Researcher Development and Travel Grant

Our Researcher Development and Travel Grants are open to PhD students and early career scientists wishing to undertake an activity that supports their research career. The activities applied can be virtual or in-person. Examples include, but are not limited to, presenting work at conferences, developing new skills by attending training courses or developing networks by organising a scientific meeting.

Please see the “Who can apply?” section below for full details of new deadlines this year. Please contact us if you have any questions or doubts.

Technicians wishing to participate in an activity organised by someone else may be interested in our Technician Travel and Training Grant, which provides up to £2000 of support. Please note that members can only receive one grant from the RSC for a particular activity.

Our Grants for Carers and Accessibility Grants are also available to support those with caring responsibilities or who need additional assistance to participate in a professional development activity. Researcher Development and Travel Grant applicants may also apply for one of these grants if needed for their activity.

Who can apply?

In order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

You are an RSC member (of any level) You are one of the following: (1) a PhD student; (2) an academic researcher within 10 years of completion of a PhD (including postdoctoral researchers); (3) working in the industry within 10 years of leaving full-time education or; (4) a technician within 10 years of leaving full-time education. (Restrictions exclude time for career breaks, parental leave, etc.)

Your activity must start at least 2 months from the end of your month of application. For example, applications made in March can only be for activities starting 1 June or later. For 2023, please note the following deadlines based on the timings of your activity

What can I request funding for?

You can apply for a grant of up to £500 towards an activity that develops your skills and experience as a researcher. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Knowledge e.g. conference participation
• Skills e.g. researcher development tools or projects, such as training courses
• Networking e.g. funding towards organising a scientific meeting or visiting a collaborator

We welcome applications for a broad range of activities and initiatives. The Additional Guidance document includes further information about eligible and ineligible expenses. If you would like to discuss a proposed activity before applying, please email us using the form below.

We also wish to caution applicants about the dangers of predatory conferences. For further information, please see the Additional Guidance document.