Applications are now open for SET For Britain 2013, an annual poster competition with cash prizes.

It is a career advancing opportunity for an early-stage researcher (including Masters/PhD students and post-docs) to present their work to VIPs at the House of Commons, engage with fellow researchers and help to raise the profile of science and engineering within the Houses of Parliament.

Cash prizes of up to £3,000 are awarded for posters which best communicate high level science to a lay audience.

Previously presented posters can be used, but the research must be original and we recommend presenting your latest findings.

What is meant by early stage or early-career researchers?

This includes university research students/postgraduates, appropriate MSc students, research assistants, postdocs, research fellows, newly-appointed lecturers, part-time and “mature” students, and those who are embarking on a second career, etc. and their equivalents in national, public sector and industrial laboratories, or companies, all of whom are engaged in scientific, engineering, technological or medical research.

Applicants do not have to be British nationals, but they must be conducting research in the UK.

What does the application process involve?

The process involves completing an application form, uploading an abstract and reference by the closing date of 24 December 2012.

Finalists will have the opportunity to present their research at the House of Commons on 18 March 2013.

  • The abstract should be no longer than 1 side of A4.
  • It should indicate the research problem being investigated, why and how it is being investigated (e.g. the techniques being used), the results being obtained and the conclusions reached.
  • Posters are not required at the time of application; they should only be produced when an applicant has been selected and notified to submit a poster.
  • A maximum of 2 authors per poster is acceptable but only one of them may present the poster on the day. (Both authors can attend).

If more applications are received than there are poster places in any session, the judging panel will make a selection based on the following criteria:

  • Is the submission well written and could it be understood, preferably on first reading, by a lay audience?
  • Did the abstract have a good introduction and did it make clear the contribution of the candidate?
  • How long has the person been working on the project and is the project at too early a stage for submission to SET for Britain?
  • Novelty and/or importance of work.
  • Difficulty and/or complexity of project.

More information and applications

Find out more information and upload an application via the SET for Britain website.