The Biophysical Society provides Travel Awards to the Society's Annual Meeting for members who are students, postdoctoral researchers, and scientists of all career levels to recognize excellence in biophysics and promote greater interaction among biophysicists throughout the world. Applicants' work is evaluated on the scientific merit of the research represented in their abstracts, and judging is done by the Society's committees, including the Committee for Inclusion and Diversity (CID), the Committee for Professional Opportunities for Women (CPOW), the Education Committee, the Early Careers Committee, and the Membership Committee, to ensure that the final recipients reflect the diversity of Society membership. Those from communities underrepresented in science are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must have submitted an abstract for presentation in a poster or platform session. Speakers in symposia, workshops, and Subgroup symposia are not eligible for travel award funding. Specific eligibility requirements are listed below. Awards range in size, depending on travel distance to the Annual Meeting, up to a maximum of $750.
Additional Travel (Support or Funding) Awards*:
Bridging Funds provide Travel Awards to Regular members who usually attend the Annual Meeting but are unable to do so due to a current lapse in funding. Eligibility and requirements are listed below.
Low-Income Country Travel Awards provide Travel Awards to members residing full-time in low and lower-middle income economy countries, as classified by the World Bank. There are four awards, each including meeting registration plus $3,000 in travel funds, which will provide members the opportunity to travel to the US to attend the Annual Meeting. Eligibility and requirements are listed below.
*If you meet the eligibility criteria for Bridging Funds or the Low-Income Country Travel Awards, you can also apply for the Travel Award for your career level. However, if you are selected for a Bridging Funds Award or a Low-Income Country Travel Award you may only receive one Travel Award and the higher value award will be given.
If you receive an error message when attempting to start an application, please click here to see if there is an existing application associated with your account. In order to complete an existing application, choose Options, then Edit.
If your letter of recommendation is sent by email, it must be received by October 4, 11:59 PM, USA Eastern. Letters sent by email will be added to your application by staff after October 4, and this will not negatively impact your application.
Undergraduate Students (bachelor's/baccalaureate)
- Applicant must be a member of the Biophysical Society with 2024 dues paid by the abstract deadline, October 1, 2023.
- Applicants must be presenting author on an abstract in a poster or platform session at the Annual Meeting. The abstract must be submitted by October 1, 2023.
- A copy of the abstract submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting.
- Your curriculum vitae (no more than two pages).
- A signed letter of recommendation, on departmental letterhead, from your research advisor or a mentor who knows you and your research well. The recommender should answer the following questions:
- How long and in what role(s) have you known the applicant?
- How would participation in this meeting contribute to the applicant’s career development? Why is attending this meeting important for the applicant?
- Name two or three strengths you appreciate in this applicant.
- Answers to online application questions:
- Do you belong to a group underrepresented in STEM? Please explain:
- Gender (Male, Female, Non-Binary, Prefer Not to Indicate)
- Are/were you a first-generation university student?
- Is there anything you would like the reviewers to know about your career path or current situation that has not been addressed in the questions above?
- Why is it important for you to receive a travel award to attend the Annual Meeting?
- How do you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting?
In answering the following questions, please consider that your audience will be composed of biophysicists who may be outside of your field. (Limit 100 words per question)
- What do you hope to accomplish by attending the Annual Meeting?
- What is the long-range goal of your research?
- What is the significance of your research?
- What is the most novel aspect of your research?
- Explain your role in the research project.
Graduate (PhD and/or master's) students
- Applicant must be a member of the Biophysical Society with 2024 dues paid by the abstract deadline, October 1, 2023.
- Applicants must be presenting author on an abstract in a poster or platform session at the Annual Meeting. The abstract must be submitted by October 1, 2023.
- A copy of the abstract submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting.
- Your curriculum vitae (no more than two pages).
- A signed letter of recommendation, on departmental letterhead, from your research advisor or a mentor who knows you and your research well. The recommender should answer the following questions:
- How long and in what role(s) have you known the applicant?
- How would participation in this meeting contribute to the applicant’s career development? Why is attending this meeting important for the applicant?
- Name two or three strengths you appreciate in this applicant.
- Answers to online application questions:
- Do you belong to a group underrepresented in STEM? Please explain:
- Gender (Male, Female, Non-Binary, Prefer Not to Indicate)
- Are/were you a first-generation university student?
- Is there anything you would like the reviewers to know about your career path or current situation that has not been addressed in the questions above?
- Why is it important for you to receive a travel award to attend the Annual Meeting?
- How do you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting?
