Society launches travel and expenses bursary fund for early career researchers

The LSW’s ongoing commitment to supporting the career progression of early career researchers takes a new step with the launch of a travel and expenses bursary fund.

The fund has been built upon the generosity of a large number of the Society’s Fellows, who responded to a call for donations to help establish the fund.

Bursaries will be available for between £100 – £1000. The awards will be made following review by a panel that includes members of the LSW’s Advisory Group for Researcher Development, which was involved in the design of the fund, and which will remain part of its ongoing management.

*** Applications Close: 13 February 2026 at 4pm ***

As this is a competitive process, the fund is designed to support applicants that will benefit most from an award and can show the value and relevance to their career development of attending a specific event.

Applicants for the bursaries will need to be an “early career researcher” working in Wales, though not necessarily in academia, and a member of the LSW Early Career Researcher Network. They will also need to demonstrate how they have previously sought other sources of funding.

Priority will be given to applicants who will be speaking, presenting or, in other ways, participating formally in an event, which could include conferences, panels, roundtables, forums, and research visits. Costs covered by the bursaries will include public transport, standard accommodation, event registration fees and reasonable assistance. Further details are available here.

“We are thrilled to be launching this bursary fund,” said Dr Barbara Ibinarriaga Soltero, the Society’s Programme Manager, Researcher Development.

“The fact that we can support the career progression of individual researchers is, of course, a fantastic end in itself.

“However, it is particularly exciting that we can do this thanks to the generosity of our Fellows, who responded so overwhelmingly to our call for donations, as well as by developing the policy in collaboration with our Advisory Group for Researcher Development.

“Being able to bring together the Society’s different constituent parts in this way demonstrates our efforts to create a positive environment that incorporates all elements of Wales’ research sector.”