Research training costs frequently asked questions

What is a task code?

If you are on a fully funded studentship, your main supervisor will receive an annual allocation of funding towards your research and training support (RTSG), and you will receive an individual task code under which this funding is held. All consumable and travel purchases directly related to you and your research must be requested by quoting the P-code and your individual task code(s) – e.g. P125228 (P-code), FL07 (task code).

If you are unsure about which task code to use to access this funding, please contact your main supervisor in the first instance; your main supervisor is responsible for planning and monitoring all expenditure incurred during your studentship.

You can also contact the FBMH Doctoral Academy Funding team for further assistance (FBMH.doctoralacademy.funding@manchester.ac.uk)

What can I use RTSG funding for?

The following information is applicable if your studentship is funded by a UKRI research council. If your studentship is funded by a non-UKRI funder, please ensure that you check and abide by your funder’s terms and conditions.
Permitted uses of RTSG funding:

• Lab consumables - components/chemicals for experiments, specific to the project.
• Workshop consumables for experiments.
• Small equipment/tools for experiments.
• Travel costs associated with attendance of conferences, workshops or fieldwork beneficial to your studies/career development.
• One laptop or desktop with a specific requirement for heavy computer use, provided a suitable justification has been submitted.
• Transcribing, printing and photocopying costs.
• Publication costs should be sought in the first instance from the Open Access Publication funds managed by the Library and only charged to the DTP as a last resort when the OA funds have run out for the year.
• Home Office license fees associated with PGR projects.

Not permitted:

• General lab costs such as stationery items for general use, cleaning products (e.g. wipes, tissue, blue roll etc.), batteries, gloves etc.
• Large items of equipment - consideration may be given subject to a specific justification and referral to the research council.
• Equipment servicing and maintenance.
• Computing hardware/software - consideration may be given subject to a specific justification (see ‘Laptop/computer purchasing’ section below).
• Salary costs or additional stipend.
• Travel costs or personal expenses of individuals other than the named PGR. Supervisors must not charge their expenses to your RTSG accounts.
• Entertainment/alcohol beyond the University’s Expenses policy.

Can I purchase a laptop/computer using RTSG funding?

Yes – there may be a strong case for such a purchase if the project concerned involves heavy computer use, data manipulation, graphic processing, intensive reporting etc. A suitable justification is required for the purchase of laptops/computers. Your supervisor will need to complete a Computer Purchase Justification pro-forma and email it to the FBMH Doctoral Academy Funding team (FBMH.doctoralacademy.funding@manchester.ac.uk) so that we have this information at hand in case there is an audit.

How do I use RTSG funding to pay for conference registration?

Further information about using RTSG funding to pay for conference registration can be found on the conference travel and payments page.

How can I find out who the Budget Holder and Authorised Signatory is for my task code?

You can find out who the budget holder and authorised signatory for your task code is using this online checker.

For approval from the Budget Holder and an Authorised Signatory for UKRI RTSG P-codes, please contact the FBMH Doctoral Academy Funding team (FBMH.doctoralacademy.funding@manchester.ac.uk) in the first instance – we will obtain approvals for you.

Where should I submit expense claim forms/credit card expenditure request forms to?

Expense requests/claims requiring Budget Holder and Authorised signatory approval should be directed to the FBMH Doctoral Academy Funding team (FBMH.doctoralacademy.funding@manchester.ac.uk) in the first instance. The FBMH Doctoral Academy Funding team will then assess your request and action/advise further accordingly.

How do I use my RTSG to book travel/accommodation?

This should be done via Key Travel wherever possible; more information about using RTSG funding to book travel/accommodation can be found on the conference travel and payments page.

What is iProcurement?

Oracle Financials is the system used by the University for the procurement of most goods and services. iProcurement is the purchasing module within Oracle Financials, which is the system used by the University for the procurement of most goods and services.

How can I order on iProcurement?

Orders are raised on iProc by ‘requisitioners’ who have completed the appropriate training received authorisation to do so. Please speak to your supervisor, who should be able to advise further about who can raise orders within your group.

Can I use my task code after my programme end date?

No – funded studentships and UKRI RTSG accounts will follow the terms and conditions of the funder and will close at the end of the funded studentship. All transactions must be receipted before your programme end date as further expenditure cannot be incurred after this point, even if budget is available.

Can my unspent RTSG budget be paid to me as stipend?

Unspent RTSG funding cannot be transferred paid as stipend or transferred to another P-code and/or task code.