NSGG Postgraduate Fieldwork Fund

The postgraduate opportunities keep rolling in from the UK GeolSoc's Near Surface Geophysics Group, and we are pleased to announce that our 2019 Postgraduate Fieldwork Fund is now open for applications.

Any postgraduate researcher (PhD, MSc, MRes) registered at a UK institute can apply for up to £1000 from NSGG, to support a geophysical field campaign as part of a near-surface investigation.  Full details are below, or you can browse our new website for information about all NSGG events (such as May's Postgraduate Research Symposium and Geophysics Field Exhibition).

The Near Surface Geophysics Group is a special interest section of the Geological Society of London. NSGG aims to advance, encourage and support the study and practice of near- surface geophysics. Areas of interest include environmental investigations and monitoring, archaeology, engineering, forensic science, mineral exploration, hazard assessment and geological mapping, limited to the upper 500 m of the ground surface. 

The NSGG Postgraduate Fieldwork Fund provides support for students undertaking a near-surface geophysical survey as part of a postgraduate (MSc, MRes or PhD) research project at a UK institute of further education. NSGG will fund the successful applicant to a maximum of £1000. Successful applications will additionally receive 1-year student membership of The Geological Society, plus registration and travel costs to present at one NSGG research event. In return, we request that the successful applicant produces a poster-style summary of their research for display on the NSGG website. 

An Application for Support is limited strictly to 2 pages (11pt Arial font). It must include: 

• An outline of the broader research project, 
• A description of the proposed field survey, 
• Justification for requested funds, comprising 
  1. i)  an itemised budget, including the minimum support required for the survey to be feasible, and 
  2. ii)  detail of other funding sources available to the project. 
• A maximum of 2 figures, their captions, and a reference list. 

Applications should be submitted through email, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., plus the applicant’s CV and a supporting statement from the research supervisor. Applications will be reviewed by a panel from the NSGG committee. Informal inquiries can be made in advance of the deadline to Dr Adam Booth (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). The deadline for this year’s round of support is 17:00 on 17th May 2019. Successful applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision no earlier than 3rd June 2019. 

Scheme notes 

1. The applicant should be a PhD, MRes or MSc student, undertaking a near-surface geophysics field project as part of research at a UK institute. 
2. The application must be supported by the project supervisor. 
3. Funds will be given in GBP. The maximum that can be awarded one applicant is £1000. NSGG reserve the right, at the discretion of the panel, to award no or multiple awards depending on the applications that are received.
4. Only one application to the NSGG Postgraduate Fieldwork Fund can be made in any funding round. Funds must be used within one calendar year of support being awarded. 
5. The support of the Geological Society of London and NSGG Postgraduate Fieldwork Fund must be acknowledged in any publications or presentations forthcoming from the project. 
6. Proposals will be graded primarily according to Research Innovation, Cost Effectiveness and Presentation (40-40-20% weighting). The availability of other funding will also be considered during review. 
7. No award will be made if no suitable applications are received in any one funding round. 
8. The panel’s decision is final.