Genes & Development Summer Studentships

Photograph: Douglas Vernimmen

Purpose: to support vacation research by undergraduate geneticists.

Applications for 2021 open NOW!

Closing date for applications 31st March 2021

Grants are available to provide financial support for undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience in any area of genetics by carrying out a research project over the long vacation, usually prior to their final year.

Awards will be made to the host institution.  The studentship includes:

  • Up to £750 to cover justifiable expenses incurred by the host laboratory.
  • A stipend to cover 8 weeks subsistence during the studentship.

The student must be able to attend a workshop that will take place in Oxford, 30th August – 2nd September, providing an opportunity for all students to get together, discuss their findings, make new friends and start to develop their professional contact network.  If necessary, a Carer’s Award will be available to allow those with responsibilities to attend the Summer School.

Undergraduate students who wish to do vacation research projects are encouraged to seek a PI to sponsor them and to develop a project application with the sponsor.

Qualifying criteria:

  • The project should be realistic and achievable by a student within an eight-week time frame for completion prior to the last week in August.
  • Applications must be made by Principal Investigators (PI) at Universities or Research Institutes, NOT by the named student.
  • Please note that only one application per lab group / per applicant may be submitted.
  • The application must be for a named undergraduate student, preferably from another institute or university, and is not transferable.
  • Both the PI and the named student must be members of the Genetics Society.
  • Extension of honours projects or early starts for PhD students are not eligible.
  • Recipients cannot hold these awards in conjunction with other summer studentships, i.e. summer studentships cannot be used to part-fund a project.
  • There are no restrictions concerning the nationality of the student, and the student does not have to attend a UK university, nor does the studentship need to take place within the UK.  However, students MUST attend the Summer School as follows:
    • Students must be available to participate in the summer school held in Oxford, early September 2021.
    • Travel within the UK to Oxford will be reimbursed.
      • Travel to the UK cannot be funded.
    • Accommodation, transport to the venue and meals will be included for the duration of the summer school.
  • Students will be asked to write a short report (around 800 words) within two months of completion of the project that may be included in the newsletter.
  • Applications MUST include the following:
    • project outline
    • project plan (including student training needs)
    • student CV
    • student statement
    • reference letters

How to apply:

Once you have logged in to the mySociety membership portal, please select “Me and the GS” followed by “Grants” from the options at the top of the page, and then choose the Summer Studentship award.

A panel from the Genetics Society committee will review applications including both information on the student and the proposed project.

Feedback on unsuccessful applications will not be provided.

Photograph of Gemma Flint, Summer Studentship participant, 2019

“In the summer of 2019 I was fortunate enough to receive a summer studentship from your society to conduct an 8-week research project in the research laboratories at my university (the University of Southampton). This was an absolutely fantastic opportunity to conduct my own independent research and this alongside the incredible summer workshop hosted at the University of Edinburgh inspired me to want to pursue a career in research of my own. I am now in my fourth and final year of my integrated masters and because of the opportunity you provided me back in the summer of 2019 have now accepted a PhD position at Imperial College London. So, the point of this email is to say a huge thank you to everyone involved at the Genetics Society for giving me the opportunity of the studentship and motivating me to want to do a PhD in the first place. I truly believe if it weren’t for the studentship that I would not be in the position I am currently in- getting ready to start the position of my dreams!”
Gemma Flint, Summer Studentship participant, 2019

2018 Summer Studentship workshop Gallery.   Leicester University Student Blog by 2018 attendee Bethan.

Participants and tutors at the 2017 Summer Studentship workshop – Photograph: Douglas Vernimmen

Photos and feedback from Summer Studentship workshop 2016.

Photos and feedback from Summer Studentship workshop 2013.

“Mixing with other young budding scientists and having to explain your work and think about other people’s was a great experience.  It reinvigorated my enthusiasm for my own project and science in general.  It was also good fun and the group activities worked well.  Being thrown into a social context with so many new people to meet after many lonely weeks in the lab was a welcome change.  It was also a great opportunity for talking to experienced scientists in a casual setting which was valuable and interesting”. 
Barney Walker

A panel from the Genetics Society committee will review applications including both information on the student and the proposed project. Feedback on unsuccessful applications will not be provided.

Other conditions:

  • Recipients cannot hold these awards in conjunction with other summer studentships, i.e. it cannot be used to part-fund a project.
  • Students of these grants will be asked to write a short report (around 800 words) within two months of completion of the project that may be included in the newsletter.
  • Students are expected to attend a workshop in early September, where they will report on their project and participate in group activities.

The Genetics Society Summer Studentship grants are funded by income from the journal Genes and Development