Postgraduate Regional Event Funding

The British Sociological Association is requesting expressions of interest from postgraduate students interested in organising a regional postgraduate day event in 2027.

In 2026, ten postgraduate events were accepted to be held throughout the UK. These one-day events express the diversity and dynamism of the postgraduate experience.

We would love to hear from any postgraduate organisers who are interested in holding such an event at their university, and who are willing to coordinate with speakers and the BSA to organise this.

The BSA will provide up to £1,000 support for the event, which can be used to pay for room hire, speaker expenses (i.e. travel and accommodation), lunch and refreshments, and administrative costs (i.e. printing and stationery). Please note: the funding can’t be used for speaker fees, gifts or buying any equipment or technology for the event. Organisers should plan to use the facilities and resources available at their institution.

If the anticipated event costs are likely to exceed the funding available, organisers are encouraged to seek a donation from the host institution (e.g. the use of a meeting room or a financial contribution towards refreshments), or to charge an attendance fee for the event.

The BSA will help to promote and publicise the event through a number of outlets including the BSA website and member e-newsletters.

After the event, you will also need to submit a short report detailing:

  • how the funding was used (including a breakdown of all costs incurred in connection with the event); and
  • any general feedback on the event itself, including final attendance numbers

How to Apply

Please submit your proposal by 5pm on Friday, 6 November 2026.

This will ask you for:

  • Details of organiser(s), including email address and institution
  • Cost breakdown
  • Event details
    • Date
    • Location
    • Title/Theme
    • Potential Speakers
    • Abstract/Description

The submission deadline for proposals is: 5pm on Friday, 6 November 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.

Judging Criteria

All proposals will be reviewed by the Membership Services Directors on the BSA Board of Trustees and the Postgraduate Forum convenors based on the following:

  • Breadth of appeal beyond the organising group
  • Centrality to sociological concerns
  • Quality of information provided
  • Geographical spread
  • Distinctiveness from previous events and institutions

All applicants (and any co-organisers) must be a BSA member at the time of application and event date, and must be enrolled on a PhD course at a UK university.

All applicants must have approval from their university, as funds are paid directly via invoice. Funding will not be paid to individual applicants.

For further information, please email the BSA Events Team.