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Biophysical Sciences Institute
Leaf for biology experiment

External Visitor Funding

Our External Visitor Fund is designed to stimulate research collaborations by fostering new discussions and strengthening existing connections.

The fund provides both financial and organisational support, such as inviting external speakers and arranging workshop or seminars.
Apply for Funding
Researchers in discussion around table

This scheme is now open for 2025/2026

Applications for our External Visitor Fund are invited for proposals that fulfil the following criteria:

  • Award value: £2K (up to £5K in exceptional circumstances). 
  • Fit the research remit of the BSI i.e. fundamental, interdisciplinary research at the boundaries between biosciences and the other physical sciences (including mathematics, computer science and engineering).
  • Are expected to lead to significant outputs, impact or attract further funding.

 

How to Apply

Application forms should be submitted online using the form below. There is no closing date for this scheme, and applications will be assessed by the BSI Executive Board at their regular monthly meetings. Assessment will be carried out according to the criteria below.

Assessment criteria

  • Fit to BSI remit (see BSI research strands webpages). Please note all applications must be interdisciplinary biosciences research or have demonstrable applications to biosciences (weighting 30%);
  • Quality of the scientific proposal (weighting 40%);
  • Benefit to professional development of academic(s) involved, including development of professional network (weighting 30%).

Access the External Visitor Fund Form here: https://forms.office.com/e/5zyvFiAnsq 

There is no closing date for this scheme.

What we offer 

In addition to funding the BSI can also provide the following organisational and operational support, where needed: 

  • Operational support - e.g. management of travel, accommodation, meeting room and catering booking. 
  • Organisation of events relating to visitors - e.g. acting as a point of contact for visitors/events, preparation of programme.
  • Communication - e.g. creating advertising materials and sharing through networks and to key individuals. 
  • Financial management support - e.g. budgeting and reimbursement of externals' costs. 

Further details

We expect recipients of our Funding to acknowledge the support of the BSI on any outputs produced. We also ask for a short oral or written report after it has been completed.