Need financial help to attend your next genomics conference or training course?
Wellcome Sanger Institute offers funding support to attend our world-class training and conferences
Gain funding support from Wellcome Sanger Institute
If you are facing financial barriers to attending scientific learning, training, and networking, Wellcome Sanger Institute offers bursaries and carers’ grants to help researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals participate at our world-class genomics conferences and courses.
We provide flexible, non-repayable support options including:
✔ Up to 50% off conference registration fees
✔ Up to 50% off UK training course fees
✔ Carers’ grants up to £500
✔ 100% training course bursaries for scientists based in eligible countries in Africa, Latin America, and South East Asia.
Browse our upcoming conferences and courses on our website
Bursary support can place you at the forefront of innovation in your scientific field
Why we offer this support to our communities
At Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Training and Events, we believe financial challenges must never prevent talented scientists from accessing professional development and networking opportunities.
Our bursaries help researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to:
- Attend internationally recognised conferences at our flagship home on the Wellcome Genome Campus, UK
- Develop practical genomics skills either in the UK or at one of our global training hubs
- Build global professional networks across all our training and conferences
- Present your own projects and insights, and gain feedback from field leaders
- Find collaboration opportunities to advance your career
It’s important to understand that whatever career stage you’re at, our bursary scheme is accessible to you!
Michelle Bishop, Associate Director, Connecting Science learning and training programme.
Which funding is right for you?
Conference bursaries
Provide support towards attending our scientific conferences held at the Wellcome Genome Campus, UK.
Key features:
✓ Up to 50% off the full conference registration fee
✓ Available for in-person registrations
✓ Helps remove financial barriers to attendance
Click here to view our available conferences with bursary deadlines
Training course bursaries
Financial support for scientists who have secured a place on one of our UK-based courses.
Key features:
✓ Up to 50% off the full course application fee
✓ Awarded after successful course selection
✓ Helps remove financial barriers to accepting your deserved place
Click here to view our available courses with bursary deadlines
Global training course bursaries
Scientists based in select regions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America may be eligible for a fully funded place on one of our training courses, delivered locally through our network of regional hubs.
Key features:
✓ 100% contribution towards the full course application fee
✓ Awarded after successful course selection
✓ Helps remove financial barriers to accepting your deserved place
Travel and accommodation bursaries may also be available for selected courses. These will be considered separately from the course fee application.
Click here to view our available global courses with bursary deadlines
Carers’ Grants
Need support with childcare or dependent care while attending one of our conferences or training courses?
Our carers’ grants help cover related costs.
You could receive:
✓ Up to £500 to support childcare or dependent care
✓ Support for bringing a carer to accompany you to a course of conference.
Click here to learn more about carer’s grant eligibility on our Policies page
Who can apply for financial support?
We welcome applications from non-commercial:
✓ Researchers
✓ Clinicians
✓ Healthcare professionals
✓ Early career scientists
✓ Established scientists
If you are experiencing financial barriers we encourage you to apply for one of our bursaries or a carer’s grant. Our funding supports applicants from a wide range of career stages and countries. Eligibility varies depending on the event, but we consider all applications carefully before providing a final decision.
Hear from previous bursary recipient
I was awarded a bursary to attend the conference Human Evolution – From Fossils to Ancient and Modern Genomes, at the Wellcome Genome Campus. This financial support was instrumental in allowing me to immerse myself in discussions, network with experts in the field, and gain valuable insights. This opportunity enabled me to strengthen and, in some cases, deepen my connections in the field, as well as receive constructive feedback on my work from colleagues.
Helpful answers to common questions about our financial support
Whether you are applying for a bursary or a carer’s grant, the money you are awarded at the end of the application process will never need to be repaid.
We recognise scientists can face financial barriers at any point during their career.
Our bursaries and carers’ grants are open to anyone who is struggling to attend conferences and training courses with us because of financial constraints.
If we receive a high number of course or conference bursary applications, we give priority to early-career researchers, PhD students, and scientists based in priority regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, no one should feel they are excluded from making an application, as we consider each case carefully.
Find a course or conference
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Register for a conference or apply for a course place
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Apply for financial support within your registration or application
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Receive funding decision
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Attend your event
Once you start the bursary application process the steps are clear and simple, and support is always available from our friendly Scientific Training and Events team should you need it at Events@sanger.ac.uk
The application form for a carer’s grant is short, clear and easy to complete.
Information about how to apply for a specific course or conference bursary can be found at the bottom of each event page on our website. Look for the section labelled ‘financial assistance’.
The bursary deadline is usually earlier than the conference abstract or registration deadlines, so it’s best to take note of when the application is due, to ensure you get your submission in on time.
For certain conferences additional funding through external sponsorship is available, and this will be clearly marked on the event page, if offered.
You can access the carers’ grant application form on our website, by clicking here to reach more information on our financial support.
Bursaries are available to non-commercial applicants only.
All applicants are required to provide a justification for how an award will support your attendance – ensuring considered and fair selection. We are keen for you to illustrate in your application what the course or conference offers you in terms of:
- Overall value to your career development
- Potential opportunities to advance your research through collaboration
- Opportunities for presenting your own research to practice your communications skills, and gain feedback from field leaders
- Opportunities to network with influential members in your field
If you are applying for a carer’s grant, we ask you to complete a very simple application form outlining your situation, and how the grant will be used to support your attendance at one of our events. This information enables us to assess your eligibility, and whether this form of funding is right for your personal circumstances. Please note that you will be expected to demonstrate the expenses for the caring duties we fund.
The application process for a bursary or a carer’s grant is considered separately from your course application, or a conference registration.
When applying for a course place, this means your eligibility for selection will never be impacted by your request to be considered for a bursary.
Our bursary selection committee will carefully and impartially review each application. While the majority of applications are approved, you will receive a clear explanation should you be declined.
We do not cover travel or accommodation costs for our courses or conferences held in the UK.
For our courses hosted in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, we offer some financial support to assist with travel to the host institution, and accommodation for the duration of your stay. This is awarded on merit to non-commercial applicants only.
Successful applicants will typically be informed of their award in conjunction with their course acceptance.
Yes, where eligible you may apply for both forms of support.
Application deadlines vary by event. We recommend applying as early as possible.
All event deadlines close at 11:59pm (UK time).
Never miss a bursary deadline.
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