A successful effort to raise funding for U.S. participants to the IMBC2000 meeting has resulted in awards to 42 applicants. Students and Junior Scientists are being funded at twice the level of Senior Scientists in keeping with the objective to encourage Junior Scientists working in Marine Biotechnology. The effort to raise funding was led by Yonathan Zohar, Frank Robb and Russell Hill at the Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute.

Funds were raised from the following sources:

• Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute
• Department of Energy, USA
• Dynamac Corporation Environmental Services
• Maryland Sea Grant, USA
• National Science Foundation, USA
• Office of Naval Research, USA
• Society for Industrial Microbiology, USA

Awards were overseen by a committee of leading scientists working in Marine Biotechnology. They are Yonathan Zohar (Chair), Shirley Pomponi, Harlyn Halvorson and Jennie Hunter-Cevera.

This effort has helped to ensure strong participation in IMBC2000 by scientists from the U.S.A.

July 21, 2000

May 22, 2000

Deadline for Early Discount Registration for IMBC 2000
Due to many requests for extensions to the deadline, we have decided to extend it until 16 June 2000.   If you have already submitted a registration at the higher rate, you will only be charged at the discount rate of AU$690.

Reduced Registrations for Recent Postdoctoral Delegates
We have also decided to extend the Student Discount rate of AU$250 to recent PhD graduates (less than 2 years since graduation) undertaking post-doctoral training.  Please supply proof of your status (e.g. a letter from your supervisor) with your registration form.

April 18, 2000

Financial assistance is expected to be available to subsidise costs for some US participants in IMBC2000.

A proposal entitled "Partial support for U.S. participants in the 5th International Marine Biotechnology Conference, Townsville, Australia, 29th September to 5th October, 2000" (Y. Zohar, F. Robb, and R. Hill) is currently under review by several U.S. federal funding agencies. U.S. scientific societies and biotechnology companies have also been approached for support. All participants from the U.S. who are attending IMBC2000 are eligible to request support. Successful applicants will be selected by a Selection Committee comprising leading U.S. scientists working in Marine Biotechnology.

It is anticipated that between 50% and 70% (depending on funds available) of the total costs of attending this meeting will be covered by financial assistance to successful applicants. To apply for funding, U.S. participants should send a brief, one-page letter giving details of their current position and research and enclosing a copy of abstracts submitted to IMBC2000. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applications should be mailed to Prof. Y. Zohar, Chair, Selection Committee, Center of Marine Biotechnology, Columbus Center Suite 236, 701 East Pratt Stree, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Applications must be received by 31st March, 2000 and it is anticipated that awards will be announced by 30th June, 2000.