UNIVERSITIES' CHINA COMMITTEE IN LONDON (UCCL)

HOMEPAGE

UCCL Application Form

UCCL contact details

List of other granting organisations in the UK for Chinese students and Chinese Studies

Introduction
The Universities' China Committee in London (UCCL) gives grants to Chinese scholars who seek to make research visits to the UK or to British/EU scholars working on, or studying, relevant subjects at UK universities who wish to undertake visits to China for specific research or lecture reasons. It also supports academic conferences and the promotion and teaching of Chinese and other Chinese studies in the UK.

Grants are given to cover flight and modest living expenses plus occasionally academic and research costs, but only if no other source is available. Grants are, however, given to support Bench Fees etc. for Chinese Academics coming as Visiting Scholars or doing short-term research projects.

Outline criteria
1. UCCL is able to provide limited financial support for university level research and advanced study, directly connected with China. The grants are normally given to postgraduates and for advanced research degrees only.
2. China is deemed to mean the whole of the People's Republic of China, including Hong Kong (but see below), but not Taiwan.
3. Scholars from China, in any discipline in the arts, sciences or social sciences who wish to visit the UK, may be supported if the research they wish to pursue here has a demonstrable connection with China.
4. Scholars based in universities in the UK who wish to visit China to conduct research, attend academic conferences or carry out similar work may also be supported.
5. PhD students may apply for funding for fieldwork which is programmed at least nine months after Initial Registration. Grants for Chinese students undertaking PhD studies in the UK NOT related to Chinese studies are handled by the Great Britain-China Educational Trust.
6. Grants are rarely given to applications from Hong Kong SAR which has its own sources of funds.

Guidelines for costing
In considering applications, the UCCL will use the following guideline costs (2003):

Guidelines for completing the application form
Application forms are available from the UCCL, address below, or can be downloaded from this site - click here to open this html file.

When filling in the application please note the following points:
1. It is important to give the full information requested, especially details of your financial position.
2. Information on any financial support sought, or obtained, from other sources is required.
3. Evidence of academic support for the visit is essential. References from the host institutions or conference organisers, are required. Sufficient information must be given for the committee to judge the academic merits of the proposed visits.
4. If visits in China are involved, the identity and appointments of those to be visited should be given where possible, together with brief statements on their relevance to the project.
5. Airfares are paid at the minimum international rates (currently £600 to/from China).
6. Grants will normally be for £1,500 but up to £2,000 can be allocated in exceptional circumstances.

Technical instructions for submitting applications and references

Formal, online submission is not available. However, you may download the form, fill it in electronically and submit by email if you wish. A signature is not required on the application form itself. However, letters of reference MUST be signed and therefore must be submitted either by email as an attached PDF document or sent in the post. The email address to which to send applications is uccl@dsl.pipex.com. Those wishing to fill the form using pen and ink, please use black ink and write clearly as the form will be photocopied.

Deadlines

Applications and supporting papers should be submitted by the first day of March, June, September and November annually. Only in exceptional circumstances will a grant be considered at any other time. The Committee sits during the months shown and applicants are informed of the outcome immediately afterwards.

The Committee has to screen a large number of applications in a relatively short space of time. Those seeking grants will therefore help themselves considerably if they ensure that their applications are tidy, clear and succinct. Allowance will of course be made for those for whom English is not their first language.

Applications should be sent by email, using the form, or by post and should be accompanied by a very brief covering letter and the references requested.

Successful applicants will be asked to submit very brief reports on completion of the relevant project.

Contact details:
N.B. please note new email address as of January 2008
The Chairman
Universities' China Committee in London
Swire House, 59 Buckingham Gate
London SW1E 6AJ
fax: 020 7828-6331
email: uccl@dsl.pipex.com

Note bene: 
The UCCL will only deal with enquiries and questions received by letter, fax or email.
The UCCL web pages are hosted on the website of the Great Britain-China Centre. Only for technical problems with these pages - contact laura.rivkin[at]gbcc.org.uk.