Education and Outreach Grants
Eligible members can apply for up to £1000 to support relevant science engagement or outreach initiatives, to engage new audiences and raise awareness of any aspect of microbiology and the impact of microbiology.
Eligible membership categories: Full, Full Concessionary and Postgraduate Student Members
Minimum membership: One year membership and two consecutive membership subscription payments required.
Enquiries about this scheme should be made by email to [email protected]
Please read all information on this page carefully and ensure you have read and agreed to the grants terms and conditions before submitting an application.
- Eligibility
- What is covered by the grant?
- Application process
- Award criteria
- Administration of awards
Eligibility
Membership categories eligible to apply:
- Full member
- Full Concessionary Member
- Postgraduate Student Members
Minimum membership period required:
A minimum membership period of one year and two consecutive membership payments is required.
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Education and Outreach Grant recipients
Learn more about those who have been awarded the Education and Outreach Grant to support relevant science teaching or promotion initiatives, or to support developments likely to lead to an improvement in the teaching of any aspect of microbiology.
What is covered by the grant
The Society wishes to encourage innovative activities to promote any aspect of microbiology in interactive and engaging ways. This grant should not be used to subsidise normal departmental teaching expenses. A variety of activities will be considered for support. These might include:
- Activities that take place as part of a national science and engineering week, science fairs or festivals.
- Activities, talks or workshops to share scientific concepts and current research with thought-provoking ideas and topics to engage audiences in a discussion of the impact of microbiology on society.
- Activities to engage students at primary and secondary school level about microbiology. This could include hands-on activities, games, crafts, talks, and other fun activities that encourage and inspire interest in science.
- Supporting microbiology activities at an after-school science club.
- Supporting microbiology activities in a school or college-based science week activity. This could include a class visit to a microbiology laboratory to carry out activities, or engaging talks from Microbiologists working in different fields.
- Buying materials and equipment outside of normal department expenses or resources to support a microbiology activity. Such requests should be accompanied by a detailed description of the proposed microbiology activity. For examples of suitable microbiology activities for schools, please see the MISAC guidelines.
Activities as part of organisation open days or UCAS days will not be eligible for funding.
Application process
Applications should be made online via Mi Society. All required supplementary material should be provided at the point of application. A full breakdown of expected costs should be given in the appropriate part of the application.
Applicants must provide a detailed description of the proposed initiative, together with information of any collaborations or other sponsorship. Each application should also include a safety risk assessment and evidence of, or costing for, appropriate public liability insurance cover if the activity is to be held at a public venue. This should be submitted at the point of applying.
Deadlines:
Round 1 – Applications open on 01 Feb and close on 01 April (for events taking place after 01 June).
Round 2 – Applications open on 01 Aug and close on 01 October (for events taking place after 01 December).
We have provided an example application form to demonstrate the standard of answers and level of detail required for applications.
Education and Outreach Grant: Example application form
Award criteria
Awards are made by competition. Applications are reviewed by at least two referees and funding decisions are made by an Award Panel comprised of members of the Sustainability Committee and are based on the reports of the referees.
Applications are reviewed against the following criteria:
- The activity is innovative and relevant to microbiology.
- The application has clear aims that are realistically achievable in the proposed time frame.
- The activity is clearly described and technically feasible.
- There is clear benefit to the target audience.
- The applicant, and any support staff, has the required expertise to support the project through to successful completion.
- The evaluation methods are adequately described and appropriate.
- The project has sustainability.
- Full costings are given with a realistic budget providing good value for money.
Administration of awards
Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome of their application within two months of the closing date.
You will be notified of an awarded grant via email with details of how to submit your claim and receipts. The grant award will also be displayed on your Mi Society account under ‘Grant History’.
Please note that in the event of a successful application, all claims must be substantiated by appropriate evidence of expenditure.
Awarded funds will be paid to the applicant’s nominated account by bank transfer within one month of an award claim being made.
Enquiries about this scheme should be made by email to [email protected]
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Virus Hunters at the University of Warwick
Saskia Bakker, Manager of the University of Warwick's advanced bioimaging Research Technology Platform. In this blog, she tells us more about her research on the viruses found in freshwater, and how a Microbiology Society Education and Outreach Grant has helped her engage and inform the public.
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