Just to let anybody in a similar position to me know, I have managed to get full funding for my conference expenses by asking just about anyone at the uni I could think of... Thanks for all your help!

I don't think there is any way of getting funds through my department... They seem to be ignoring any emails I send regarding this matter!

KONIC - That sounds like a good idea... I am doing bioscienes (cell culture investigating cancer to be precise), What kind of societies would you recommend? Have you used this method of funding in the past?

Cheers

Cheers for all your replies guys! It's really usefull to get some external opinions.

The grant istself was awarded to the group before I started, amugst other things the grant was for a Research technician (me). My job description mentioned that I could do a p/t PhD, but I did not receive a seperate contact with details about the structure of the PhD when I started. I know there are funds for my PhD, but it seems my supervisor will only finance my lab work.

I think I will try getting conference expenses paid for by my department under staff development (but I'm not holding my breath).

I applied to a Reseach Technician job, which is funded by the groups Wellcome trust grant. The major attraction was that I could do a part time PhD in the same group. I got the job and have started doing a p/t PhD.

To my surprise I have been asked to cover my tuition fees and pay for conference expenses, which my supervisor is very keen on me going to. Shouldn't expenses like these be covered by the Wellcome trust grant? All other PhD students where I work get there travel expenses paid for.

Any ideas how I can get funding help with these expenses?

good forum. golfpro you make some good points... refreshing to hear a balanced point of view.