Conference Grants - Applications now open

Conference Grants - applications open until 27 June 2022

Part of the Society's remit is to support nutritionists and nutrition scientists to share their ideas and research, present their work to new audiences and make new connections with their peers around the world and Conference grants make this possible for those Society Members who can least afford to attend.  The Conference Grants facilitate this and are available for any Nutrition Society members who are undergraduates doing their first degree, MSc students, PhD students or those in the early stage of their careers i.e. within 10 years of higher degree graduation.

 

What will be awarded?

The Society wishes to help as many members as possible at this time, so the grant can be used to cover your registration fee, travel, and accommodation, but NOT food or drink.  

Funding available depends on where the conference you are attending is being held.
* Up to £300 for members attending a conference in their home country
* Up to £400 for members based in the UK or Europe, traveling to an event in Europe
* Up to £500 for members traveling to conferences overseas
 

If you have any queries, which are not answered in the Frequently Asked Questions section below, please contact the Membership team

Why was the conference grant programme stopped?

The Conference grants were suspended in 2020 due to the global pandemic and it has been decided that now is the right time to start the process up again with more face-to-face meetings starting to be held.

Can anyone apply for the grant?

You need to be a current member and have at least two consecutive years of membership at the time of application, and be a member when speaking or presenting at the conference.

How much funding will I receive?

Funding available depends on where the conference you are attending is being held. * Up to £300 for members attending a conference in their home country * Up to £400 for members based in the UK or Europe, traveling to an event in Europe * Up to £500 for members traveling to conferences overseas This is so we can help as many people as possible at a time when conferences are so important for keeping in touch with the global science community.

Why is the grant only available to students, graduates or early career members?

The Society has a remit to support students, graduates and early career members and it was felt that awarding grants to the least well-funded members was a genuine and worthy way of supporting the careers of those members just starting out.

When do I need to apply?

Applications will be open from 27 May 2022 - to 27 June 2022 and will be the only chance this year to apply, this will cover attendance at conferences up to 31st December 2022.

How do I make an application?

Please complete and submit the online application form. To support the application you will need to write a personal statement of no more than 300 words explaining why you feel you will benefit from the award.

What happens after I have applied?

After the closing date, all applications will be anonymised and sent to the judging panel. All applicants will be informed of the outcome by mid-July at the latest.

When will the grant be paid?

The grant will be paid after your attendance at the event/conference and once we have received copies of your invitation/acceptance to speak and your registration/travel/accommodation confirmation/receipt. Food and drink is not covered by the grant and must be paid for by the applicant. Please allow 30 working days from receipt of the documentation, for grants to be paid. Any grants not claimed within three months of attendance at the conference will not be paid.

Am I eligible to apply for a conference grant?

Yes if you are a current member of the Society and have been for at least two consecutive years. You must still be a member when applying for the grant and when attending the event. You must not have received a conference grant from the Society or Irish Section in the last three years, and must not be receiving a grant for this same event from the Irish Section. Those who have applied for these grants previously, but were unsuccessful, may apply again.

What do I need to do after my attendance at the event/conference?

Please send your original VAT receipts for travel, registration and accommodation (not including food and drink) to the membership team. These should be the original receipts and not credit card receipts. Also please send a short account (500 word max) of how the grant benefitted you, what you have learnt and how you feel it will benefit your future career. Please include photos if possible as we can then use these to promote the grants, and your success, to other members.