Event organisers have a responsibility to make their conferences, workshops, meetings and training opportunities as accessible as possible. However, we know that individuals with disabilities and ongoing health conditions still face extra costs and financial challenges.
With our Accessibility Grants, you can apply for up to £1,200 per year to help with the cost of specific support to attend a chemistry-related meeting, conference, workshop or professional development event. This support might be any form of equipment, service, or other personal expense associated with meeting your access needs.
Watch our video to find out more
What does the grant cover?
Accessibility Grants support attendance at online events as well as in-person events.
Individual requirements can be wide and varied, so the grant’s coverage is equally wide and each application is assessed on its own merits. For example, you might apply for funding to cover:
- extra travel expenses, such as wheelchair-accessible travel options, taxis, or to permit a carer or personal assistant to travel with you
- personal assistance costs
- communication support services, such as a sign language interpreter
- assistive software support, such as closed-captioning or text-to-speech software
- assistive hardware or mobility/sensory aids, such as adapted technology or adjustable tools
We also take an expansive view of what disabilities, health conditions, and impairments can be. Funding can support event costs related, and not limited to:
- sensory impairments, such as visual or hearing impairments
- mobility impairments
- long-standing conditions and illnesses, such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, and severe allergies
- neurodivergence, such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia
- mental health conditions
- in some cases, short-term support required as a result of injury or illness
How do I apply?
When the grant is open, you will need to complete the Accessibility Grant application form via a link here. You must provide brief details of the event and describe how the grant will be used.
As part of the application process, we may ask you for additional information to ensure that your application is eligible and appropriate for the remit of this grant. Please be prepared for further questions regarding your disability, health condition, or impairment, but be assured that any information you share will stay confidential.
We aim to respond to you within six weeks of your application. Please consider this with the timing of your application.
Each application will be considered on its own merits, and you can apply as many times as you need to until the maximum value of £1,200 per year has been reached.
Applications will be individually considered at our discretion. We will also ask you to complete a form, and submit any receipts you obtain along with it, after you have attended the event.
Building a better chemistry culture
Everyone working in the chemical sciences should be able to take every opportunity to attend events that support their career and professional development. We also know that these opportunities sometimes present accessibility issues, and this can present financial challenges.
As a professional and membership body, and a leading voice for the chemistry community, we have a responsibility to promote inclusivity and accessibility in order to improve diversity. Enabling disabled chemists to participate in professional opportunities is a crucial part of that.
Continuing an application?
Go straight to the form to continue your Accessibility Grant application
Contact us
- Tel:
- +44 (0) 1223 438334
- Email:
- Inclusion and Diversity team