In answering the following questions, please consider that your audience will be composed of biophysicists who may be outside of your field. (Limit 100 words per question)
- What do you hope to accomplish by attending the Annual Meeting?
- What is the long-range goal of your research?
- What is the significance of your research?
- What is the most novel aspect of your research?
- Explain your role in the research project.
Scientists within 10 professional years of terminal degree
- Applicant must be a member of the Biophysical Society with 2024 dues paid by the abstract deadline, October 1, 2023.
- Applicants must be presenting author on an abstract in a poster or platform session at the Annual Meeting. The abstract must be submitted by October 1, 2023.
- A copy of the abstract submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting.
- Applicant's curriculum vitae (no more than two pages).
- Answers to online application questions:
- Do you belong to a group underrepresented in STEM? Please explain:
- Gender (Male, Female, Non-Binary, Prefer Not to Indicate)
- Are/were you a first-generation university student?
- Is there anything you would like the reviewers to know about your career path or current situation that has not been addressed in the questions above?
- Why is it important for you to receive a travel award to attend the Annual Meeting?
- How do you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting?
In answering the following questions, please consider that your audience will be composed of biophysicists who may be outside of your field. (Limit 100 words per question)
- What do you hope to accomplish by attending the Annual Meeting?
- What is the long-range goal of your research?
- What is the significance of your research?
- What is the most novel aspect of your research?
- Explain your role in the research project.
- (Optional) A signed letter of recommendation, on departmental letterhead, from a colleague or a mentor who knows you and your research well. The recommender should answer the following questions:
- How long and in what role(s) have you known the applicant?
- How would participation in this meeting contribute to the applicant’s career development? Why is attending this meeting important for the applicant?
- Name two or three strengths you appreciate in this applicant.
Scientists 10+ professional years beyond terminal degree
- Applicant must be a member of the Biophysical Society with 2024 dues paid by the abstract deadline, October 1, 2023.
- Applicants must be presenting or senior author on an abstract in a poster or platform session at the Annual Meeting. The abstract must be submitted by October 1, 2023.
- A copy of the abstract submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting.
- Applicant's curriculum vitae (no more than two pages).
- Answers to online application questions:
- Do you belong to an underrepresented group? If yes, please explain:
- Gender (Male, Female, Non-Binary, Prefer Not to Indicate)
- Are/were you a first-generation university student?
- Is there anything you would like the reviewers to know about your career path or current situation that has not been addressed in the questions above?
In answering the following questions, please consider that your audience will be composed of biophysicists who may be outside of your field.
- What do you hope to accomplish by attending the Annual Meeting?
- What is the long-range goal of your research?
- What is the significance of your research?
- What is the most novel aspect of your research? -Explain your role in the research project.
- Why is it important for you to receive a travel award to attend the Annual Meeting?
Bridging Funds
- Applicant must be a Regular member of the Biophysical Society with 2024 dues paid by the abstract deadline, October 1, 2023. Applicant must be the presenting or senior author on an abstract submitted for the Annual Meeting.
- Applicant must be actively seeking funding.
- A cover letter and a brief biosketch (NIH or NSF format).
- A letter from applicant's department chair regarding his/her financial need to attend the Annual Meeting and indicating that the applicant is actively seeking funding.
- A copy of the abstract submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting.
- A copy of the applicant's CV.
Please note that because this is a travel award, the awardee must be present at the Annual Meeting in order to receive his or her award.
For questions regarding the Bridging Funds, please contact the Society.
Low-Income Country Travel Awards
- Applicant must be a member of the Biophysical Society with 2024 dues paid by the abstract deadline, October 1, 2023.
- Applicant must reside in a country classified as a low or lower-middle income economy by the World Bank. See the country listing. This list is updated on July 1 of each year.
- Applicants must be the presenting author on an abstract at the Annual Meeting. The abstract must be submitted by October 1, 2023.
View Low Income Country Listing
- A copy of the abstract submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting.
- Applicant's curriculum vitae (no more than two pages).
- Answers to online application questions:
- Gender (Male, Female, Non-Binary, Prefer Not to Indicate)
- Are/were you a first-generation university student?
In answering the following questions, please consider that your audience will be composed of biophysicists who may be outside of your field. These questions are important for the judges to evaluate your application, please provide thoughtful responses.
- What is the long-range goal of your research?
- What is the significance of your research?
- What is the most novel aspect of your research?
- Explain your role in the research project.
- Why is it important for you to receive a travel award to attend the Annual Meeting?
- Is there anything you would like the reviewers to know about your career path or current situation that has not been addressed in the questions above?