LMS Grant Schemes Guidance Notes

Grant Scheme 1  Grant Scheme 2  Grant Scheme 3  Grant Scheme 4 
Grant Scheme 5 Grant Scheme 8 Grant Scheme 9 ECR Travel Grants

 

Grant Scheme 1

General Guidelines:

  • The Society will support only mathematical activities or the mathematical component of wider activities, and here the word “mathematical” excludes mathematics education.
  • The Society does not like to receive sequential applications for grants to support the same or closely related events, and will not allow its limits for individual schemes to be exceeded by artificially sub-dividing an application into a number of separate requests under different headings.
  • In the case of satellite conferences, organisers of the main meeting are asked to give brief details of any planned satellites as part of their application for a conference grant. Applications for support for satellite meetings should make clear the financial and organisational connection with the main meeting. This is particularly important in cases where the expenses of speakers could be shared between the two meetings. Special arrangements apply to the BMC and its satellites.
  • Applicants must comply with the Society’s policy on Women in Mathematics - please note that the Society considers a lack of invited women speakers to be a very real problem, and a failure to include women speakers are grounds for refusal for funding.
  • Additionally, please note the Society's advice on diversity at conferences/workshops/seminars.
  • Applicants should bear in mind that funding from the Society to support Scheme 1 grants is intended only to be partial.
  • Reasonable registration fees of between £10 and £20 per day should be charged. Organisers are encouraged to waive registration fees for participants who are retired or on a career break.
  • Academic and financial reports will be required after the visit.

Assessment Checklist:
Applicants may like to note the following checklist used by the Society when assessing applications:

  • Mathematical quality of the project.
  • Well-argued proposal, with a clear statement of the mathematical component in the case of a wider project.
  • Well thought out and cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs, and an appropriate and clearly identified balance of funding from other sources and the registration fee.
  • The difference made by the Society’s grant to the viability and success of the project.
  • Likely beneficiaries, in particular research students and participants from Scheme 5 countries.
  • Limitation on the number of grants awarded to any individual or department.
  • Sufficient time available for publicity of the event.
  • Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form:

  • Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
  • Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.
  • If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

Academic Case:

  • The academic justification for a Scheme 1 grant should focus on the benefit to UK mathematics that the proposed conference would bring.

Expenditure:

  • The maximum award shown on the website is the upper limit, not the standard award. Grants are made to meet actual expenditure on items in the application.
  • Visa costs are regarded as part of normal travel expenses.
  • The grant is not intended to cover the cost of secretarial help or publicity.
  • The grant may not be used to cover room hire but requests for grants to cover room hire at De Morgan House will be considered, where special circumstances can be shown.
  • The grant may not be used to cover catering but, if agreed by the Research Grants Committee, should your event be held at De Morgan House then the grant will also cover catering.
  • The grant cannot be used to cover registration fees.
  • Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes.

Application Checklist:
• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Attach Academic Case.
• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

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Grant Scheme 2

General Guidelines:
• The Committee will support only mathematical activities or the mathematical component of wider activities, and here the word mathematical excludes mathematics education.
• The Society does not like to receive sequential applications for grants to support the same or closely related events, and will not allow its limits for individual schemes to be exceeded by artificially sub-dividing an application into a number of separate requests under different headings.
• Academic and financial reports will be required after the visit.

Assessment Checklist:
Applicants may like to note the following checklist used by the Committee when assessing applications:
• Mathematical quality of the project.
• Well argued proposal, with a clear statement of the mathematical component in the case of a wider project.
• Well thought out and cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs, and an appropriate and clearly identified balance of funding from other sources.
• Likely beneficiaries.
• Limitation on the number of grants awarded to any individual or department.
• Sufficient time available for publicity of the event.
• Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form:
• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.
• CV’s should be no more than two sides of A4, which should include a list of selected recent papers.
• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

Academic Case:
• The academic justification for a Scheme 2 grant should focus on the benefit to UK mathematics that the proposed visit would bring.
• Any lecture dates falling outside university terms will need a strong case; the Society expects the attendance to be at least comparable to a normal departmental seminar.
• It should not be assumed that the distinction of the visitor renders further justification unnecessary.

