Bursary Application
BIG Event 2023
Wed 26 - 28 July
Thinktank, Birmingham, England
Applications open 3 May and close 30 May, 2023.
The bursary covers your registration fees for the BIG Event in Birmingham and gives limited travel and accommodation support. It is open to BIG members who are in the first five years of their professional career and have not attended a previous BIG Event (skills days and the Little Event don't count).
To apply for a conference place through the bursary, please complete this form by clicking on 'register' to the left of this text.
If it's easier for you to prepare your responses before completing the form, you can open BIG Event Bursary Application guidelines 2023.docx to view the questions before applying via the online form.
Deadline: Wednesday, 30 May, 2023, 11:59 pm - sorry, late applications will not be considered.
Criteria for assessing applications
- Applicants must be BIG members with membership beginning no later than 30 May, 2023
- Applicants must be within the first 5 years of their professional career in the STEM engagement sector in the UK
- Applicants must not have attended the BIG Event before
- Applications will be scored 1-5 on the following attributes:
- demonstrable commitment to professional development;
- demonstrable commitment to the STEM engagement sector;
- level of positive impact of attending conference on applicant's personal and professional development; and
- relevance of work experience.
Other assessment considerations
Special consideration will be given to applicants from smaller organisations and to applicants who adopt a creative and thrifty approach to their travel and accommodation costs. BIG is a not-for-profit organisation supported by its members and squeezes every last drop out of every last penny to support them.
What will you have to do in return?
Following attendance of the BIG Event, you will need to submit an article (approx. 400 words) for BIG’s e-newsletter about your conference attendance or a related topic which would be of use and interest to the BIG community. Expenses will be issued following receipt of this article. If writing an article isn’t for you, we are also happy to accept photos of the Event; blog posts; vlogs of your experience; or other creative content you can produce. Let's discuss event@big.uk.com
We also hope you will be willing to give a hand at the conference where required; this gives you a great opportunity to create links with other delegates.
What happens next?
BIG will assess each application and attempt to award bursaries to achieve a geographic and subject area spread. You will be notified either way in the w/c 29 May, 2023. Successful applicants will receive information about the bursary amount allotted for travel and accommodation and how to claim these expenses.
IMPORTANT: You are responsible for organising and paying for your own travel and accommodation and you will need to produce receipts for each item.
If you are successful with your bursary application and have already booked and paid for your conference place, BIG will refund your registration fee and extend your BIG Membership for one year (or refund your membership).
Any questions? Contact the Event Organiser, Ashley Kent mailto:event@big.uk.com
