The Association of British Spectroscopists Trust (ABS Trust)

ABS Trust

Association of British Spectroscopists Trust

FOUNDED 1977, CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 275189

For the promotion, acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in regard to Spectroscopy and for education and training in Spectroscopy.

Trustees 2021: Terry Threlfall (Treasurer), John Chalmers, Neil Everall, Duncan Graham, John Monaghan, Nick Walker, Susan Crossland

Please address all correspondence to: abstrustuk@gmail.com

Although the Trustees will be sensitive to the Association of British Spectroscopists (ABS) Trust Fund Guidelines (see below), their ultimate responsibility is to the Charity Commissioners for compliance with the terms of the Trust Deed.

In general, the Trustees make funds available through an application to a Trustee or recognised Officer of one of the Groups or Societies associated with the ABS (see later), or an Officer of a recognised UK-based Spectroscopy Group or Society. In other cases, the Trustees will need a comment of support from one of the recognised UK-based Spectroscopy Groups or Societies.

The income of the Trust derives from interest on existing capital and endowments and the Trustees are committed to adding to this capital fund for the long-range benefit of the Trust and its objectives. They therefore distinguish between “Grants” and “Loans”. Grants are given to groups for purposes that are likely not to create income/surplus. Grants are normally small sums, less than £1,000. Loans may be offered as pump-priming money for events that may reasonably cover their own expenses or even earn a profit/surplus, in which case the ABS Trust expects to receive repayment of the loan from any such surplus/profit generated.

Although no interest is charged on loans from the ABS, donations to increase the capital fund are welcomed.*

*Such a capital donation occurred when the UVSG (Ultraviolet Spectrometry Group) was disbanded in 2000.

For information on the Kirkbright Bursary Award click see Kirkbright Bursary Award (KBA) page and KBA Application Form and KBA Recipients pages.

ABS TRUST – GUIDELINES

  1. OBJECTS
    1. Start-up funds can be loaned for spectroscopic conferences within the UK, or possibly within Europe.
    2. Assistance can be given:
      1. to UK-based spectroscopy Groups or Societies.
      2. through such a Group or Society, to individuals for spectroscopy research either directly or for attendance at meetings in the UK or abroad,
      3. through such a Group or Society, to students in the UK to participate in meetings.
  2. APPLICATION 
    1. An application for finance will normally be sponsored by a letter or email from a UK-based spectroscopy Group or Society (see Affiliated Groups) through a letter or an email to an ABS Trust Trustee.
  3. LIMITATIONS
    1. Grants will be made to spectroscopists working in all areas of spectroscopy with preference to those from lower funded establishments.
    2. Support grants for students will be considered when it is evident that they will benefit from or contribute to a scientific meeting.
  4. FUNDING
    1. Groups, Societies and others are reminded that in addition to dispersing monies, the Trust is a registered charity. As such it is in a position to receive grants, covenants and legacies to increase its investment capital.
    5. DONATIONS
    1. Donations to the ABS Trust may be made by contacting the ABS Trust Treasurer via an email to abstrustuk@gmail.com or contacting an ABS Trustee.