BrAVO
 
   
 

BRAVO RESEARCH / TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP 2011/12

Purpose

To give financial assistance to BrAVO members wishing to undertake a research project or to attend an international CPD meeting at which they will give an oral presentation on an ophthalmology-based topic.

Research projects can be based in veterinary academic or research institutions within the UK or overseas, or conducted in a private practice setting. They must obey RCVS ethical guidelines.

The award may cover the costs of travel, accommodation and related expenses. In the case of research scholarships, costs may cover reasonable outlay for disposables and sundry expenses. Any non-disposable equipment purchased will remain the property of BrAVO and must be returned to BrAVO within 1 month of completion of the project.

Value and Tenure

The value of the BrAVO Scholarship is up to £1,000. It will normally have tenure for twelve months, with a nominal start date to be agreed between the BrAVO committee and the recipient.

Up to two scholarships per year will be awarded. Only one application per person per annum will be considered.

Eligibility

BrAVO scholarships are open to all BrAVO members.

Administration

The BrAVO Scholarship scheme is administered by the BrAVO committee.

Application procedure

Applications should be submitted by 31 st January of the year in which the applicant wishes to receive the award.

Applicants should submit a written proposal to the Secretary (via email or normal mail) detailing:

  • The amount requested
  • The purpose of the application (research project or oral presentation at an international meeting)
  • The planned location of the research project or presentation
  • The proposed research project (300 word summary) or oral presentation (100 to 300 word abstract)

Three BrAVO committee members (comprising the BrAVO research/ travel scholarship subcommittee) will assess the applications, and will notify the applicants of their decision by 1 st April.

Subcommittee members must declare any conflict of interest with any applications, and in such an instance shall withdraw from the decision-making for that year. In the event of the committee unable to agree on the successful application, the BrAVO chairperson will make the final decision.

Requirements of scholarship-holders

  1. Scholarship-holders must provide to the BrAVO sub-committee details of the Scholarship start date and expected date of completion. Any variation over one month from these dates must be notified to the sub-committee.
  2. The Scholarship to be funded by BrAVO must be as described in the original application. Any significant variation must be reported to the sub-committee when the project begins, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Finances

  1. Payment of the BrAVO Scholarship will not be made without proof of purchase (presentation of original receipts). Earlier payment may be requested in writing by the scholarship-holder with supporting explanatory information.
  2. Payment will be made to the scholarship-holder, or to another payee nominated by the scholarship-holder on the Confirmation form. In this case, the full name and address of the nominated payee must be provided.

Project Report

  1. A word-processed report (minimum 1,000 words) must be submitted to the BrAVO sub-committee within 3 months after the expected end date. A visual presentation will also be required at the next BrAVO meeting after the scholarship has been completed.
  2. The Scholarship-holder must advise the sub-committee, with supporting explanation, if a delay should occur in the submission of the report and agree a revised reporting date with the committee.
  3. Failure to submit a report within three months of the expected end date will mean that the scholarship-holder will be required to reimburse the full value of the award to BrAVO. In such cases, future applications for funding will not be considered.

Withdrawal of BrAVO Scholarships

BrAVO reserves the right at any time and without notice to withdraw a scholarship, either in full or in part, if the scholarship-holder fails materially to comply with these Regulations.

Modification or Variation of Regulations

  1. BrAVO reserves the right to modify, add to, or vary these regulations, as it sees fit and undertakes to give prior notice to the scholarship-holder of any change.
  2. BrAVO will seek to ensure that the scholarship-holder is not disadvantaged by such changes.

 

Acceptance

The signature of the applicant on the application signifies acceptance of these Regulations.