Expenditure:
• The maximum award shown on the website is the upper limit, not the standard award.  Grants are made to meet actual expenditure on items in the application.
• Applicants are expected to make economical travel arrangements where possible.
• Reasonable visa costs are regarded as part of normal travel expenses.
• Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes.

Application Checklist:
• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Attach Visitor's CV
• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

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Grant Scheme 3

Joint Research Groups

General Guidelines:

  • The Committee will support only mathematical activities or the mathematical component of wider activities, and here the word mathematical excludes mathematics education.
  • The Society does not like to receive sequential applications for grants to support the same or closely related events, and will not allow its limits for individual schemes to be exceeded by artificially sub-dividing an application into a number of separate requests under different headings.
  • Applicants must comply with the Society’s policy on Women in Mathematics and expectations of those seeking grants.
  • Additionally, please note the Society's advice on diversity at conferences/workshops/seminars.
  • Academic and financial reports of the activities will be required.
  • Applicants might wish to include Ukraine institutions as virtual nodes within the application.

Assessment Checklist:
Applicants may like to note the following checklist used by the Committee when assessing applications:

  • Mathematical quality of the project.
  • Well argued proposal, with a clear statement of the mathematical component in the case of a wider project.
  • Well thought out and cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs, and an appropriate and clearly identified balance of funding from other sources and the registration fee.
  • The difference made by the Society’s grant to the viability and success of the project.
  • Likely beneficiaries.
  • Compliance with the Society’s policy on Women in Mathematics and expectations of those seeking grants.
  • Limitation on the number of grants awarded to any individual or department.
  • Sufficient time available for publicity of the event.
  • Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form:

  • Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form
  • If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.
  • Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.
  • If applying for support for the Joint Research Group, the form must be endorsed by two supporters by confirming that they have seen the application and agree to participate. Confirmation should be emailed by the supporters to grants@lms.ac.uk

Academic Case:

  • The academic justification for a Scheme 3 grant should focus on the benefit to UK mathematics that the proposed research meetings would bring.

Expenditure:

  • The maximum award shown on the website is the upper limit, not the standard award.
  • No strict criteria will be laid down as to the use of the money but the Society reserves the right to judge whether the activities proposed in an application are appropriate for a grant.
  • Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes.

Application Checklist:

  • Applications should be submitted online using the grant application form here.
  • If the applicant is not an LMS member, the application must have the support of a current LMS member. 
  • Names of two supporters should be included on the application form that the Society can receive emails of support from them.
  • Financial and Academic Report for previous year attached, if applicable.

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Online Lecture Series

General Guidelines:

  • The Committee will support only mathematical activities or the mathematical component of wider activities, and here the word mathematical excludes mathematics education.
  • The Society does not like to receive sequential applications for grants to support the same or closely related events, and will not allow its limits for individual schemes to be exceeded by artificially sub-dividing an application into a number of separate requests under different headings.
  • Applicants must comply with the Society’s policy on Women in Mathematics and expectations of those seeking grants.
  • Additionally, please note the Society's advice on diversity at conferences/workshops/seminars.
  • Academic and financial reports of the activities will be required.

Assessment Checklist:
Applicants may like to note the following checklist used by the Committee when assessing applications:

  • Mathematical quality of the project.
  • Well argued proposal, with a clear statement of the mathematical component in the case of a wider project.
  • Well thought out and cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs, and an appropriate and clearly identified balance of funding from other sources and the registration fee.
  • The difference made by the Society’s grant to the viability and success of the project.
  • Likely beneficiaries.
  • Compliance with the Society’s policy on Women in Mathematics and expectations of those seeking grants.
  • Limitation on the number of grants awarded to any individual or department.
  • Sufficient time available for publicity of the event.
  • Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form:

  • Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form
  • If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.
  • Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.

Academic Case:

  • The academic justification for a Scheme 3 grant should focus on the benefit to UK mathematics that the proposed online lecture series would bring.

Expenditure:

  • The maximum award shown on the website is the upper limit, not the standard award.
  • No strict criteria will be laid down as to the use of the money but the Society reserves the right to judge whether the activities proposed in an application are appropriate for a grant.
  • Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes.

