The NDS Training Fund
What is the NDS Training Fund?
The NDS Staff Training Fund was set up to support a greater level of external training for NDS staff to equip them with skills they might not otherwise have access to. The fund ensures our department has the best trained staff, allowing us to deliver the best academic, research and support activities. This involves the department paying for up to £1,000 towards the cost of training, although there may be cases where the department will pay the total cost of training.
The Fund can be used by any NDS member of staff or student.
What can it be used for?
NDS will cover – partially or in full – funding to undertake training from an external (to the University of Oxford, POD or IT Services) course provider or travel and accommodation costs for skills development of researchers in other labs.
Some examples of courses that can be covered by the fund include:
- Courses to develop specific skills needed in the completion of a DPhil (as long as this does not contribute to the cost of the overall degree)
- A Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trials
- Computing courses
- Project Management Courses
- Courses on specialised areas within clinical trials
- Strategic Planning and Foresight: Learning from and Managing for the Future
- Apprenticeship courses (either for re-training or progression), including Healthcare Assistant courses or Team Lead/Supervisor courses
WHat are the requirements
The only requirements are:
For applicants on permanent contracts/with more than one year left on their fixed-term contract, the training is of direct significance to your current role or to a documented planned objective set in your PDR objective setting exercise.
You have the written support of your line manager.
The Training Fund does not cover conferences or courses for students that form part of their degree.
What if I'm nearing the end of my contract?
In 2021, the Training Fund was expanded to include training for members of staff nearing the end of their fixed-term contract. This is to ensure that members of staff who may be seeking employment in the upcoming future have the opportunity to develop their skills and enter the job market with confidence. These applicants do not need to select a training course that is directly related to their current role!
How to apply
To apply, simply fill in the application form. You will need to upload a completed line manager statement of support within the application form. Applications are accepted through the year. For more information about the Training Fund, please see the Training Fund Guidance document. If you have any questions, please contact Jo Snoeck.