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INSPIRE Research Taster Days
INSPIRE Taster Days Brochure 2025 final

Research groups from across the Universities of Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Plymouth involved in our GW4 INSPIRE programme are offering research “Taster days”, mostly on Wednesday afternoons in late November, early December or early 2026 (some with dates TBC, but please state on the sign up form if you have any preference). These provide students with opportunities to find out more about various types of research and clinical academic careers. Details of all the Taster days, spanning a large range of areas for dentistry, medicine and veterinary science, can be found in the attached brochure that also provides further information on the INSPIRE scheme should the Taster sessions spark your interest.

Click on the links below and register your interest!

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/widening-participation-and-access/summer-research-opportunities/wellcome-trust/

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/widening-participation-and-access/summer-research-opportunities/research-summer-internships/

For those starting out on their academic career, please do have a read. It’s full of wisdom, wonder and characteristically generous advice!

Sumer Studentships will be awarded to the most promising applications received from:

• Students in years 1 – 4 (inclusive) at Bristol Medical or Dental School for research in Bristol or at Cardiff/Exeter/Plymouth
• All AGEP, BVSc or Intercalating Vet students (except for those in the final year of their veterinary studies) 

Applications will be competitive and you may be invited to an interview as part of the selection process. 

These applications, taking the form of a mini-grant proposal, will be for a project to be undertaken across the summer.  The grant award will provide the student with a salary (£TBC per hour).  The paid work is for a maximum of 4 weeks at 35 hours per week OR if part-time working, no more than 8 weeks from the project start date and not to exceed the maximum permitted hours (140 hours).

These projects must be ‘extra’ e.g., not part of your intercalation projects.  Studentships can be held with Bristol research teams or with teams in our partner schools in Cardiff, Exeter or Plymouth. These projects may have been hatched following a Taster Day visit or may be something you have arranged independently.  Students from Cardiff, Exeter or Plymouth can also undertake a research project at Bristol, but they should apply to the INSPIRE project at their parent university.

The decision on each studentship will be weighted towards funding the best applications using the following scoring criteria:

Scientific insight
Ownership
Motivation
Environ/support
Likely outcome

The scoring process will also include an assessment of your academic CV.

Closing date for submitting the application form is midnight on 11^th April 2025.  Please use the application form for all applications, but state clearly whether you are applying for the Medic/Dental/Vet award.  The prize winners will be expected to prepare a short, written report of their activity and may be invited to present their research at a Showcase event, for them to share their work with students across the years.

No funding is available to cover the costs of the research project which must be covered by the supervisor/team.

INSPIRE Summer Studentship Research Project Grant application 2025 V1.docx