Universities' China Committee in London (UCCL)

Introduction
The Universities' China Committee in London (UCCL) gives limited 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.

The UCCL has to screen a large number of applications; those seeking grants will therefore help themselves considerably if they ensure that their applications are tidy and succinct. Allowance will of course be made for those for whom English is not the prime language.

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. Normal maximum grants are for £1500, although £2000 can be allocated in exceptional cases.

3. China is deemed to mean the whole of the People's Republic of China, including Hong Kong, (although grants are not often given to those in the latter which has its own sources of funding), but not Taiwan.
 
4. 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 focus on China-related subjects.

5. 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.

6. Conferences. Applications from those who are attending international conferences in China or the UK will only be entertained if those conferences have a particular China-related focus. Only scholars from China who are currently studying at, or on the academic staff of, a university in China may apply for support to attend conferences in the UK. 

7. Repeat Bids. The UCCL will view with little enthusiasm second bids for projects which have enjoyed an initial grant from the UCCL. In such cases, applicants would have to give cogent reasons why the initial bid had not made adequate provision.

Guidelines for costing
In considering applications, the UCCL will use the following guideline costs (2010):

Return flights - Up to £600 from London/Beijing return.
Food/accommodation - up to £60/day in UK and £40/day in China for academic staff on short visits. £30 per day for students wanting to stay longer.
Conference, registration costs: up to £30 per day. 

How to fill in the application form
includes technical instructions.
It is important that you read the information on this page before filling in the application.

Reports
Successful applicants will be asked to submit very brief reports on completion of the relevant work or trip.

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Contact details:

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@gbcc.org.uk.

last updated 27 May 2010