A look ahead to the celebrations that will take place to mark Biomedical Science Day this summer.
Preparations are underway for this year’s Biomedical Science Day, which takes place on 8 June this year.
Activity packs are being made available for members to order online and will contain freebies and ideas for holding events (non-members will be able to download free resources for their events).
Last year saw the biggest ever Biomedical Science Day, with thousands of members celebrating the profession and millions of people reached online.
The hashtags #AtTheHeartOfHealthcare and #BiomedicalScienceDay2022 trended in the top five on social media and were estimated to have reached more than four million people.
Members shared photo and video submissions for IBMS competitions, including hundreds of entries for the popular “Biomedical Bake” and “Biomedical Meme” contests.
Prominent politicians (see box) and influential organisations and individuals tweeted their support, while thousands of IBMS members took part both virtually and face to face.
Following on from the success of last year’s campaign to raise awareness with politicians, the IBMS will be asking members to use its messaging to contact local politicians and invite them to take part and mark the day.
Political support last year
The following politicians tweeted their support for the profession on Biomedical Science Day 2022:
Caroline Dinenage MP – Conservative MP for Gosport
Rachel Hopkins MP – Labour MP for Luton South
Ben Everitt MP – Conservative MP for Milton Keynes North
Stuart Anderson MP – Conservative MP for Wolverhampton South West
Liz Twist MP – Labour MP for Blaydon
Karen Bradley MP – Conservative MP for Staffordshire Moorlands
Martyn Day MP – SNP MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk
David Duguid MP – Conservative and Unionist MP for Banff and Buchan
Colm Gildernew MLA – Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone
Lord Bethell – Conservative politician in the House of Lords
Those members who are planning to organise events for Biomedical Science Day, can apply for grants of up to £500 to develop their biomedical science-related activities and events.
Activities should aim to raise public awareness of biomedical science and demonstrate the value of the profession and its role in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections and disease.
The grants may be used to support a range of activities and resources for experiments, exhibition space at careers events, marketing and communications materials, incentives and giveaways.
The IBMS recognises that not all members are able to participate on the day, so grants may be used for activities up to 30 September 2023.
The deadline for applications – forms are available on the IBMS website – is 19 May.
After the deadline, submissions will be reviewed and the successful applicants will be notified by email.
Successful applicants must show that their activity:
- Is realistic, planned and has a well thought-out budget
- Applies a creative and innovative approach
- Raises awareness of biomedical science to a wider audience.
Funds of up to £500 per applicant will be transferred to the successful members who will have to provide receipts of all purchases.
If successful, applicants will be required to provide pictures of their event and write up their activities afterwards to demonstrate how the funds were used, which will be used for promotional purposes.
Members who have any questions about applying for these grants are asked to email [email protected].