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Pulmonary fibrosis research
Apply for a Conference Award
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We provide funding for UK-based students, early career researchers and healthcare professionals to present their pulmonary fibrosis research at scientific conferences.
Applications are open
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Click here to Applyf7ea0787-3c96-2deb-87f8-f359a9e0e8e3 flex-box col-50 1
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Aims of Conference Awards
Our Conference Awards enable researchers to develop their knowledge, strengthen their skills, and to connect with people affected by pulmonary fibrosis and the wider scientific community. By ensuring that the latest pulmonary fibrosis research findings are shared around the world, together we can drive meaningful change for people affected by lung scaring.
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Thanks to the generous support from APF, I had the privilege of meeting leading researchers in the field, which led to productive discussions and the establishment of potential collaborative projects.
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Conference grants are a crucial support for early career researchers to attend such events, and this would not be possible without public donations! Thank you.
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Attending the ATS international conference has broadened my knowledge and understanding by discussing new concepts and research techniques that I hope to use to advance my own research in PF. It has been particularly motivational at a time when I am evaluating and writing up my own research findings for my PhD thesis, and focusing on the next steps in my career as a physician-scientist.
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Interested in applying?
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Key dates
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Our Research Review Panel reviews applications several times a year. To allow for timely consideration, applications should be submitted in line with the key dates below.
We offer conference awards for major national and international respiratory conferences and scientific meetings, including the British Thoracic Society (BTS) Summer and Winter Meetings, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress, the International Colloquium on Lung and Airway Fibrosis (ICLAF), and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Conference. We also welcome applications to attend other conferences on a case-by-case basis.
Applications will be reviewed at the next panel meeting. Below you will find recommended application deadlines for major national and international conferences.
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Application deadline
05 February 2025, 5pm
19 March 2025, 5pm
30 June 2025, 5pm
01 October 2025, 5 pm
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Outcome notification
20 February 2025
11 April 2025
18 July 2025
24th October 2025
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Suggested conferences
ERS Lung Science 2025
ATS 2025
ERS Congress 2025
BTS Winter 2025
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Available funding
Applicants can request financial support towards:
- conference registration fees (incl. poster printing)
- travel
- subsistence (accommodation, meals, etc)
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Available funding
We offer up to:
- £500 for UK conferences
- £1,500 for European conferences
- £2,000 for the conferences in the Rest of the World
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We offer additional financial support for applicants facing barriers to attend and participate in academic meetings, where these costs are not met by your organisation, funder, or the conference organiser. Read our FAQs for more information.
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Eligible costs include but are not limited to:
- specialised or private transport where public transport is not manageable.
hire of mobility aids (e.g. wheelchairs, mobility scooters, etc)
- interpreters (e.g. sign-language, lip speakers, note takers)
- additional carer support, such as for children, family members or yourself (e.g. nursery costs, home care, travel costs for children or caregiver).
- any other support for attending the event.
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Eligibility criteria
Applications are invited from UK-based basic science and medical students, early career researchers, and healthcare professionals.
All applicants must have received notification that their abstract has been accepted for presentation at the selected conference, at the time of application.
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Priority Areas for Research
APF funds and supports research that has the potential either to:
- contribute towards the discovery of an effective treatment or cure, or
- accelerate change which will enable our community to live well for longer.
Applicants are advised to refer to our Research Strategy to ensure their application aligns with our research priorities.
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How to apply
The following information outlines how to apply for a Conference Award and the decision-making process for awarding funds.
Our Conference Awards follow a 1-stage rapid review process.
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The 4-step funding process
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1. Full application submission
Applicants submit their application forms using the online application form, in line with the key dates for review.
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2. Application processing
Applications will be processed by our Research team to check that applications have followed the applicant guidance notes and that they broadly fulfil the award remit.
Applications are anonymised and prepared for review by the Research Review Panel (RRP).
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3. Expert review
Applications undergo expert review by members of the RRP. Our RRP consists of scientific experts and people with lived experience ‘experts by experience’ of pulmonary fibrosis. All applications will be reviewed in-depth by a minimum of two members of the RRP.
The expert reviewers will provide a score against the scoring criteria, along with their recommendation to fund and a brief rationale.
You find details of the Conference Award scoring criteria in the Review Criteria and Scoring Guidance document.
The contents of your application will remain confidential and will not be reproduced, stored or disseminated for any purposes beyond the review process. All reviewers will adhere to our Conflict of Interest Policy. Applicants must declare any real or potential conflicts of interest with members of the RRP.
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4. Successful grants awarded
Following expert review, the RRP will make their funding recommendations to the charity, who will make the final decision on which applications to fund.
You find details of the Conference Award scoring criteria in the Review Criteria and Scoring Guidance document.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome. Successful applicants will be issued with and an Award Letter outlining the terms and conditions of the grant.
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All queries relating to our Conference Awards should be sent to
research@actionpf.org
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Terms and Conditions
Recipients of our Conference Awards will be asked to:
- acknowledge the financial support given by Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis to attend the conference on any presentations, posters, press releases, or announcements related to their submitted abstract.
- write a lay report, including a summary of the research they presented, and their experiences at the conference, for publication (in whole or in part) on our website and social media channels.
- give a short online talk to our Involvement Network of people with lived experience of pulmonary fibrosis.
- Provide receipts/proof of purchase for all expenses claimed.
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Past APF Conference Award winners - 2024
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Dr Anna Duckworth, PhD student
University of Exeter
Presented at: ATS 2024
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Dr Bin Liu, Post-doctoral scientist
Imperial College London
Presented at: ATS 2024
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Katherine Bowes, 4th year Medical student
University of Manchester
Presented at: ATS 2024
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Catherine McMullan, PhD student
University of Leicester
Presented at: Extracellular Matrix Pharmacology Congress 2024
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Dr Francesca Gonnelli, PhD student
University of Nottingham
Presented at: ERS Congress 2024
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Dr Punchalee Kaenmuang, Clinical Fellow
Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals
Presented at: ERS Congress 2024
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Dr Louise Crowley, PhD student and clinical research fellow
University of Birmingham
Presented at: ICLAF 2024
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Dr Jack Evans, ILD respiratory registrar and clinical research fellow
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Presented at: BTS Winter Meeting 20244
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Dr David Smith, PhD student and trainee in respiratory medicine
Imperial College London
Presented at: BTS Winter Meeting 2024
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