SMBE Caregiver Support
SMBE recognizes that many of our members are also caregivers and that these personal responsibilities can present a major challenge to attending scientific meetings, and hence to career advancement. We also recognize that you know best how to care for your own relatives and what their needs are, or that you yourself may need a carer to help you attend the meeting.
On-site day care. SMBE provides daycare at our annual meeting. Children under 14 years old can attend the on-site day care free of charge. Exceptions will be made for children 14 years and older who require additional supervision.
Caregiver grants. In addition, SMBE will make available up to $2,000 to SMBE members with children or dependent adults (including adult children with a disability or elderly relatives), or in need of personal assistance, to spend as needed to make their attendance possible at the annual SMBE meeting and SMBE satellite meetings. We will prioritize early-career scientists and need (e.g., younger children, disabled children or adults). Applications must include an estimate of the costs for the requested caregiving services.
Eligibility. Applicants must be SMBE members. The grant can be used to cover the costs related to the children or of the accompanying person(s) (for example, a child, dependent adult, or caregiver) and cannot be used to cover the delegate’s own expenses. It does not apply to children aged 14 and over, unless there is a medical requirement.
Eligible expenses. Examples include (but are not limited to) airfare for your child or for a caregiver to accompany you and attend functions with you if needed, travel for a relative to help with care at your home while you are at the meeting, or additional childcare costs beyond the on-site day care (for example, required evening care).
Ineligible expenses. Expenses for the delegate themselves, expenses for activities outside of required caregiving (e.g., amusement parks), daily care expenses on-site during the open hours of the on-site childcare unless medically necessary.
Using this support responsibly. This support is funded by the SMBE community, and we ask applicants to use it in that spirit. It is intended to remove barriers to attending the meeting, not to cover family travel or holidays. If caring responsibilities would otherwise make it difficult for you to attend, please do apply: this fund exists for you. Please provide justification for any care requested.
Notification. Applications submitted by the early bird registration will be considered. Applicants will be notified within three weeks by email. Late applications may be considered depending on available funds.
For any questions about the awards, please contact smbe.contact@gmail.com with “SMBE Caregiver support” in the subject line.