The BSAC grants programme is currently under review. No calls for applications will be made while this review is underway.

Specific Call for PhD Studentship Applications:
The BSAC gave priority to research topics in 1) Diagnostics & 2) Antimicrobial Stewardship for PhD Studentship applications submitted in 2016. For more information please view the document “Specific Topic Call for 2016 PhD Studentship Applications” on this page.

Applications were also invited under the usual areas of interest:

• Mechanisms of antibacterial action
• Mechanisms of antibacterial resistance
• Antiviral resistance
• Antiviral
• Antifungals
• Antibiotic methods
• Antibiotic prescribing
• Antibiotic therapy
• Antiparasitics
• Evidence based medicine / Systematic reviews

Eligibility:
These Studentships are open to applicants on a worldwide/international basis. Applications must be made by an established investigator who will be the supervisor, and who has previously received funding for three or fewer Studentships. 
Only applications for named students will be accepted.

About BSAC PhD Studentships: 
Applications for PhD Studentships are usually invited every other year, subject to review (including the availability of funds and approval by BSAC Council).

The Applicant is seen as the Lead Supervisor. Studentships are awarded to students who have (or are expected to obtain) a 1st class or high upper 2nd class degree; or a Master’s degree with merit or distinction. If a student’s degree has not been awarded at the time of application, the applicant must state the grade(s) the student is expected to achieve.

The BSAC considers applications for research training leading to a PhD / DPhil, or equivalent post graduate research degree qualification (eg. MD/DM, DDS/DMD, PharmD, DNurs). International students are eligible if approved by a recognised UK or Republic of Ireland University / College.

BSAC studentships are designed to support a PhD Student for up to 4 years in duration.
Successful applicants will be paid a maximum of £25,000 per year (covering fees for up to 4 years in duration). Non EU applicants will need to ensure their host institution is able to support any additional costs outside of this £25,000 annual award (in other words any additional funds required outside of the value of this grant will need to be sought elsewhere).

Applications may include: Student stipend, Tuition fees (set by the research institution) and Research consumables directly attributable to the project.

Application Process:
Applications received in this category are subject to a four-step review process as follows: 1) an initial triage process, 2) an external peer review process,  3) a final triage process; and 4) final review by the BSAC Grants Committee*. The initial triage (step 1) is to assess the eligibility of all applicants & research topics, applications not successful at this stage will be rejected and applicants notified directly. The final triage process (step 3) is to assess external peer review scores, applications not successful at this stage will be rejected and applicants notified directly.

*The final review process (step 4) takes place at the BSAC Grants Committee meeting, held in May of each year. Applicants through to this stage of the process are notified of a final decision by the 31 May each year. 

Making An Application For A BSAC PhD Studentship: 
Applicants must complete the relevant application form at the top of this page as follows:

1. Pages of the application form must not be separated or altered in any way
2. Documents must be submitted via the BSAC grants online submission system:
   • The online submission system will produce a single pdf document of all information uploaded – applicants must check this pdf document generated within the system to ensure all information is correct and in the exact order requested in point 3 below**
   • Applications not submitted with pages set out in the exact order outlined in point 3 below will be returned to the applicant for revision. This is to assist reviewers.
   • Applications submitted by email will not be accepted
3. Applications must submit information in the exact order below***:

• A completed application form (available on the top of this page), and additional information provided in the exact order below***:
  • Abstract
  • Background
  • Hypothesis to be investigated
  • Aims of proposed research
  • Plan of investigation
  • GANNT chart / timetable for proposed research
  • Costs, with justification for costs (in GBP/UK currency)
  • What the student will gain from this project and what techniques the student will receive training in
• Approval from the Host Institute / Department:
  • A letter from the head of department stating the institute/department supports the research project & student
  • A statement confirming the student meets all registration requirements of the host institute to successfully carry out the research project
  • Please note: BSAC cannot and does not advise on sponsors or host institutes
• Abridged CVs of the supervisor/s named on the application form (maximum 2x A4 pages per supervisor, including most recent references)
• Two academic letters of reference supporting the student
• A record of the student’s academic performance (for non-UK university degrees: evidence from the graduate office that the degree held conforms to a UK 2.1 degree, or higher)
• A full CV of the student, plus a statement of their career intentions (maximum 2x A4 sides including recent references)
• A signed copy of the BSAC Terms and Conditions form (before making an application applicants are advised to read all Terms and Conditions and Standard Operating Procedures found at: BSAC T&Cs/SOPS)

