@bspp
BSPP supports the global plant pathology community through research, education, funding & policy work. Founded in 1981, we champion plant health to protect ecosystems & food security. 🌍🌿 www.bspp.org.uk
Funded Summer Research Placements 2026
We have 15 fully funded Undergraduate Vacation Bursaries! This is a fantastic opportunity for 2nd to final year students to gain hands-on experience in world-class labs.
Deadline: 10th April 2026
Apply here: www.bspp.org.uk/funds/vacati...
New BSPP blog: Scientists uncover the toxin behind walnut twig blight.
The fungus Phomopsis capsici uses 5-methylmellein to damage walnut branches — a discovery that could help develop resistant varieties and new disease management strategies.
Read more: www.bspp.org.uk/saving-the-w...
We’re delighted to welcome our new members to the BSPP Board and Publications team!
Prof. Paul Birch joins as Vice President, Dr Jennifer Hodgetts as Treasurer, Dr Helen Cockerton as Programme Secretary, and Dr Stephen Parnell as New Disease Reports Editor.
Read: www.bspp.org.uk/new-appointm...
Speaker highlight!
Adrian Fox will be presenting at Plant Pathology 2026. Bringing together researchers, industry professionals and early-career scientists working across crop health disciplines.
Early-bird registration is open until 31 May.
Find out more: www.bspp.org.uk/plant-pathol...
What does the future hold for our oak trees?
Join us for a webinar panel discussion to discuss our upcoming new report, The State of the UK's Oaks, and its findings.
Tuesday 17 March, 2026, 2pm-3pm
Book here https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RyAaAp_EQ72AY8DxX2VpdQ#/registration
We are delighted to celebrate Professor John Carr as a new BSPP Honorary Member.
Professor Carr’s research career has helped shape modern understanding of plant defence signalling and plant-virus interactions.
Read more about Professor Carr’s journey: www.bspp.org.uk/new-bspp-hon...
Speaker highlight!
Adriaan Verhage will be presenting at Plant Pathology 2026. Bringing together researchers, industry professionals and early-career scientists working across crop health disciplines.
Early-bird registration is open until 31 May.
Find out more: www.bspp.org.uk/plant-pathol...
BSPP Masters Bursaries: Now Open!
Applications are now open for BSPP Masters Bursaries, supporting MSc and MRes students in plant pathology and related disciplines.
Please share with students and colleagues who may be eligible.
Find out more and apply:
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/mscmres/
BSPP Vacation Bursaries: Deadline reminder for supervisors
The deadline for supervisors to submit projects for the BSPP Vacation Bursary Scheme is approaching. Make sure your proposal is submitted by Friday!
Details & submission guidance:
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/vacati...
BSPP Conference 2026: Registration Now Live
Join us at Plant Pathology 2026 (PPATH2026) and Early Careers Plant Pathology 2026 (ECPP2026).
Network with the plant pathology community
Share research
Support early-career scientists
Register here: www.PlantPathology.org.uk
Applications now open for Summer Studentships 2026!
Successful applicants will be:
🌿In receipt of £504.38 per week for a studentship period of up to 6 weeks
🌿Invited to write a blog for the BiPS website
🌿Invited to attend and present at the next BiPS Conference
Apply here: bit.ly/4qf2ZDG
A person working in a greenhouse. Text says Funding opportunity: Host a Plant Health Undergraduate Studentship, Apply by 10 March
Are you a researcher looking to help the next generation of plant scientists gain valuable experience? Then consider applying to host a Plant Health Undergraduate Studentship this summer!
📆Apply by Tues 10 March
Find out more: www.rsb.org.uk/plant-health...
#PlantHealth
Thinking of supervising a student this summer?
BSPP Vacation Bursaries = flexible projects + great student engagement 🌱
Deadline for proposals: 13 Feb
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/vacati...
BSPP MSc/MRes Bursary, up to £4,000 to support postgraduate study in plant pathology.
