Conference Bursary

The Conference Bursary was introduced in 1994 in memory of Brian Snowden, acknowledging his commitment to the association and hospital radio.

The bursary is now also dedicated to Ken Fulstow, George & Myra Burton and Helen Hamilton. It provides successful applicants with an opportunity to meet fellow hospital broadcasters, and to find out about the work of other stations and the HBA.

HBA national conferences provide a training opportunity through seminars, panels and workshops, and enables delegates to network with fellow hospital broadcasters, providing insight into the wider aspects of hospital broadcasting and the national association.

Bursaries are intended to encourage attendance for members who have not previously attended and/or stations who have not/are not represented at the conference by removing/contributing to the financial burden. We also invite applications for travel only bursaries. Successful applicants are required to write a report on the conference for their station’s management committee, with a copy provided to Mark Bonallo, Chair of the Bursaries and Grants Committee, within one month of the conference. The report should explain what the recipient learnt at the conference, detail the best and least good things about the weekend, and suggest ideas that the station’s management committee should consider implementing.

Who is eligible

Applicants should be active volunteers within a Full Member Station of the HBA. We are unable to award bursaries to young persons under the age of 18 unless we receive written parental consent and an adult from the applicant’s station is willing to accept responsibility for their welfare whilst attending the conference.

What does it cover?

Bursaries can cover the full cost of attending, part contribution and/or travel costs.

How do I apply?

Applicants should download the application form & complete Section 1 and then obtain the endorsement of the Chairman (or another officer) of their station in Section 2. The completed form should be sent by email to Mark Bonallo, Chair of the Bursaries and Grants Committee.

What happens next?

Applications are judged on merit by the HBA’s Bursaries and Grants Committee. The full terms of reference of the committee can be found on the members-only section of the HBA website, or are available on request. Applicants will be informed of the success or otherwise of their application within 10 calendar days of the closing date. In the case of a bursary being awarded for the full residential cost, successful applicants will be required to pay an amount equivalent to the deposit payable for the conference, such amount being repaid on the submission to the HBA of a copy of their report on the conference.

Are applicant’s names published?

HBA would prefer to be able to publicise the names of those in receipt of the bursary. We do, however, understand that applicants may be sensitive about this information being released. You can, therefore, request that your name remain confidential by ticking the appropriate box on the application form. We will, however, be obliged to release your name to the Charity Commission if they ask for it after reviewing our Annual Report and Accounts, even if you ask for it to remain confidential.

For more information and queries, email the team here

PLEASE NOTE: The decision of the Bursaries and Grants Committee is final and no correspondence will be entered into. If it is deemed that all the applicants are inappropriate, the award may not be given. The attendance, as paying delegates, of other volunteers from the same HBA member will not affect an application, except that we are unable to make awards to young persons under the age of 18 who are attending conferences unaccompanied by an adult.