Challenger Society Travel Awards
Travel awards are available to assist postgraduate students and Masters Degree students in their 4th year who are members of the Challenger Society and are based at a UK research institution, to attend scientific conferences or participate in cruises and fieldwork. Priority is given to students who have had a paper or poster accepted for a recognised conference. The Society cannot guarantee that an award will be made and this should not be assumed in applying for funding elsewhere.
It is possible to apply for travel awards to the value of £250 for UK travel or £500 for international travel during your period of study. However, travel awards cannot be made retrospectively, the application must be submitted prior to travel. The Challenger Society will not fund internal flights within the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) unless it is necessary to allow participation (reasonable examples include but are not limited to caring responsibilities and disabilities). We do not require applicants to disclose personal information but ask them to acknowledge that they fall under a reasonable exemption to allow an internal flight in their application.
- Masters Degree students in their 4th year of study may apply for one award, EITHER a UK travel award OR an international travel award
- MSc students may apply for one award, EITHER a UK travel award OR an international travel award.
- PhD students may apply for two awards, i.e., both UK, both international or one of each.
Please submit your application to one of the following deadlines: January 15th, April 15th, July 15th and October 15th. Each deadline will have a total budget of around £1,500. Monies can be rolled over if not fully used in anyone period. If you have any questions regarding the scheme, please contact Sophie Wilmes s.wilmes@bangor.ac.uk
Detailed Guidelines for Travel Award Applicants can be found here
The Travel Award application form is available here.
Reports from previous winners of Travel Awards can be found here
Instructions to Awardees:
If you have been awarded a Travel Award, congratulations! As part of the award it is manadtory to fill in a report of your travel prior to recieving the funds. A template of the report can be found here and must be used. Please fill this in and email as a word document to Dr Sophie-Berenice Wilmes (s.wilmes@bangor.ac.uk) with one attached photo. If you have a twitter account please help raise the profile of the Society and our support of students by tweeting during your travels and tagging @challegersoc.
The Challenger Society is working towards being a fully equitable and inclusive organisation (see EDI statement here).
Latest News
National Marine Equipment Pool: Autumn 2023 call (Round 4) for applications
Members of the UK marine science community are invited to submit applications for items of equipment to be considered for addition to the National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP). Full details of the application process are available on the Marine Facilities Advisory Board (MFAB) website and questions to Jackie Pearson, MFAB Secretary, are welcome. The closing date for applications is Friday 15 December 2023.
Measurement Systems for 21st Century Oceanography
There is an imperative to measure the ocean in greater detail if we are to chart a sustainable future on this planet. The Net-Zero Oceanographic Capability Scoping Study (2021), commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), therefore undertook a detailed review of the sensor systems and networks that will be needed to meet anticipated marine science priorities. The Future Marine Research Infrastructure (FMRI) Programme is continuing this engagement to shape NERC’s strategic investment in measurement technologies that enable new and different science.
Exciting opportunity – MEDIN Chair
The Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) is seeking an outstanding new Chair, who can bring strategic leadership, enthusiasm and independent thinking to our Sponsors’ Board and Executive Team at a significant time in our development. Further information about the role can be found here.