On the back of a successful online Summer Vacation Studentship scheme in 2021, we will be opening applications for a laboratory-based scheme and a separate computer-based scheme for undergraduate students in biochemistry and related subjects in 2022.
The lab-based scheme involves a 6-week lab placement, providing students with hands-on experience of laboratory research. The computer-based scheme will focus on skills development, involving online courses and skills-based webinars, equipping students with analytical and computational tools useful for their career progression and graduate school applications. See below for more information on each of the schemes.
The computer-based Summer Vacation Studentship scheme will be centred on skills development, equipping students with analytical and computational tools useful for their career progression and graduate school applications.
Successful applicants will be awarded:
Students take up the award during the summer vacation before their final year. Students carrying out a three year undergraduate course are eligible in their second year of study. Students carrying out a four year course are eligible in their second or third years of study.
This programme will take place online throughout July and August 2022, with courses running sequentially; one course per month. Successful applicants will be expected to complete both courses by the end of August 2022, as well as to submit a brief post-programme report by the end of September 2022. Both online courses are self-led and can be completed at a time that suits the learner within that course’s appointed month, with each taking approximately 5 hours to complete. Moderators will answer learner comments during the month of the course’s run, but learners will continue to have access to the course content for a year from enrolment.
The Biochemical Society sets aside as much funding as possible for its annual Summer Vacation Studentship Scheme. The purpose of the Scheme is to provide undergraduate students in biochemistry and related subjects with hands-on experience of laboratory research. Studentship experiences are hard to come by and, if awarded, the experience can benefit a new researcher and their supervisor greatly.
The scheme is extremely popular, with applications going through a competitive application process. As the lab-based scheme was not run in 2020 and 2021, we are expecting demand for placements to be very high in 2022, with most applications being of excellent quality.
Each supervisor may only apply for sponsorship of one student per round of applications and must be a member of the Biochemical Society upon applying. Where necessary, priority will be given to supervisors who have been members for at least 12 months prior to the closing date of the grants.
Students will be awarded a stipend of £294.50 per week for 6 weeks to support the students’ living costs for the duration of the placement. The laboratory will cover consumables and costs associated with the research. Students will also be awarded a one-year membership of the Biochemical Society at undergraduate, postgraduate or associate level.
Students take up the award during the summer vacation before their final year. Students carrying out a three year undergraduate course are eligible in their second year of study. Students carrying out a four year course are eligible in their second or third years of study. Once an award has been offered to a named student it cannot be transferred to another student.
Students take up the award during the summer vacation before their final year. Students carrying out a three year undergraduate course are eligible in their second year of study. Students carrying out a four year course are eligible in their second or third years of study.
Applications will be assessed based on the following questions:
Once enrolled on the scheme, It is a condition of the award that the student subsequently submits a report and a photo of themselves that can be uploaded onto our website and online galleries (no more than 1 side of A4) summarising:
Students are also encouraged to write a blog about their placement, and to regularly update the Society on their work using social media or via email.
Read quotes from reports by participants of the computer-based scheme in 2021.
Students take up the award during the summer vacation before their final year. Students carrying out a three year undergraduate course are eligible in their second year of study. Students carrying out a four year course are eligible in their second or third years of study. Once an award has been offered to a named student it cannot be transferred to another student.
Each supervisor may only apply for sponsorship of one student per round of applications and must be a member of the Biochemical Society upon applying. Where necessary, priority will be given to supervisors who have been members for at least 12 months prior to the closing date of the grants.
Applications will be assessed based on the following questions:
From the Student:
From the supervisor:
Find out key information about the scheme via our Frequently Asked Questions >
Once funding is awarded, it is a condition of the award that the student subsequently submits a report and a photo of themselves and the supervisor that can be uploaded onto our website and online galleries (no more than 2 sides of A4) summarising:
Students are also encouraged to write a blog about their placement, and to regularly update the Society on their work using social media or via email.
Please note: Photos may be used in related articles in The Biochemist, on the Biochemical Society website alongside your report, for future marketing of the grant scheme and the Biochemical Society.
The student applicant ranked as top awardee each year, based on their application score and post-Studentship report, will receive £500 on completion of their Summer Vacation Studentship and the submission of their report.
This prize will only be awarded to a student on the lab-based scheme. Find out more and see the previous winners >
Read reports, blogs, case studies and see photos from previous years here >