We are proud to announce the launch of our newest initiative, which aims to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within our scientific community. As part of our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued, we are introducing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Travel Award for our upcoming meeting.

Eligibility Criteria:
Open to researchers of any rank (trainees and independent scientists) from traditionally underserved or underrepresented demographic groups. This includes—but is not limited to—individuals who belong to communities of color (e.g., Black, Native American) and to communities that face discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, or disability; and individuals who are parents, caregivers, or first-generation professionals.

To be eligible for the award, awardees must submit an abstract, register for the meeting, and attend the meeting for the current year. A total of five (5) awardees will be selected by the DEI Committee using the abstract scoring process as a guide.

The DEI Travel Award ($1,000 USD per award) can be used to recuperate travel expenses and registration fees for selected recipients. Awardees will receive an identifying ribbon on their conference badge. We encourage everyone to share this opportunity with their networks. Thank you for joining us in our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in swine biomedical science. Together, we can work towards building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive scientific community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We look forward to welcoming a diverse group of scholars, researchers, and medical professionals to the Swine in Biomedical Research Conference in 2024 and to continuing the important work of fostering inclusivity within our field.

This award is made possible by USDA NIFA Conference Grant 2024-67015-42024.