NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

Application for Exchange Program with Former Soviet Union Institutes in the Biomedical Sciences

(Senior Scientists and Post-Doctoral Scientists)

Application Deadline: Postmarked by April 15, 2004

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The National Research Council (NRC) is sponsoring a program of international exchange for American 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 two weeks during July 2004 becoming familiar with research and related work on pathogens being carried out at research institutes in Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. This program is supported by the Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) which is interested in encouraging the redirection of former Soviet defense scientists to civilian pursuits.

Successful applicants will travel to St. Petersburg, Russia, 12-16 July 2004, to attend the DTRA’s review of project currently in progress. Following the review, participants will travel to an institute in Russia, Kazakhstan, or Uzbekistan corresponding to their areas of research interest in order to identify opportunities for scientific collaboration. Applicants should indicate their preference of institutes listed below. Alternatively, they may indicate the topics of interest, and arrangements will be made for visits that cover these topics to the extent possible.

Institute of Immunological Engineering, Lyubchany, Russia:

Kazakh Science Center for Quarantine and Zoonotic Diseases, Almaty, Kazakhstan:

Center for Prophylaxis and Quarantine of Most Hazardous Infections, Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Research Institute of Virology, Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

DTRA will consider supporting follow-on visits for participants in this program who would like to further develop collaboration with researchers on projects that DTRA has funded at the institutes that they visit.

APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY AND PROCEDURES

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 United States. Other applicants must have earned the Ph.D. degree or achieved equivalent accomplishments between January 1, 1996, and March 31, 2004.

Each applicant must submit FOUR copies of the following:

curriculum vitae list of his/her publications and one or two relevant reprints

two-page description of the relevance of the program in the Former Soviet Union to present activities and long-range plans

Each applicant must also arrange for TWO letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the NRC.

Materials should be addressed to:

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

A panel of experts selected by the NRC will evaluate 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. Relevant foreign travel, research, and/or language experience will strengthen an application but are not requirements. The final selection of participants will be made by the NRC. All candidates will be notified of the decisions by April 30, 2004.

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.

REPORT REQUIREMENTS

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