The MPS World Summit 2025 Conference Organizers are pleased to announce several awards for the MPS World Summit in Brussels, Belgium. Please see the description of each award type below.
Student and Postdoctoral Researcher Travel Awards
The Conference Organizers will provide a select number of Student and Postdoctoral Researcher Travel Awards (including a waived registration fee). These awards will be distributed among domestic (Europe) undergraduate and graduate students, domestic postdoctoral researchers, international undergraduate and graduate students, and international postdoctoral researchers.
Application:
To be considered for a Student or Postdoctoral Researcher Travel Award, applicants must submit the following documents:
- Abstract, as the presenting author, that has been submitted for poster or oral presentation
- Short bio (maximum one page), including educational institution and how the applicant’s research is relevant to microphysiological systems
- Statement outlining the need for travel assistance and why attendance at the Conference will be impactful to the student’s or postdoctoral researcher’s training (half a page)
- A recommendation letter from the student’s advisor or postdoctoral researcher’s supervisor that summarizes why they feel the applicant should receive the award; the letter should also outline the applicant’s research, including relevance to microphysiological systems
- Proof of student or postdoctoral status as of June 2025
Please submit your applications no later than January 15, 2025 to [email protected] with subject line: “MPS World Summit 2025 Student and Postdoc Travel Awards.” Funds will be disbursed early May 2025. Recipients must submit an abstract through the conference system by January 15, 2025 and commit to traveling to the conference upon acceptance of award and submit proof of registration.
Travel Awards for Scientists from Low- and Middle-Income Countries
The Conference Organizers will award up to 10 Travel Awards for Scientists from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (please visit OECD’s website for a list of countries that qualify).
Application:
To be considered for the Travel Award for Scientists from Low- and Middle-Income Countries, applicants must submit the following documents:
- Abstract, as the presenting author, that has been submitted for poster or oral presentation
- Short bio (maximum one page), including current affiliation and residency confirmation (to demonstrate country affiliation) and explanation of how the applicant’s research is relevant to microphysiological systems
- Statement outlining the need for travel assistance and why attendance at the Conference will be impactful to the scientist’s work (half a page)
- A recommendation letter from the scientist’s supervisor or mentor that summarizes why they feel the applicant should receive the award; the letter should also outline the applicant’s research, including the use of microphysiological systems
Please submit your applications no later than January 15, 2025 to [email protected] with subject line: “MPS World Summit 2025 Travel Awards for Scientists from Low-Income Countries.” Funds will be disbursed early May 2025. Recipients must submit an abstract through the conference system by January 15, 2025 and commit to traveling to the conference upon acceptance of award and submit proof of registration.
Additional Awards and Grants for the MPS 2025 World Summit
Best Poster Presentation Awards
The Japan MPS Initiative will grant 2 awards (¥50000/300€ each), 1 to a young investigator from Asia and 1 to a young investigator from another region. Application for these awards is not necessary.
Best Poster Presentation Award
The Belgian Society of Toxicology and Ecotoxicology (BelTox) will grant a 250€ best poster award to a PhD student or early career investigator (≤ 40 years old) presenting her/his research work per poster as first author at the MPS2025 World Summit. The winner will be selected based on the results presented in the field of toxicology, scientific excellence and clarity of the poster presentation. Eligibility also includes presence during the closing ceremony of the MPS2025 World Summit, as the winner will be announced at this occasion. Candidates need to express their interest in the BelTox best poster award by sending the following documents to [email protected]:
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Supporting letter from the supervisor or the head of department.
- Abstract as first author submitted for poster presentation to the MPS2025 World Summit.
- Proof of registration for the MPS2025 World Summit.
- Confirmation you will attend the closing ceremony of the MPS2025 World Summit.
Deadline to apply for the award: April 1, 2025.
Best Poster Presentation Award
The RE-Place consortium, funded by the Flemish government, will grant a 250€ best poster award to a PhD student or early career investigator (≤ 40 years old) presenting her/his research work per poster as first author at the MPS2025 World Summit. The winner will be selected based on the results presented in the field of 3R replacement methodology, scientific excellence and clarity of the poster presentation. Eligibility also includes presence during the closing ceremony of the MPS2025 World Summit, as the winner will be announced at this occasion. Candidates need to express their interest in the RE-Place best poster award by sending the following documents to [email protected] and [email protected]:
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Supporting letter from the supervisor or the head of department.
- Abstract as first author submitted for poster presentation to the MPS2025 World Summit.
- Proof of registration for the MPS2025 World Summit.
- Confirmation you will attend the closing ceremony of the MPS2025 World Summit.
Deadline to apply for the award: April 1, 2025.
Best Poster Presentation Award
Toxicology, an Elsevier journal, will grant 1 best poster presentation award (250€) to a young investigator for research situated in the field of the use of microphysiological systems for toxicology purposes. Application for this award is not necessary.
