Rupert Ford Travel Award Grant

The Rupert Ford Travel Award, administered by the Royal Meteorological Society, supports early career scientists to conduct research in meteorology or physical oceanography at international centers of excellence. The award, honoring Dr. Rupert Ford, is aimed at promising individuals within 15 years of their first higher education qualification. Nominations require academic endorsements and a detailed description of the proposed research work. Note that applications for 2025 are closed, with the award returning in 2026.

Rupert Ford Award
The Royal Meteorological Society administers the Rupert Ford Fund which was set up by his family, friends and colleagues to honour the name of the late Dr Rupert Ford, whose brilliant scientific career was cut short by illness.
The Fund is used to sponsor travel by outstanding young scientists from any part of the world to enable them to undertake research work or study in meteorology or associated physical oceanography (air-sea interaction) at a centre of excellence outside their own countries.
Early career scientist is defined as someone who is within 15 years since starting their first higher education qualification, or first further education qualification if a higher education qualification has not been obtained.
All applications must include: a description of the work to be undertaken and an assessment of its relevance and importance; a clear statement at an appropriate level from the Institution where the work is to be done indicating acceptance of the applicant for a short term research or study placement; and a statement of support from a senior academic colleague (ie Head of Department or Professor) in the applicant’s research field.

Eligibility

Terms of ReferenceThe Rupert Ford Travel Award shall be made annually to an early career scientist (which we define as within 15 years since starting their first higher education qualification, or first further education qualification if a higher education qualification has not been obtained) who shows great promise.Nominations for the Award shall normally be made by senior academic colleagues, and shall be accompanied by some evidence of the work of the nominee. It is anticipated that nominees shall normally be in the later stages of a PhD studentship or in early stages of post-doctoral work.A more detailed specification of the nomination requirements shall be advertised with the call for nominations.The supporting evidence of nominees’ work may be drawn from any area of meteorology or physical oceanography. If nominations are deemed equally meritorious then the relevance to Rupert’s scientific interests shall be taken into account. Evidence of participation in the scientific community shall also count in favour of a nomination.
The Award shall be made only if a nomination of sufficiently high standard is forthcoming.

Ineligibility

No person shall be eligible for the Award a second time.