ATLAS Program: Advanced Technology Learning and Science- A Roadmap For Success

Last Updated – Jan 2026

Overview | Budget & Funding | Things to Consider| Application | Quotes

Overview

BINA offers 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. Please note that events supported by BINA do not qualify for the ATLAS program.

Examples of possible ATLAS visits:

• Attending a conference or meeting
• Attending a workshop (including as part of a conference)
• Training or collaboration visit with a facility/lab

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.

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

To avoid duplicate funding, BINA will not provide event support program funding for members to attend events that are already supported by other BINA-funded initiatives. Approved events will be listed on Event Support page for reference.

NOTE: Under this ATLAS program BINA will reimburse pre-approved travel and/or accommodation and/or facility expenses related directly to the ATLAS visit. 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.

This program is intended to facilitate in-person visits to host-facilities that occur over multiple days by providing logistical and financial support.

Budget and Funding

The ATLAS program provides funding up to $2,500 USD per award. Funding may cover:

• Flights
• Ground transportation
• Accommodation
• Microscope/facility time (BINA may reimburse advertised fees for facility usage on a case by case basis)

All costs must follow BINA Travel & Expense Guidelines, as well as the BINA ATLAS Special Reimbursement Policy. Please note that supplies, reagents, or consumables are not reimbursable.

All costs, including expected facility fees must be pre-approved by the BINA Program.

Reimbursement: All receipts and documentation for reimbursement should be submitted to the BINA administrative team no later than 60 days after completion of the ATLAS visit.

Things to Consider:

Before applying

• Confirm you meet eligibility (North America-based)
• Identify a host core/lab that can directly teach you skills not available locally – this will be a factor in the application review
• Make sure your visit goals are specific
• Prepare clear statements on:
  • Impact on your community
  • Personal/career impact
  • Why this host is necessary

Visit planning

• Coordinate exact dates and training plan with the host core or lab
  • If you do not have a host selected – see the core facilities page, then contact them for further information and planning
• Ensure the host knows the expected time commitment (training, staff time, equipment time)
• Confirm administrative contact details for scheduling and on-boarding

Budget and funding

• Only include reimbursable items:
  • Flights
  • Ground transportation
  • Accommodation
• Ensure all costs follow BINA Travel & Expense Guidelines

Documentation

• Prepare CV in PDF
• Keep justification concise and aligned with BINA program priorities
• Keep receipts and follow reimbursement rules strictly

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

Application Process

Requests for assistance with a one-on-one in-person ATLAS can be initiated by filling out the form below.

• Fill out the online application form
  • BINA committee will review applications and inform you of results
  • If approved, set up your flights/lodging per travel regulations
  • Enjoy your ATLAS visit!
  • Notifiy BINA Program Team of ATLAS completion, and submit reimbursement paperwork (provided by BINA Program Team)
• Fill out survey about ATLAS and don’t forget to tag BINA on any social media posts!

Are you interested in hosting an ATLAS?

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 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 ATLAS 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.

Note: portions of this program were originally called EoE – Exchange of Experience 

Quotes from Past 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