The mission of the Board on International Scientific Organizations (BISO) is to strengthen U.S. participation in international scientific organizations and to help build the capacity of these organizations. BISO serves as the U.S. National Committee for the International Council for Science (ICSU), a non-governmental organization, to address major international interdisciplinary issues. BISO exercises membership in ICSU and its member unions, associates, and committees through a network of more than 20 U.S. National Committees. These committees encompass a range of sciences including social and behavioral, biological, geological, mathematical, and physical. Learn more about BISO.

Information for Foreign Nationals Displaced by Hurricane Katrina is available through BISO’s International Visitors Office (IVO), a resource on visa-related issues for the scientific community.

 International BioForum
International leaders gathered in Italy, March 20-22, 2005 to discuss biosecurity issues. The agenda addressed issues raised in a 2003 report by the National Academies on Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism.

Learn more about the Forum.

BISO Seminar with IFS Director at the National Academies
On February 22, 2005 BISO hosted a valuable seminar withMichael St åhl, the director of the International Foundation for Science. Representatives from Department of State, NSF, and other federal agencies were in attendance.

Summary Report.

Many of the national committees offer travel grants for young scientists to advance scientific understanding and develop international relationships with the global scientific community. The following committees administer travel support programs:

Leading Academic, Science Groups Propose Visa Reforms
Building on a statement issued in 2004, 40 leading scientific societies and higher education associations released a new statement highlighting the importance of international students and scholars to the United States and making specific recommendations in the area of U.S. visa policy. The statement, Recommendations for Enhancing the U.S. Visa System to Advance America’s Scientific and Economic Competitiveness and National Security Interests , was signed by all three presidents of the National Academies.