Best Poster Presentation Award
The European Society of Toxicology In Vitro (ESTIV) will grant 1 best poster presentation award (500€) to an investigator having obtained her/his highest degree (master/doctoral) not longer than 10 years ago at the time of application. Applications for this award need to be done by sending the submitted abstract and Curriculum Vitae of the applicant to [email protected] at latest by March 15, 2025.
Best Oral Presentation Award
The European Society of Toxicology In Vitro (ESTIV) will grant 1 best oral presentation award (500€) to an investigator at any career stage. Applications for this award need to be done by sending the submitted abstract and Curriculum Vitae of the applicant to [email protected] at latest by March 15, 2025.
Travel Grant
The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Europe will provide 1 travel grant (500€) to a young investigator from Europe, preferably presenting her/his work in the field of the use of microphysiological systems in the food sector orally or per poster. Application for this grant is not necessary.
Travel Grant
EUSAAT (European Society for Alternatives to Animal Testing) will provide 3 travel grants (500€ each) to 3 young scientists up to 35 years, including graduate, postgraduate or PhD students, presenting her/his work in the field of the 3Rs orally or per poster. Candidates need to express their interest in the EUSAAT travel grants by sending the following documents to [email protected] at latest by March 15, 2025.
- Expression of interest
- Abstract as first author submitted for oral or poster presentation to the MPS2025 World Summit.
- Proof of eligibility (letter from the supervisor or the head of department proving young investigator status, an official document which proves the birthday)
- Confirmation you will attend the closing ceremony of the MPS2025 World Summit.
Best Abstract Award
PETA Science Consortium International e.V. will grant a best abstract award (250€) to an early-career scientist presenting an oral or poster abstract during the MPS2025 World Summit. The winner will be selected based on their curriculum vitae and the quality of their abstract, evaluated on scientific excellence, clarity of writing, impact on replacing animal testing and readiness for application in regulatory toxicology or safety testing. Candidates can apply for the best abstract award by sending the following documents to [email protected] at latest by April 15, 2025:
- Curriculum vitae.
- Abstract as presenting author (oral or poster) submitted to MPS2025.
- Proof of early-career status (i.e. (1) currently enrolled as a student or (2) highest degree obtained within the last 5 years as of June 10, 2025)
The European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA)
The European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) supports students and young scientists with outstanding work in the field of alternative approaches for attending a high-profile scientific event.
Every year, a number of high-profile international meetings bring together world-class scientists working on the development and acceptance of 3R alternatives to animal testing (Replacement, Reduction or Refinement). Costs linked to participation may prevent students with promising work or young scientists at the beginning of their career from attending these events. The EPAA partners are therefore happy to sponsor the 3Rs Student grants to facilitate the participation of students and young scientists in such events. A jury will assess the applications and propose a list of selected candidates to the EPAA Steering Committee. The jury will be composed of 4 members (two from the industry and two from the European Commission) who will judge.
In 2025, a two full grants of 1000€ for MPS World Summit 2025, SETAC 2025 and EUROTOX 2025 are available.
- All grants cover the reimbursement of the event registration fees for the student/young scientist as well as travel and accommodation fees, on the basis of the expense receipts. Payment will be made after the event.
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for both students and events are defined as follows. Applications falling out of this scope will not be accepted.
Students
- Applicants have to be based (i.e. studying) in one of the 27 EU Member States or the UK. Citizenship may be from any country (i.e. also outside of the EU).
- Applicants must be graduated (BSc / First cycle completed with at least 180 ECTS credits) when applying and should not have a doctoral degree.
- Applicants must still be considered as full-time students or young scientists (≤ 35 years old) when applying.
- Young scientists employed by industry are not eligible
- No funding or reimbursement by another entity for the same student and event is allowed.
Application and Selection Process
The application process is as follows:
- Applications must be sent to EPAA functional mailbox (grow‐[email protected]) by midnight of the day indicated above.
- The Award will be granted provided an abstract is accepted for an oral presentation. At the sole discretion of the Jury, in exceptional cases work presented in a poster format will be eligible, too. EPAA visibility must be guaranteed by including a clear acknowledgment of EPAA’s support in the presentation/poster.
Selection will be made by the jury on the basis of the following documents to be provided by the applicant:
- Abstract submitted for one of the selected events.
- Detailed CV of the applicant with list of publications (if any)
- Cover letter describing why the work described in the abstract is important for the 3Rs and why it should be supported by the EPAA grant.
- Recommendation letter from a professor/supervisor also confirming the applicant is a full-time student.
- Proof of acceptance to the event (i.e. invitation to the event or confirmation mail). It can be submitted after the deadline.
All documents should be sent in a single pdf file.
Enquiries should be directed to grow‐[email protected]
Visit the EPAA website for more details and information: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/calls-expression-interest/3rs-student-grants-2025-call-submissions_en