The Jen Johnson Bursary and Mary Macdonald Congress Award ensure that the late IBMS Council members', Jen Johnson and Mary Macdonald, desire for more members to attend Congress and to support their careers can be fulfilled.
The bursary is awarded in memory of Jen Johnson, who sadly passed away in March 2016. First launched in 2017, the bursary provides successful applicants with a grant up to £1,000 to attend IBMS Congress. For IBMS Congress 2025, the bursary will provide grants for up to 20 members.
Jen dedicated fourteen years to IBMS Council where she served as Chair of Membership Committee and later, as Honorary Treasurer. In 2013 Jen was awarded Life Membership of IBMS for her outstanding contribution to the organisation and the profession.
Jen was a devoted advocate of the IBMS and the profession. In her time as Chair of Membership Committee she played a pivotal role in developing Congress and was passionate about enabling members to attend.
The Jen Johnson Bursary aims to fulfil Jen’s ambition that more members have the opportunity to attend the event she was so passionate about.
I thoroughly enjoyed attending IBMS Congress for the first time, receiving the Jen Johnson Bursary provided me with a fantastic opportunity to explore everything congress had to offer over the three days.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Jen Johnson Bursary applicants must:
- Be a current IBMS member in the grades of Licentiate, Member or Fellow.
- Be enrolled on an eligible IBMS qualification at the time of application (see T&Cs for further details).
- Use the bursary towards IBMS Congress 2025 delegate fees, accommodation and travel.
- Submit a short statement that describes why winning the Jen Johnson Bursary and attending Congress is important to you.
Terms and conditions
- The bursary is up to a maximum of £1,000 including VAT and is awarded and paid at the discretion of the IBMS.
- The bursary must be used by the successful applicant to attend IBMS Congress in the year awarded, and is strictly non-transferable.
- Congress delegate places must be booked via the IBMS office. Details will be provided to successful applicants. Places must be confirmed by the successful applicants by 30 June 2025.
- Successful applicants must book and claim back their hotel and travel expenses by completing an expenses claim form and providing receipts. Claims must be submitted by 31 October 2025.
- Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis only will be reimbursed but must not exceed £199 per night (including VAT).
- Other meals or refreshments are not included as part of your bursary allowance.
- Travel expenses must be in accordance with the IBMS expenses policy (provided upon successful award of the bursary).
- Claims for expenses will not be paid in the event of non-attendance at Congress.
- Eligible IBMS qualifications limited to Specialist Portfolio, Certificate of Expert Practice, Diploma of Expert Practice, Higher Specialist Diploma, Diploma of Higher Specialist Practice and Advanced Specialist Diplomas.
Registration Training Portfolio and Certificate of Achievement Candidates are not eligible. - For IBMS promotional purposes, successful candidates’ names and photographs may be used and they will be expected to write a short report of their experiences at Congress.
Apply online
Please note - applicants who have previously been awarded a Jen Johnson Bursary are ineligible to apply again.
The online application will close for submissions on Wednesday 30 April.
The Mary Macdonald Congress Award sponsors 20 free places for non-HCPC registered IBMS members to attend the Biomedical Support Staff programme at Congress. Successful applicants also receive £100.00 towards travelling expenses.
Mary is remembered as an outstanding professional, colleague and mentor, who began her career as a laboratory support worker and was keen to encourage and recognise excellence in others working in similar roles. Mary made a significant contribution to the IBMS throughout her life, serving as an IBMS Council member and on a number of IBMS Committees.
Established in 2019, the IBMS Mary Macdonald Congress Award sponsors 20 free places for non-HCPC registered members to attend the Biomedical Support Staff programme at IBMS Congress. Successful applicants also receive £100.00 towards travelling expenses.
The Mary Macdonald award helped me so much by giving me, and the other winners, the opportunity to attend Congress and to improve our CPD. Plus it was a great opportunity to learn more and connect with other professionals.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Mary MacDonald applicants must:
- Be a current IBMS member working in a biomedical support staff or medical laboratory assistant role i.e. not registered with the HCPC.
- Not be an apprentice or student on placement.
- Use the bursary towards IBMS Congress 2025 travel.
- Submit a short statement that describes why attending the Biomedical Support Staff programme is important and what benefits you hope to gain personally and bring to your current job role.
Terms & Conditions
- The award is for attendance at the Biomedical Support Staff programme on Tuesday 23rd September 2025 and up to £100 towards travelling expenses. Successful applicants are welcome to visit the exhibition and attend the free seminar programme in the morning.
- The award must be used by the successful applicant to attend IBMS Congress on the day of the Biomedical Support Staff programme in the year awarded, and is strictly non-transferable.
- Congress delegate places must be booked via the IBMS office. Details will be provided to the successful applicants. Places must be confirmed by the successful applicants by Monday 30th June 2025.
- Successful applicants must book and claim back travel expenses by completing an expenses claim form and providing receipts. Claims must be submitted by Friday 31st October 2025.
- Travel expenses must be in accordance with the IBMS expenses policy (provided upon successful award of the bursary).
- Other meals or refreshments are not included as part of your bursary allowance.
- Claims for expenses will not be paid in the event of non-attendance at Congress.
- For IBMS promotional purposes, successful candidates’ names and photographs may be used and they will be expected to write a short report of their experiences at Congress.
Apply online
Please note - applicants who have previously been awarded a Mary MacDonald Congress Award are ineligible to apply again.
The online application will close for submissions on Wednesday 30 April.
