The International Conference Fund is currently closed to new applications. Please check back for further developments.
International conferences provide excellent opportunities to:
- expand your network of technical specialists from across the world
- learn from the leaders of technologies
- explore cutting-edge developments in your area of expertise
- discuss best practise with colleagues and peers
This conference fund will provide technical specialists with travel bursaries to attend international conferences and scientific meetings within EPRSC remit. These bursaries will fund travel, accommodation, conference fees and subsistence to a maximum value of £5000. Recipients of the funding will be expected to share their learnings from the conference across a wider network of Research Technical Professionals.
“This funding provides a unique opportunity for specialists to engage with global leaders in their field, fostering innovation and collaboration that can significantly enhance our technical community.”
Lee Murphy, Head of Genetics Core, University of Edinburgh
Key Dates
The fund will run on a continual call cycle, where the next call opens as soon as the previous call closes.
| Call One – closed | Call open – 1 October 2024 – 06 January 2025 | for conferences 1 March – 31 October 2025 |
| Call Two – closed | Call open – 07 January 2025 – 30 April 2025 | for conferences 1 July 2025 – 28 February 2026 |
| Call Three | Call open – 1 May 2025 – 31 August 2025 | for conferences 1 November 2025 – 30 June 2026 |
| Call Four | Call open – 1 September 2025 – 18 December 2025 | for conferences between 1 March and 31 October 2026 |
| Call Five | Call open – 19 December 2025 – 30 April 2026 | for conferences between 1 July 2026 and 28 February 2027 |
Where you have received funding, please use the following acknowledgement in any materials relating to your activities:
I/We acknowledge the EPSRC funded APP15481: Technology Specialists Network: Research Technical Professionals, Opportunities, Knowledge and Skills (TSN ROKS) project for funding this work.
Attending the ISEV conference was a valuable experience that gave me fresh insights into the field, sparked new ideas for my own work, and opened the door to potential collaborations that I’m really excited about.
I’d absolutely encourage others to apply for this funding, it’s a fantastic way to grow professionally and feel part of a wider research community. Thank you again for supporting this experience; it’s one I’ll carry with me throughout my career.
Dr Muna Abubaker, University of Salford
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the bursary, applications must satisfy the following:
- Applicants must work in technical specialist role within a UK university, higher education institute or research institute.
- Applicants must have support of line manager – confirmation of this will be sought during the application process.
- The conference must overlap with the EPSRC remit and/or priority areas and have vocational relevance.
- Applicants must agree to disseminate learnings to a wider network after conference (details of how this will occur to be given during application process).
Please note: The travel awards are open to Research Technical Professionals who are employed by a UK University, higher education institute or research institute wishing to attend a non-UK conference. We cannot consider applications from technology specialists based outside the UK or requests for funding to attend conferences within the UK.
Those who are on an academic research contract, such as PDRAs and lecturers, and PhD students are not eligible to apply for this fund.
Guidelines for Applicants
Applicants should also read the following guidelines before applying:
- There is not a requirement to present at the conference, but applicants should apply to give a poster or oral presentation if appropriate for the event.
- Applicants should have explored internal sources of funding before applying for this bursary. Applications where some match funding has been secured are encouraged.
- Applicants who have previously received this funding are still eligible to apply for future calls but will be given lower priority than those who have not been awarded a travel grant previously.
- Learning outcomes and details of how the conference will support and develop the applicant must be made clear.
- Applicants must detail how they plan to disseminate the learnings from the conference across a wider network of technical specialists. Previous recipients have shared learnings by talks and seminars, utilising professional networks and LinkedIn articles to reach a wider audience.
- Applicants will be required to provide a short evaluation piece outlining any personal benefit they received from attending the conference and details of how they disseminated the learning across a wider network of technical specialists.
- Applicants must also provide a clear breakdown of the funds they are requesting, including the conference fee, estimated travel and accommodation costs, estimated subsistence costs and any VISA required for travel to the conference.
Applicants should consider the following: –
- Rail should be the default mode of transport for European journeys of up to 6 hours, even if the financial cost is higher than other forms of transport.
- Train travel should be by Standard Class.
- Air travel should be in Economy Class.
- Breakfast should be included with accommodation costs.
- Accommodation costs should be competitive and applicants should justify the accommodation costs in the application.
- AirBnB is not recommended. However, where applicants deem this necessary, they should ensure that the accommodation is safe and appropriate.
- The following are expected maximum amounts for subsistence claims, taking into account variations in local average costs:
- £10 for breakfast (if no option for including with accommodation)
- £15 for lunch
- £30 for evening meal
- £5 for non-alcoholic refreshment, such as tea/coffee (note: this does not include any food items)
- Alcoholic drinks will not be reimbursed.
- Advance authorisation is required where subsistence expenses exceed £60 a day.
- We will allow 10% overspend to account for changes in travel and accommodation costs between applying for the funding and booking.
- Travel and accommodation must be booked through the institution using approved suppliers, in line with institutional policy.
- Travel and accommodation should not be booked using personal accounts.
Terms and Conditions of Award
- Funds must only be spent on the conference named in the application.
- Funds are non-transferrable between delegates.
- If the applicant fails to attend the conference, or cancels their place ahead of time, they must inform us as soon as possible and the funds should be returned.
- Funds will be transferred retrospectively, once receipts and invoices have been received.
- Travel and accommodation must be booked through the institution using approved suppliers, in line with institutional policy.
- Travel and accommodation should not be booked using personal accounts.
- Receipts must be provided for all expenses claimed. We are unable to reimburse where receipts are not provided.
- Train travel should be by Standard Class.
- Air travel should be in Economy Class.
- Advance authorisation is required where subsistence expenses exceed £60 a day.
- The applicant must have travel insurance in place to cover their entire trip.
- Expenses must be submitted within 4 weeks of the end of the trip.
- The applicant must have line manager approval.
Application Process
Applications should all be made through the application form on this website and must be submitted by 23.59 on the closing date of each call listed under Key Dates.
Please make sure that you have read the eligibility criteria, applicant guidelines and terms and conditions before applying.
All applications will be read in full by review panel members and funding recommendations will be made.
Final funding decisions are approved by the fund manager.
Applicants will be notified within 6 weeks of the closing date. Please note travel and conference attendance must fall within the date range for that application round. This can be found under Key Dates.