Prizes and Grants.

BAPO offers a range of prizes and grants to support excellence, innovation, and professional development within paediatric ENT. These awards recognise outstanding research, clinical practice, and contributions from both trainees and established members.

Susanna Leighton Fellowship Prize
Prize Amount: up to £750

Overview

In memory of the late Mrs Susanna Leighton. Susanna was the lead surgeon on the cochlear implant team at Great Ormond Street. She also developed an interest in airway management in craniosynostosis and authored extensively on the subject. She married Barry and had a daughter (Claudia) and two sons (John and Finn).
 
We established “The Susanna Leighton Fellowship” in her memory to support training-grade surgeons. This memorial prize of £750 will be awarded to a trainee following the oral presentations at the annual BAPO meeting.The prize money will go towards attending a BAPO course, the next BAPO annual meeting or the next ESPO congress.

Entry Requirements

  • Open to trainee surgeons
  • Awarded based on oral presentations at the BAPO Annual Meeting
  • Time allocation at BAPO Free paper session

Award Details

  • The prize money will go towards attendence at the next BAPO Annual Meeting, a BAPO-led course, or the European Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ESPO) event.
  • The money is to be used with 2 years of the award.

Submission Details

  • Abstract submission
Amged El-Hawrani Memorial Prize
Prize Amount: up to £750

Overview

The tragic death of Consultant ENT Surgeon Amged El-Hawrani, Queen’s Hospital, Burton, from Covid-19 Coronavirus in March 2020 was a devastating blow to his family, colleagues and the wider ENT community.
 
Alongside paediatric ENT, Amged had a special interest in H&N surgery, thyroid surgery and skin cancer. He was full of energy, known for his very high workload, cared deeply about his patients and had time for everyone. He was particularly known for his good reputation as a clinical teacher and trainer. This memorial prize of £750 will be awarded to a trainee following the oral presentations at the annual BAPO meeting.The prize money will go towards attending a BAPO course, the next BAPO annual meeting or the next ESPO congress.

Entry Requirements

  • Open to trainee surgeons
  • Awarded based on oral presentations at the BAPO Annual Meeting
  • Time allocation at BAPO Free paper session

Award Details

  • The prize money will go towards attendence at the next BAPO Annual Meeting, a BAPO-led course, or the European Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ESPO) event.
  • The money is to be used with 2 years of the award.

Submission Details

  • Abstract submission
Best Poster Prize

Overview

Awarded to the best poster presentation at the BAPO Annual Meeting.

Entry Requirements

  • Open to Annual Meeting participants submitting posters

Award Details

  • Judged during the Annual Meeting
BAPOJ Research Grant
Prize Amount: up to £1,500

Overview

This grant supports research projects in paediatric otorhinolaryngology.

Entry Requirements

  • Open to BAPOJ members
  • Submission of a research abstract
  • Shortlisted applicants will present their proposal at the BAPO Annual Meeting
  • Applicants should be prepared to deliver a “pitch perfect” presentation

Submission Details

  • Abstract submission opens prior to the September Annual Meeting
  • Finalists present in person at the Annual Meeting
BAPOJ Travelling Fellowship Prize
Prize Amount: up to £1,000

Overview

This fellowship provides funding to support a paediatric otolaryngology fellowship experience.

Entry Requirements

  • Open to BAPOJ members
  • Submission of a 500-word response to a paediatric ENT topic, question, or controversy

Award Details

  • Prize awarded at the September Annual Meeting
  • Winner will be expected to write a review for the website detailing their fellowship experience.

Submission Details

  • Further submission details will be announced in our June email newsletter 
BAPO & Karl Storz Going for a Greener Future Sustainability Prize
Prize Amount: up to £1,500

Overview

Healthcare waste is a significant contributor to the NHS carbon footprint, with operating theatres alone accounting for a substantial proportion of a hospital’s total waste output. In paediatric ENT, many high-volume procedures designed to improve children’s quality of life can unintentionally contribute to environmental harm.

