The I4A initiative, generously funded by Wellcome Trust, is designed to empower imaging scientists from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by providing them with access to cutting-edge imaging tools and world-class training opportunities.

Empowering Imaging Research Across the Globe

The i4A initiative is open to researchers at all career stages—from early-career scientists to experienced imaging facility staff and managers—covering a wide array of research fields. Whether your work involves plant biology, marine science, microbiology, astrobiology, biomedical research, or infectious diseases, this funding can help advance your scientific endeavors.

Successful applicants will have the flexibility to use i4A funding for a variety of research-enhancing activities, including but not limited to:

• Accessing imaging equipment for experiments
• Gathering preliminary data for research proposals
• Learning new imaging modalities and sample preparation techniques
• Receiving expert assistance to develop imaging assays
• Developing skills in image data processing
• Acquiring skills in managing imaging facilities

This is a unique opportunity for imaging enthusiasts in the LMIC community to receive both technical and financial support tailored to their specific scientific interests.

Choose your i4A funding track

This first call is open until November 30th. To address the various imaging-related goals, i4A offers three funding tracks, each covering costs related to visa processing, travel, accommodation and accessing imaging services or training:

In the Access Track, funding can be used to access any national or international imaging facility or laboratory with imaging instruments. The Access Track allows grantees to visit the hosting site for an average of two weeks to develop for example an imaging assay, perform imaging experiments, or learn specialised sample preparation techniques.

The Pro Track builds on GBI’s successful job shadowing program, offering a more tailored, in-depth experience in the context of learning to operate an imaging instrument, managing an imaging facility, and/or conducting experimental work for imaging facility staff and management and experienced microscopy users. The access duration is three to four weeks long. In the Pro Track, the hosting institution choice is restricted to core imaging facilities within the GBI network that are independently evaluated for their open-access services and the already established GBI job shadowing sites.

The Training Track offers in-person, hands-on training experience in all imaging-related topics, ranging from learning to use an imaging modality to image data processing, image data management and imaging facility management. Training Track funds cannot be used for GBI-organised training events, as these events have their own associated travel grants in case funding assistance is required.

Get support and guidance for your application

The i4A administration team is committed to supporting applicants every step of the way—from initial inquiries to final submissions. We are available to help you select the most suitable funding track, identify the right host institution, or find the best training course based on your scientific needs.

We encourage prospective applicants to contact us with a brief description of their project or research goals to begin the application process. Additionally, imaging facilities interested in hosting i4A-funded researchers are invited to reach out for more information.

Contact us at [email protected].

For more information, check our webpage!