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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Call for Participant Applications <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sustaining Biological Infrastructure (SBI): Strategies for Success<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A Short Course for Project Directors, Organized by the Ecological Society of America (ESA)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Website: <a href="http://www.esa.org/sbi">http://www.esa.org/sbi</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dates: June 10 – June 12, 2014<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Location: Washington, DC Metro Area <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Eligibility: Experienced Directors and Principal Investigators of biological infrastructure projects, such as digital data resources, collections, field stations, and laboratories<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Selection: Up to 20 participants will be selected; participants will be charged the course fee ($600), but will be eligible to receive awards of travel, lodging, and subsistence support to attend the course <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Application deadline: Monday, March 24th, 2014; 5:00pm Eastern<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ESA’s Office of Science Programs announces the training course, “Sustaining Biological Infrastructure: Strategies for Success” to be held June 10 to June 12, 2014 in the Washington, DC Metro Area. This hands-on course will provide project directors with the key business planning, marketing, and communication skills they need to enhance their project’s continuing development and sustainability. Expert faculty will use lectures, group work, discussions, and case studies to:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Provide participants with step-by-step instructions on how to create a strategic and sustainable business plan for their research infrastructure project;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Provide planning tools that participants will use to analyze and assess their specific project and develop methods for financial sustainability;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Introduce essential strategies for effective communication with users and funders; and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Provide guidance and best practices to help participants succeed as they innovate and add value to their projects.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Who should attend?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ideal applicants include experienced Directors and Principal Investigators of biological infrastructure projects (such as digital data resources, collections, and field stations or laboratories) that have been established for at least two years. Their project must have direct relevance to the biological research community, and the applicant should be able to express their need and preparedness for training in business planning, marketing, and communication. Participants will be selected based on these qualities, and to ensure an appropriate mix of project and participant diversity. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Participants will be notified of their acceptance status as soon as possible in April 2014.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Course fee:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The fee for this inaugural SBI course is $600 per participant and includes all course materials. Thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation, we are able to support participants’ meal and accommodation costs, as well as to offer a travel stipend to all 2014 participants. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>How to apply:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are now accepting applications for a March 24 deadline. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Visit <a href="http://www.esa.org/sbi">http://www.esa.org/sbi</a> for more information on the course, faculty, and to access the online application form. If you have any questions, please contact Jill Parsons, ESA Science Programs Manager, at <a href="mailto:sbi@esa.org">sbi@esa.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>*Apologies for cross-posting*<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>