Summer Studentships 2023. Applications are now closed.

What is the 2023 grant?

The Nutrition Society offers Summer Studentships aimed at undergraduate members interested in a career in nutrition science. The studentships will provide undergraduates, registered on nutrition (animal or human) or related degree programmes, with the opportunity to undertake a period of research in a university, research institute or industrial setting.  All applicants must have an academic supervisor based at the university at which they are registered. 

Studentships are available for up to eight weeks and are worth up to £2500. There is a stipend of £1600 for the student. The applicant’s university will receive a payment £400 towards research expenses associated with the project.  Additionally, a conference grant will be available up to £500, for travel and accommodation to enable the student to attend the annual Nutrition Futures Conference in September, to present their research project. 

Current Winners

2022 Abbie Colosimo, Coventry University

Project Title: The effect of pure orange juice consumption on postprandial blood glucose levels on normal weight and overweight/obese young adults.

For anyone thinking of applying, see what Abbie thought of the experience.

1. What made you apply for the Summer Studentship? I thought the summer studentship would be an amazing opportunity to apply my knowledge acquired throughout the first two years of my undergraduate degree, alongside gaining some practical experience in the field of Nutrition. In addition, I thought it would help me improve my knowledge and understanding as well as increasing my lab expertise.

2. How did you hear about the Summer Studentship? I first read about theSummer Studentship on the Nutrition Society's website, so I then discussed applying with my supervisor.

3. What was the process like? The process of applying for the internship consisted of meeting with my supervisor to discuss different potential projects and how and if they would work. Once we had decided upon a project, the application consisted of writing a rough outline of the project including a time plan and methodology of the project.

4. What was you research on and how did you feel it went overall? My research project was entitled “Comparisons of postprandial glycaemic response following orange juice and bread consumption between healthy weight and overweight/obese adults.” It investigated the glycaemic response following both the consumption of wholemeal and white bread along with orange juice in two different weight categories, those with a healthy BMI (body mass index) 18-24, and those with a BMI measuring overweight or obese 25+. I think overall that the project went really well, one of the problems we initially struggled with was recruiting participants, however, we eventually managed to get 10 participants in each weight category across a variety of different ethnic backgrounds. We recruited participants by advertising on the university’s social media accounts via the use of a gatekeeper letter, as well as by word of mouth throughout the university.

5. What advice would you give to a student thinking about applying? I would definitely recommend to students to apply for the Summer Studentship. It is an excellent opportunity and has provided me with some important skills which will help me both in my future career, and when completing my final year. It also provided some excellent networking opportunities as well as helping me prepare for my dissertation.

6. How might winning the Studentship and doing the project help with your career progression? Completing this studentship has helped me to advance for my future as it is unique experience which sets me apart from others when applying for graduate schemes and future internships. In addition, it has built on the foundations and provided me with key skills when starting both my dissertation and my proposal modules, in my final year.

7. What are you looking to do now or as a career? I am currently looking to apply for a postgraduate MSc inPublic Health and hope to pursue a career in population health or health policy.

Is Summer Studentships open to all students?

Applicants must be current student members of the Society and their membership must have started before November 2022. Students from any university (UK or overseas) can apply as long as they are undergraduates, & still have at least a year of their first-degree course in human or animal nutrition, left to go.

Do I need to have permission from my university to apply?

Yes – you need to have the permission of the school or department and the tutor who will be supervising and supporting your project and can confirm that facilities will be there for you to use.

Are there any restrictions on applications?

The only restrictions are that the Nutrition Society reserves the right to limit the number of successful applications from any one university and to also ask for a refund from anyone who is found to not be meeting the eligibility criteria, despite having stated they comply.

Can two students from the same University work together on one project?

This is acceptable if you can define the specific role each student will play, however we can only pay up to £2500 for the project as a whole (not per person). You may also need to demonstrate that the project can be completed with only one person, should a student withdraw from the project.

How long is the research project?

It is intended to be up to a maximum of eight weeks during the summer vacation period and must be completed (including the write up) by the end of August.

What are my chances of securing one of the studentship grants?

There are always plenty of high quality applications which means it is a very difficult decision and details may matter. This means it is worth spending time and taking care with the application form in the first place.

How much funding will I receive?

You will receive up to £2500. Your university will be given £400 for incidental expenses. You will receive a stipend of £1600 for your research project. The grant will be paid to the University & they must manage the grant with/for you. A travel grant of up to £500 will also be awarded to enable you to attend & present your research at the 2023 Nutrition Futures Conference in Glasgow, in September.

How will application forms be judged?

Volunteer members from the Society's Trustee Board, the Advisory Council and/or Membership Committee will make up the judging panel and will assess the applications on the academic achievement of the applicant, the scientific merit of the proposal and the reasons for how the candidate might benefit from carrying out a studentship. An aggregated score from all judges is then created to determine the successful applicants.

What will I be awarded?

All Studentship awardees will be given £2000 of funding, £1600 for you, £400 for the university and up to £500 to cover your costs of presenting at the Nutrition Futures Conference in September 2022, where they will present their research project. A further award will be made for the best project which will be presented with their certificate at the Annual Reception in December 2023.

Do I have to be a member of The Nutrition Society to apply?

Yes, all applicants have to be current student members and the membership must have started prior to 1 November 2022.

When is the closing date?

Applications must be received by midnight on 28 February 2023. Applications received after this date or time will not be considered.