I'm in the second year of my PhD(laser cooling)and I recently found details of a high-profile conference that I'd really like to attend-I don't think I'll find a more relevant conference.The fee is £850 (UK!)-all reduced-price deadlines have passed, and I can't find anyone who will give me money to attend!Any advice on how to get funding for this NATIONAL BUT V. EXPENSIVE conference would be greatly appreciated. I have approached a few people here at my university and they have in the main been EXTREMELY UNHELPFUL.

If you have a studentship rather than self-funded there should be money available for your 'development' which includes such things as conferences, the best person to talk to would be your supervisor or Postgrad coordinator in your department. You could still ask for a discount, if the places aren't filled they might just let you in for a reduced price (I've had that happen in the past). Good luck!

I was told that the £1700 set aside for my 'research training and development' has already been distributed and spent-it comes as part of our 'consumables' budget (yearly amount for buying chemicals, optics etc).I'm not sure if anyone knew that we were spending it, I certainly didn't. Anyway, it doesn't look like I have access to it.

You can try and contact some pharmaceutical/industrial companies who may be interested in your project. They may be able to provide some funding - it sounds like an interesting project.

Thanks James, the project is mainly just interesting physics, but it does have some technological implications. You did remind me of collaboration we are nominally associated with. It's worth a try...