Biodiversity Information Standards
Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG)
Annual Conference 2007 - Support for Student and other delegates
Early in 2007 the TDWG Executive discussed methods of attracting to the Annual Conference talented students, and delegates from countries where travel support for scientists is limited and we are poorly represented. As part of the registration process for the 2007 Conference in Slovakia we have put in place three mechanisms for assisting delegates to attend.
Details are available here: http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/registration/support/ <http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/registration/support/> where there is a downloadable PDF file giving details of how to apply.
It is essential that applicants look carefully at the Conference website at http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/ <http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/> for details of the registration process and registration fees (including late registration penalty) before submitting an application.
Graduate and post-graduate students:
Bona fide graduate and post-graduate students at a recognised academic institution may apply for discounted conference registration fees (200 $US) and reserved inexpensive accommodation at the conference venue.
Delegates from countries where travel support for scientists is limited:
Prospective delegates from countries where travel support for scientists is limited may apply, under strict conditions, for the same discounted conference registration fees (200 $US) and reserved inexpensive accommodation as students. This mechanism is intended to offer a better chance to attend the Conference to delegates who would not otherwise be able to secure sufficient funding. It is unlikely that applications from major industrialised countries, or countries where financial support is limited for political reasons, would be successful.
Delegates needing a Letter of Invitation to the Conference:
Delegates needing a Letter of Invitation to the Conference in order to secure funding from internal or external funding sources may apply. Provision by TDWG of this Letter does not imply any funding by TDWG, or discounted registration fees, or reserved inexpensive accommodation.
Deadlines
In all cases the application must be made to the TDWG Secretariat not later than 15 July 2007. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered but are unlikely to be processed before the late registration penalty fee (50 $US) comes into effect on 16 August 2007. The late registration penalty fee will apply to all registrations on or after that date.
The number of inexpensive rooms available at the Conference venue is limited. Rooms will be allocated to successful applicants requesting them on a first-come-first-served basis. Applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Terms and Conditions
Please note that TDWG does not have funds available for direct financial support for delegates to attend the Conference. Discounted registration and reserved inexpensive accommodation are the only financial support options available and are offered at the discretion of the TDWG Executive.
Submission and receipt of an application does not commit TDWG in any way. All applications will be considered by the Conference Committee. The decision of the Committee will be final, no reason will be given for declining an application, and no subsequent correspondence will be entered into.
Adrian Rissone
Executive Secretary (TDWG) and Chair of Conference Committee (TDWG 2007)
E-mail: A.Rissone(a)nhm.ac.uk
Web: www.tdwg.org
Dear Colleague,
Please accept our apologies for cross-posting of this announcement.
In February we announced the dates and venue of the 2007 Annual Conference - Slovakia in September. Thanks to all those who have contributed since then to preparing the conference framework and the exciting programme.
Information on the very full programme, travel, housing and submission of abstracts is now available here: http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/ <http://www.tdwg.org/conference2007/> and the on-line registration site is active here: http://www.regonline.com/128305 <http://www.regonline.com/128305>
Please help us prepare for the conference by registering as soon as possible - regular delegates will know how important this is - and be aware of the late registration fee.
TDWG members who wish to pay their membership fees can pay them as part of the registration process in one easy transaction. Please note that the Conference registration fee for non-members is higher but that new members may join (or lapsed members pay their dues) and receive an immediate member discount.
This will be an important conference. Don't miss it!
Thank you for your interest in TDWG,
Adrian Rissone
Executive Secretary, TDWG
Natural History Museum, London
Phone +44 20 7942 5239 (voicemail only)
Fax +44 20 7942 5546
E-mail a.rissone(a)nhm.ac.uk <mailto:a.rissone@nhm.ac.uk>
Dear list members
Apologies for cross-postings.
We have had an enthusiastic response to the database of biodiversity
information related projects
(http://www.tdwg.org/activities/bioinformatics-projects/). Thank you.
We are now working on ways to improve the system based on your feedback and
a few new ideas. Changes should happen quickly, unless they require a lot of
work. We have now added definitions of the fields, will add the language of
the project as a new field and deal with acronyms in some way.
The projects can be of any size or scope (geographic or taxonomic or
function), as long as the project deals with the discovery, description,
indexing, aggregation, display or analysis/display of biodiversity data.
Does that cover it?
We have had a number of emails asking us to include unlisted projects. We
can do that, but it is preferable to email the contact of the project and
suggest they may like to create an entry. The project contacts will be able
to generate a higher quality record that we can do. We will also keep adding
new content and updating incomplete records.
I will be away for a month so please contact Piers Higgs
(piers(a)gaiaresources.com.au) with any questions, suggestions and feedback.
Piers is however moving his office next week, so be patient for a response.
Thank you
Lee
Lee Belbin
Manager, TDWG Infrastructure Project
Email: lee(a)tdwg.org
Phone: +61(0)419 374 133
