Proteostasis UK is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and equitable research community. To support this commitment, Proteostasis UK offers Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) grants to enable participation in our activities to researchers who may otherwise face barriers to attendance. EDI-related barriers may be temporary, situational, or ongoing, and applicants are not required to disclose sensitive personal or medical details.
These grants are intended to reduce structural, financial, accessibility or caring-related barriers and to ensure that Proteostasis UK events are accessible to a broad and diverse community of UK-based scientists.
Scope of the EDI Grants
Proteostasis UK EDI grants provide financial support to enable eligible applicants to attend our events. The grants may cover costs related to, but not limited to:
* Accessibility needs (e.g. mobility support, assistive technologies, adapted accommodation or transport)
* Caring responsibilities (e.g. childcare, dependent care, additional care-related travel costs)
* Additional costs arising from health conditions, disabilities, or other circumstances that create barriers to participation
The EDI grants are not intended to fund research activities themselves, but solely to support attendance and participation in Proteostasis UK events.
Awards are discretionary and subject to available funds.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
* Applicants must belong to a laboratory that is a member of the UK Proteostasis Network. If your lab is not yet registered, please ask your PI to sign up here.
* Be based at a UK institution or organisation
* Be eligible to attend the relevant Proteostasis UK event
* Demonstrate that financial, accessibility, caring or other EDI-related considerations would otherwise limit or prevent their participation
* Applications must be made at least 10 weeks in advance of the meeting.
There are no restrictions based on career stage. Applications are open to students, early-career researchers, and established researchers, provided the eligibility criteria above are met.
Supported Events
EDI grants apply exclusively to Proteostasis UK-organised or Proteostasis UK-endorsed events. Support is granted for attendance at a specific event and cannot be transferred to another activity.
Final decisions on attendance and participation remain with the event organisers.
What the Grant Can Cover
Eligible costs may include, but are not limited to:
* Travel and accommodation costs
* Childcare or dependent care costs incurred in order to attend the event
* Accessibility-related expenses directly linked to participation
* Other justified costs that address barriers to inclusion
Applicants must provide a clear and realistic cost estimate. All requested costs must be reasonable, proportionate, and directly related to overcoming barriers to attendance at the Proteostasis UK event. Funds may not be applied to normal ongoing expenses.
Application
Applicants must apply by completing our request for EDI support form
The application will include:
* A brief motivation statement explaining the need for EDI support
* A cost estimate and justification
* CV and Abstract, where relevant to the event
Applications will be submitted via an online form. All required supporting documents must be emailed to: UKproteostasis@babraham.ac.uk
Evaluation and Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed on the basis of:
* The relevance and justification of the requested support
* The extent to which the grant would enable participation that would otherwise not be possible
* Alignment with the objectives and values of Proteostasis UK
* Available budget and balance across applicants
Decision Process
Applications will be reviewed by a designated EDI committee. Funding decisions are made in consultation with the event organisers, who retain final authority regarding participation.
Applicants will be informed of the outcome by email 8 weeks before the event.
Grant Conditions
* EDI grants are awarded for a specific event and cannot be deferred or transferred
* Recipients must attend the event for which support was granted
* Any change in circumstances must be communicated promptly to the organisers
Grant Payment and Supporting Documentation
EDI grant payments are normally processed after the event has taken place. To enable payment, recipients will be asked to provide:
* All claims must be supported by receipts. Please ensure you keep all relevant receipts/supporting documents to substantiate the expenses covered by the grant.
* Proof of attendance at the Proteostasis UK event (e.g. confirmation from organisers or attendance record)
Detailed itemisation of all expenses is not required. Documentation is requested solely to confirm attendance and enable the release of awarded funds. Further practical details will be communicated to successful applicants.
Data Protection
Personal data provided during the application process will be used solely for the purpose of administering the EDI grants. Access to applications will be limited to designated members of the review and organising teams, and all information will be handled confidentially and sensitively, in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.
For enquiries please contact UKproteostasis@babraham.ac.uk