Summer Studentship Grant

Eligibility:

• Open to supervisors of undergraduate or recently-graduated students in a microbiology-related degree program.
• The supervising mentor must be an active Full or Associate member of Applied Microbiology International (AMI) and have 13 months continuous active membership.
• The grant is intended for projects to be completed during the summer vacation period. Studentship projects up to a maximum of seven weeks in duration are available.
• Projects can be hosted at any university, research institution, or business  engaged in microbiology-related work, that can offer practical and applicable research experience.

Grant Details and Financial Support:

• Student Stipend: A weekly (35 hours) allowance, reflective of the cost of living in the student's home country up to seven weeks. The stipend when based on the UK's National Minimum Wage (£8.60 per hour for 18–20-year-olds) is £301 and is used as a reference point but will be adjusted to accommodate global economic differences. Applicants are expected to provide a fair justification for their stipend request, considering their local living expenses.
• Free AMI Student Membership: Student receives a 12-month complimentary student membership on approval of grant. 
• Laboratory Expenses: A maximum of £500 is available to cover additional costs related to the research project, such as consumables and basic equipment.
• Additional Support: Includes complimentary registration to the Letters in Applied Microbiology (LAM) ECS Research Symposium, offering a platform for students to present their work, network with professionals, and further their academic journey in microbiology.

Application Requirements:

• The application form should be completed by the supervisor, with input from the student.
• Applicants must identify a suitable research area within microbiology and collaborate with a research group leader at a university or research institution.
• Together with the supervisor, the student must develop a detailed research project plan, including objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
• The application form, to be completed and submitted by the deadline, should include all project details, a budget proposal, and justifications for the stipend and laboratory expenses.
• Supervisors may only submit one student per application.
• Supervisors may only submit one application per calendar year.

Selection Criteria:

• Applications will be evaluated based on the originality and relevance of the proposed research project in the field of applied microbiology.
• The potential impact of the project on the student's academic development and future career in microbiology will also be considered.
• Preference will be given to those who have not been awarded a Summer Studentship Grant in the previous calendar year.

Budgeting and Justification:

• A clear and detailed budget must be submitted, outlining how the grant funds will be utilised for the stipend and laboratory expenses.
• Justification for the requested funds should detail the necessity of each expense in relation to the project's objectives.

Post-Award Requirements:

• Grantees are required to submit a comprehensive report of about 800 words summarising their research findings within two months of completing the project.
• Participation in the LAM ECS Research Symposium is not mandatory but encouraged and students may apply for an AMI Student Travel Bursary to assist in attendance.

Application Process:

• 17th March Deadline for ALL applications – Northern and Southern Hemispheres.