Dipterists Forum Bursaries for 2024

Spring workshop 2020 at FSC Preston Montford
Spring workshop 2020 at FSC Preston Montford

The Dipterists Forum holds an annual weekend course at the Preston Montford field studies centre near Shrewsbury. These courses cover selected families of flies in detail, and the 2024 course is expected to cover the Tachinidae. It will be held from 9th to 11th February.

The Forum also has annual residential summer field meetings lasting for one week. These take place at various venues around the country. The 2024 meeting will be based at Lancaster University, June 22nd-29th, with easy access to north Lancashire (including the Arneside and Silverdale AONB, the Forest of Bowland, and the  southern parts of Lake District National Park. Attendees will spend their days in the field collecting and observing flies, and evenings in a laboratory where they can identify their catches alongside other dipterists. Beginners are made very welcome and can gain valuable knowledge from more experienced members.

We offer a small number of bursaries for each of these events, awarded on a competitive basis. Bursaries for the Preston Montford course cover half the total cost of the course, including full-board accommodation for the two nights. Details of accommodation, meals etc. for the summer meeting are yet to be determined, but again the bursary will cover half the cost of the whole week. If you would like to apply for a bursary for either (or both) of these events please send your application by e-mail to me John Mousley.

Your application should say what you hope to gain from attending, how you would expect to contribute to the Forum’s aims of the study, recording and conservation of Diptera, and why you would benefit from financial assistance. If you are currently involved in a research programme please include brief details. We will be looking for evidence of enthusiasm and interest in flies. Preference may be given to those who have not received a bursary previously, but applications from previous recipients are welcome. Applications should not exceed 300 words. Successful applicants will be expected to write a short account of their experience for publication in the Forum’s Bulletin.

Applicants must be members of the Dipterists Forum at the time of their application. The closing dates for applications are Friday 1st December 2023 for the Preston Montford course and Friday 16th February 2024 for the summer field meeting.