Biomaterials Days Grant

2026 BMD Grant Promo

Biomaterials Days are regional meetings that provide scientific exchange, networking, and educational opportunities for biomaterials scientists. These meetings are intended to promote the field and to encourage attendees to join the Society. Institutions hosting meetings must have active SFB Student Chapters in good standing to be eligible, and student involvement in planning and implementation of the event is highly encouraged. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to organizers of past meetings to discuss best practices in planning and implementing a successful SFB Biomaterials Day.

SFB will provide financial support for Biomaterials Days for several locations throughout the United States in 2026. Institutions are encouraged to apply for support of up to $2,500 in matched funds, raised to host their Biomaterials Day. Matched funds are provided dollar-for-dollar for a new Biomaterials Day program, and one dollar for every two dollars raised by an established, recurring Biomaterials Day program. Institutions must have an active SFB Student Chapter in good standing to be eligible and student involvement in planning and implementation of the event is highly encouraged.  

It is the vision of the Biomaterials Days Grant Program to incorporate the following:

1. Be a regional meeting. Institutions are encouraged to partner with other institutions in neighboring states/regions to cover a broader participant base.
2. Be marketed to: students; SFB members in the greater metropolitan area including academics, industry, and government; non-SFB members who are in the metropolitan area.
3. Include a keynote speaker. It is recommended that this person be a SFB member; justification is needed if this is not the case.
4. Recruit new members to join the Society.

Post Event Grant ​Reporting Required: A brief final/summary report with images, a list of registered attendees, and copies of all abstracts will be required after the event takes place.

To hear tips and recommendations on how to plan and host a Biomaterials Day event, click HERE to watch a recording of our recent virtual workshop. 

Important Dates:

  • Applications for events to be held in 2026 are due by Monday, October 20, 2025.
  • Notice of grant award will be provided by December 2025.
     

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE

The rubric for evaluation of the Biomaterials Day Grant Applications will focus on these five areas:

Proposal Quality and Organization related to the goals/objectives and meeting format

Clear, coherent, and exceptionally well-written. Distinct meeting objectives, seamlessly integrated talks, and compelling format and content for the meeting
Engagement with Primarily undergraduate institutions and community colleges and Regional SFB Chapters

Demonstrates a robust and innovative plan for significant and meaningful engagement with PUIs or community colleges, including specific, actionable strategies for participation and benefit.
Speaker Invitations for SFB Award Winners beyond the Keynote

The proposed speaker list includes multiple highly relevant SFB award winners (e.g., Founders Award, Clemson Awards, Mid-Career Award, Young Investigator Award, and STAR Awardees), demonstrating a strong commitment to featuring recognized leaders in the field.

Recruitment of new SFB members

The application proposes clear, detailed, and highly effective strategies specifically aimed at recruiting new SFB members during or as a result of the symposium

Marketing outside the SFB community (e.g., non-members)

Presents a comprehensive and targeted marketing plan to effectively reach a broad audience of non-SFB members, with clear strategies for engagement and maximizing attendance from this group.

Please be sure that you receive a confirmation email after your application has been submitted. All applications will be reviewed by the Education & Professional Development Committee upon the Monday, October 20, 2025 deadline. Notifications will be sent to all submitters in December 2025. 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to info@biomaterials.org.

Please note: you must be a current, recognized SFB student chapter to apply for the Biomaterials Day grant. 

 

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