Nature of Award
The purpose of the award is to give experience of research to undergraduates with research potential and to encourage them to consider a career in scientific research.

The award provides support for the student at a rate of £250 per week for a period of between 6 and 8 weeks. The closing date for receipt of applications is 3rd April 5:00pm and applications will be acknowledged by the 4th April 5pm. Decisions communicated by 28th April.

Interested students can identify potential host supervisors for this scheme by searching our Supervisor Bank. Host supervisors must be BSGCT members.

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Eligibility                                                              

• Applications are made by researchers who are members of the British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy (BSGCT) on behalf of a named undergraduate student who is also a BSGCT member.

• Researchers in the field of gene therapy at universities and research institutions within the UK are eligible to apply.

• Projects must be focused on gene and cell therapy. Subject areas include non-viral gene therapy, viral gene therapy, immunotherapy, monogenic and hereditary disease, stem cells, cancer and oncolytics, cardiovascular/ocular disease and vectorology or genetic vaccines. Postdoctoral researchers and new lecturers, early in their careers are also encouraged to apply, and should note this on the application form, as they will benefit from an early career researcher uplift in score.

• Only one application should be submitted by a supervisor.

• Preference will be given to host supervisors who have not previously been awarded a BSGCT URB grant in previous rounds of the scheme.

• The student will take up the award during the summer vacation in their penultimate year (i.e. 2/3 or 3/4) of their degree. Applications on behalf of first- or final-year undergraduates, or graduates, will not be considered.

• Medical students, and medical students studying for intercalated science degrees, are not eligible for these awards.

• Mature students are eligible to apply, but must not have a previous degree in any subject.

• Students must be registered at a UK institution for the majority of their undergraduate science degree.

• Bursaries will not be awarded for projects that are a part of degree work or for work which will take place overseas.

 

How to Apply

The application must be made by the person who will supervise the research and not the student. However, supervisors should discuss the project in detail with the nominated student who should also contribute to the project design. Applications must be on the new form for 2023 which can be downloaded here.

Interested students can identify potential host supervisors for this scheme by searching our Supervisor Bank. Host supervisors must be a BSGCT member to be eligible.

 

Please read our guidelines before making an enquiry or completing an application form.

 

Completed applications with all the relevant signatures should be sent by email to board@bsgct.org with URB 2023 in the subject heading.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Monday 3rd April 2023. Decisions will be communicated to Supervisors by 28th April 2023.