Newsletter 26
Funding opportunities
SILVOLAB-GUYANE
SECOND CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Silvolab Guyane is pleased to announce that the European Union has recognized Silvolab as an European Tropical Large-Scale Facility (LSF) for multidisciplinary studies on tropical rain forest ecosystems, and is now asking for proposals. The goal of LSF-Silvolab is to allow scientists of European countries as well as associated countries to conduct research on current issues related to structure, function and diversity of tropical forests, namely for the definition of sustainable management guidelines. Priority will be given to users who have not previously used the facility and who would not normally have access to the LSF.
The European Tropical LSF, located in French Guiana, consists of two equipped field stations in tropical rain forests, permanent plots with data collections, laboratories, herbarium and the information system Arlequin. The proposed research should consider one of the following scientific topics:
- Forest structure and spatial distribution of plant species
- Light environment and microclimate
- Tree growth, forest and gap dynamics
- Reproduction and regeneration of plants
- Biogeochemical processes and their spatial and temporal variability
- Gas exchange between pedosphere, biosphere and atmosphere
- Resource acquisition and utilisation strategies of plants
- Variability and functional grouping of forest organisms
- Epiphytes and epiphylls
- Diversity of beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere (e.g., root colonizers, root symbiosis, rhizobia)
- Species and population diversity, genetic variation of plants and animals
- Intra-specific mechanisms of diversity maintenance
- Wood properties, factors influencing wood quality, wood utilization
- Evaluation of local forest management practices
- Effects of disturbance on forest structure, function and diversity
- Modelling of forest dynamics and of tree and ecosystem function
- GIS-based analyses of the impact of land use on forest ecosystems
Financial support within this programme can be provided for in total 60 man-months, at maximum six man-months per project. Priority will be given to projects with medium-length stays in French Guiana. Following expenses will be covered: travel between Europe and French Guiana, per diem and limited technical assistance in French Guyana. Access to the field stations in French Guiana will be provided.
Proposals must include a description of the scientific work (not exceeding 2 pages), a detailed time-table (in man-months), and a one-page description of the participating team and relevant activities (including the five most important publications related to the proposed work). All proposals must be provided as hardcopy and electronic versions. User guidelines, existing for each field station and the information system, will have to be adopted by all LSF users. Projects have to be carried out between October 1998 and March 2000. A final report is required at the end of each project.
Applications are due in Kourou by 24 February 1998 and should be sent to:
Dr. Dennis Girou, Silvolab Guyana
ENGREF, Centre de Kourou
BP 316 97379 Kourou, France
Announcement of approved proposals will be announced in 1999. For more information contact Dr. Dennis Girou at girou@engref.fr.
or see: http://kourou.cirad.fr/alsf.html
BULLARD FELLOWSHIPS IN FOREST RESEARCH, HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Each year Harvard University awards a limited number of Bullard Fellowships to individuals in biological, social, physical, and political sciences to promote advanced study, research or integration of subjects pertaining to forested ecosystems. The fellowships, which include stipends of up to $30,000, are intended to provide individuals to mid-career with an opportunity to utilize the resources and to interact with personnel in any department within Harvard University in order to develop their own scientific and professional growth.
In recent years Bullard Fellows have been associated with the Harvard Forest, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and the J .F Kennedy School of Government. Fellowships are available for periods ranging from four months to one year and can begin at any time in the year. Fellowships are not intended for graduate students or recent postdoctoral students. Annual deadlines for applications is 1 February. Applications from international scientists, women and minorities are encouraged.
Information may obtained from:
Committee on the Charles Bullard Fund for Forest Research, Harvard University
P.O.Box 68, Peterham, MA 01366, USA
Source: NTFP Biocultural Digest V2#41
ITTO FELLOWSHIPS
ITTO offers fellowships to promote human resource development and institutional strengthening in the forestry sectors of member countries. Priority areas: Forest Industry, Economic Information and Market Intelligence, and Reforestation and Forest Management. Fellowship funds are provided for the following activities: (1) study tours to forests, mills and research institutions. (2) Participation in conferences workshops and training courses. (3) postgraduate programmes (partial tuition grants), not including PhDs. (4) Short-term research. (5) Technology transfer a to produced member countries. (6) Preparation of technical documents.
Applications are required conform to ITTO's general objectivest of sustainable forest management, utilisation and trade and, in particular, the Year 2000 Objective. The average award is US$5,700 with a maximum of US$122,000. Only nationals of ITTO member countries are eligible to apply. The fellowship Selection Committee appraises application at the ITTO Council Session in May and November each year. Applicants are advised that fellowship activities may not commence until at least one month after the relevant Council Session. The next deadline for applications is 9 March 1999.
Further details and application forms (in English, French or Spanish) are available from:
Dr. Chisato Aoki, Fellowship Programme ITTO, International Organisations Center-5th Floor
Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishiku, Yokohama 220, Japan.
Tel: 81 45 223 1110 Fax: 81 45 223 1111
E-mail: itto@mail.itto-unet.ocn.ne.jp
URL: http://www.itto.or.jp