Application Checklist:

  • Applications should be submitted online using the grant application form here.
  • If the applicant is not an LMS member, the application must have the support of a current LMS member. 

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Grant Scheme 4 - Financial Support for the Research Reboot and Research in Pairs

Guidelines for the Research Reboot are given first, and afterwards for Research in Pairs. It is important to read the correct guidelines as they explain how to complete the application form correctly. 

RESEARCH REBOOT

General Guidelines for the Research Reboot:

  • The Committee will support only mathematical activities or the mathematical component of wider activities, and here the word mathematical excludes mathematics education.
  • Academic and financial reports will be required after the visit.

Assessment Checklist for the Research Reboot:

Applicants should note the following checklist is used by the Committee when assessing applications:

  • Mathematical quality of the project.
  • Explanation of how your research has been affected over the past 18 months by either increased caring responsibilities and/or additional professional demands, such as teaching and administration, so that the Committee can understand the need for the research reboot.
  • The time available for research arising from the grant is at least two complete working days, and at most a working week.
  • Cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs.
  • Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form for the Research Reboot:

  • Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form (NB the same application form is also used for the Research in Pairs grant). 
  • Each CV should include a list of selected recent papers.
  • The form asks about “Collaborators”, their institution, country and CV: please leave these parts blank.
  • Proposed Itinerary.  In this box you should explain why you are in the situation to need the research reboot.  For most people this will involve a brief description of the time lost during the Covid year.  Your answer should be a brief paragraph (4-5 sentences).
  • Please give the proposed dates for the research. Research Reboot retreats should take place between the following dates for each application deadline: 15 September - 1 December to 28 February, 22 January - 15 March to 20 June and 15 May - 15 July to 30 September.
  • These should be at least two complete working days, and at most a working week. It is possible to apply for two short periods in one application, but each period should be at least two working days. If  you apply for fewer nights’ accommodation than working days please explain carefully how any period will be at least two working days.
  • The description of the research project should focus on how the work will benefit your longer term research aims as well as the immediate objectives of the work.
  • Estimated expenditure.  You do not need to fill in the Income section.
  • Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.
     

Expenditure for the Research Reboot:

  • A maximum of £120 per day is allowed for accommodation, subsistence and other necessary expenses to enable the project. An additional £100 per day may be applied for to cover Caring Costs for those who have dependents.
  • Applicants are expected to make economical travel arrangements where possible.
  • Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes.

Application Checklist for Research Reboot:

  • Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
  • Attach CV.
  • If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

RESEARCH IN PAIRS

General Guidelines:

• The Committee will support only mathematical activities or the mathematical component of wider activities, and here the word mathematical excludes mathematics education.
• The Society does not like to receive sequential applications for grants to support the same or closely related events, and will not allow its limits for individual schemes to be exceeded by artificially sub-dividing an application into a number of separate requests under different headings.
• Academic and financial reports will be required after the visit.

Assessment Checklist:
Applicants may like to note the following checklist used by the Committee when assessing applications:
• Mathematical quality of the project.
• Well argued proposal, with a clear statement of the mathematical component in the case of a wider project.
• Well thought out and cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs, and an appropriate and clearly identified balance of funding from other sources.
• Likely beneficiaries.
• Limitation on the number of grants awarded to any individual or department.
• Sufficient time available for publicity of the event.
• Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form:

• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.
• Each CV should not exceed one side of A4 and should include a list of selected recent papers.
• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.
 

Academic Case:
• The academic justification for a Scheme 4 grant should focus on the benefit to the collaborative research that the proposed visit would bring.
• It should not be assumed that the distinction of the visitor renders further justification unnecessary.

Expenditure:
• The maximum award shown on the website is the upper limit, not the standard award.  Grants are made to meet actual expenditure on items in the application.
• Applicants are expected to make economical travel arrangements where possible.
• Reasonable visa costs are regarded as part of normal travel expenses.
• Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes.

Application Checklist:
•Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Attach CVs – for both the applicant and the collaborator.

• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

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Grant Scheme 5 - Financial Support for International Short Visits

General Guidelines:

• The Committee will support only mathematical activities or the mathematical component of wider activities, and here the word mathematical excludes mathematics education.
• The Society does not like to receive sequential applications for grants to support the same or closely related events, and will not allow its limits for individual schemes to be exceeded by artificially sub-dividing an application into a number of separate requests under different headings.
• Academic and financial reports will be required after the visit.

