Did you participate in the Equator Research School or Mentoring Network between 2022 and 2025? If so, you are eligible to apply for our Equator Alumni Fund!
The Equator Alumni Fund will support up to 10 activities for research career development in 2025/2026.
This one-off opportunity is open to applications from previous Equator participants. Awards of up to £250 will be given from a pot of £2500.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from 5th December 2025 until all funding is spent. Activities must take place between December 2025 and February 2026, and must be completed by 28th February 2026.
To apply, please send us an email at EquatorResearchGroup@gmail.com. Please include:
- your previous participation in Equator (e.g. the year and activity you took part in) and why you are applying to our alumni fund (100 words max).
- A brief paragraph explaining the activity you would like to use the funding for, and how it will support your research career development (~300 words).
- a breakdown of how you will spend the money, up to a limit of £250
- The total cost of the activity that this funding will contribute towards (if greater than the amount requested)
Examples of activities that the fund could support include (but are not limited to):
- An in-person meeting with an Equator connection (mentor or other previous participant from your network) for professional support and networking
- An in-person meeting to develop a research idea or proposal
- Attendance at a professional development event, such as a training course or conference, related to your research career
Successful applicants will be asked to send the team a brief summary of how the activity went, to be shared on our website and in future Equator reports.
Funding Notes:
This award is funded by sponsorship from the British Geological Survey, and is administrated via the University of Birmingham. Eligible costs include travel, accommodation, subsistence and course registration fees, in line with the Birmingham expenses policy. To double check eligibility of costs, please feel free to email us before you submit your application.
Remuneration will be paid via expense claim form, which will be emailed to you once confirmation of funding has been given and the activity has taken placed. Expense claims must be supported by receipts to evidence expenditure. The claim form should be submitted within two weeks of the expense being incurred, and no later than the 5th March 2026.
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