Personal reflections from the ICYMARE Travel Grant recipients

Thanks to the generous support from our sponsors, we were able to continue the popular ICYMARE travel grants program. This year, we allocated €5000 to help eight students and early career researchers travel to and present at ICYMARE 2024 BREMEN. We understand how costly conferences can be, especially for students, so we keep our fees low and offer travel assistance whenever possible. Check out the testimonials from some of this year’s grant recipients below and – if you’re interested in a travel grant for ICYMARE 2025 BREMERHAVEN – subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the application process and deadlines.

Gabriel Rivas Mena (University of Montenegro, Montenegro):
“It was an honor receiving the ICYMARE 2024 BREMEN travel grant. This grant provided me with a unique opportunity to connect with other young marine researchers, exchange ideas and meet future colleagues. The conference was well organized, I could enjoy the collaborative atmosphere and the passion from the coordination to provide the next generation of marine scientists with tools to benefit their future research. I am incredibly grateful for the support that made this possible.”

Gordetskaya (University of Rostock, Germany):
“Attending ICYMARE 2024 BREMEN was an incredible experience. Being a part of this event together with the global community of young marine scientists expanded my contact network and brought me motivation to go forward. The interdisciplinary talks and workshops, featuring experts like journalists and managers, significantly boosted my soft skills essential for scientists. The diverse perspectives and innovative ideas shared at the conference have inspired new directions for my work. I am grateful for the travel grant that made this enriching opportunity possible.”

Anish Paul (National Centre for Biological Sciences, India):
“I’m deeply grateful to ICYMARE travel grants for supporting my journey from India to present at the conference in Bremen. As an early career researcher from the Global South, gaining recognition in marine biology is challenging. ICYMARE, through the travel grant, gave me the platform to share my work, connect with global researchers, and explore future collaborations. Beyond marine biology, discussions on mental health, work culture, scientific entrepreneurship, excursions, and workshops made it an unforgettable, enriching experience. Thank you, ICYMARE!”

Gardawheh Gad Boe (University of Algarve, Portugal):
“I am deeply grateful for the ICYMARE 2024 BREMEN travel grant, which enabled me to attend this inspiring event and connect with fellow young marine researchers. The support allowed me to present my research, exchange valuable ideas, and gain insights that will shape my future work. ICYMARE fosters a collaborative environment essential for scientific growth, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to be part of such a vibrant community. Thank you for making this experience possible!”

Juan Ignacio Vizzo (Estación de Fotobiología Playa Unión, Argentina):
“Thanks to ICYMARE and the support of a travel grant, I was able to share my work for the first time through a talk. This experience offered me valuable feedback and fresh insights into my field, while also helping me to expand my professional network. I connected with young researchers from different countries and institutes, and I look forward to maintaining these relationships, sharing information and knowledge, and exploring future opportunities together. I really enjoyed the conference and I will highly recommend it to other young researchers.”

Harshul Thareja (National Centre for Biological Sciences, India):
“I thoroughly enjoyed attending ICYMARE 2024 BREMEN! The atmosphere at the conference was very warm and welcoming. The diversity of topics covered by the talks and posters was helpful in getting a broad overview of what’s happening in marine research around the world. I’m grateful for the travel grant which allowed me to experience and present at the conference, and interact with fellow young researchers.”