FEMS-ASM Mäkelä-Cassell Travel Award for Early Career Researchers

The FEMS-ASM Mäkelä-Cassell Award supports the reciprocal exchange of one member from each organisation to present his/her research at the other organisation’s main conference. It has been designed to benefit early career researchers from both organisations by giving them the opportunity to present their work overseas and experience the best of microbiology in the partner country. 

These awards are to support travel and living costs of the grantee only.

FEMS Applicants

Up to €4,000 for 1 selected current member of a FEMS Full Member Society that will travel to ASM Microbe 2026, includes complimentary registration. FEMS will select the member attending ASM Microbe 2026. If the cost of travel is under €4,000, the remaining funds may be used to cover other expenses related to meeting attendance.

Apply

Application is open until Tuesday 2 December 2025. Applicants will be notified if they are selected to receive an award by Wednesday 17 December 2025. To apply, see the ASM website.

ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for consideration, the applicant must be or provide:

  • A current member of a FEMS Full Member Society.
  • A microbiologist active in research and current Ph.D. (or equivalent) student or recipient of Ph.D. within the past 5 years. (Note: periods of maternity/paternity leave, special leave or illness do not count toward this definition).
  • Scientific abstract not previously published or presented at another conference.
  • Curriculum vitae (CV), including scientific focus area.
  • Include the name of the FEMS Member Society and membership number in the CV.
  • Two letters of nominations on institution letterhead written by the department chair and principal investigator or immediate director.
  • Applicant statement providing a brief overview (limit 500 words) of qualifications and how the travel award supports scientific research.

Past Winners of the Mäkelä-Cassell Awards

 

FEMS Journals and Open Access

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