The Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Programme (One-year PhD placement in the UK) Co-funded by Newton Fund GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS

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1 The Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Programme (One-year PhD placement in the UK) Co-funded by Newton Fund GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS Background The Newton Fund is a 375 million fund ( 75 million a year for 5 years starting 2014/15). Through the Newton Fund, the UK will use its strength in research and innovation to promote the economic development and social welfare of partner countries. By working together on bi-lateral and multi-lateral programmes with a focus on research and innovation, the UK will build strong, sustainable, systemic relationships with partner countries. This will support the continued excellence of the UK research base and innovation ecosystem and act as a key to unlock opportunities for wider collaboration and trade. The Newton Fund is part of the UK s official development assistance. Its aim is to develop science and innovation partnerships that promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries. In the first years of the Fund it is expected to run in 15 countries: China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Egypt and Kazakhstan. In Thailand, the British Council, which is one of the delivery partners of the Newton Fund, works collaboratively with the Thailand Research Fund. The aim of the scholarship scheme is to enhance international collaborative skills

2 for Thai researchers, enabling a pool of researchers with international perspectives and experience to work and produce research (and other work) to promote Thailand s social and economic development. The Royal Golden Jubilee is a prestigious scholarship scheme funded by the Royal Thai government. The scheme was initiated in 1996 to increase the number of PhD holders and enhance the quality and quantity of research for the sustainable development of the nation. The Royal Golden Jubilee scheme funds PhD study in Thailand and provide scholars with an opportunity for short-term placements with higher education institutions overseas. The additional support available from the Newton Fund will enable scholars to stay for longer periods in UK higher education institutions, resulting in more opportunities to learn from the UK s research excellence and create collaborative links. The scholarship scheme is managed by the Thailand Research Fund and the British Council Thailand. Call for Applications 1. Thailand Research Fund and British Council Thailand are inviting applications for funding to support short-term PhD placements in UK higher education institutions. 2. The Programme will sponsor Thai PhD students to spend a period of their study (12 months) in UK higher education institutions starting no later than October Applications for the scholarships are open to Thai PhD students who have been awarded the Royal Golden Jubilee Scholarships to pursue a PhD programme.

3 Priority areas The proposals are opened to all priority areas. Eligibility Applications will be open to existing Royal Golden Jubilee PhD students who meet the following criteria: Have passed a qualifying examination or proposal. Have planned to travel to the UK for a minimum of 12 months. Applicants who have a national or international publication record will be given a preference. Note: the selected applicants must be able to obtain the appropriate visa to enter the United Kingdom prior to travelling to the UK otherwise the scholarship will be cancelled Application Each application should come with: endorsement from both the sending and receiving supervisors, including confirmation from the UK institution that they will host the PhD student for one year; the starting date; and level of fees they will charge. The application form must be completed online submissions will not be accepted. The online form allows applicants to enter the required information and save it for a later date until final submission. There are strict character limits for each section which cannot be exceeded. Funding arrangements 29 researchers are expected to receive the funding. Thailand Research Fund will provide funding of 900,000 Baht maximum per scholar and the Newton Fund, through the British Council, will provide 13,500 maximum per scholar. The size of

4 funding and number of scholars may vary depending on candidates qualifications and the funding available. The funding from Thailand Research Fund will cover: Return international airfare (economy class) to the UK. Living expenses for six months in the UK (according to the rate of Office of Civil Service Commission, Thailand). Thai and UK research supervisors short-term visit to the UK and vice versa to follow up the scholar s research progress and academic development. Other cost for preparing students to travel to the UK e.g. UK visa fee and overseas travel insurance. Costs beyond the above arrangements will be borne by the students themselves. The funding from Newton Fund will cover: A pre-departure briefing session in Bangkok. Living expenses for six months in the UK (according to the rate of Office of Civil Service Commission, Thailand). Funding for English proficiency development and examination in Thailand or in the UK and conference participation in the UK. Tuition fee and bench fee for 12 months and not more than 5,000 in total. Costs beyond the above arrangements will be borne by the students themselves.

5 Evaluation process and key timeline Timeline 24th December th February th February 2015 Last week of February 2015 Early March 2015 Mid of March 2015 No later than October 2015 Details Open for applications Deadline for submitting applications. Announcement of short-listed candidates Interviews Announcement of successful candidates and signature of grant agreements Pre-departure briefing in Bangkok Travel to the UK for one-year PhD placement Applicants will be shortlisted and interviewed using the following criteria: The extent to which the applicant will promote the economic development and social welfare of Thailand after the course. The extent to which the applicant will contribute towards developing a long term sustainable research and education partnership between the UK and Thailand. Contracting and Financial Arrangements The grant agreement for placements in the UK will be signed between the British Council, the Thailand Research Fund, UK higher education institutions, the successful candidate, and the candidate s supervisors. Reporting and Monitoring Each PhD student will submit a report, detailing training progress and financial accounts, to the British Council Thailand and the Thailand Research Fund every three month. The student s supervisors will add some comments on the report.

6 Deadline for submission Thursday 12 th February 2015 at Hrs. Thailand time. Contact points Thailand Research Fund Luntharima Prommi, Program Officer British Council Thailand Janyarak Thanomnim, Assistant Manager, Education