Funding for taxonomy

In COP Decision VIII/ 3 it was repeated that the taxonomic impediment was only going to be relieved when more taxonomic capacity was retained and further installed. To that end, the COP asked to explore options to ensure long-term sustainability of financial support for taxonomic work. BioNET‑INTERNATIONAL and other relevant organisations, in consultation with the Coordination Mechanism for the GTI were invited to establish a special fund for the Global Taxonomy Initiative.

COP 9 Decision IX/22 welcomed progress toward the establishment of this special fund and encouraged BioNET-INTERNATIONAL and the Interim Steering Committee of the GTI Special Fund to operationalise the Fund prior to 2010. Constructive steps in that direction were set during a two-day workshop organised by the BioNET Secretariat in Paris.The brief report of that workshop is available for download.

Since then, the conceptual framework of the Fund, and the objectives and resource requirements for the next phase have been worked out in a comprehensive Business Plan, built on, a.o., an analysis of the Belgian GTI Focal Point, laid down in a green and a white paper.

Other Financial Resources for taxonomic research s.l. can be browsed on the Delicious site of the Belgian GTI or on an old listing compiled by the Belgian GTI.

Of considerable interest to scientists from African countries is the compendium of funding opportunities as prepared by thee WorldFish Center – Business Development and Communications Division.

That same organisation also compiled a comprehensive compendium of fellow-and scholarsships.