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CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR ICOM 8

2012-05-29 11:05:56


Call for Proposals for Hosting ICOM8 in 2015 or 2016

 

 

The International Mycorrhiza Society (IMS) is requesting proposals from groups actively studying mycorrhizas to host the Eighth International Conference on Mycorrhizas (ICOM8). 

 

The ICOM is the premier international forum for current research on pure and applied aspects of mycorrhizal symbioses. Research results are presented as invited plenary or symposium presentations, as volunteered oral presentations, or as posters. The Conference also provides a forum for discussion of topics associated with commercializing mycorrhizal fungi and promotes exchange and research collaborations.  The ICOM is generally held every three years.

 

The ICOM is the major international event supported by the IMS. The first ICOM was held in Berkeley USA in 1996.  It was followed by ICOM2 in Uppsala Sweden in 1998, ICOM3 in Adelaide Australia in 2001, ICOM4 in Montreal Canada in 2003, ICOM5 in Granada Spain in 2006, ICOM6 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 2009 and ICOM7 in New Delhi India in 2013. Attendance has averaged around 600 (range 250 to 800).

 

While the IMS does not underwrite the conference financially or cover any budgetary shortfalls, the IMS will provide advice to the local organizing committee. Furthermore, the IMS office can facilitate registration and financial transactions. The chair of the local organizing committee will serve on the governing council of the IMS and the IMS will provide members to serve on the international scientific committee.

 

What to include in a proposal

 

The purpose of the proposal is to provide sufficient information to the IMS governing council to decide where to hold the next ICOM. The following list was developed based on the experience of previous ICOM organizers and is provided to help potential organizers think about major aspects of conference organization.  It is understood that the information in the proposal will be based on the best current estimates of the local organizing committee and that firm details cannot be developed until a time closer to the event. 

 

Proposals should not exceed 10 pages and should be submitted to the IMS Secretariat (info@mycorrhizas.org) by August 31, 2012.  The Chair of the local organizing committee must be a member in good standing of the IMS.

 

Procedures for evaluation

 

The following criteria have been identified by the IMS as being important for evaluating the proposals:

 

 

Clear and realistic budget plan (low registration fees are attractive, but fees must be adequate to cover the costs) Date   Costs to participants (bearing in mind that final fees will be set closer to the date of the conference when costs can be estimated more precisely) Cost and convenience of travel (individual members may want to check visa costs and procedures for their nationality). Facility for the meeting itself Accommodation (range of prices) Student residence available near the conference location Proposed location relative to the region in which the previous ICOM was held Attractiveness of the proposed ICOM to scientists and students conducting high quality research in academia, government and industry, as well as end users of mycorrhiza research Opportunities for networking and establishing collaborations

 

 Once the proposals have been received by the IMS, the governing council will review them and solicit clarifying information from the submitters by September 15, 2012.

 The successful proposal will be announced by October 30th, 2012

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