British Neuropathological Society Awards Schemes
The Society runs the following awards schemes intended to promote activities in Neuropathology, particularly among those at a relatively early stage in their careers:
- Small grants (max £5,000) to support the advancement of Neuropathology
- Postgraduate grants
- Undergraduate student grants
- Travel Bursaries(max £500) to support (i) participation in international scientific meetings and (ii) visits to other laboratories for research purposes or to gain experience
- BNS Meeting Bursaries to attend BNS annual meetings (max £250)
- Medical student elective bursary (in conjunction with NAN max £600)
Applications are on a competitive basis and considered by the BNS Academic Committee
The guidelines for eligibility and methods of application are below.
BNS small grants scheme
Postgraduate grants
Purpose: to support the advancement of Neuropathology.
Applications will be considered for research projects, including both substantive and pilot projects, and projects related to education/training in Neuropathology.
- A maximum sum of £5,000 will be allocated to any one application. Applications for smaller sums are welcomed. The funds are intended to be used for direct costs associated with the proposed work. Successful applicants cannot apply a second time under this scheme within a period of four years.
- Either the “Applicant” or the “Principal Investigator”, or both, must be a member of the BNS. Preference is given to applicants who are at a relatively early stage in their careers, who will mainly be those on fixed term contracts, but applications from those at later stages in their careers may be considered. The “Principal Investigator” is generally a more established member of staff on a permanent contract who will act as the Supervisor.
- Applications should be submitted to the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee (currently Prof. Johannes Attems; email: j.attems@ncl.ac.uk) using the forms from the links below.
- The closing dates for applications are March 1st and September 1st each year.
- Each application will be considered by either members of the BNS Academic Committee or external referees.
- Notifications are usually sent after 10-12 weeks.
- Applicants who were unsuccessful but received favourable comments may be encouraged to re-submit. Referees’ comments are available on request.
- A report (1-2 pages) on the progress of the research should be sent to the Chair of the Academic Committee within one year of the award. This will assist in assessing future awards. Failure to provide a report will preclude future support in this and other schemes run by the Society.
- Scientific work supported by the Grant should be presented at one of the Society’s meetings within 2-3 years of the award and ideally published in a peer-reviewed journal. Any publications or presentations at meetings by the recipient emanating in part or whole from the Society’s support should acknowledge the support of the BNS.
Undergraduate student grants
Purpose: to support undergraduate students in undertaking a Neuropathology project
- A maximum sum of £5,000 will be allocated to any one application. Applications for smaller sums are welcomed. The funds are intended to be used for direct costs associated with the proposed work. The project could be performed at any stage in the undergraduate career e.g. final year science student, intercalating medical student, elective period, summer project. Successful applicants cannot apply a second time under this scheme.
- An appropriate Supervisor must be identified and they must be BNS members.
See above points 3-9
➜ Small Grant Application (form A)
➜ Small Grant CV Applicant (form B)
Travel Bursaries
Purpose: to support (i) participation in international scientific meetings and (ii) visits to other laboratories for research purposes or to gain experience.
- Applicants must have been a member of the Society for at least one year or in the case of non-members/students (including undergraduates) should be proposed by a BNS member.
- Holders of permanent NHS or University appointments are not eligible.
- Applicants have to present a paper or poster when there is a call for posters or oral presentations.
- The maximum amount awarded is £500. Consumable costs will not be considered. Awards limited to one per year, up to maximum of 3 awards per applicant in total.
- Evidence of support from other sources must be declared.
- Applications can be received at any time (but no later than three months following the travel) and should be submitted to the Chair of the Academic Committee (currently Prof. Johannes Attems –email: j.attems@ncl.ac.uk) using the form from the link below (Form T).
- Notifications are usually sent after 4 weeks
- A brief report (one page) documenting the visit must be submitted to the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee within 3 months of the visit.
➜ Travel Bursary Application (form T)
Bursaries to attend BNS annual meetings
Purpose: to encourage students and trainees, including undergraduate students in science or medicine, PhD students, and clinical trainees in Neuroscience specialties, to attend the BNS annual meeting.
Awards are of up to £250 and the funds can be used for travel and accommodation expenses.
Applications should be submitted any time before the annual meeting, which is typically held in March, to the Chair of the Academic Committee (currently Prof. Johannes Attems – email: j.attems@ncl.ac.uk). Preference will be given to applicants presenting a paper at the meeting.
➜ Travel Bursary Application (form T)
Medical student elective bursary (sponsored jointly by NAN & the BNS)
Purpose: To provide financial support for a medical student training in a UK university to undertake a period of elective study in neuropathology or in neuroscience related to neuropathology during their training. The attachment may be in the UK or elsewhere in the world.
Up to 2 grants of £600 each are available each year. Applications must be made before the start of the project/elective period to the Chair of the Academic Committee (currently Prof. Johannes Attems –email: j.attems@ncl.ac.uk) but no later than the 28th February of the year. A letter of support of the supervisor must be included.
A written report of the elective period must be submitted within 2 months of the end of the elective. This will be published on the Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology website. A poster presentation at the next annual BNS meeting (March of the following year) is encouraged.
➜ Elective-Bursary Application (form E)