Frequently asked questions
This information may be useful as a first point of reference.
1. Am I eligible to apply?
2. What is involved?
3. How much time do I have to commit?
4. Can I apply now?
5. When does my application have to be in by?
6. Are travel costs and accommodation covered?
7. Are there prizes for the best posters?
8. What are the UK research councils?
9. I am not able to apply for perspectives this year. Will the scheme be running again in the future?
10. My question is not answered here. What should I do?
1. Am I eligible to apply?
Applicants must be:
Finalists must attend one of the summer workshops before designing their poster. The workshops give communications training as well as advice on poster design. They will take place at the Dana Centre in London on Wednesday 1 July, Tuesday 7 July and Thursday 16 July.
In September 2009, finalists will travel to the British Science Festival in Guildford to present their poster to the broad audience who attend the Festival. Prizes will be awarded by a panel of expert judges.
For more information, read a full description of what is involved, or look at this year's schedule.
1. Am I eligible to apply?
2. What is involved?
3. How much time do I have to commit?
4. Can I apply now?
5. When does my application have to be in by?
6. Are travel costs and accommodation covered?
7. Are there prizes for the best posters?
8. What are the UK research councils?
9. I am not able to apply for perspectives this year. Will the scheme be running again in the future?
10. My question is not answered here. What should I do?
1. Am I eligible to apply?
Applicants must be:
- a postgraduate or postdoctoral researcher
- funded by one of the UK Research Councils
- available for one of the three summer workshops (1,7 & 16 July)
- available for the British Science Festival (5 - 9 September)
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2. What is involved?
Up to 36 finalists will be selected based on their answers to the questions on the online application form.
Finalists must attend one of the summer workshops before designing their poster. The workshops give communications training as well as advice on poster design. They will take place at the Dana Centre in London on Wednesday 1 July, Tuesday 7 July and Thursday 16 July.
In September 2009, finalists will travel to the British Science Festival in Guildford to present their poster to the broad audience who attend the Festival. Prizes will be awarded by a panel of expert judges.
For more information, read a full description of what is involved, or look at this year's schedule.
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3. How much time do I have to commit?
If you are selected as a finalist, you will attend a one-day workshop in London. These will take place on Wednesday 1 July, Tuesday 7 July and Thursday 16 July.
Following the workshop, you will design and print your poster. The amount of time this takes depends on the individual. For guidance on the style of posters generated, you can look at past posters.
Finalists will then attend the British Science Festival, where they will present their posters to people attending the Festival events. Aside from periods standing by their posters, finalists are encouraged to attend sessions at the Festival.
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4. Can I apply now?
The application process for perspectives 2009 has now closed. 10. My question is not answered here. What should I do?
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5. When does my application have to be in by?
The closing date for online applications is 8 May 2009.
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6. Are travel and accommodation costs covered?
Travel and accommodation are provided for the workshops and the Festival. Food is provided at the workshops and for breakfast and lunch on the days that perspectives takes place.
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7. Are there prizes for the best posters?
Yes, there are prizes for the best perspectives posters.
A panel of expert judges visits the posters and talks to the finalists. The judges will chose an overall winner who will receive £750, and 5 runners up, each of whom will receive £200.
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8. What are the UK Research Councils?
The Research Councils' primary role is to fund research in the UK. The seven research councils are:
Research Councils UK, the strategic partnership of the UK Research Councils, also funds some research in the UK. In addition, RCUK fund this scheme. Postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers funded by one of these bodies are eligible to apply for perspectives.
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9. I am not able to apply for perspectives this year. Will the scheme be running again in the future?
Although the scheme has been running successfully for more than 5 years, funding has not been made available for the scheme in 2010.
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