MRBA to Offer Training Bursaries for UK Researchers

UK industry charity the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) is launching a bursary programme called MRBA Skills, offering financial help to researchers new to the industry, and others eager to improve their skills and enhance their prospects.

The MRBA provides financial support and advice to people who are working or have worked within the MR industry, regardless of their title, level or role. Since 1977, it has helped hundreds of people and their dependants experiencing financial difficulties due to illness, injury, bereavement or other personal problems, and the launch of MRBA Skills is part of a drive to broaden its scope.

It is hoped the programme will support up to ten applicants a year, with strict criteria in place to ensure that only researchers who cannot afford the funding themselves, or whose employer does not have sufficient budget, will receive skills funding. From this month, it will support those taking the Market Research Society (MRS) Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice - the degree-level vocational qualification for the research sector, so far passed by 6,500 candidates in more than 40 countries.

MRBA Trustee and Network Research MD Virginia Monk says it's wonderful that MRBA is able to do something to help people at the beginning of their careers who may not be able to afford to fund the cost of this qualification. Chairman Ian Brace adds: 'One of the ways we think we can help improve people's lives further, is to help them achieve the relevant qualifications that will make a difference to their career prospects and keep them out of need'.

MRBA is online at: www.mrba.org.uk and a short video about the new programme can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/fsYPWh1UkX8 .