Update on the Unlocking Potential Fund

11 November 2021

This year, the Microbiology Society launched its first fundraising initiative for early and mid-career members who may require support for a variety of reasons, in order to help them to progress and to reach their full career potential. So far, the fund has generated nearly £6,000.

The fund will enable the Society to open a new grant, known as the Unlocking Potential Grant. The grant will help early and mid-career members who may require an extra level of support to help them deal with a situation that threatens to hold them back from achieving what they could.

Longstanding member, Craig Watkins, said of being an early career researcher and why he donated: “I was on five different contracts, distributed around the UK, they were all three-year posts. This is now seen as a ‘long’ contract, in comparison to the contracts that I’ve seen recently. I therefore think that people at an early stage of their careers have a much more challenging time than I did. The expectation to succeed, publish and win grants is much more intense than I remember. I suspect the ‘dropout rate’ from research science is even greater than it was and therefore, when the Microbiology Society decided to start this fund, I thought it was a great way to support early career stage microbiologists to help them on their way, by donating the fees I received from being an external examiner for a PhD student.”

Early and mid-career microbiologists may face barriers to career progression for a variety of reasons. The grant could:

• provide mentoring/partnering support
• give access to career support
• support those with leadership potential to achieve their goals
• help those facing issues of confidence
• support those facing workplace issues associated with discrimination, access, bullying, or other related issues
• support with other issues that require bespoke help

If you would like to donate to the fund, you can find out more on our website. You can also read stories from others who have already donated.

Help early and mid-career members to get the support they need to move forward.

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  Donate to the Unlocking Potential Fund

  Our members have a unique depth and breadth of knowledge about microbiology. The Microbiology Society’s role is to help unlock and harness their potential.