Submitting the same PhD proposal to multiple universities?

Question

I am currently doing my masters and applying to do my PhD. I have been accepted at my current university, but I am waiting on a decision regarding funding. However, if I am unsuccessful with funding, I will not be able to take up the offer.

I am, therefore, looking at applying to other universities with the aim of increasing my funding chances.

My question is, can I submit the exact same research proposal to multiple universities? Or are there any issues with this? Also, my potential supervisor at my current university helped me a lot with editing my proposal.. obviously I would let her know that I was applying for other universities but does this come across disrespectful? I would also be looking to ask her for a reference. I am unsure how to even ask this, as I am worried it seems like I am taking her helpful advice on my proposal, just using it to apply elsewhere, then asking her for a reference.

My current university would definitely be my first choice, however as I said this is entirely dependent on funding.

Any advice would be massively appreciated!

Answer 1

You should clearly tell this potential supervisor at your current university what you told us here: That your current university would be your first choice but, since funding is uncertain, you need to apply elsewhere also. If this potential supervisor is a decent person (which most academics are), this should remove the difficulties that you are concerned about. (If she's not a decent person, why do you want to work with her?)