Exchange of Experience Program

Last Updated – August 2025

Overview | Types of EoEs: Virtual, One-on-One | Quotes

Overview

BINA offers three types of ‘Exchange of Experience’ opportunities (EoE), one which is virtual and free for anyone to participate, and two that involve in person visits to imaging facilities. For in-person EoEs, BINA will provide financial assistance for North American members working in Canada, Mexico and the United States to participate in visits with peer imaging facilities to learn new techniques, develop or expand management skills, and/or image data management and analysis skills. In rare circumstances, BINA may support members not working in Canada, Mexico or the United States who are members of other international bioimaging networks (e.g. Latin America BioImaging, African BioImaging Consortium), to visit Canada/US/Mexico-based peer imaging facilities to learn new techniques, develop or expand management, and/or image data management and analysis skills. While preference for financial support through this program will be given to imaging core facility professionals and those interested in a career in these facilities, other BINA members are also encouraged to participate in the program, accepting that their applications may be ranked lower in priority if funds are limited. Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee participation in the program; all applications will be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis depending on available resources and program priorities

NOTE: under this Exchange of Experience (EoE) program BINA will reimburse pre-approved travel and/or accommodation expenses related directly to the EoE visit ONLY. In order to be eligible for reimbursement these expenses need to comply with the BINA Travel Guidance & Expense Reimbursement guidelines set forth in this document.

Types of BINA Exchange of Experience

1. Virtual Group EoE

Virtual EoEs are facilitated by the BINA Training and Education Working Group and have been occurring monthly by Zoom since January 2022. They are FREE and open to anyone. The virtual EoEs provide an opportunity for core facility professionals at all levels to engage in an hour long discussion around topics of mutual interest. Participants can influence the topic of future discussions by bringing up ideas during the event. You do not need to be a BINA member to attend, but one-time registration is required – Register here!

Registering for a Virtual EoE does not automatically enroll you as a BINA member. We strongly encourage you to become a BINA member – it is free and you can join here

2. In-person one-on-one EoE

This program is now active!
This program is intended to facilitate in-person visits to host-facilities that occur over multiple days (3-5 days) by providing logistical and financial support. Requests for assistance with a one-on-one in-person EoE can be initiated in several of ways:

• Case 1: You know the facility you want to visit
  • Step 1: Identify the facility leader or contact person.
  • Step 2: Prepare a short message introducing yourself, your research interests, and what you hope to gain from the visit.
  • Step 3: Email the facility leader to explain your request and include your background, timeline, and funding source if applicable.
  • Step 4: Confirm the facility’s willingness to host and clarify logistics such as potential dates, duration, training format, and visitor requirements.
  • Step 5: Once the leader has confirmed they are willing to host, contact BINA Program Team at contact@bioimagingna.org . Make sure that you include the facility contact(s)!
  • Step 6: Fill out the online application form. To help with completing the form you can view this document.
  • Step 7: BINA committee will review applications and inform you of results
  • Step 8: If approved, set up your flights/lodging per travel regulations
  • Step 9: Enjoy your EoE!
  • Steep 10: Notifiy BINA Program Team of EoE completion, and submit reimbursement paperwork (provided by BINA Program Team)
  • Step 11: Fill out survey about EoE and don’t forget to tag BINA on any social media posts!
• Case 2: You are looking for the right facility
  • Step 1: Visit the BINA Core Facilities page to search for facilities that match the technology or expertise you need.
  • Step 2: Review the capabilities, location, and availability of potential facilities.
  • Step 3: Reach out to facility leaders or administrators with a clear introduction and your training goals.
  • Step 4: Track and evaluate responses to identify the best fit for your particular needs and goals. 
    • If you cannot locate a suitable facility, contact the BINA Program Team at contact@bioimagingna.org, with details about your training goals, project needs, and preferred timeline and we will work with you to identify a facility that meets your needs.
  • Step 5: Identify the facility leader or contact person.
  • Step 6: Prepare a short message introducing yourself, your research interests, and what you hope to gain from the visit.
  • Step 7: Email the facility leader to explain your request and include your background, timeline, and funding source if applicable.
  • Step 8: Confirm the facility’s willingness to host and clarify logistics such as potential dates, duration, training format, and visitor requirements.
  • Step 9: Once the leader has confirmed they are willing to host, contact BINA Program Team at contact@bioimagingna.org . Make sure that you include the facility contact(s)!
  • Step 10: Fill out the online application form. To help with completing the form you can view this document.
  • Step 11: BINA committee will review applications and inform you of results
  • Step 12: If approved, set up your flights/lodging per travel regulations 
  • Step 13: Enjoy your EoE!
  • Steep 14: Notifiy BINA Program Team of EoE completion, and submit reimbursement paperwork (provided by BINA Program Team)
  • Step 15: Fill out survey about EoE and don’t forget to tag BINA on any social media posts!

Please reach out to contact@bioimagingna.org at any time if you have questions.

Are you interested in hosting an EoE?

If you are a North American BINA member with a technology or expertise that you are willing to share with others through one of these exchange of experience activities, please ensure your facility is listed on the BINA Core Facility page. If it is listed but you wish to update your profile indicating a willingness to host an Exchange of Experience, please do so using the Edit your Facility button at the top right. If you have any questions about the program don’t hesitate to reach out to us contact@bioimagingna.org.

Quotes from Past Exchange of Experience Participants:

• “Wonderful experience! Thank you so much for organizing!” ~Anonymous, PoP-Up EoE participant
• “Thank you for an amazing two days!” ~Anonymous, PoP-Up EoE participant
• “This was a wonderful experience and I really appreciate the organizing staff for their thoroughness and thoughtfulness.” ~Anonymous, PoP-Up EoE participant
• “It was an amazing experience and I am very grateful for being part of this community. I learned a lot, not only during the conference, but watching [the communications] and logistics.” ~Anonymous, PoP-Up EoE participant
• “The BINA Exchange of Experience Program is an incredible addition to the imaging community. It is not possible to quantify the collective knowledge of imaging scientists as their responsibilities extend far beyond normal scientific measures. Such information can only be transmitted through one-on-one and community congresses that are not typically supported by grant mechanisms and academic institutions. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to listen, learn, and exchange ideas with this community and am inspired to promote information exchange in the area of imaging science.” ~Anonymous, In Person One on One EoE participant
• “What a great experience I was in MBL together with imaging scientists! For me, our hub and the projects we have in Lightsheet microscopy in Sud America, was a tremendous impulse to offer best knowledge and service to the current and future users in Lightsheet microscopy.” ~Anonymous, In Person One on One EoE participant
• “MLMC Train-the-Trainer gave me not only a good methodology to teach microscopy but also skills to improve my teaching.” ~Élida Gastélum Martínez, In Person One on One EoE participant
• “Having two colleagues from different microscopy facilities visit my platform and discussing each of our experiences and best practices was a wonderful way to strengthen our networks. We were quite literally exchanging.” ~Anonymous, In Person One on One EoE Host
• “This program was my springboard to visit one of the Core Facilities I found most desirable and personally interesting. It allowed me to use a microscope that is not accessible in my Core Facility or anywhere in Mexico. This program enabled me to use, test, and gain confidence with a STED microscope at ABIF at McGill University. Additionally, these experiences provided me with a great opportunity to improve my English, network with staff members, and share experiences within the bioimaging community across the Americas.” ~ Alexis Ricardo Becerril Cuevas, In Person One on One EoE participant.
• “This exchange was an inspiring and rewarding experience that reinforced my motivation for my research and provided me with valuable technical knowledge. I also established connections with individuals for future collaborations.” ~Anonymous, In Person One on One EoE participant