2025 ELIXIR-UK flexible bursary

The Flexible Bursaries Scheme provides financial support to ELIXIR-UK members for community events and activities. These bursaries aim to facilitate participation in national and international meetings, the organisation of local events, attendance at funding consortia gatherings, and collaboration pump-priming.

Each proposal can request up to £5,000. 

Only individuals who are members of ELIXIR-UK are eligible to apply for funding. This opportunity is open to early-career, mid-career and established professionals. It is suitable for those pursuing both academic and non-academic technical careers.

Check if your organisation is a member of ELIXIR-UK

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our funding process. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and career stages. We support flexible working arrangements, including:

  • Support for individuals with caring responsibilities
  • Alternative working patterns to accommodate diverse needs

Participation in national and international events

Travel bursaries are available to support attendance at key meetings, conferences, hackathons, training sessions, or collaborative visits relevant to ELIXIR’s mission. Examples of eligible events include ISMB/ECCB, Biohackathons, thematic workshops, coordination meetings with ELIXIR members, and visits to member institutions (lasting less than one week) for technical collaboration or knowledge exchange.

Organisation of local or regional scientific and engagement events

These events should enhance the visibility of ELIXIR-UK, strengthen connections between members, or support the work of digital research infrastructure relevant to the UK bioscience community. Eligible activities include hosting training courses; running seminars focused on ELIXIR platforms, communities, focus groups, or clubs; organising local showcases or networking events; and bringing together colleagues across institutions to share best practices in standards adoption and data management.

This cannot be used to attend ELIXIR-UK All Hands meetings. 

Deadline to apply: 15 August 2025 at 5 pm BST

There will be four open application periods each year. The following calls will open in November, February and May.

We encourage you to apply during these times to help us manage the process smoothly. However, we understand that sometimes urgent or exceptional cases come up outside these dates. For those situations, we have a small, flexible bursary reserve. If you have a strong case that cannot wait for the next open call, please contact contact@elixiruknode.org  to discuss the possibility of applying outside the usual schedule.

How to apply

Fill out our form requesting the following information:

  • Career stage: Phases 1 – 4.
  • What is the purpose of your application, and how does it align with ELIXIR-UK’s objectives?
  • How will your proposal benefit both yourself and the ELIXIR-UK community?
  • What specific outputs or impacts do you expect from the proposed activity?
  • Provide a detailed budget breakdown and justification for requested funds.
  •  I agree that, as a condition of the award, I will provide a short impact assessment within one month of the activity’s completion. This information may be used to support case studies or other communications highlighting the outcomes of ELIXIR-UK-supported work.

UK hotel accommodation claims must not exceed the rates set out in the UKRI business travel and subsistence policy, and international hotel accommodation claims must not exceed the rate set out in the HMRC Guidance for travel outside the UK, unless otherwise agreed in advance by ELIXIR-UK.

Deadline to apply: 15 August 2025 at 5 pm BST

Fill out the application form

Funding process

Funding will be awarded on a reimbursement basis.

  1. Application: Fill out the form
  2. Approval: If approved, the applicant will receive confirmation of the maximum amount that can be claimed.
  3. Activity completion: The applicant completes the proposed activity or travel
  4. Report submission: Applicants are requested to submit an impact assessment report on the activities carried out and the impact observed or anticipated. This information helps the ELIXIR-UK Node continue providing funding support to our members. 
  5. Reimbursement: For travel bursaries and small awards, reimbursement will be made to the individual after submission of a valid claim, which clearly shows who made the payment and the nature of each expense. For larger awards (typically over £1,000), ELIXIR-UK will expect the recipient organisation to cover costs upfront and submit an invoice to ELIXIR-UK after the activity, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Review process

The ELIXIR-UK Node Coordination Office will review applications. Priority will be given to individuals in career stages corresponding to phases one and two. We will aim to fund as many relevant, in-scope requests as possible, although we may need to prioritise them depending on demand.