The SSE International Committee (IC) mission is to foster international relationships between evolution societies and its members with particular focus on students and early-career scientists. The committee sponsors annually the International Travel Stipends for students and postdocs to attend the annual Evolution meeting, and the International Event Grants to fund events that foster international communication and collaboration. 

To contact the International Committee Chair, please email international [at] evolutionsociety.org. View the current committee membership.
 

Global Membership Assistance Program

The Global Membership Assistance (GMA) Program offers free or discounted membership to students, researchers, and educators in 152 countries and territories around the world based on World Bank classifications. Check the list of eligible countries to see if you are eligible. If you reside in one of the eligible countries, please request a discount code using this form. Discount codes can be used for any 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year membership type.

This year, SSE members residing in countries and territories eligible for the GMA Program are also eligible for free registration to the virtual portion of the Evolution meeting. Visit the Membership page to learn more.
 

SSE International Travel Stipends

These stipends support attendance at the in-person portion of the Evolution meeting for scientists at various stages of their professional career (e.g., Masters/PhD students, postdocs, and lecturers). You must be a member of the SSE. Those working in countries with high GDP are not eligible. For additional information and the application procedure, consult the Travel Awards page.

International Event Grants

About

The goal of these grants is to foster communication and collaboration between scientists from different countries by sponsoring international symposia, workshops, courses, and other events within the field of evolutionary biology. Our priority is to support events that benefit emerging communities in the field of evolutionary biology. 

Eligibility

1. At least one organizer must be a member of SSE.*
2. The topic of the event should relate to evolutionary biology and appeal to general SSE membership
3. The timing of the event must not overlap with the annual Evolution meeting (typically in June)
4. Preference will be given to events hosted outside of the US and in countries where evolutionary biology is emerging as a field of research; support for virtual events is also eligible.
5. The council seriously considers diversity of participants and invited speakers as a criterion for selection.

Participants are not required to be members of SSE, but discounts in event registration costs for SSE members will be appreciated.

*Note that individuals at any career stage from 152 countries and territories are eligible for free or discounted SSE membership through the Global Membership Assistance Program.

In addition, the organizing recipients of this award will be invited to submit an accompanying article to Evolution, if appropriate (primary research, review, insight or commentary fast tracked through review and made freely available) within 2 months of the workshop. Published articles would highlight the grant funding obtained.
 
 

How to Apply

The application should be no more than 3 pages and include:

1. Organizer names, affiliations, SSE membership, and contact details
2. Event title, dates, and location
3. A description of how the event will foster international communication and development of evolutionary biology, how it will favour diversity in this field of research, and how SSE funding will improve the event
4. Names and affiliations of invited speakers, if applicable. Mention SSE membership if applicable.
5. The name of the academic institution or research organization responsible for administering the award funds (reach out to the SSE Treasurer for questions at treasurer [at] evolutionsociety.org)
6. Explanation of how participants will be selected
7. A budget showing how SSE funds will be used, how funds from other sources will be used (if applicable), and the fee structure to participate in the events

In addition to the 3-page application, please include the CVs of the event organizers.

Please send applications and CVs as a single PDF document to the SSE International Committee Chair at international [at] evolutionsociety.org.

Deadline: September 15, 2024

View examples of previously funded events here and here.

Next Steps

Funded events should include an acknowledgement of SSE funding on the event website and/or printed material. We would also appreciate it if organizers share the benefits of becoming an SSE member with participants. 

Funded events must provide a short report to the SSE International Committee following the event. This report should include:

• General overview of the event
• Number of participants
• Nationalities represented by participants and organizers
• SSE wishes to evaluate what groups are underrepresented as direct/indirect recipients of its awards. If permitted under local jurisdiction, we would appreciate the report to include anonymized figures about representation (%) of self-reported gender, ethnicity, and/or any relevant categories among participants, who may suffer from unequal opportunities
• Any material (e.g. pictures, links towards productions such as synthesis papers, or websites) to communicate around these events and their broader consequences and impact are also welcome.