SMBE recognizes that many of our members are also carers 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 have need of a carer to help you attend the meeting. Accordingly, in addition to providing affordable day care at our annual meeting, SMBE will make available up to $2000 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 they wish to facilitate the member’s attendance at the annual SMBE meeting and SMBE satellite meetings. We will prioritize early-career scientists and according to need (e.g., younger children, disabled children or adults). Examples of eligible expenses include (but are not limited to) providing airfare for your child or for your caregiver to accompany you and attend functions with you if needed, flying a relative out to help with care at your home while you’re at the meeting, or extra help paying for on-site daycare.
Applications can preferably be made during Abstract submission for our annual conference, or (if necessary) by email (not exceeding the equivalent of one A4 page) to the SMBE administration during registration and at least two months before the conference. The application should include details on:
- Career stage of applicant
- Age of youngest child or details of dependent adult
- Description of your role as caregiver
- Justification for Caregiver Award
- Amount requested and what for
Please only submit one application per family.