International Development Support Fund
Grant funding is available to support members in low-, lower middle- and upper middle- income countries, as defined by the World Bank – World Bank country classifications by income level for 2024-2025 – to organise an event, to overcome barriers that are hindering the advancement of physiology research or physiology teaching in their region.
We are now accepting applications for 2026.
Download the application formWho can apply?
Applications for the funding are open to all members from low-, lower middle- and upper middle- income countries, as defined by the World Bank – World Bank country classifications by income level for 2024-2025
What is available?
Financial support of up to £2500.
What can the funding be used for?
Applications for activities must aim to overcome barriers to physiology research and teaching in low-, lower middle- and upper middle- income countries, for example by organising:
- Virtual Collaborative Workshops
- Community-Based Research Initiatives
- Resource-Sharing Networks
- Physiology Mentorship Programs
- Local Research Symposia
- Online Physiology Education Platform
- Mobile Physiology Labs
- Crowdfunding Campaigns for Research Projects
- Public Physiology Awareness Campaigns
- Teacher Training and Development Programs
There are two awards available each year. The funding will support essential elements of the event, for example, speaker travel, participant travel, room hire and refreshments only. These must be detailed on the application. This is a competitive process and not all applications will be funded.
How do I apply?
To apply, please download, complete, and send back your application together with a draft programme. Completed applications should be sent to events@physoc.org. Informal enquires can also be sent to this email address as well.
When can I apply?
We are accepting proposals for events in 2026, and the next deadline is 31 December 2025.
Deadlines are 31 July and 31 December each year.
You should apply at least six months before the planned date of the event.
What is the review process?
Awards are made by competition.
Applications are reviewed by at least two members of the Scientific Conferences Committee within four weeks of the closing date. The two reviewers will make a recommendation to the Trustee – Diversity & Inclusion Champion. The Trustee – Diversity & Inclusion Champion will then make the final decision.
The review will assess applications according to the following criteria.
Criteria
Project Brief
The panel will evaluate
- the quality of the proposed project/activity (10%)
- the importance and relevance of the issue(s) it wishes to address (10%)
- beneficiaries of the project (10%)
- the strength of the idea presented (10%)
Proposals with well-defined objectives and measurable outcomes will be prioritised.
Alignment with the International Development Support Fund
The panel will be looking for a clear grasp and strong evidence of the fund’s aims in:
- how the project/activity will contribute to removing barriers to participation in the physiology community (10%)
- promoting an inclusive research and/or teaching culture within physiology (10%)
Project Costs
The panel will be considering:
- if the costs of the project/activity are reasonable for the scale of the outcomes and impacts outlined? (10%)
- if there is evidence of careful consideration given to cost-effectiveness? (10%)
Impact Assessment
The panel will be looking for an appropriate mechanism to measure the success and impact of the project outcomes (10%)
Sustainability
The panel will be looking for evidence that the project can demonstrate long-term sustainability by incorporating strategies and practices that ensure its continued effectiveness, relevance, and impact beyond the initial implementation phase (10%)
Conditions of the award
If awarded, as a condition of the support, you are asked to:
- Badge the project and/or activity as ‘supported by The Physiological Society’ with the relevant Society logo.
- Display Physiological Society logo, which will be provided.
- Send a report for consideration for publication in Physiology News or The Society’s blog including photographs.
Failure to do so may result in future applications not being considered.