I have been looking for potential sources of funding for a research visit to the US for up to a year from this Fall, as part of my PhD. I've been interviewed for Fulbright but I am not hopeful after not answering one of the questions well. I have an offer of attendance from a US University which has a specialist centre in my field of research and the Advisor I would have there is an expert in this area. I will still get my current stipend during the visit, this will cover living expenses and some of the fees. I am aware of grants of £500 to £1000 from a couple of societies I am a member of. Any recommendations of potential sources of grants would be much appreciated, I don't want to rely on Fulbright as I felt from the point of applying it was a long shot, and I can only be considered for the most competitive All Discipline award. If I don't get that I would like to advise the US University that I have identified other funding sources, I can contribute some personal funds also.

Wow, amazing that you were shortlisted for a Fulbright. I wouldn't sweat about not answering one question well!!! You may be surprised yet.

Have you looked into the uni in the States to see if you can do part time work in the lab (or in another lab) to support your living costs as a visiting scholar? I know that some grad schools allow this - but the rules differ school by school.

In terms of other funding for the US - I really don't know of any - apart from the sorts of things you've suggested there. It is a shame that there aren't more opportunities. But if you can self fund and find the extra bits of income and get the visa funded by the uni there - it could work. Sorry can't be of more help. Tudor.

Oh one more thing. Is your PhD funded by a research council? They sometimes have awards for shorter term institutional visits. You could piggy back your trip from one of those...

Hi Tudor, the US University have offered to support me as a visiting researcher if i am not successful with Fulbright. It might just be a bit more of a battle to get my current University to accept the arrangement without it being part of Fulbright.

Hmm, can't see how / why they wouldn't - if they are not being asked to make a financial outlay themselves...?