Carer and Disability Support Grant

The British Society for Plant Pathology (BSPP) recognizes that many of its members are also carers, have disabilities, or may have need of additional assistance to help them attend scientific meetings. This presents a major challenge to attending conferences and hence to career advancement. The BSPP makes available up to £300 to BSPP members with children or dependent adults (including adult children with a disability or elderly relatives), or to members in need of additional assistance due to disability, to spend as they wish to facilitate the member's attendance at any conference. Any BSPP member who has a child, or cares for a dependent adult at the time of the conference, or who is disabled and in need of additional assistance may apply for this award. From 2022, Carer and Disability Support Grants can be made independently of Travel Award applications. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for the Travel Award Fund, however, students can apply if they have been members for less than 12 months, provided that their supervisor is a member and provides a statement of support. Applications can be submitted by members at any stages of their professional career, but priority is given to early career researchers and according to need. A maximum of one grant per applicant will be supported within a 12 month period between events. Eligible costs include, but are not limited to: additional childcare, extra care at home for dependents, extra travel costs of carer or disabled member, providing airfare for your child or for your assistant to accompany you and attend functions with you if needed, flying a relative out to help with care at your home while you're at the meeting. Successful applicants will be paid after confirmation of attendance is provided. Applications are submitted through an online form, and applicants are asked to provide their career stage, description of role as caregiver or needs for personal assistance, a brief justification of need (300 words max), and amount requested up to £300 (though larger awards will be considered under exceptional circumstances).