DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND COOPERATION
Central Europe and Eurasia Individual Grants Programs

EXCHANGE PROGRAM WITH RUSSIAN INSTITUTES IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Application Deadline: March 30, 2001

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The National Research Council (NRC) is sponsoring a program of international exchange for scientists interested in the prophylaxis, diagnosis, epidemiology, and therapy of pathogens, including related basic research investigations. The program will provide the successful applicants with an opportunity to spend 15 to 20 days during the summer of 2001 becoming familiar with research and related work on pathogens being carried out at one of two research centers in Russia--the State Research Center for Virology and Applied Biotechnology Vector (in the town of Koltsovo near Novosibirsk) and the State Research Center for Applied Microbiology (in the town of Obolensk near Moscow). The visitors will be able to participate in a number of activities concerning research on pathogens, but will not be able to enter high hazard facilities or work directly with some agents during this familiarization visit. These centers were leading research institutes supporting the Soviet biological warfare program; but during the past decade, they have redirected their efforts to civilian applications of their research capabilities. Examples of the research interests of the centers are as follows:

State Research Center for Virology and Applied Biotechnology

State Research Center for Applied Microbiology

Following the initial exchange visit, interested American participants will be encouraged to apply for stipends from the National Research Council to return to these centers for one to three visits totaling up to three months in Russia at times of their choosing between September 2001 and September 2002. The purpose of the return visits is to initiate long-term collaborative research activities. The applicants will arrange the programs for their return stays directly with the Russian scientists they meet during the first visit. The participants may apply to other available funding sources to maintain collaborative programs after the completion of the return visits.

This program is supported by the Department of Defense which is interested in encouraging the redirection of former Soviet defense scientists to civilian pursuits.

APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY

United States citizens, green card holders, and permanent residents of the United States who are engaged in teaching, clinical, and/or research careers or those planning such careers are eligible to apply for this program. Well-established scientists entering the competition must be engaged in related ongoing research programs in the Unite States. Other applicants must have earned the Ph.D. degree or achieved equivalent accomplishments between January 1, 1993, and July 1, 2001.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

A panel of experts selected by the NRC evaluated the applicant's qualifications, taking into account the professional achievements and demonstrated ability of the candidate as evidenced by the application, publications, and letters of recommendation. The final selection of participants was made by the NRC on April 16, 2001.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

The NRC will cover all travel expenses related to each American specialist's participation in this program, including international airfare and food, lodging, and transportation within the foreign country. Participants will not receive funds for salary replacement or any other form of remuneration in the familiarization visit. However, participants will be eligible to apply for subsequent grants which include stipends of up to $5,000 per month in addition to travel costs during return visits.

REPORT REQUIREMENTS

The participants are expected to submit a trip report within eight weeks after the summer program summarizing the participant's activities, providing general observations and recommendations on the problems studied, and outlining plans for long-term collaboration.

For additional information on this program, please contact Sara Gray at (tel) 202-334-2923, (fax) 202-334-2614 or at sgray@nas.edu .