Lab Visit Grants

Applications will be assessed according to three main criteria: 

1. Benefit to career gained from attendance 

Applicants should try to include answers to the following key points in their application: 

• How will attending this lab visit further your career? Give details of whether the aim is to form collaborations or further knowledge in an area that is not currently being pursued. 
• Are there any other achievements and/or outputs that are relevant? 

2. Financial need for support 

This refers to the applicants current funding available for travel. Key points that should be incorporated in the application include: 

• Details of the applicants provision for travel in their research grant or PhD programme. 
• Why funds are being sort from the Society and why the level of support is being requested. 
• The applicant is encouraged to apply for other funding to help support the lab visit and give details of this so that the committee may see that the applicant will be able to participate if only partial support is provided by the Lab Visit Grant fund. 

3. Letter of Support from Supervisor or Head of Department and Host Lab  

A strong letter of support will demonstrate the following: 

• Case for financial need and the justification for the amount requested. 
• Promise of the applicant 
• What the benefit of attending this lab visit would be to the applicants career. 

Applications are considered four times a year, the deadlines for which are: 

• 2 March for visits after 1 April 
• 1 June for visits after 1 July 
• 1 September for visits after 1 October
• 2 November for visits after 1 December

Applications can be submitted early, up to six months before the visit date. For example, applications for an October trip can be submitted in the June deadline. 

The Biochemical Society does not fund applications made retrospectively. 

Please note we aim to send round the outcome of applications three to four weeks after the deadline of the round that has been applied to.

Please keep the following in mind when applying for a Lab Visit Grant:

• This is a highly competitive grant scheme and funding is not guaranteed.
• Projects undertaken during the lab visit should have a molecular bioscience focus.
• We accept applications from anywhere in the world, however please note that we are unable to pay grants to recipients in jurisdictions, countries or regions subject to sanctions, embargoes or other political trade restrictions put in place by the United Nations, the EU or the UK.
• The Biochemical Society does not fund any applications made retrospectively.
• Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
• Travel insurance fees, visa costs and consumables are not covered by this grant. Please only submit breakdown of costs for travel to/from the host institution and accommodation for the nights of the lab visit.
• Lab Visit Grant funding can only be used to support the trip specified in the successful application. If any details change after submission, please contact us.
• We encourage applicants to apply for funding from other funding bodies (including your own institution) to accompany your application. This should include the amount requested, the name of the organisation/grant scheme applied for, and the outcome (or date outcomes are expected). You agree that if the funding received exceeds the total needed for this meeting, you will return any unspent funds to the Biochemical Society.
• A Lab Visit Grant is non-transferable and can only be used to support the visit of the named applicant. Applications can not be made on behalf of other individuals, or to support a group visit.

If successful:

• The Biochemical Society cannot be held responsible for any of the Recipient’s debts or liabilities.
• The Recipient is required to submit photographs and a 300 word report about their experience during the lab visit. This report should provide an overview of the project undertaken, outlining particular skills or training developed and the key outcomes of the lab visit. The report and photographs may be published on the Biochemical Society website, social media channels or considered for publication in our community magazine, The Biochemist. Please ensure consent is given by any individuals featured in the photographs.
• The Recipient is required to submit a letter from the host laboratory confirming the visit took place.