BiO Global South Conference Travel Grants 2026: Receive Up to £3,000 for International Research Conferences
Are you an early-career researcher from the Global South looking for financial support to attend an international scientific conference?
- FundingUp to £3,000
- DurationDepends on the selected conference
- Who can applyAfghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina…
- Application feeFree
Overview
The grant supports PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and early-career principal investigators who do not have access to independent funding for conference attendance.
The funding can contribute towards international travel, conference registration, accommodation, subsistence and visa expenses. This support helps researchers present their work, exchange scientific knowledge and build connections with the international research community.
The next application deadline is 20 November 2026, with funded travel taking place after 21 December 2026.
There is no application fee. However, awards are subject to assessment, and applicants should understand the reimbursement, receipt and funding conditions before applying.
The Company of Biologists is a not-for-profit publishing organisation responsible for scientific journals including Biology Open, Development, Journal of Cell Science and Journal of Experimental Biology.
Through its Global South Conference Travel Grants, the organisation supports early-career researchers who face financial barriers to attending international scientific meetings.
The programme recognises the importance of scientific collaboration, knowledge exchange and international research networks. It aims to help researchers from eligible countries participate in conferences relevant to their research areas.
Unlike a traditional scholarship, this is a targeted travel grant. Applicants must identify a specific international conference they intend to attend and explain how participation will benefit their research.
At a glance
About
- Opportunity type
- Research Conference Travel Grant
- Funding organisation
- The Company of Biologists
- Location
- International conferences outside the applicant’s country of residence
- Duration
- Depends on the selected conference
- Mode
- In-person conference attendance
- Grant programme
- BiO Global South Conference Travel Grants
Funding
- Grant amount
- Up to £3,000
- Application fee
- Free
- Financial support
- Conference registration, travel, accommodation, subsistence and visa expenses, subject to approval
- Eligible travel period
- After 21 December 2026
- Next eligible travel period
- After 19 July 2027
Eligibility
- Nationality
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia.
- Minimum degree required
- PhD students, postdoctoral researchers or eligible early-career PIs
- Work experience
- Defined by research career stage
Who can apply
The BiO Global South Conference Travel Grants are intended for early-career researchers based in eligible Global South countries and regions.
The following groups can apply:
- PhD students.
- Postdoctoral researchers.
- Independent group leaders and principal investigators who do not have independent funding for conference attendance.
Applicants must meet the programme’s research, geographic and funding requirements.
Nationality and Geographic Eligibility
Applicants must be based in an eligible Global South country or region.
The programme uses an official eligibility list. Applicants should consult the current applicant handbook to confirm that their country or region qualifies.
Minimum Degree Required
The grant is intended for current PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and eligible early-career principal investigators.
A general undergraduate or Master’s qualification alone does not establish eligibility.
Work Experience
There is no universal minimum number of professional work-experience years specified. Eligibility is based on research career stage and funding circumstances.
Age Limit
No specific age limit is stated in the programme information reviewed. Eligibility is primarily determined by research position and career stage.
Applicants must also satisfy the following conditions:
- The conference must take place in a country different from the applicant’s country of residence.
- The meeting must relate to research areas covered by the journal Biology Open.
- Applicants must not have received other funding from The Company of Biologists during the previous 12 months.
- Applicants must not fall under applicable UN, EU or UK sanctions and trade restrictions.
- Applicants must demonstrate a genuine need for financial assistance to attend the conference.
Check the official applicant handbook for the complete eligibility requirements.
The grant supports attendance at an international scientific conference relevant to the applicant’s research.
Applicants should identify a specific upcoming conference and explain its relevance to their research.
The application should include:
- Conference name.
- Conference dates.
- Conference location.
- Research relevance.
- Abstract or presentation details.
- Estimated travel and participation expenses.
This is not unrestricted funding for general research activities, holidays or personal travel.
Applicants should prepare the following documents and information:
- CV: An updated academic or research CV.
- Conference abstract: A copy of the abstract submitted to the intended conference.
- Funding justification: A short explanation of why financial assistance is necessary.
- Conference details: Name, dates, location and relevant information about the scientific meeting.
- Budget: An itemised breakdown of the expenses for which funding is requested.
