BRITISH MICROCIRCULATION SOCIETY
Laboratory Visit Grant


The purpose of this scheme is to provide a sum twice yearly to assist eligible junior members of the British Microcirculation Society to visit a laboratory in the UK or abroad. The focus of the visit will be to learn new techniques or other worthwhile scientific purpose related to microvascular research.
 

1. Eligibility

Applications will be considered from
 
Postgraduate students: defined as studying for a higher research degree (eg. MPhil, MSc, PhD, MD). Under exceptional circumstances an undergraduate who has sufficient laboratory experience may be considered. Consideration is made irrespective of the source of income of the individual (i.e. whether a research student, research assistant or technician).
 
Junior postdoctoral workers: defined here as being within the first three years of the start of their first postdoctoral position.  Both must be members of the Society for at least 6 months, having paid at least one annual membership subscription.  

Any postgraduate or junior postdoctoral worker so defined may apply for this grant twice yearly but only one grant per person will be awarded in any one calendar year.

 
2. Value of individual grant

This is initially set at a maximum of 600 GBP for each of two application rounds per annum, subject to revision according to inflation and the Society’Äôs financial circumstances. We envisage awarding two grants annually, i.e. applications received for summer and winter deadlines. If more than one small application is received for each deadline and both deemed fundable, the grant can be divided.


3. Method of application

Applicants must send:
(a) A Laboratory Visit Grant application form.
(b) A letter of support from his/her supervisor stating the reasons for the visit and its perceived value to the postgrad. student/postdoctoral worker.
(c) A letter of acceptance of the visit from the laboratory/department to be visited.

The supervisor need not be a member of the BMS. Electronic copy of each document should be emailed and one hard copy delivered to the Honorary Secretary before the closing dates of 31st January or 30th June.


4. Method of competitive award of Grant

After each closing date, a sub-committee comprising the President, the Honorary Secretary, the Treasurer and the Proceedings Editor (any three of these constituting a quorum) will assess the written applications and decide who shall receive the award. Account will be taken of the scientific merit of the application, cost of the visit, income and funding of the recipient. In the event of contending applications from students and junior postdoctoral workers, students will receive priority. The name of successful applicants will be announced at the subsequent AGM. However the committee also reserves the right not to award a grant, and if this is the case, funds may be carried forward to the next deadline.


5. Obligations of the successful applicant

Upon returning from the laboratory visit, the successful applicant shall submit for the Society’Äôs archive a brief, one-page report on the visit and its value to the awardee. The successful applicants will also present a short report (5 min) on the visit at the next AGM or meeting following completion of the visit.