The Barbers’ Company Award for Trainees in Gastroenterology was introduced in 2021, and has been established by the Barber’s Company in memory of Sir Francis Avery Jones, past Master of the Barbers’ Company and past President of the BSG.

The purpose of the award is to help provide a UK trainee in gastroenterology or hepatology with an opportunity to gain training that would not otherwise be available as part of his/her training programme, or to develop a clinical service that will benefit patients.

The value of the award is £3,000 per annum. The judging panel may decide to award to a single applicant or split the grant between two or more applicants.

Any application for an award should show how the clinical service or training would bring benefit to patients. If the award is for training, the application should show how receipt of funds will enable training that would not otherwise be available within a candidate’s current training programme.

Within these broad aims, the award may be used for any aspect of the project, including travel and subsistence. Applications should make clear exactly how any grant will be used and, if additional funding is required, how any shortfall will be covered.

It is intended that the award will be spent within 12 months of receiving it. After this 12-month period, the recipient will be expected to produce a report between 1000 and 2500 words, which will be reviewed by the Barbers Company and the BSG Training Committee, and they will be invited to give a short oral presentation on the report at the next BSG Annual Meeting.

We welcome applications from trainee physicians at any stage of their training. We will also accept applications from fellows and new consultants, though it will be expected that applicants will be in training when they have made their application. Applicants should be a BSG member.

Who is on the panel?

The panel is selected by the BSG Training Chair and is a selection of eminent individuals in their field. A diverse selection of reviewers from different backgrounds are invited to ensure a fair system is in place. To ensure the process is fair for all applicants, the reviewers are also kept anonymous. Reviewers will declare any conflicts of interest before the process, and are removed if this is the case.

What is the scoring mechanism?

Scoring is out of 20 with marks out of 5 for each of the following:

• Is this of additional value to future healthcare?
• Is it clear that this cannot be provided within the normal training program?
• Is the application realistic, well thought out and appropriately costed?
• Does the applicant have the basic skills to make use of the additional training?

Are the awards judged blind?

Where possible, the reviewers are blinded, however please note that applicants for these awards are often unique and well established. Therefore it may be possible to determine who an applicant is based on the information they provide.

How to apply

You must be a BSG member to be considered for this award. Applications will close at 5pm on Friday 8th November 2024.

Please apply by filling out the form below.