Regional Activities Funding Programme

Regional Activities Funding Program

IBS Representative Council Network and Inter-Regional Activities Funding Program

Region leadership are encouraged to apply for funding through this annual program!

2023 Applications for the first half of the year (January 1 - June 30) are now being accepted through 31 October 2022 - Send applications for your joint conference (In-Person) to Regions@Biometricsociety.org with a copy to Representative Council Chair Agnes Kiragga.

In 2016, this funding program was launched to enhance interactions among networks or regions. To date, there have been a significant number of activities funded through this program.

This program establishes a funding mechanism for such activities on a more formal and regular basis. There are many possible activities that could be funded under the program, so regions should be creative in their proposals. For instance, inter-regional activities like organizing a symposium or a workshop at a conference being organized by a scientific organization other than the IBS could be funded which would also increase the outreach activities of our society. The guiding principle is that the activity must involve and encourage inter-region interaction. The expectation is that there should be some contribution, maybe in-kind, from the participating regions and some general benefit to the Society at large.

Guidelines for the funding program

Amount: The Executive Board currently allocates $20,000 in total per year to this funding program (up from $10,000 in 2015). Each activity award is subject to a maximum of $5,000.

Eligibility: Applications can typically be submitted twice a year: by March 31 for activities that are scheduled to start in the second half of the same year (July 1 – December 31) and by September 30 for activities scheduled to start in the first half of the following year (January 1 – June 30).

  • Regions or Networks should send their proposal for a Network or inter-Regional activity to the Taskforce of the Representative Council, using the email below.
  • In general, a Region or a Network can apply for only one activity in a single funding round. Deviations from this rule need a particular justification.
  • Regions or Networks must demonstrate how funded activities will reinforce links between regions.

Guidelines for proposals

  • In the proposal Regions/Networks should give a detailed explanation of the financial needs, the scientific value, and, of course, the potential benefit to the IBS as a whole.
  • Proposals must be submitted electronically and sent to regions@biometricsociety.org.
  • The Taskforce, with assistance from the IBS International Business Office, will be responsible for managing the review process.
  • The outcome of applications will be sent to the Regions/Networks within a month.
  • Confidentiality of the reviews is assured.
  • Successful proposals must provide a meeting report and photographs, which shall be published in the Biometric Bulletin and shall be used in social media communications. Other benefits for the society (like webinars, videos of key sessions for the conference/workshop website) are welcomed and encouraged.
  • Conditions and Criteria

Please note that (a) priority will be given to new activities and (b) regions can apply for repeated activities no more frequently than every other year.

When rank-ordering proposals, consideration will be given to:

Merit

  • Activity itself – form new network, network activities, inter-regional activities.
  • Benefit for Society as a whole – webinars, etc.
  • Activities for Young Statisticians

Funding

  • Travel expenses and costs for lodging may be reimbursed
  • Conference fees should be an in-kind contribution.

Taskforce of the Representative Council

The Taskforce will

  • be appointed by the Chair of the Representative Council for a two-year period
  • include 5-6 members of the Representative Council (incl. Chair)
  • be approved by the whole Representative Council


Guidelines for Applications