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/mscmres/
#PlantPathology #PostgradFunding #BSPP
BSPP Best Student Paper Prizes 2025
Plant Pathology: William J. W. Thomas, first genetic insights into resistance to white leaf spot in canola.
Molecular Plant Pathology: Corrie V. Vincent, definitive evidence that concanamycins drive virulence in potato common scab.
www.bspp.org.uk/369937-2/
Supervisors:
BSPP’s Undergraduate Vacation Bursary is open for project proposals!
Lab, field or remote projects welcome.
Deadline: 13 Feb 2026
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/vacati...
Undertaking an MSc, MRes or MPhil in a plant pathology-related field?
BSPP bursaries of up to £4,000 open on 3 February.
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/mscmres/
Supervisor applications now open! Propose a project for the BSPP Undergraduate Vacation Bursary and mentor an undergraduate researcher in plant pathology this summer.
🔗 www.bspp.org.uk/funds/underg...
#PlantPathology #StudentFunding #BSPP #UndergradResearch
We’re delighted to welcome Prof. Saskia Hogenhout as the new BSPP President, whose pioneering research on plant-microbe-insect interactions is transforming our understanding of pathogen transmission and plant health.
More about her work @johninnescentre.bsky.social www.jic.ac.uk/people/saski...
BSPP Presidential transition!
A huge thank you to Prof. Matthew Dickinson, completing his term as BSPP President after decades of service (including 97 Board meetings!) His leadership has profoundly shaped the Society in numerous ways.
The UK has officially eradicated the Colorado potato beetle after two years of surveillance and control following its detection in Kent.
A big win for UK plant health and biosecurity.
More info: www.gov.uk/government/n...
A person holding a tablet with graphs in front of some plants. Text says: Plant Health Series webinar, cross-sector innovation in microbiome-based protection, Tuesday 3 February 2026, 14:00 to 15:00, online
Don't miss our #PlantHealth Series webinar: Cross-Sector Innovation in Microbiome-Based Protection
Learn about sustainable crop protection, microbial solutions, and alternatives to conventional pesticides and fungicides.
📆 Tues 3 Feb, 14:00-15:00
Find out more: my.rsb.org.uk/item.php?eve...
Supervisors! Project proposals for the UG Vacation Bursary Scheme open on 5th January 2026.
Submit your summer research project ideas and help support the next generation of plant pathologists.
Opens: 5 Jan
Deadline: 12 Feb
www.bspp.org.uk/funds/vacati...
First report of Hoya tobamovirus 2 in Australia, detected across multiple Hoya species and confirmed via sequencing & RT-PCR.
doi.org/10.1002/ndr2...
New NDR report: Diplodia seriata & Dothiorella viticola confirmed as causes of citrus dieback in Morocco through morphology, ITS sequencing and pathogenicity tests.
doi.org/10.1002/ndr2...
#PlantHealth #Citrus
First report: Meloidogyne javanica confirmed on Acalypha indica in Thailand, supported by morphology, PCR and pathogenicity tests.
doi.org/10.1002/ndr2...
#PlantHealth
New BSPP report: Ceratobasidium niltonsouzanum confirmed causing thread blight on coffee in Peru, supported by morphology, ITS sequencing and pathogenicity tests.
doi.org/10.1002/ndr2...
#PlantPathology #Coffee
This #NationalTreeWeek, we’re celebrating trees, and the science that protects them from diseases like ash dieback.
Plant, protect, and plan for healthy forests!
treecouncil.org.uk/seasonal-cam...
The RSB Plant Health Professional Development Award recognises professionals committed to protecting crops & ecosystems through high standards in biosecurity and plant science.
New BSPP blog: The search for black rot-resistant brassicas
Researchers uncover promising genetic resistance to one of the most damaging brassica diseases, a key step toward sustainable crop protection.
www.bspp.org.uk/the-search-f...