The Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS), in a partnership with the Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of Guatemala, hosted in Guatemala City, on July 26-28 of 2009, the IANAS “Science Funding Landscape Workshop”. This workshop was organized with the support of the Guatemalan National Council for Science and Technology (CONCYT), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC); and the InterAcademy Panel on International Issues (IAP).

The major objectives of this workshop were to: (a) increase the linkages between the National Academies of Sciences in the region, National S&T Councils (or equivalent organizations) and granting agencies and programs that provide support to S&T in the Americas; and (b) provide guidance and grantsmanship support to optimize opportunities, in particular for early and mid-career scientists.

The workshop brought together representatives from 22 countries of the Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil; Canada; Chile; Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico; Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America; and Venezuela.

The rich mix participants included Presidents or high-level officials of 10 National S&T Councils (or equivalent organizations); 11 Rectors or official representatives from major national universities; 11 high-level officials of regional and international granting agencies and programs; and outstanding young scientists coming from different areas of knowledge.

During the discussions held in the 3 days of the workshop, the organizations providing funding opportunities in the region had the space to present their vision and programs, and the representatives from the developing countries had the opportunity to present the effective needs of their countries.

Through a dynamics that stimulated the interaction between participants, the workshop proved to be an extremely successful opportunity for the developing countries to become aware of existing opportunities, and for the granting agencies to become more acquainted with the real needs of each of the participating countries.


Click here for further information on this meeting.

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