Thank you for supporting the fund set up in Professor Simon McQueen-Mason's memory, it gives us great pleasure to share the final total raised: £8,905.75.

The response speaks volumes to Simon’s impact in the scientific community, and the admiration and respect his friends and colleagues have for him. Thank you. This is an update on the plans for these donations in Simon’s memory.

In the summer of 2024, Generation Research will launch the Simon McQueen-Mason Award, and it will hold a unique place within the existing programme. Simon’s journey into academia, and his passion for the natural world, is an inspiration to students just starting out. It also encourages those from an underrepresented background because, as Simon’s story shows us, anyone passionate about the research deserves the opportunity to grow and discover.

The money raised from this page will be used in two ways. It will be used to uplift and add value to the three awards already pledged by CNAP in Simon’s name, and incredibly it will mean the Generation Research scheme can host an additional 4th project, funded by the Simon McQueen-Mason Award.

Now the fund has closed, we wanted to share a little more background on the project your money will support, if you are not familiar with the Generation Research scheme.

It was first rolled out to eight University of York students to complete a studentship in the Department of Biology over the summer of 2021. The founding aims were:

1. For students: Promote studentship opportunities fairly to all. Working to overcome access issues for students with ‘low social capital’ or protected characteristics, who often will not apply to similar programmes because of financial restrictions or lack of support.
2. For postdocs, technicians, and early career scientists: The opportunity to provide cohort level mentorship, and work on their supervision skills.

In 2022, the scheme expanded with twenty-four students participating in labs across the country, and the benefit shines through in the words of the students:

What I enjoyed most about my studentship was getting real experience in a laboratory work environment and being able to immerse myself in the work I did over the summer. It was incredibly valuable for my scientific skills.

From next year, you can read more about the Simon McQueen-Mason Award, and the wider Generation Research project at their website here.