Bursary

The Don Claugher Bursary

Don Claugher

Don Claugher was a scientist and Head of the Electron Microscope Unit at the Natural History Museum. His work was very experimental - he was very interested in new applications, methodologies and approaches to problems. Don was an active SEMT committee member for many years, holding both Chair and Treasurer positions as well as, in later years, an Advisor to the Society. Don sadly passed away in August 2005 and the SEMT continues to remember him for his enthusiasm for the society and his dedication to electron microscopy.

The SEMT offers funding for microscopy projects

Funding Opportunity for Microscopy Projects

The SEMT is seeking applications from early career scientists, artists, universities or schools for funding of up to £1500 for suitable microscopy The SEMT is seeking applications from early career scientists, artists, universities or schools for funding of between £500 and £1,000 for suitable microscopy projects within the UK. The total fund is £1500 and the committee may choose to fund several smaller projects or fewer larger projects depending on the quality of the applications. We also reserve the right to not make an award during any particular year. We particularly encourage applications for summer studentships or collaborative projects between schools, colleges and universities. The fund may be used for consumables, small equipment or access time on microscopes. The fund is not intended to cover conferences or travel expenses or internal departmental or laboratory costs for microscopy services. If this is the case, please include a brief explanation for why these service costs cannot be met from core funds.

The Don Claugher Bursary 2023

Details of the bursary will be announced later in 2022.

Bursary details

The SEMT would ask that the successful candidate to submit a short interim summary report half-way through the project time-line to show how the work is progressing. At this time at least one of the following presentation choices below should be indicated.

A short oral presentation on their completed work at the SEMT One Day Meeting, no later than 18 months after the award.
An article detailing the study in either In Focus or Microscopy and Analysis.
A paper published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Any publication resulting from this funding should appropriately acknowledge the financial assistance of the SEMT.

Members of the SEMT committee are excluded from applying as they will constitute the panel of judges.

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit an application by email to Dr. Ken Mingard (ken.mingard@npl.co.uk) and should include the following:

A one page project proposal, including introduction, methodology, where the work will be carried out, aims of the project, breakdown of costs and time scale.
A letter from a suitable referee/supervisor.
A letter of agreement from the Head of Department
where the work will be carried out.
Contact details (email, address and phone number) of the applicant.

RMS summer studentship

The Royal Microscopical Society offer summer studentships for projects with a significant microscopy component in them. Details of the studentship and application can be found on the RMS Summer Studentship page.