George Bird International Travel Grant Applications are now OPEN
Abstract Submissions and applications are now open until 31.5.24, successful applicants will be advised on or shortly after 8.7.24
Please read the following terms carefully. An application form is available to download at the bottom of this page.
The George Bird International Travel Grant is awarded annually to an individual working outside the UK who has submitted a high scoring abstract to the BBTS Annual Conference.
Applicants MUST submit an abstract to be considered for this grant.
The successful applicant will receive complimentary registration to the Annual Conference. Flight and accommodation costs will be covered by BBTS.
ELIGIBILITY:
Qualified transfusion professionals working outside of the UK may apply for the bursary. Applicants do not have to be a member of BBTS to apply and should be healthcare staff, including medical, scientific, nursing and donor organisation staff, working in a recognised institution in any country in the world outside the UK.
Applicants must work in a field related to blood transfusion and have an adequate standard of spoken and written English for the abstract presentation. The awardee will receive complimentary conference registration and accommodation and reimbursement of their flight costs to visit the UK for the conference.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
The award amount offered by the BBTS in the invitation letter will be the total amount of funding available for all the costs incurred in visiting the UK for the conference. The award amount needs to cover the costs of:
- Return flights to the UK and all legitimate travel costs incurred during the visit, visa processing costs
- Accommodation
- Meals and all other subsistence costs
- An additional £500 to help extend your study leave
No extra funding will be available outside the agreed award amount. Reimbursement for expenses can only be made with valid receipts.
The successful applicant will be invited to attend the BBTS Annual Conference as a guest of the society. The society will organise and pay for the award winner’s conference registration costs. The conference registration normally includes daytime catering and one or two evening social events to which the award winner will be invited.
Any successful applicant wishing to bring an accompanying person to the conference must do so at their own expense (visa, travel, accommodation, conference registration costs) however a complimentary ticket to the social events will be offered to that person.
If the successful applicant cannot pay the cost of flights and/or accommodation up-front we would encourage your employer to book and pay the costs which will then be reimbursed by the BBTS (valid receipts are required).
Financial payment of the award amount agreed will be made directly to the individual/employer via a BACS payment after the conference and/or training placement.
Under no circumstances will money be sent overseas to the award winner in advance of their arrival in the UK.
Selection will be based on the relevance and quality of the abstract, and the apparent benefit to the individual and their employer given by attendance at the Annual Meeting.
Preference will generally be given to applicants from institutions that have not previously benefited from an award.
Selected candidates will be expected to apply for a visa immediately if required and a copy of this visa will be required before the Award is confirmed.
All successful applicants will receive complimentary registration to the Annual Meeting. Flights to the UK will be Economy Class; unusually, and at the discretion of the BBTS, these may be arranged by the BBTS conference organisers. Accommodation will be arranged by the BBTS conference organisers, including an overnight stay before the Annual Meeting opens.
Airfares, visa and necessary meal costs will be refunded on presentation of receipts.
Preference will generally be given to any applicant receiving an oral presentation.
A report of the visit (not more than 750 words) must be sent to the BBTS within one month of the visit. This report may be published in the BBTS newsletter, in whole or part, subject to editorial approval.
Applications will not be processed without the following documentation:
1. Completed application form including supporting statements from applicant and their employer
2. Documentation from your employer confirming approval for a leave of absence if successful, plus confirmation they will act as your Guarantor. Subsistence and travel costs will be reimbursed to you or your employer via BACS payment at the end of the conference / training.
3. An abstract submitted via the BBTS online system conforming to the BBTS requirements set out via the system. You must be the first, submitting and presenting author of an abstract which has been accepted for the Annual Meeting.
4. Visa approval
5. A copy of the photo page of the your passport
6. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
