EMC Dublin 2026 Travel Grant Awards
The VALIDATE Network has provided a number of travel awards to support Early-Career Researchers from LMICs to attend the European Melioidosis meeting in Dublin in 2026.
The VALIDATE Network aims to accelerate vaccine research and development for complex intracellular pathogens, including Burkholderia pseudomallei. VALIDATE also aims to facilitate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and career progression amongst its members.
Consequently, Early Career Researcher EMC travel grants are available of up to £3,000 to help VALIDATE Associate members attend EMC 2026. Applicants must present a talk or poster (general travel to attend conferences is not supported in this fund).
To apply, please complete the attached form and upload it via the electronic form below.
Deadline for applications: 7th November 2025, 17.00 - Dublin
>>> EMC 2026 Travel Grant Award Application Form <<<
Eligibility, Rules & Guidelines
Eligibility: You must be currently based at an LMIC as defined by the OECD. Please note there are exceptions. Please review the List of LMICs
Early-Career researchers are defined as
Post-doctoral scientists with evidence of working on research directly related to melioidosis. Post-doctoral scientists/researchers must have either: Completed a PhD, OR hold an MD, and have completed or be in the process of completing a research fellowship
OR
PhD researchers that are registered on an official PhD programme with evidence of working on research directly related to melioidosis. In addition, eligible applicants should demonstrate evidence of working in a field or discipline related to vaccine development, including host pathogen interactions and immune responses.
Budget: Conference costs can be up to a maximum budget of £3,000. VALIDATE funding can be used in conjunction with other funding to cover costs if they are more expensive than this value. Costs can include travel, registration, accommodation costs, visas, insurance, etc. Valid receipts must be provided in advance of any claims.
Travel: we can cover standard travel fares only (i.e. not Business/First class), and we would obviously appreciate efforts to use the most economical route and carrier where possible for any travel. Please use public transport (rather than private taxis) wherever possible.
Accommodation: this must be reasonably priced, i.e. costs the conference hotel or those at a lower price. Accommodation costs will cover three nights (Wednesday p.m. to Saturday a.m.).
We cannot give a ‘per diem’ subsistence rate, as your expense claim must be for actual costs. You can include cost estimates for subsistence items, such as food, Wi-Fi, etc in your budget. Please explain the costs your budget consists of, how you calculated your budget costs, and how these costs relate to the conference, in the resource justification section of the application form.
Letters of Support Applications must be supported by your Research Group Leader (who must be happy for you to take time away from your research to attend the conference). If you do not have a Research Group leader at your institute, please instead include a letter of support from your line manager (again, stating support of your application and the time away from your normal work).
CV Guidance: The list below indicates the information we require to be detailed in your 2-page CV. Please note that any additional information supplied is optional. Please ensure you stick to page limits (2 pages for CV, 1 page for publications list of your key publications).