Endowment Fund Launched to Increase Deep-Seabed Research
Contributions, Partnerships and Participants Encouraged
18 February 2008
KINGSTON, JAMAICA — The International Seabed Authority today launched a campaign to identify partners and participants
in its Endowment Fund to Support Collaborative Marine Scientific Research on the International Seabed Area.
“The importance of marine scientific research in the deep-seabed area cannot be underestimated,” said Mr. Satya Nandan,
Secretary-General of the Authority. “We are just beginning to learn how this vast marine area can contribute to
international scientific knowledge of the marine environment, biodiversity, geology, taxonomy, and so many other fields
of research.”
“The International Seabed Authority’s Endowment Fund will ensure that research in deep-sea areas continues to build this
knowledge base amongst scientists in both developing and developed countries for the benefit of all mankind.”
The Endowment Fund was established in 2006 to encourage collaborative marine scientific research on the ocean floor
beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. The Fund aims to fulfill this mandate in two ways: by supporting the
participation of qualified scientists and technical personnel from developing countries in research programmes and
activities; and by providing these scientists with opportunities to participate in collaborative research initiatives.
The International Seabed Authority Secretariat in Jamaica is now seeking partners in international seabed research to
form a network of co-operating institutions interested in offering training courses, technical assistance, or any other
scientific research opportunities within the parameters of the Fund. The Authority has already engaged previous partners
in international seabed area research and participants in its annual workshops to begin creating a list of current and
future collaborative marine scientific research opportunities.
The Secretariat is also inviting scientists and technical personnel from developing countries to apply for assistance
through the Fund to participate in deep-seabed research activities. Application forms may be found at the ISA website at
www.isa.org.jm/en/efund. To be eligible for assistance, scientists, researchers and technicians must have three to four
(or more) years of experience in a relevant field for marine scientific research.
Finally, the Secretariat is looking to the international donor community for contributions to the Fund to increase the
number of participants in, and opportunities for, international seabed science. While the Fund was set up with an
initial capital of US$3 million, for the time being, only the interest generated from this investment may be used to
support its initiatives.
“I encourage members of the Authority, international and philanthropic organizations, corporations, and academic,
scientific and technical institutions to consider contribution to this Fund,” said Mr. Nandan. “Through partnerships and
contributions, we can continue to provide the international scientific community with collaborative opportunities to
better understand this global heritage.”
ENDS