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 UKs 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

for Thai researchers, enabling a pool of researchers with international perspectives

and experience to work and produce research (and other work) to promote
Thailands 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 UKs 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 2015.

3.

Applications for the scholarships are open to Thai PhD students who have
been awarded the Royal Golden Jubilee Scholarships to pursue a PhD
programme.

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 email 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

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 scholars 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.

Evaluation process and key timeline

Timeline

Details

24th December 2014

Open for applications

12th February 2015

Deadline for submitting applications.

20th February 2015

Announcement of short-listed candidates

Last week of February 2015

Interviews

Early March 2015

Announcement of successful candidates and

signature of grant agreements

Mid of March 2015

Pre-departure briefing in Bangkok

No later than October 2015

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 candidates 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 students supervisors will add some comments on the report.

Deadline for submission

Thursday 12th February 2015 at 17.00 Hrs. Thailand time.

Contact points
Thailand Research Fund
Luntharima Prommi, Program Officer
E-Mail: luntharima@trf.or.th

British Council Thailand

Janyarak Thanomnim, Assistant Manager, Education
E-mail: janyarak.thanomnim@britishcouncil.or.th