Please note that this scheme is available for current ACCE2 DTP students only, and not ACCE+ DLA students starting in 2025/26.
ACCE DTP2 students may be supported for up to three months to facilitate visits to research labs to develop new field, lab, or analytical skills relevant for their PhD projects. Supported lab visits can take place in any lab – within or outside of ACCE, in the UK or overseas (with the exception that visits to a co-supervisors lab should be paid from the student’s RTSG and not from an RLV award). RLVs are distinct from placements (also offered by ACCE DTP) by being research-driven, and are intended to enable the student to learn new skills relevant to their PhD project.
Students may apply for a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of three months, over a maximum of two lab visits during their studentship (the total time applied for across the two visits should not exceed three months). Separate visits should cover separate skills training. For all visits the skills training should be significant and aimed at learning a specific, new skill relevant to the student’s PhD project. Note that RLVs should not be based in your co-supervisor’s or CASE/project partner’s lab.
Funding to cover travel and accommodation costs will be provided to approved RLVs (up to £2,000 for UK visits outside London, £2,500 for visits in London, and £4,000 for international visits). In addition, up to £1,000 towards costs incurred by the RLV host (e.g., bench fees) is available. Other research-related costs (e.g., consumables) are expected to come from the student’s RTSG or the host partner. All requested costs should be appropriately justified at the time of application.
If a student undertakes two separate lab visits, the allowance may be split on a pro-rata basis; for example if one UK visit and one international visit takes place (at 1.5 months each), a student may claim for half of the international allowance and half of the UK allowance per visit, plus up to £1,000 (in total) for research costs. Please contact the ACCE DTP team if you would like any specific advice on costings.
Note that funding is not available for any additional stipend or fees, and RLV awards do not extend a student’s funding or submission end dates. Please note that ACCE expects all research costs (e.g., training, consumables and travel) that are core to the PhD project are funded through the student’s RTSG, and so these costs will not be eligible for the RLV scheme. This scheme is intended for additional training costs not envisaged at the conception of the project.
Students should normally apply for RLV support before the end of year 3 of the PhD, although some flexibility is permitted.
Download the Research Lab Visit application form here.
Applications for an RLV are now accepted by the DTP Management Board at any time. Please email acce.dtp@liverpool.ac.uk with your completed application.