Society members and associates can apply for a travelling scholarship of up to £2,500, which can be used for the purpose of travelling to international meetings when combined with visiting overseas research departments, laboratories, and/or clinics. The next deadline for applications is 2 May 2025.
The travelling scholarship scheme is designed to strengthen collaborations and further training among early career researchers.
Eligibility
Members or associates are eligible if they are in the early–mid part of their career and not more than five years post-doctoral. Preference will be given to applicants who:
- combine their visit(s) to a laboratory(ies) and/or clinic(s) and/or to meeting with an expert associated with their field of addiction
- are presenting their own scientific work at a meeting(s) they wish to attend
- are active members or associates of the SSA, as evidenced by attendance at our PhD Symposium or Annual Conference
Shorter, simpler trips will be considered. Trips which include part-funding by other non-industry parties will also be considered.
Applications must be made at least 30 days before a planned trip in order to allow trustees sufficient time to review applications, query, clarify, and agree any modifications to the trip before an award is made.
The SSA encourages applications from people with lived experience and from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Information on eligibility and conflicts of interest
You are ineligible for this scheme if you are an employee of the alcohol, cannabis, gambling, nicotine, pharmaceutical, or tobacco industries. This exclusion also applies if you are an employee of an Industry Social Aspect Organisation*.
You are ineligible for this scheme if you have received funding of any kind, either directly from, or through representatives of, the alcohol, cannabis (except pharmaceutical), gambling, nicotine (except pharmaceutical), or tobacco industries. This exclusion also applies if you have received funding from an Industry Social Aspect Organisation*.
To be eligible, you must provide details about all potential conflicts of interest when requested. This information will be used to inform decision-making and applications may be rejected if the SSA deems there to be a risk of bias, ethical concerns, or a risk to the reputation of the SSA.
*Industry Social Aspect Organisations are those that are funded by addictive product industries – sometimes through secondary organisations – that often have a stated purpose to reduce the harms of those addictive products.
The application and funding process
There are two deadlines for applications in 2025 – 2 May and 25 September.
If you would like to apply, please complete the form below, and ensure that you include the following:
- letter from tutor/line manager to confirm organisational support of the proposed study activity
- fully costed and itemised budget (NB. only costs personally incurred can be claimed for; the SSA will not reimburse costs paid by a third party)
- letter of confirmation from employing authority that study leave will be granted if the application is successful
- copy of submitted abstract
- supporting statement from proposed host centre (including letter of invitation where appropriate)
- potential conflicts of interest
The travelling scholarship coordinator and one other trustee will assess the application. The coordinator’s decision will be reported to the Board of Trustees, and applicants will be informed of the decision shortly after.
If you are successful, you will be asked to submit an expenses claim after you have taken your trip. You will also be invited to write a blog about the trip for the SSA website.
