Nutrition Exchange Programme Bursaries

Background

The BDA is once again working in collaboration with safefood to deliver the Nutrition Exchange Programme (NEP) which aims to encourage and further develop collaboration in the field of nutrition among dietitians and nutritionists on the island of Ireland.

Through the NEP, bursaries will be available to BDA members to take part in events that encourage and facilitate the sharing and exchange of nutrition expertise. These include:

  • spending time in another department to build experience, share knowledge and develop skills
  • attending or presenting at a seminar, conference or study day 
  • undertaking training with opportunities to share knowledge with other BDA members

In addition, one further bursary will be available to host a workshop, seminar or training day that will share or promote best practice on the island of Ireland. Further information on this will be available later in the year.

Individual bursary details 

During 2024, three travel bursaries are available to BDA members in Northern Ireland: 

  • three bursaries to the value of £400

One of these bursaries must be for travel between two centres anywhere on the island of Ireland to exchange expertise. Cross border exchanges will be strongly considered. The remaining bursaries may be used to fund attendance at a suitable event in any EU country including the UK and Ireland. The bursaries may not be used for travel outside the EU.

All BDA members in Northern Ireland, including student members and dietetic support workers, are eligible for the bursaries. Please note, however, that because the funding originates from safefood, priority will be given to applicants working in the public sector. BDA members working in private industry or in a freelance capacity should clearly explain in their application how they will share their learning with the wider profession working in public service in Northern Ireland.

The bursaries can be used to cover expenses including:

  • Travel to and from the event
  • Conference or course fees
  • Accommodation if needed
  • Subsistence

Estimates of costs must be included in your application. Bursaries must be spent during 2024.

Criteria for application

 

  • All BDA members in Northern Ireland are eligible for the bursaries. This includes student members. A member may only submit one application.
  • Joint applications are welcome. Names and full details of both applicants must be included in the application. Incomplete or multiple applications will not be accepted.
  • Applications must be made using the online NEP application form.
  • Applications must include an estimate of costs based on the most economical available. The bursary amount awarded will be based on the estimated costs in the application. (Please note that receipts or proof of purchase for all costs stated must be kept and submitted after using the bursary.)
  • Applicants who have received some funding towards a visit, conference etc may apply for a bursary but must declare their existing funding in full on the application and may need to supply evidence of the exact amount already received. Preference will be given to applicants who do not already have funding.
  • Applicants must commit to sharing their key learning points with the wider profession. A summary of how this may be achieved must be included on the application.
  • A bursary can only be used for the purpose stated in the application.

 

Application procedure

  1. The NEP application form should be completed and emailed back to Julie Goldsmith at [email protected] by the closing date above.
  2. Applications will be checked to ensure eligibility.
  3. Applications will be assessed by two members of the NI Board.
  4. Successful applicants must agree to abide by the awarding criteria of the bursary:

• The bursary will only be used for the purpose stated in the application.
• If two people are applying for the bursary, details of both applicants will be included in the application.
• The following must be supplied to the BDA by each bursary recipient no later than 4 weeks after using the bursary:


- Proof of attendance at the event eg Certificate of Attendance
- A summary of expenses incurred accompanied by original receipts/proof of purchase.
- A copy of the course invoice if appropriate.
- A completed evaluation form and short report. Where a bursary has been shared by two people, each must submit a separate report.

5. Bursary participants must share their learning from the event with other members of the profession outside their immediate place of work and demonstrate how they have done this or are in the process of doing so. This should be included in the evaluation form and short report that is completed after the event.

Applications must be fully completed – any that have missing details will not be considered.

Applications will be scored based on the following criteria:

  1. Exchange of information and collaboration - encouraging exchange of information and collaboration with colleagues beyond the applicant’s immediate work place on the island of Ireland. This is an essential consideration for awarding a bursary and applicants should carefully consider and explain on their application how they will disseminate their learning.
  2. Purpose and relevance - clearly demonstrate the relevance to the applicant’s own nutritional activities.
  3. Activities – include a clear plan of activities or event schedule/programme which should be realistic and appropriate to the resources available.
  4. Anticipated outcomes and added value – address gaps in nutrition knowledge and skills and outline how participation in the NEP will benefit the applicant’s own work and potentially that of other individuals in the field of nutrition.
  5. Value for money – clearly show that proposed costs are reasonable and cost effective.

Allocation and payment of bursaries

Bursaries will be allocated by four weeks after the closing date. Payment of bursaries will be made directly via bank transfer to the successful applicant whose name is on the application. In the case of joint applications, the bursary will be paid to the main applicant.

General Provisions

  1. Neither the BDA nor safefood will be responsible for the remuneration of a participant’s salary or for the provision of a locum/replacement staff member for the duration of the participant’s exchange or visit. The bursaries cannot be used to cover salaries or wages.
  2. Neither the BDA nor safefood will be responsible for any damage, loss or injury however suffered by a participant during the course of an exchange or visit. The participant must ensure that he/she is covered under relevant insurance for all liabilities that may arise medically or as a result of travel.
  3. The BDA and safefood require acknowledgement of their support in all relevant public outputs, including publications that arise as a result of participating in this programme.

Travel Costs

  1. The bursary may be used to cover reasonable travel costs incurred while travelling from your workplace or home (whichever is nearest) to the venue or host organization. 
  2. Travel by car will be acceptable where more economical means of transport is not available. Mileage rates will be in accordance with standard BDA mileage (45p per mile). Proof of mileage may be required e.g. AA route planner print out of journey.
  3. Taxis may only be used to travel from/to the event venue, your overnight accommodation (if appropriate) and railway or bus station/airport where no public transport exists.
  4. To verify costs, original receipts or online payment print out where online booking has been used, must be provided and should be in the name of the applicant on the NEP bursary application.

Accommodation and subsistence

The bursary may be used to cover accommodation and subsistence costs where these are necessary. Meals and accommodation must be for individuals only and must be reasonable. All costs should be supported by an original itemised receipt or a printed online confirmation showing itemised costs. No claims for alcohol will be accepted.

Conference or Course Costs

If applicants are claiming conference or course costs then:

  1. Applicants must include details of the conference or course costs in their application form and attach a copy of the course or conference brochure/leaflet.
  2. It is the applicant’s responsibility to pay in full all conference or course costs.
  3. An original receipt for the conference or course should be presented.

PLEASE NOTE:
Participants are advised to retain all receipts in relation to the event they attend for submission to the BDA. Receipts submitted must add up to (or exceed) the value of the bursary received. The BDA reserves the right to reject any unreasonable costs and retrieve any bursary funding that is unaccounted