Applications are now open for the Black in Plant Sciences Research Excellence Awards!
The BiPS Research Excellence Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate leading Black and Black heritage researchers across the UK plant science community.
The awards recognise the work and innovations carried out by UK early career Black researchers and raise awareness of their achievements. They also celebrate outstanding contributions to promoting the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within their research communities.
In addition to receiving an award certificate, winners are invited to attend the 34th International Conference on Arabidopsis Research (ICAR 2024) held at the University of California, San Diego in California, USA from July 15-19, 2024. In collaboration with the North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee (NAASC), BiPS will provide award winners with free registration and cover reasonable travel and accommodation expenses. At ICAR 2024 they will have an opportunity to meet members of the NAASC Inclusivity Scholars Programme and participate in a professional development program for early career scholars and members of underrepresented groups in STEM.
To start an application, click here. Please consult the eligibility requirements and conditions below before starting your application.
Key Dates:
- December 2023: Open for applications
- 24 January 2024: Closing date for applications
- Last week January 2024: Invitations to interview will be sent
- Early February 2024: Interviews
- Late February 2024: Award winners announced
Full guidance
The Black in Plant Science (BiPS) network aims to connect, celebrate, and cultivate existing and aspiring UK-based Black researchers working with plants. The goal is to promote the creation of inclusive environments where everyone can participate equally, where everyone’s voice matters and where everyone benefits.
Supported by the Gastby Foundation and the North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee (NAASC), we are inviting applications for the BiPS Research Excellence Awards.
The BiPS Research Excellence Awards celebrate high quality, impactful research in the plant science discipline carried out by early career Black and Black heritage researchers across the UK. The awards also celebrate outstanding contributions to promoting the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within their research communities.
The winners will be announced and celebrated in our annual meeting in February 2024 (date to be confirmed) and in our dedicated social media accounts (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn, and Bluesky).
Award winners are invited to attend ICAR 2024: the 34th International Conference on Arabidopsis Research which will be held at the University of California, San Diego in California, USA from July 15-19, 2024. The winners are also invited to participate in the ICAR 2024 professional development program for early career scholars and members of underrepresented groups in STEM. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by BiPS and the Gatsby Foundation. We thank The North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee (NAASC) for providing free registrations to the event and for inclusion of awardees in the professional development program.
The draft scientific conference program for ICAR 2024 is currently being developed and includes 28 invited speakers in 9 plenary and 2 Keynote sessions. There will be additional 28 mini symposia and ~10 workshops, which will feature ~300 community speakers. There are also several special events planned for conference attendees, including scientific poster sessions, a welcome reception, the 5K “Weed Stampede” Fun Run/Walk, a conference dinner party and the first ICAR Science Art show.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please be aware that you must contact the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible to obtain your visa in a timely manner. Note that attendees from certain countries may need to schedule an in-person meeting and the wait may be quite long. The U.S. State department website provides important information, including a tool to estimate appointment wait time: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/usvisas.html
All applicants must be able to qualify for a visa on their own merits. BiPS or NAASC cannot intervene with embassies in other countries on behalf of any meeting participants. Please visit the U.S. Visa website for official, up-to-date information.
Key Dates:
- December 2023: Open for applications
- 24 January 2024: Closing date for applications
- Last week January 2024: Invitations to interview will be sent
- Early February 2024: Interviews
- Late February 2024: Award winners announced
Eligibility
The award aims to promote early career Black or Black heritage researchers working with plants in UK institutions, who are currently involved in or have recently completed a significant research project suitable for presentation at the conference. Evidence of commitment to a positive research culture and the development of the diversity and inclusion strategy within their research community will be recognized.
Self-nominations and nominations by members of UK academia are both welcome.
Eligible nominees will be:
- Currently residing and working in UK institutions or industries
- Self-identifying as Black or Black heritage
- Early-Career Researcher (PhD students, postdoctoral fellows or equivalent)
- Carrying out research in Plant Sciences (including but not limited to biology, physics of life, engineering, agronomy and related subjects).
- Close to completion or have completed of a research project to present at the conference
- Committed to social equity, diversity and inclusion in UK academia
- Responsible for obtaining permission of their line manager to participate in the conference.
Conditions of the award
- Applicants should be available for an online interview with selected members of the BiPS Steering Committee.
- By accepting the award, the awardees commit to attend ICAR2024, present their work in the form of a poster or oral communication, and engage in activities organized by NAASC.
- The awardees must register for the conference in advance. Registration costs are covered by NAASC.
- It is the responsibility of the awardees to obtain an appropriate visa and consult regulations for entering /exiting the country.
- Travel and accommodation: international flights in economy class and bed and breakfast, will be organized by BiPS in liaison with the awardee. Total costs are capped to a maximum of £2,300.
- As lunch is provided within the conference, only up to £40 per day can be claimed for manutention during the (5) days of the conferences and upon submission of receipts.
- The winners are expected to contribute to driving one or more activities within the BiPS network, such as providing a profile for our website, giving a presentation about their experience or participate in our outreach activities.
- This award cannot be redeemed in cash and costs outside those indicated above cannot be claimed.
- The award cannot be transferred, exchanged, postponed or used for another purpose.
To apply you need to:
Complete the online application form, where you will need to:
- Upload a letter explaining the topic of your research, most recent achievements and why attending the conference is important to you and your career.
- Upload a recent CV indicating clearly any career breaks.
- Upload a support letter from your line manager approving conference attendance.
Any pre-application queries may be addressed to blackinplantsci@gmail.com
Applications must be submitted no later than 12:00 GMT on 24th January, 2024 online only.