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THE SILMAN FUND - SUPPORTING ATTENDANCE AT OUR EVENTS

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The Silman Fund

The Silman Fund provides small grants to cover additional costs associated with travel to and participation in Foundation for Science and Technology events. The Foundation would usually expect individuals’ own organisations to cover the cost of their travel to attend our events, and this fund is looking primarily to support additional costs of participation beyond this.

There are three types of grants available.

Type 1 - Open to all participants at FST events

For all participants at our events, grants can provide support for:

  • The cost of childcare for the duration of time that the parent or guardian is unavailable due to travel or attending the event outside of their normal working pattern.
  • Additional costs of transport or accommodation associated with disability 
  • Additional costs of participation due to disability (e.g. sign language interpretation)

Maximum costs claimed

Applicants can claim up to £300 for any single event. In any one calendar year, the maximum amount that can be claimed by any one individual is £600 across multiple events. Requests in excess of the £600 cap may be considered depending on the individual’s circumstances.

Childcare costs

Eligible individuals can claim additional childcare costs outside of the claimant’s normal routine and which are over and above what would normally be paid for childcare. We understand that childcare can be both formal and informal and this scheme will support costs associated with both formal and informal childcare. Please contact us about any specific individual circumstances.

Type 2 - Open to current members of the Fundation Future Leaders (FFL) Programme

Grants are available to current members of the Foundation Future Leaders programme, as follows:

  • Costs to support participation in an FFL in-person meeting or an FST evening event during the year, including travel expenses using advanced fares.

Note that this excludes events held outside the UK. Eligible applicants may make both a Type 1 and a Type 2 application for the same event.

Maximum costs claimed

Applicants can claim up to £200 for any single type 2 grant, and are limited to one type 2 grant per calendar year.

Type 3 - Open to current PhD students

Grants are available to individuals currently studying for a PhD in a UK univesity, as follows:

  • Costs to support participation in an FST event during the year, including travel expenses using advanced fares.

Maximum costs claimed

Applicants can claim up to £200 for any single grant, and are limited to one grant per calendar year.

Eligible participants may make both a Type 1 and a Type 3 application for the same event.

How to Apply

Applications for grants from the fund should be made by email to office@foundation.org.uk. Applicants should complete the Application Form, which can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Responses will normally be given within 1 week of applications being received.

Grants will only be paid after the event has taken place, and on receipt of proof of expenditure (receipts etc). They should be claimed using the Foundation’s Expenses Claim Form, which is available at the bottom of the page.

Questions

Any questions about the Silman Fund should be directed to Gavin Costigan (gavin.costigan@foundation.org.uk).

As 2025 is the first year of operation of the Silman Fund in its current form, we would welcome feedback on any aspect of the scheme which could improve it for future years.

Harold Silman

The Silman Fund is named after Harold Silman, who was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Foundation for Science and Technology in 1977, and who served as its Honorary Treasurer for many years. In 1992, following his death, the Silman family bequeathed a small amount of money to the Foundation to be used to support participation in Foundation events.

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