Sustainability – frequently asked questions
This FAQ is divided into the following sections:
- What is The Company of Biologists’ Sustainability Initiative?
The Company of Biologists’ Sustainability Initiative (formerly known as the Sustainable Conferencing Initiative) was launched in 2020 to encourage and support sustainable scientific communication.
Through our grants, we promote the use of new technology and greener modes of travel.
Through our blog posts, we showcase examples of sustainability in action and share experience of how new technologies and conference formats work in practice.
- Why did you launch The Company of Biologists’ Sustainability Initiative?
We launched The Company of Biologists’ Sustainability Initiative because, whilst conferences provide invaluable opportunities for biologists worldwide to collaborate and connect, there is an urgent need to find new ways of interacting that are greener and more sustainable than traditional models.
Also, as was evident during the pandemic, virtual conferences can work well. However it has also become clear that the important social and scientific interactions that occur during in-person events are hard to replicate online.
Through our grants and blog posts, we help conference organisers to overcome logistical and financial barriers, and to showcase sustainability in action.
- Do you have a blog?
You can see blog posts about The Company of Biologists’ Sustainability Initiative here.
- What grants are available?
The following types of grant are available through our Fund for Innovations in Sustainable Conferencing:
- Measures to reduce the carbon footprint of travel (up to £1,000)
- Additional cost of technology (up to £2,500)
- Innovative feature (up to £2,500)
- Other (up to £1,000)
Find out more.
- Who can apply?
Organisers of conferences, workshops, seminars, training, and networking events can apply for grants from our Fund for Innovations in Sustainable Conferencing. However, although, grants are open to organisers of seminars, funding will generally be limited to one grant per series. An exception may be made for a new, exciting, and more innovative proposal within the same series.
Find out more.
- When are the application deadlines?
Application deadlines can be viewed here.
- What is the application process?
Information about the application process is available here, and you can apply for a grant from our Fund for Innovations in Sustainable Conferencing using our online grant application system.
- Are there specific things that you don't fund?
Information about what we do not fund through grants from our Fund for Innovations in Sustainable Conferencing is available here.
- Which events have been funded?
You can see the events that have received grants from our Fund for Innovations in Sustainable Conferencing here.
- What is The Forest of Biologists?
Launched in 2023, The Forest of Biologists is a living and growing forest that has been created as part of our new biodiversity initiative, with support from the Woodland Trust.
For each Research Article or Review article we publish, we are planting a tree in a UK forest. We will also be funding the restoration and preservation of ancient woodland and dedicating these trees to our peer reviewers. All these real trees are also represented together in a virtual forest.
The Forest of Biologists is a celebration of the work of the scientists whose research and expertise fills our journals, and it is a clear demonstration of our commitment to sustainability.
