Events and Opportunities

PGR Training and Development Fund supports activities which benefit postgraduate researchers (PGRs) of the University of Aberdeen.

The competition is open to all PGRs, including distance students and Masters of Science (Research).

Applications can be submitted any time between the 31st of October 2024 and 17:00 Monday 19th May 2025. All projects must be completed by 31 July 2025.

Application Form Submit your application: pgrs-training@abdn.ac.uk

We aim for a two-week turnaround on decisions after receiving an application.

What is the fund for?

The PGR Training and Development Fund offers financial support to help postgraduate researchers (PGRs) host activities that build transferable skills and foster personal, professional, and career growth. The fund can be used to support:

• Professional Development Opportunities – Organise workshops focused on enhancing skills such as leadership, project management, and effective communication, helping PGRs prepare for diverse career paths.
• Career Development Support – Set up networking sessions or conversation panels, that connect PGRs with professionals and alumni for insights into career options and skill requirements.
• Encourage Interdisciplinary Learning – Organise collaborative research opportunities that bring together PGRs from various disciplines, encouraging teamwork, creativity, and innovation across fields.

Applications should not go beyond £250. All activities should have a clear benefit to postgraduate researchers within the University.

Who can apply?

University of Aberdeen postgraduate research students, including distance students and Masters of Research, are eligible to apply. The application should be made by a team of at least two people.

You can apply for funding for:

• Event catering
• Expenses for a speaker
• Workshop materials
• Promotional materials
• Small prizes for competitions or thank you gifts

What we don’t fund:

• Direct financial assistance to individuals
• Hardware, software or other technical materials that your School would normally be expected to purchase as part of their ongoing budgets
• Reimbursement of University of Aberdeen student/staff time For any questions and to submit your application: pgrs-training@abdn.ac.uk

PGR Community Fund supports activities which benefit postgraduate researchers (PGRs) of the University of Aberdeen.

The competition is open to all PGRs, including distance students and Masters of Science (Research).

Applications can be submitted any time between the 31^st of October 2024 and 17:00 Monday 19^th May 2025. All projects must be completed by 31 July 2025.

Application Form

Submit your application: pgrc@abdn.ac.uk

We aim for a two-week turnaround on decisions after receiving an application.

What is the fund for?

The aim of the PGR Community Fund is to provide financial support to enable PGRs to host activities which foster a sense of belonging and inclusion and promote wellbeing. The fund can be used to:

• Enhance Community Engagement: Facilitate activities that encourage PGRs to actively participate in community building. E.g., organise social events such as coffee mornings, book groups, film screenings and networking opportunities.
• Support Wellbeing: The fund may be used towards activities or resources that support PGR wellbeing and promote a healthy work-life balance.
• Promote Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion: The fund may support initiatives that foster an inclusive environment for all PGRs, e.g. through funding speakers and social events celebrating diversity.

Applications should be up to £250. All activities should have a clear benefit to postgraduate researchers within the University.

Who can apply?

University of Aberdeen postgraduate research students, including distance students and Masters of Research, are eligible to apply. The application should be made by a team of at least two people.

You can apply for funding for:

• Event catering
• Expenses for a speaker
• Workshop materials
• Promotional materials
• Small prizes for competitions or thank you gifts

What we don’t fund:

• Direct financial assistance to individuals
• Hardware, software or other technical materials that your School would normally be expected to purchase as part of their ongoing budgets
• Reimbursement of University of Aberdeen student/staff time

For any questions and to submit your application: pgrc@abdn.ac.uk

Can you represent your research in a single image? Each year the PGR School runs an Images of Research Competition for postgraduate research students to display their research in a visual way.  Selected finalist images and winners are exhibited in the PGR School.

Please note, this is not running in academic year 2024/25

More Information 

The 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition requires doctoral researchers to compete to deliver the best research presentation in just 3 minutes (and one slide). It was originally created by the University of Queensland. The University of Aberdeen 3MT is organised by the PGR School with heats and final taking place every year.

More Information

Public Engagement with Research is a great way to help you enhance your personal skills including creativity, teaching, writing and leadership through design and delivery of public engagement projects. Explore opportunities with our PERU team.

The Qualitative Research Network is an initiative established by postgraduate researchers who are passionate about qualitative research. The network is run by volunteers who organise and facilitate training seminars, group meetings, and social activities around qualitative research.

We encourage discussion on all aspects of qualitative research, provide peer support and networking opportunities, offer informative sessions, and learn more about qualitative research in an informal environment. We also provide a drop-in space for troubleshooting and informal support with research-related questions.

For clarity: we do not provide formal teaching or qualifications, we are not trained to provide specialist support relating to all disciplines or methods (please ask your supervisor); we also don’t have the authority to help you choose your method or approach. Check out the Course Booking system for suitable training courses.

Please contact QRN on qrn@abdn.ac.uk to let us know what you would like us to cover in our sessions, how you would you like the sessions to be run and if there are any other activities or events you would like to do as part of the network. We’re also on Facebook.

Getting involved with the QRN is an excellent opportunity to put into practice your skills as a communicator, events manager, team leader, and many more. Here is a testimonial from a former QRN co-facilitator:

“In my role as a QRN co-facilitator I have been exposed to multiple QRN methodologies, organised workshops that lasted several hours to a full day, connected with others within the qualitative research community (both at Aberdeen and globally) and made life-long friends.

Not only is this an opportunity to lead an already established network of like-minded individuals across the University of Aberdeen it will enable you to share and grow your knowledge of the intricacies of qualitative research. Not to mention it will look fantastic on your CV.”