Assessment Checklist:
Applicants may like to note the following checklist used by the Committee when assessing applications:
• Mathematical quality of the project.
• Well argued proposal, with a clear statement of the mathematical component in the case of a wider project.
• Well thought out and cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs, and an appropriate and clearly identified balance of funding from other sources.
• Likely beneficiaries.
• Limitation on the number of grants awarded to any individual or department.
• Sufficient time available for publicity of the event.
• Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form:

• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.
• CVs should not exceed two sides of A4 and should include a list of selected recent papers.
• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

Academic Case:
• The academic justification for a Scheme 5 grant should focus on the benefit to the Scheme 5 country (ie country in Africa or a country in which mathematics is in a similar position) that the proposed visit would bring.
• It should not be assumed that the distinction of the visitor renders further justification unnecessary.

Expenditure:
• The maximum award shown on the website is the upper limit, not the standard award.  Grants are made to meet actual expenditure on items in the application.
• Applicants are expected to make economical travel arrangements where possible.
• Reasonable visa costs are regarded as part of normal travel expenses.
• Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes.

Application Checklist:
•Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Attach CV(s). 

• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

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Grant Scheme 8 - Financial Support for Postgraduate Research Conferences held in the UK

General Guidelines:

• The Committee will support only mathematical activities or the mathematical component of wider activities, and here the word mathematical excludes mathematics education.

• The Society does not like to receive sequential applications for grants to support the same or closely related events, and will not allow its limits for individual schemes to be exceeded by artificially sub-dividing an application into a number of separate requests under different headings.

Applicants must comply with the Society’s policy on Women in Mathematics and expectations of those seeking grants.

Additionally, please note the Society's advice on diversity at conferences/workshops/seminars.

• Reasonable registration fees of between £10 and £20 per day should be charged. The registration fee should not be included with the accommodation fee, accommodation fees should be specified separately.

• Academic and financial reports will be required after the visit.

Assessment Checklist:
Applicants may like to note the following checklist used by the Committee when assessing applications:
• Mathematical quality of the project.
• Well argued proposal, with a clear statement of the mathematical component in the case of a wider project.
• Well thought out and cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs, and an appropriate and clearly identified balance of funding from other sources and the registration fee.
• The difference made by the Society’s grant to the viability and success of the project.
• Likely beneficiaries.
• Sufficient time available for publicity of the event.
• Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form:
• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.
• The application should include the name, institution and area of expertise of the speakers for whom funding is requested.
• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

Academic Case:
• The academic justification for a Scheme 8 grant should focus on the benefit to UK mathematics that the proposed conference would bring.

Expenditure:
• The maximum award shown on the website is the upper limit, not the standard award.  Grants are made to meet actual expenditure on items in the application.
• The grant is not intended to cover the cost of secretarial help or publicity.
• The grant may not be used to cover room hire but requests for grants to cover room hire at De Morgan House will be considered, where special circumstances can be shown.
• The grant cannot be used to cover registration fees
• Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes.

Application Checklist:
• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

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Grant Scheme 9 - Celebrating New Appointments

General Guidelines:

• The meeting should consist of at least three talks, one of which must be given by the applicant.

• The inaugural meeting must take place within two years of the start date of the new appointment (time spent on parental leave will be taken into account, and will not count against the two year limit).

• The Society will support joint meetings involving more than one new appointment, where appropriate.

• The Society will support only mathematical activities or the mathematical component of wider activities, and here the word “mathematical” excludes mathematics education.

Applicants must comply with the Society’s policy on Women in Mathematics - please note that the Society considers a lack of uninvited women speakers to be a very real problem, and a failure to include women speakers are grounds for refusal for funding.

Additionally, please note the Society's advice on diversity at conferences/workshops/seminars.

• Academic and financial reports will be required after the visit.

