The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the UK professional body for chemists, offers this small grant to members at an early research stage.
It contributes up to £500 to one development activity: a conference, workshop or training course, a visit to a collaborator’s lab, or organising a scientific meeting. Rounds run several times a year; the current one closes on 19 October 2026 and funds activities from 1 January 2027.
Benefits & funding
- Up to £500 as a contribution, not the full cost, paid once to the recipient or their employer.
- Covers travel, registration, accommodation, food (at most £30 a day) and other costs (at most £50); meeting organisers can add venue, speakers and technology.
- Excludes research costs, salary, social events, language courses, qualifications and predatory conferences.
- A report with receipts is due within two weeks of the activity ending.
Eligibility
- RSC Partner Scientist, AMRSC, MRSC or FRSC membership, confirmed by submission; Affiliate and undergraduate members must upgrade first (up to two months).
- Partner Scientists need 180 days’ prior membership: since 31 December 2025 (terms) or 18 March 2026 (FAQ).
- A chemical-sciences PhD student, or a chemical-sciences researcher within 10 years of their highest research degree (career breaks considered).
- Employed by, enrolled at or appointed to an organisation doing substantive chemistry research; routine testing or quality-control roles are excluded.
- One grant every three calendar years; one application per round.
- No nationality or residence rule.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor · Master · PhD Enrolled · PhD
Experience required
≤ 10 yrs
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Application process
- 1Apply on the RSC’s SurveyMonkey Apply portal by 19 October 2026, 2pm UK time; late applications are refused.
- 2Give verifiable activity details, how it develops your research career, and a budget in pounds sterling.
- 3Lab visits need a letter of support from the host collaborator.
- 4Your current supervisor, line manager or head of department confirms support online; you cannot submit until they do.
- 5If eligible applications exceed the budget, funding is allocated at random.
Program timeline
round opens
14 September 2026
deadline
19 October 2026, 2pm UK time
decisions
Mid-November 2026
earliest activity start
1 January 2027