Conference Grants

Conference Grants are available to those Society members who can least afford to attend scientific meetings and conferences around the world. Conference Grants are reserved for any Nutrition Society members who are undergraduates doing their first degree, MSc students, PhD students or those in the very early stages of their careers i.e. within 10 years of higher degree graduation. Part of our 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.

Changes have recently been made to the timetable of the grants application process, so rather than the original two application deadlines, there are now three. This helps smooth out the administration and also means that members don't have to wait so long for the judging process, and final decision on their application. The new dates are as follows:

Wave 1: Applications open from 7th January to 28 February. Applicants notified of judging panel decision by 31 March.
Wave 2: Applications open from 1st May to 30 June. Applicants notified of judging panel decision by 31 July.
Wave 3: Applications open from 1st September to 31st October. Applicants notified of judging panel decision by 30 November.

Applications are now open and you have until midnight on 28 February 2020 to apply.

Please note all applications will be held until the closing date and they will then be sent together for judging at this point.

PLEASE APPLY HERE

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

Application Criteria

How to apply

Applications must be accompanied by:

Proof of the applicant’s registration or acceptance to present/speak at the chosen event/conference.
A personal statement of no more than 300 words which outlines how the applicant believes they or their career will benefit from having attended the chosen conference or event and how they intend to spend the travel grant.

Once the application has attended the conference/event, they will need to provide:

A short (500 word max) account of the event and photographs if possible, which can be used for a blog or newsletter feature.
Original VAT receipts for travel, event registration and the hotel (sorry but we cannot accept credit card receipts). We do not require receipts for food and drink as these are not covered by the conference grant.

We will pay the Conference Grant once the items above have been received.

Previous Winners

Here is a selection of quotes from winners of the Conference grants:

Deirdre O’Connor

11th International Conference on Homocysteine and One Carbon Metabolism (ICHOCM) Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark

“I gained invaluable experience, research insights and networking opportunities at the conference which will serve me well moving forward and I look forward to applying these to my ongoing research in Trinity College and presenting future work at upcoming Nutrition Society meetings.”

Kirsty Porter

Irish Section Conference 2017 entitled ‘What governs what we eat’
Queens University, Belfast

“The travel grant awarded by the Nutrition Society provided additional support which aided my travel and attendance at this three day conference. This was a very informative conference covering diverse research themes and was presented by experts and young researchers from several countries throughout Europe. I would strongly recommend that Nutrition Society members should consider supporting and attending these events as they are so beneficial. I am very thankful to the Society for providing me with the opportunity to attend and develop my networking ability to continue to pursue my research interests.”

Toni Blackham

Nutrition Society Summer Conference entitled “Improving nutrition in metropolitan areas”
Kings College London

"I had the pleasure of attending this year’s summer conference at King’s College London. I was delighted to learn that the theme was ‘Improving nutrition in metropolitan areas’ as I’m currently writing up a PhD which has involved working with small independent takeaway businesses so the conference was particularly relevant. I thoroughly enjoy attending the Nutrition Society conferences and would recommend them, without hesitation, to other researchers and students; unfortunately, I am not always able to attend due to lack of funds, so I very much appreciate being given the opportunity this year."

Xiaofei Yin

Metabomeeting
University of Birmingham

"The conference focused on the development of metabolic profiling (metabolomics and metabonomics) and its application. There were more than 100 posters from different universities and institutes. In summary the conference was very high-quality and explored many novel topics, which open your mind and extends your knowledge. It was a good opportunity not only to disseminate my own research, but to also learn about the cutting-edge research of others."

Queries

If you have any questions, please contact the Membership team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has the application process and dates changed?

This is because it can be difficult administering a number of applications, with anyone applying early for a wave potentially waiting over 6 months for a judgement to be made and approval to be given. It is now felt that having three windows over the course of the year for applications - with each of the three rounds open for a limited time only - will ensure that people are better informed in advance of their conference as to whether a grant will be awarded. This will also help those who may need to secure additional or alternative funding.

Why are there different rates for travel to different countries?

Previously there was no cap based on geography, but introducing one and limiting funding for different travel options, will allow more members to be able to benefit from the grants available.

How long have grants been available?

The Nutrition Society has been awarding travel grants for the last 23 years, and hundreds of applicants have benefited from over £300,000 in total during that period of time. However, the process for administering the grants has now been streamlined. There are now more opportunities created for more members than ever before to be able to receive a grant. It has also been decided to make these grants conference grants, rather than travel grants, so that the grant can be used to cover travel, accommodation or conference registration.

How much funding will I receive?

Amounts which can be applied for will vary based on country or residence and where you are travelling to, to enable more applicants to benefit from a conference grant. Please see below for exact amounts. Applicants based in UK/Ireland attending a conference/event involving: UK/Ireland travel up to £300 European travel £400 International travel £600 Applicants based in Europe attending a conference/event involving: UK/Ireland travel up to £400 European travel £300 International travel £600 Applicants based Internationally attending a conference/event involving: UK/Ireland travel up to £600 European travel £600 International travel £600

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

The Society has started a project 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?

There are now three opening times for applications. You can apply in whichever period precedes your attendance at the conference/event. PLEASE NOTE: NO retrospective applications will be considered, so please plan ahead. Wave 1: Applications open from 7th January to 28 February. Applicants notified of judging panel decision by 31 March. Wave 2: Applications open from 1st May to 30 June. Applicants notified of judging panel decision by 31 July. Wave 3: Applications open from 1st September to 31st October. Applicants notified of judging panel decision by 30 November.

How do I make an application?

Please complete and submit the online application form. To support the application you will need a personal statement of no more than 300 words and proof of your registration for the event will be required.

How long will I have to wait for a decision?

After the closing date for each wave of applications, eligibility will be checked and the awards panel will make their decisions. Candidates will be normally notified as per the following: Wave 1: Applications open from 7th January to 28 February. Applicants notified of judging panel decision by 31 March. Wave 2: Applications open from 1st May to 30 June. Applicants notified of judging panel decision by 31 July. Wave 3: Applications open from 1st September to 31st October. Applicants notified of judging panel decision by 30 November. If you have not heard anything by this time, please contact membership@nutritionsociety.org

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 VAT receipts and your report on the meeting/event. 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.

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 credita card receipts. Also please send a short account (500 word max) of the event, 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.

Am I eligible to apply for a conference grant?

Applicants must have been members of the Nutrition Society for at least two consecutive years. They must still be members when applying for the grant and when they are due to travel to the event. They must not have received a conference/travel 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 can the grant be used for?

Conference grants are given to pay for travel (standard class air or rail), accommodation and registration at the conference only. Any costs incurred for food and drink are not covered by the grant and will not be reimbursed. PLEASE NOTE: The original VAT receipts will be needed for reimbursement of your costs, we are unable to reimburse against a credit or debit card receipt..

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