Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you do need to be a member of the Society before you can become a Champion. You can find out more about the different membership options available and join the Society via our website. 

Check the Society Champions page to see the recruitment dates. During recruitment periods a recruitment form will also be available for you to complete. Outside of these times, you are welcome to email [email protected] to express an interest in joining the Scheme and we will email you when recruitment opens and direct you to the form.

Start with what you feel comfortable doing. Consider putting up some posters, offering to make a short presentation to work colleagues or classmates about the Society and why you became a member.

We also provide a range of resources to Champions, including a very comprehensive guide about how to organise events, which we hope will give you the confidence to develop a new skill. Additionally, there is an online community of Champions, many of whom have experience of organising events and may be able to help.

We sometimes highlight specific opportunities to Champions via their online platform. However, the majority of Champions activities are suggested by Champions themselves. When you have an idea that fits with the Scheme, you can simply let us know or submit a funding request.

We absolutely encourage Champions to create independent activities and to collaborate with other Champions when doing so. Just bear in mind that we are looking for Champions activities to promote microbiology and/or the Microbiology Society.

Champions can apply for a maximum of £2,000 to help with their activity. Collaborative projects with other Champions could receive up to £3,000.

Funding requests will need to be submitted using the funding request form with a breakdown of funding required. This will need to be submitted at least two months prior to your activity.

Decisions on funding requests of up to £300 usually take up to 14 days. Decisions on funding requests for anything over £300 can take up to 21 days as these proposals are reviewed by the Chairs of the Sustainability Committee.

If you are successful with a funding application, you must keep itemised receipts of all your expenditures. This money can then be claimed back by submitting a claim form. Full details of the process are provided when joining the Scheme and all the forms you need are provided on the online platform.