The Overseas Institutional Visits (OIV) Scheme supports international engagement for ESRC-funded doctoral researchers. It provides funding for visits to overseas universities or research-focused organisations, offering both:
Funds should be used to provide financial support and time for students to:
Eligibility and Criteria
To be eligible, students must meet the following conditions:
Applications must be student-led and directly related to the completion of the PhD project.
OIVs cannot take place in the first three months of a studentship.
Visits in the final year should usually finish at least three months before the studentship end date (once the extension period is applied).
Applicants must hold a ‘research’ award (the +3 phase). Students in the initial training year of a 1+3 programme are not eligible.
The scheme does not cover overseas fieldwork, which is supported through other mechanisms.
Visits must be hosted by a Higher Education institution or a recognised research-focused organisation outside the UK.
Visits may last up to 13 weeks. Extensions beyond this limit are not normally permitted, but limited flexibility may be considered in exceptional cases.
The SCDTP will not fund visits to destinations where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel. Students must check and follow the latest FCDO guidance when applying.
Application Process
Applications should be made using the SCDTP OIV Application Form.
Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their plans with the SCDTP Manager (scdtp@soton.ac.uk) at an early stage.
The SCDTP runs two calls for applications per academic year, with deadlines on:
– 31 October
– 30 April
Applications are reviewed and assessed by the SCDTP Senior Management Team (SMT).
Outcomes will be communicated no later than:
– 30 November (for October deadline)
– 31 May (for April deadline)
Key Points to Remember
Visits must add clear value to your research and doctoral training.
The OIV scheme provides support for international collaboration, training, and dissemination — but not for fieldwork.
Plan early: allow time for discussion with your supervisor, obtaining host invitations, and preparing a strong application.
Approval Process
You will receive written confirmation if approved, including an OIV approval reference number. Keep this safe as you will need it to access the funds or for reference in your claims.
Need Help?
If you have questions or need support at any stage: 📧 scdtp@soton.ac.uk.
Please download the application form below. The form is provided in Word format and should be returned to SCDTP in the same format. Kindly ensure it is not converted to any other file type during editing or submitting. Refer to Finance page for guidance.