Next Call for Applications: CLOSED. 
The next call for applications will be announced on this web page. 

Award Date: By 31 May in the year the award is made. Number of Awards: Subject to availability of funding and approval by BSAC Council.

Declaration / Co-Funding: 
The BSAC does not currently offer co-funding of grants. When applying for any BSAC grant, all applicants must declare if they have sought, or if they intend to seek, any financial support outside of BSAC for the same grant. The BSAC must be informed of any grants awarded outside of BSAC funding and the application withdrawn immediately.

All grant support received in the last 5 years must be declared, this must include all funding received for each named applicant on the application form, plus the total amount of funding received for each grant declared (in GBP / UK £ currency).

Reviewer Feedback to Grant Applicants: 
The BSAC only offers feedback for those applications that are peer-reviewed by external reviewers (Research, Education & PhD Studentship applications), and only if applicants specifically request this.

The BSAC Grants Terms & Conditions: 
The Terms and Conditions for all BSAC Grants and Scholarships are published on the BSAC website at: BSAC T&Cs/SOPS. The applicant and host institute is required to read the terms and conditions before completing any application form. Applicants are required to submit a signed copy of the BSAC Terms and Conditions form, submitting this with their application form as outlined in point 3 above.

Written Reports: Successful applicants are required to submit a written report on completion of their project, using the BSAC report form at the top of this page. The report form should be submitted to BSAC Grants via email at: grants@bsac.org.uk
Applicants who have already completed a report to their Institute for this grant can also include this with the completed BSAC report form.

Reports should include the following information:

• A summary of the aims and objectives of the project:
  • broad findings or conclusions (maximum 2x A4 pages)
• Any publications arising from the project:
  • a list of any publications arising from the research carried out (as a result of BSAC funds received)
  • include details of any articles which have been accepted, or are planned for publication within the next 24 months as a result of BSAC funds received (please provide any definite or provisional publication dates)
• Any other outputs arising from the project:
  • provide details of any other way in which the results of the research has been or will be disseminated i.e. oral and / or poster presentations at conferences
  • provide details if the research has led to any additional funding from alternative funding bodies, or if you plan to seek additional funding in the future as a result of BSAC funding received (please provide details of the funding scheme / organisation etc.)
  • provide details if any new research tools or methods have been developed, or if you plan to develop any new research tools or methods in the future as a result of BSAC funding received (please provide details of the tool / method with a brief description about this)
  • provide details if any commercialisation of IP arising is anticipated as a result of BSAC funding received, either now or in the future
• A brief evaluation of the strengths and weakness of the research
• A summary of the actual costs compared to the estimated expenditure in your submitted grant application

Remaining Funds:
Any remaining funds in hand must either be returned to the Society immediately or if you wish to continue to draw on these funds for a limited period after the end of the award (no cost extension applies), you should write with details of when and how the money will be used.

Payment / Claiming Funds:
Payment will be made directly to the host institution, who will administer the grant on behalf of the applicant. Payment is made upon receipt of an official invoice from the Secretary/Finance Officer of the Institution where the applicant is based. Funds can be claimed in advance or in arrears on a quarterly,  six-monthly or annual basis. The maximum amount that can be claimed per year is £25,000.

Correspondence: 
All correspondence, including submission of the final report, should be sent via email to: grants@bsac.org.uk