The IFBLS Fellowship Award
In 2024, the IFBLS Board of Directors was pleased to announce the inaugural launch of the IFBLS Fellowship Award, an unprecedented initiative designed to recognize visionary leaders in the field across the globe.
The IFBLS Fellows Award is designed to provide meaningful recognition to individuals belonging to an organization that is a member (BLS Association Member, a Group Member or both) of IFBLS. The individual must have contributed significantly to IFBLS, and to Biomedical Laboratory Science (BLS) as a BLS, educator, clinician, advocate, researcher or administrator.
This award is designed to recognize and stimulate the striving for excellence within the field. Fellows of the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists may use the credential FIFBLS.
The maximum number of Fellowship Awards per cycle shall be five (5). This cycle shall coincide with the annual General Assembly of Delegates (GAD).
Use of the FIFBLS Credential
Luminaries in the field of Biomedical Laboratory Science, who meet the eligibility requirements and who are entered onto the roll of Fellows by the Board of IFBLS may use the FIFBLS credentials after their name, in conjunction with their other academic and professional credentials.
The FIFBLS credential is not an honor that should be discarded lightly; Fellows are expected to engage in IFBLS activities (e.g. Attendance at GAD, World Congress, and webinars, or contributing to the journal) and to remain active in their home association.
Who is Eligible for Fellowship?
Candidates for Fellowship in IFBLS are required to have the following basic qualifications:
- Professional academic education and training for practice in home country
- Certification which is appropriate to the applicant's specialty practice
- A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the field of Biomedical Laboratory Science
- Record of ongoing contribution in the international arena through engagement and contribution to the work of IFBLS
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- Active participation at and contribution to the General Assembly of Delegates (GAD), IFBLS World Congress or IFBLS webinars
- Oral or poster presentations at Congress, moderate at Congress, or present at an IFBLS webinar
- Publish in, or provide editorial advice to the International Journal of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IJBLS)
- Have held an IFBLS Board of Director position
- In addition to the above requirements, candidates should demonstrate activity within one or more of the following areas of professional accomplishment:
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- Exceptional record in education
- Exceptional record in leadership
- Exceptional record in Biomedical Laboratory Science research
- Advocacy efforts in the field of Biomedical Laboratory Science
Nominations for Fellowship
Fellow nominations may be made by:
- IFBLS Board of Director(s)
- IFBLS Chief Delegate plus (1) current, or former, IFBLS Board of Director
- Two (2) current IFBLS Fellows
- The IFBLS President
The Fellowships may be awarded to past IFBLS Board members or Chief Delegates who fulfil the criteria and are nominated as above. Current IFBLS Board members are not eligible for the award.
Each submission should be made on the Nomination Form, accompanied by the supporting documentation for the submission criteria (resume or CV), and a letter of recommendation from the nominator attesting to the suitability of the candidate and their qualifications under the categories above.
The IFBLS Awards Committee has designated July 1st of each year as the final date for acceptance of these nominations.
Selection Process
The IFBLS Awards Committee selects the Fellows by scoring each nomination using the following submission criteria:
Leadership
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- Activities or qualities of the nominee that have influenced Biomedical Laboratory Science standards and professional practice
- Note various leadership positions
- Demonstrate citing as an internal leader
Service
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- Activities of qualities of the candidate that support IFBLS
- Service to IFBLS and national committees and councils
Impact
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- Develops and executes creative approaches to BLS leadership
- Advances the knowledge base of BLS leadership
- Promotes BLS positively
- Serves as a formal and informal mentor to BLSs
Only completed applications who fulfil the qualifications will be considered for the Fellowship Award. The Awards Committee will present its selection to the IFBLS Board of Directors for final approval. Final decisions are generally announced in September/October.
Misuse of Credential and Removal of Designation
Should the IFBLS membership of the Association Member lapse, a Fellow is no longer permitted to display FIFBLS after their name in any context.
The designation FIFBLS is the exclusive intellectual property of IFBLS.
The designation shall be removed if:
- The Fellow ceases to be of good standing in the BLS community, or brings the IFBLS into disrepute as judged by the Awards Committee and ratified by the Board.
- The Fellows ceases to be a member (any of class) of their home association, or that Association Member defaults or is withdrawn from IFBLS membership.
- The Fellow is disqualified from practice by their local regulator (if applicable), this can be voluntary or a statutory regulator.
There is an obligation by the nominator, or their home association, to alert the IFBLS if the Fellow fails to meet continuing Fellowship requirements.
Awarding of Fellowship
Fellowship is conferred by the President of IFBLS at the annual General Assembly of Delegates. A certificate will be awarded to new Fellows.
The names of the newly elected Fellows are maintained on the Roll of Fellows and published in the IFBLS publications.