Assessment Checklist:
Applicants may like to note the following checklist used by the Society when assessing applications:
• Mathematical quality of the project.
• Well-argued proposal.
• Well thought out and cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs, and an appropriate and clearly identified balance of funding from other sources (if applicable).
• Likely beneficiaries, in particular research students and participants from Scheme 5 countries.
• Sufficient time available for publicity of the event.
• Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form:
• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 

• Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.

• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

Academic Case:

• The academic justification for a Scheme 9 grant should focus on the benefit to the new appointment, and the opportunity presented to research students and other mathematicians to focus on the research area.

Expenditure:
• The maximum award shown on the website is the upper limit, not the standard award.  Grants are made to meet actual expenditure on items in the application.
• Visa costs are regarded as part of normal travel expenses.
• The grant is not intended to cover the cost of secretarial help or publicity.
• The grant may not be used to cover room hire but requests for grants to cover room hire at De Morgan House will be considered, where special circumstances can be shown.
• Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes after the event.

Application Checklist:
• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Attach Academic Case.
• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

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ECR Travel Grants

General Guidelines:

  • The conference or research visit must take place after the Committee’s decision date. The Society does not award grants retrospectively.
  • The applicant should meet the eligibility criteria described above at the time of the conference/research visit.
  • The conference/research visit must be of benefit to the applicant’s research.
  • The conference/research visit must not already have funds from an LMS Conference (Scheme 1) Grant to support the attendance of research students.
    • The LMS awards Scheme 1 Grants to conferences based in the UK.  You are advised to check with the conference organiser first whether they have received a Scheme 1 Grant, which includes support for research students.

  • The conference/research visit must not be another LMS event, which already offers support for research students to attend, including but not limited to: LMS Society Meetings, LMS Research Schools, LMS Invited Lecture Series.
  • The application must not be for a travel grant to attend an ICM or ECM.  The Society runs a separate travel grant scheme for attending these congresses and more information can be found here
  • UK-based mathematicians who have been invited to attend the Heidelberg Laureate Forum should apply for a travel grant under this scheme.
  • Applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from, for example. the Head of School/Department, which should cover how the conference/research visit will benefit the applicant and include details about what other funding is available to the applicant.  The letter of support will be used when the application is considered by the Committee. Please note that if the letter of support does not specify the availability of funding from other sources then the application would be rejected.
  • Applications should include full details of the trip, and not just the details of the event for which you are seeking funding from the ECR Travel Grant Scheme.
  • As with all LMS grants, ECR Travel Grants must only be used for the conference/research visit, which was mentioned in the application because the Committee made their decision to award the grant, based on this information. Please note that this is a Travel Grant and not  a Travel Allowance. In the interest of fairness to other applicants, if your plans change, the Travel Grant cannot be transferred to another conference/research visit. Instead, you must notify the LMS that you are no longer attending the conference / undertaking the research visit so that the Travel Grant can be cancelled. A new application for financial support will then need to be submitted for the new conference/research visit (NB if there is a change in dates of either the conference and/or research visit, please contact the LMS as soon as you know)

Assessment Checklist:

Applicants may like to note the following checklist used by the Committee when assessing applications:
• Mathematical quality of the project.
• Well argued proposal, with a clear statement of the mathematical component in the case of a wider project.
• Well thought out and cost-effective budget, with the request restricted to allowable costs, and an appropriate and clearly identified balance of funding from other sources.
• Likely beneficiaries.
• Limitation on the number of grants awarded to any individual or department.
• Sufficient time available for publicity of the event.
• Receipt of satisfactory reports on previous grants.

Completing the Form:

• Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
• Applications should be self-contained; please do not append substantial documents that contain irrelevant detail or refer to websites for key information.
• Applications should include an invitation letter for research visits or the conference programme if attending a conference and a letter of support from your department. 
• If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

Expenditure:

• The maximum award shown on the website is the upper limit, not the standard award.  Grants are made to meet actual expenditure on items in the application.
• Applicants are expected to make economical travel arrangements where possible.
• Reasonable visa costs are regarded as part of normal travel expenses.
• Any surplus grant must be returned to the Society as soon as possible and may not be used for other purposes.

Application Checklist:

  • Applications should be submitted via the Society's online application form. 
  • Attach letter of support plus invitation letter or conference programme.
  • If the applicant is not a member of the Society then the application must be supported by a LMS member.

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