- Supporting letter: A letter confirming research status from the supervisor for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
Independent group leaders and principal investigators must provide a signed letter from their Head of Department confirming that independent conference funding is unavailable.
Supporting letters must be in English, on institutional letterhead and signed.
Refer to the official applicant handbook for any additional documentation requirements.
What you get
Selected applicants can receive financial support of up to £3,000.
The grant can contribute towards the following expenses:
1. International Travel
Funding can cover travel expenses associated with attending the selected conference, including international flights or other eligible transport.
2. Conference Registration
The grant can contribute towards the registration fee required to participate in the scientific meeting.
3. Accommodation
Eligible accommodation expenses during the conference can be included in the funding request.
4. Subsistence
Researchers can request support for eligible subsistence expenses during their conference attendance.
5. Visa Expenses
Visa application costs associated with attending the conference can be included in the grant request.
Important Funding Conditions
The £3,000 is a maximum award, not a guaranteed payment to every applicant. The final amount depends on the application, proposed budget and funding assessment.
Applicants should also understand the following conditions:
- The grant is paid into the recipient’s personal bank account after the signed grant agreement and bank details have been successfully provided.
- Payment generally takes three to six weeks after the required documentation is received.
- Recipients must retain receipts for all grant-funded expenses.
- Expense receipts must be uploaded after returning from the conference.
- Any unused grant money must be returned within one month after the travel ends.
- If the recipient does not attend the conference, the full grant must be returned.
- Travel insurance is not covered by the grant.
Applicants should plan their finances carefully and confirm payment arrangements before making non-refundable bookings.
How to apply
Follow these steps to submit your application:
- Visit the official BiO Global South Conference Travel Grants page.
- Read the eligibility criteria and download the applicant handbook.
- Confirm that your country or region is included in the eligible list.
- Identify an eligible international scientific conference taking place after the relevant travel eligibility date.
- Prepare your CV, conference abstract, supporting letter and itemised budget.
- Explain why you need financial support and how attending the conference will benefit your research.
- Complete the official application form and submit it before the deadline.
Applicants should ensure that their proposed expenses are reasonable and directly connected to attending the conference.
Is There Any Application Fee or Hidden Charge?
There is no application fee for the BiO Global South Conference Travel Grants.
However, the grant does not automatically cover every expense associated with international travel.
Applicants should consider the following:
| Expense | Funding Status |
|---|---|
| Conference registration | Eligible |
| International travel | Eligible |
| Accommodation | Eligible |
| Subsistence | Eligible |
| Visa fees | Eligible |
| Travel insurance | Not covered |
| Expenses exceeding the approved grant | Applicant may need to cover the difference |
| Unrelated personal expenses | Not covered |
The grant is subject to an approved budget. Applicants should not assume that the maximum £3,000 will automatically be awarded.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is the BiO Global South Conference Travel Grant 2026 open?
Yes. The upcoming application deadline is 20 November 2026. Eligible travel must take place after 21 December 2026.
2. How much funding can I receive?
Successful applicants can receive up to £3,000. The actual award depends on the funding assessment and approved budget.
3. Is there an application fee?
No. The programme does not charge an application fee.
4. Can Indian researchers apply?
Researchers based in India should check the official eligible-country list in the applicant handbook before applying.
5. Does the grant cover international flights?
Yes. Eligible international travel expenses can be included in the funding request, subject to approval.
6. Does the grant cover visa fees?
Yes. Eligible visa application expenses can be included in the proposed budget.
7. Is travel insurance covered?
No. Travel insurance is not covered by the grant.
8. Is the grant paid before travel?
The grant is paid into the recipient’s personal bank account after the signed grant agreement and bank details have been received. Payment generally takes three to six weeks after the documentation is successfully provided.
9. Do I need to submit expense receipts?
Yes. Recipients must retain and submit receipts for grant-funded expenses after returning from the conference.
10. What happens if I do not use the full grant?
Unused funds must be returned within one month after the travel ends.
11. Can I apply if I already received funding from The Company of Biologists?
Applicants who have received other funding from The Company of Biologists during the previous 12 months are not eligible under the stated programme conditions.
Potenue newsletter
What if the perfect grant closes before you even hear about it?
Subscribe to Potenue to discover fully funded scholarships, fellowships, internships, grants and global programs worth applying to. Free, and only from official sources.
