ABIC 2011
Travel Bursary announcement

Johannesburg, South Africa
September 6 – 9, 2011

ABIC: Supporting Networking and Learning in Agricultural Biotechnology

The ABIC Foundation is accepting applications for a travel bursary for the forthcoming ABIC 2011 Conference to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from September 6 – 9, 2011. The deadline for submission of applications is February 15, 2011 with award announcement set for April 2011.

The ABIC Foundation has set aside funds to provide for one travel bursary for ABIC 2011. The bursary will cover the cost of return travel, accommodation and meals while attending the conference, as well as registration fees to attend ABIC 2011.

The annual bursaries were created to encourage ABIC attendance from among young scientists in emerging nations. With this gesture, the ABIC Foundation assists promising new researchers by making the ABIC network of ag-biotech contacts more accessible.

The bursary is open to young scientists in developing countries whose potential has come to the attention of the ABIC Foundation. Applications will be accepted from graduate students or post-doctoral fellows at accredited post-secondary institutions whose studies are closely focused on agricultural biotechnology. Candidates will be evaluated by the Foundation’s Board based on the following criteria:

(1)  Candidates are asked to submit a letter of application which includes information relevant to the evaluation criteria and which briefly outlines their research. 

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Age requirement – applicants must be under the age of 35 at the time of application (note: photocopy of official documents such as passport or other government issued identification to verify age).
Financial need – applicants must supply a financial statement indicating all sources of income including bursaries, scholarships and research funding; indicating their expenses for the year.
Abstract – an abstract (in English) must be submitted.
Applicability of research – the successful candidate will be expected to submit a poster presentation on their research at ABIC. A committee will review nominations for applicants and will submit suitable applications for external review of the quality of the research.
Academic qualifications - applicants must be full-time graduate students or post-doctoral fellows at a post-secondary institution accredited by the International Association of Universities  “World List of Universities”.
Country of origin - must be designated by the United Nations as a developing or emerging nation. Preference for consideration will be given to applicants currently studying at an institution in a developing or emerging nation.

(2)  Provide the appropriate supporting documentation.

(3)  Provide a confidential letter of recommendation from the candidate’s supervisor, which must be submitted directly to the ABIC Foundation by the candidate’s supervisor.  

(4)  a. Email your complete submission to the Foundation at abicfoundation@abic.ca  

b. Plus, mail your complete submission to:

ABIC Foundation Inc.,

Attention:  Muriel Adams, Managing Director,

101 – 111 Research Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3R2 CANADA. 

Email copies must reach the ABIC Foundation by February 15, 2011.