NUS Overseas Research Immersion Award (ORIA)
What's the Deal?
The NUS Overseas Research Immersion Award (ORIA) offers PhD students an opportunity for a six-month overseas research stint to experience a lab attachment with an outstanding overseas researcher; or an immersion in a prominent research environment to broaden and enrich your research perspectives.
Who's Eligible?
The award is open to all 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year PhD students (by research) who have passed their PhD Qualifying Examination with a minimum CAP of 4.0. Priority will be given to applicants in their 2nd or 3rd year of candidature. In addition, students in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year must have fulfilled at least 50%, 75%, and 100% of their GAP hours, respectively, before leaving for their proposed attachment
Key Documents Required.
The application will be assessed based on the proposal submitted to NUSGS for review. The proposal should include the following documents:
Proposal of the overseas attachment:
- Title of PhD research
- Research agenda
- Expected outcomes or deliverable or how immersion could contribute to your research
Proposed budget for the attachment:
- List and justify the projected amount needed
Letter of support and / co-funding from thesis advisor
Letter of invitation, CV and / co-funding from host investigator
Department HOD’s approval on ORIA application
Document from Dept on the verification of the progress of programme coursework:
- Completion of Pre-qualifying exam (PQE) / Completion of written PQE
- Latest Cumulative Average Point (CAP)
- Progress of Graduate Assistantship Programme (GAP), i.e. number of hours completed (if applicable)
- Progress of core modules
Application Periods.
To apply, please submit the ORIA Application Form (Apply Now! button below) at least six months before the intended attachment.
- 10th to 30th July (if you intend to go in Sem 2)
- 10th to 30th January (if you intend to go in Sem 1)
Frequently Asked Questions.
1. Where to apply?
To apply, submit the ORIA Application Form (Apply Now! button below), at least 6 months before the intended attachment.
The application period will open:
- 10th to 30th January
- 10th to 30th July
2. What are the application criteria / How do I qualify?
You can apply for the attachment only after the completion and passing of your PQE. In general, it should be the 2nd year of candidature.
3. Am I allowed to apply if I am not a recipient of a scholarship or if I am a part-time PhD student?
Definitely, you can apply as long as you are pursing a PhD by research. For part-time PhD students, you will need to make necessary arrangements for your time away from work i.e. take leave or unpaid leave. Note that the ORIA is not part of the coursework requirement.
4. Are there specific areas allowed for the funding / What will be funded?
These are some of the suggested areas where you could request for funding:
- Return air-tickets
- Accommodation
- Others (please justify each suggested item)
5. What documents are needed for the application?
You will need to provide a proposal that should include:
- Proposal of the overseas attachment
- Title of research
- Research agenda
- Expected outcomes or deliverables or how immersion will contribute to your research
- Proposed budget for the attachment
- Letter of support and/ co-funding from thesis advisor
- Letter of invitation and CV from hosting investigator
- Department support and approval on ORIA application and verification of the programme coursework requirement
- Completion of written PQE
- Latest Cumulative Average Point (CAP)
- Graduate Assistantship Programme (GAP) (if needed)
- Completion of Core Modules
6. If the funding amount is insufficient to cover my overseas expenses, what alternatives do I have?
You may want to request co-funding or top-ups from your thesis advisor for the trip.
7. Am I allowed to apply for the award only once?
Application will be approved on a competitive basis. Therefore, you could apply multiple times. However, you will be awarded only once.
8. Am I allowed to apply even if I am receiving a scholarship which provides other funding?
Yes, you are still eligible to apply. However, do state the item(s) that will be funded by your current scholarship and NUSGS will complement what you will be receiving. In other words, if registration fees are covered, NUSGS will not cover the cost of this.
9. How do I know if my application has been approved?
An email will be sent to your NUS email address on the outcome of your application for the award. The amount awarded will be mentioned, as well as the instructions on how to claim for your trip.
10. When do I start my claim for the approved trip?
After the completion of your overseas trip, you can submit the softcopies of the claim documents to NUSGS via email at nusgsprizeaward@nus.edu.sg.
Please indicate under Subject: ORIA Claim (Name of student/Student Number/Faculty or School).
Do attach the:
- Request for Payment (RFP) Form
- All other necessary supporting documents (a list of required documents will be mentioned in our notification email).
11. Will there be insurance coverage for my overseas trip?
Yes, there will be basic coverage for travel insurance. Please refer to https://myportal.nus.edu.sg/studentportal/student-insurance/all/ for additional details.
12. If I want to purchase personal travel insurance or make any other travel related expenses, could I claim it?
Feel free to include these into your proposal and justify.