BSPP MSc/MRes Bursary Scheme

The British Society for Plant Pathology will fund up to five bursaries of up to GBP 4,000 each to support students undertaking an MSc/MRes/MPhil course via a university or a research institution and with a significant plant pathology content. Bursaries will be awarded on a competitive basis. Students do not have to be existing BSPP members, and do not have to be based in the United Kingdom.

Bursaries can be used to support students on MSc/MRes/MPhil courses in a variety of ways, such as:

• Contributing to course fees.
• Paying accommodation or other living costs.
• Supporting costs incurred in visiting another institution to undertake a research project.

However please note that bursaries are intended to cover costs that would otherwise be incurred by the student, and cannot be used to support consumable costs in any host laboratory.

Candidates should submit a statement of no more than 500 words, explaining:

• Why you have selected to study Plant Pathology.
• What areas of the training are of particular interest to you and why.
• How much you would like to apply for.
• What you intend to use the bursary to support.
• What difference the receipt of the scholarship would make in the pursuit of your goals.

Please also supply full details of the course you wish to apply to – or are already registered on – including its web site. Please also include a recent CV with your application, as well as a full transcript of your marks in your university studies to date. You will also need to arrange for a recommendation letter from an academic referee.

Payment of the award to successful candidates will be paid upon proof of registration (or on receipt of a formal letter from the hosting institution in the case of a research visit). The money is not transferable to another course. Funds will be paid directly to the student rather than the University or department.

BSPP funded students will be expected to produce a report for the BSPP newsletter at the end of their course describing their experience. You can view some examples of reports here. There is also a requirement for students to provide four short video blogs over the course of their MSc describing their experiences. Students will also be given free membership of the society for two years.

During projects, students should provide vlogs for their experience and progress.

The closing for applications is 30th June 2022.

Notification of the results of applications will be made after consideration by the Education sub-committee of the BSPP Board.