered however, there may be shipping fees attached (approx. $80 USD/£65 GBP).

Further details on how to apply for this visa will be provided to successful recipients.

d. COVID-19 vaccinations and quarantine 

Successful recipients are reminded to check COVID-19 vaccinations and testing requirements and whether there are any required quarantine periods in order to enter the country of the host institution well in advance of their proposed trip.

Advice for British citizens on COVID-19 vaccinations, testing requirements and quarantine periods can be found on the Foreign Travel Advice section of the UK Government website:

• Hong Kong
• Canada
• USA

 For further details please visit Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

Please note, sections ‘c’ and ‘d’ provide information which relates to predominantly British Citizens and is subject to change. Non-British Citizens are also encouraged to check all travel and visa requirements relevant to them, prior to booking.

Applicants can apply for up to the sum of £5,000 to support their proposal and must clearly outline how the money will be used. 

The award is primarily intended to contribute to expenses relating to: 

• travel 
• accommodation 
• daily living costs
• visa costs
• In certain cases, costs for research material/equipment will also be considered (please provide specific details and why it is necessary for the project).

In light of possible travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19, applicants are reminded that engagement with their host institution may also take place virtually.  As such, funding could also be utilised to support the following expenditures (subject to the approval of the ECMS Panel):  

• Development/use of online programmes, platforms and tools; 
• Conference registration fees (virtual events only).. 

Applicants must develop a clear proposal setting out details of the proposed visit/project, including the amount required and how the money would be used.   

Applicants are actively encouraged to use funds in conjunction with other sources of funding. 

Please note, all decisions regarding the budget are at the discretion of the ECMS panel and subject to further details being requested.

Eligibility 

Those who are eligible to apply for the ECMS include:

• All those registered for PhD at the University of Glasgow who have full doctoral student status, and who will not submit their thesis before completing their collaboration. Overall supervision will remain the responsibility of the student’s Glasgow supervisor/s.
• All those with a valid University of Glasgow contract to work as a postdoctoral researcher. 
• Early career staff within 5 years of their first permanent appointment at the deadline for applications and who hold an academic post at the University of Glasgow.

Duration

So as to ensure that the scheme can support a broad range of activities, there is no limit on the duration of the project.

However, students and researchers are advised that any funds must be utilised before the 31 July 2023. It will not be possible to extend access to any funds which remain unspent after this date.

Applicants should first conduct research into opportunities available to them with the partner institutions, including, for example, potential scholars with whom they would like to work. They should discuss the opportunity with their University of Glasgow supervisor and with the partner institution. 

If the proposed project requires ethical approval, please ensure that you check with your host about the processes involved and their timescale, and plan appropriately. 

Support for the application should be secured both in Glasgow and with the partner institution. All applicants must seek authorisation from their Head of School and obtain a signature for the ECMS application form .

University of Glasgow applicants who meet the eligibility criteria should submit the following: 

1. ECMS application form  which includes: 

a. Application Statement

b. Statement of Support from University of Glasgow: 
UofG colleagues providing the Statement of Support should indicate their relationship to the applicant (e.g. supervisor, Head of School, Principal Investigator) 

UofG colleagues providing the Statement of Support must be copied into applicant’s submission email to externalrelations-partnershipfunding@glasgow.ac.uk 

c. Statement of support from visiting partner
A short statement of support (attached to submission email as pdf/word document/email) from your proposed supervisor or academic at the partner institution you wish to visit/collaborate with.

d. Proposed budget 

e. Privacy notice.

Your application should be emailed to externalrelations-partnershipfunding@glasgow.ac.uk by Friday, 23 September 2022. 

Please note, funds will be allocated to your School/Institute within the financial year 2022/2023. It is the recipient’s responsibility to spend this before the end of the financial year,  31 July 2023. This date coincides with the University of Glasgow’s financial year-end and it will not be possible to carry over any unspent funds into the next financial year.   

Please note, each recipient is required to complete an ECMS progress report within two months of returning from their visit.

Recipients who fail to submit a progress report will not be eligible to submit future applications and your Head of School/Institute will be notified.

Recipients are encouraged to arrange an internal/departmental event to maximise impact and showcase their achievements following the collaboration. This should highlight the positive impact that collaboration with our international partner institutions can have on your research and the opportunities for your wider team/department. Suggested information events include a virtual coffee morning or poster presentation (either virtually or in-person).

Please do not hesitate to contact externalrelations-partnershipfunding@glasgow.ac.uk should you wish to discuss this on more detail.

2021/2022 award recipients

Congratulations to the 11 successful applicants who were awarded the ECMS for the academic year 2021/2022 for work with the following institutions: University of Hong Kong; McGill University and The Smithsonian Institution. This year’s recipients come from a wide range of disciplines and research areas from across the University, with representatives from all four Colleges. 

Name	School / Institute	College	Visiting institution
Dr Bachar Cheaib	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine	MVLS	McGill
Catherine Friel	Health & Wellbeing, Social & Public Health Sciences Unit	MVLS	McGill
Pia Katharina Huesch	Law	Social Sciences	McGill
Dr Vaithinathan Karthikeyan	Engineering	Science and Engineering	Hong Kong
Dr Cai Ladd	Geographical & Earth Sciences	Science and Engineering	McGill
Jennifer Mallon	Geographical & Earth Sciences	Science and Engineering	Smithsonian
Marianne McCallum	Health & Wellbeing	MVLS	McGill
Erin McNulty	Modern Languages & Cultures	Arts	Smithsonian
Dr Mingshu Wang	Geographical & Earth Sciences	Science and Engineering	Hong Kong
Jinglin Wen	Adam Smith Business School	Social Sciences	McGill
Duanyi Yi	Social & Political Sciences	Social Sciences	Hong Kong