Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (SSIEM)

Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (SSIEM) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1010639).

The Society exists to foster the study of inherited metabolic disorders and related topics, pursuing this through scientific meetings, publications and other means it considers appropriate. Its origins may be traced to an informal meeting at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, where biochemists and paediatricians met to discuss phenylketonuria. It offers financial support awards, grants and scholarships, including Patient Group Support and Travel & Training Bursaries. A total of €78,585 was given in awards, grants and bursaries, including symposium scholarships.

Priority Areas

The Society's aim is to foster study of inherited metabolic disorders and related topics. Its financial awards support patient organisations and support groups representing more than 50 families affected by a rare inherited metabolic disorder, including their events and parent/carer projects. It also supports non-profit organisations, such as parent support groups holding events, and guideline development. Individual awards help healthcare professionals build expertise through visits to centres of excellence, training or attendance at relevant scientific meetings; travel scholarships support attendance at the Society's symposium. The Society describes its support as modest and selectively extends membership and conference support to parts of the world where resources are more limited. Applications are independently assessed by a panel from its Advisory Council.

Themes

• Inherited metabolic disorders
• Patient group projects
• Guideline development
• Healthcare professional training
• Scientific meeting travel

Geographic Focus

Priority: Around the world.

For Patient Group Support, complete and submit the application form in English.

Deadlines: The first round opens on 1 January and closes on 1 March; the second round opens on 1 July and closes on 1 September.

Application windows:

• Patient Group Support
  • Opens on 1 January and closes on 1 March
  • Opens on 1 July and closes on 1 September
• Travel & Training Bursaries
  • Opens on 1 November and closes on 31 January
  • Opens on 1 March and closes on 31 May
  • Opens on 1 July and closes on 30 September

Who can apply:

• Patient Group Support: Patient organisations and support groups who represent more than 50 families with a rare IEM are invited to apply.
• Travel & Training Bursaries: Applicants must be SSIEM Members and have been members of the Society for at least 3 months before applying for this award.

What to send:

• Travel & Training Bursaries
  • A short statement of why the applicant should be considered for funding, a short CV, a supporting letter from the applicant’s centre guaranteeing release to attend if successful, and, if applicable, a letter of support from the specific training centre.
  • The name and e-mail address of the applicant’s Manager, Head of Department or Supervisor; for training centre attendance, the host Supervisor’s e-mail address.

What the charity says:

• Applications are independently judged by a panel from the SSIEM Advisory Council.