The Managers of the Balfour-Browne Fund for the advancement of the study of entomology invite applications for grants from the Fund during the academical year 2022-23. 

This is an excellent way for students to gain experience of research relating to insects, and in the past this fund has supported students working as voluntary research assistants on projects in the field, summer studentships in Cambridge labs, and student-led expeditions. Labs in Cambridge may be able to offer projects if you contact them.

Any person working in the University, who need not be a member of the University, is eligible to apply.

The Managers will give preference to:

• applications from Cambridge undergraduates
• the support of studies in the field, especially in the United Kingdom.

Please note: No grant may be made to any registered Postgraduate Student if it would support work directly connected with his or her approved course of study or research.

Applications should be submitted to admin@zoo.cam.ac.uk, Department of Zoology, by 15 April 2023.  

Application form

The application should include:

• A brief outline of the studies to be carried out, describing the purpose for which the grant is required
• A brief outline of the risk assessments/ethical approval involved and current state of these approval(s)
• An estimate of the full costs of the study; the amount applied for; details of any other related applications (ie to college). Applicants may request funds either for maintenance (in which case this will be paid as an internship in line with the national minimum wage of £346.75 pw for up to 6 weeks) and/or for research costs, such as travel or equipment.
• A short (max 2 page) CV
• A brief letter of support from the applicant’s Director of Studies
• A brief letter of support from the prospective supervisor

Please note that all research activities and trips must be covered by appropriate risk assessments. Any award will be contingent on such risk assessments. In addition, some research (e.g. on animals or involving humans may need additional regulatory or ethical approval. Please outline any such requirements and describe the current state of those approvals (i.e. pending, granting, to be applied for etc.)  You should discuss these matters with your supervisor before submitting your application.

For more information, please contact admin@zoo.cam.ac.uk.

PLEASE NOTE: The Fund Managers of both Balfour-Browne Fund and the J Arthur Ramsay Fund intend to consider all applications in tandem, so if you are eligible to apply to both funds you do not need to submit two applications or supply two sets of letters of support.

From the Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Cambridge

1. From the balance of the sum remaining from the bequest of £10,000 by Professor W. A. F. Balfour-Browne, of Gonville and Caius College, a Balfour-Browne Fund shall be established in the University for the advancement of the study of entomology.
2. The Fund shall be administered by two Managers, who shall be University officers in the Faculty of Biology appointed by the Faculty Board, one on the nomination of the Head of the Department Genetics and one on the nomination of the Head of the Department of Zoology. Managers shall be appointed in the Michaelmas Term to serve for two years from 1 January next following.
3. Any person working in the University, who need not be a member of the University, shall be eligible to apply for a grant from the Fund to support the study of entomology; provided that
   • preference shall be given to persons in statu pupillari
   • preference shall be given to the support of studies in the field, especially in the United Kingdom,
   • no grant shall be made to any registered Graduate Student if it would support work directly connected with his or her approved course of study or research.
4. In each Michaelmas Term the Managers shall announce the date or dates by which applications for grants from the Fund may be submitted (via the Department of Zoology website).
5. Any unexpended income shall not be added to the capital of the Fund but shall be accumulated for use as income in subsequent years.