The BAPO & Karl Storz “Going for a Greener Future” Sustainability Prize recognises projects and ideas that address this challenge. It supports initiatives that reduce environmental impact, improve sustainability in clinical practice, and contribute to meaningful, long-term change within paediatric ENT.

Entry Requirements

  • Open to eligible applicants (confirm if restricted to members)
  • Submission of a 500-word project proposal
  • Proposal must demonstrate how sustainability can be improved or has already made a measurable impact

Submission Details

  • Deadline: Friday 25 July
  • Method: Email submission
  • Email Address: info@bapo.co.uk
  • Subject Line: BAPO Sustainability Prize
Victoria Possamai Global Travelling Fellowship Award
Prize Amount: up to £4,000

About Victoria

Victoria “Vikki” Possamai was, quite simply, extraordinary. A surgeon of the highest calibre, she combined intellectual brilliance with deep humanity, earning the respect of colleagues and the trust of countless children and families. It was not only her clinical excellence that defined her, but her warmth, kindness, and unwavering generosity of spirit.

Born in Wales and raised in Essex, Vikki was proud of her British and Italian heritage and of the close-knit family that shaped her. One of four siblings, she grew up surrounded by love and energy, qualities she carried throughout her life. She excelled academically and in sport, but it was her kindness and joy that stood out most.

Vikki had a rare ability to make everything around her better. Patients felt reassured, colleagues supported, and friends uplifted in her presence. She believed deeply in people, in nurturing potential, sharing knowledge, and lifting others up. A natural teacher and mentor, she gave her time generously, leading without ego and shaping those around her in lasting ways.

Despite her many achievements, she remained humble and grounded, always guided by a strong sense of purpose and care for others. At the centre of her life was her family, her husband Arjun and their children, Maya and Raushan, of whom she was immensely proud. She embraced life fully, treasuring time with family and friends, both in everyday moments and on travels further afield.

Her loss is profound and deeply felt across our community. Yet in the standards she set, the lives she touched, and the values she embodied, compassion, generosity, and a belief in education, her legacy endures

Overview

The Vikki Possamai Global Travelling Fellowship Award has been established in her memory to honour those values. It reflects her passion for the care of children, her commitment to education and training, and her belief in widening opportunity for others.
 
This fellowship offers clinicians, nurses, and speech and language therapists from low and lower-middle-income countries the opportunity to gain experience in paediatric otorhinolaryngology through observerships in UK tertiary centres, alongside dedicated training. In doing so, it aims not only to support individual development but to strengthen services and improve the care of children globally.
 
In this way, her legacy is not only remembered but lived again and again in the care of children and the growth of those who dedicate their lives to them.

About the Fellowship

This is an exciting opportunity for an ear, nose and throat specialist, specialist nurse or speech and language therapist with a paediatric practice to obtain further experience during an observership at a UK tertiary paediatric centre. This opportunity will also include a tertiary centre paediatric ear, nose and throat course. Delegates will be selected by a panel.
 
Applicants will be selected from low, low- middle income economies (as classified by the World Bank), where paediatric otorhinolaryngology training skills are needed, must hold a permanent position in their institution and obtain permission from their institution to attend. Applicants are required to check visa entry requirements and ensure appropriate visas are obtained.

Funding

Up to £4000 (course fees are included/waived separately). The fellowship aims to cover the cost of economy flights, accommodation, meal allowances and course fees.

Duration
 
3-4 weeks

Open to

ENT doctors with a defined interest in Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology or service that reflects this in their country of origin.
 
Nurses with a specialist paediatric otorhinolaryngology practice (e.g. tracheostomy nurses, paediatric otorhinolaryngology nurse specialists) wishing to gain further experience.
 
Speech and Language therapists with a specialist paediatric otorhinolaryngology practice and wishing to gain further experience

To apply

Please send a CV, a letter of recommendation from your head of department or supervisor, and 500 words supporting statement of why you should be considered for this fellowship and how training would be helpful to you and your service.
 
For further information regarding conditions, expectations and eligibility please contact info@bapo.co.uk

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