Vol. 3 No. 4 Oct-Dec 2007
2007 Issues
In this issue…
Message from the President and CEO: "A ‘Grand Undertaking’ in Global
Science Collaboration"
CRDF Presents 2007 George Brown Awards
CRDF Explores Expanded Cooperation with the Middle East
DeThomas Joins CRDF as Nonproliferation Programs Director
Eurasian Scientists Form Panel at HIV/AIDS Conference
Armenia’s First Independent Science Foundation Celebrates 10 Years
Carnegie Corporation Grants $1,000,000 to CRDF
2006 Annual Report Available Online
New Moscow and Kyiv Web Sites Launched
USRBC Annual Meeting to Highlight Emerging Opportunities and Risks
Armenia’s First Independent Science Foundation Celebrates 10 Years of
Continuous Activities
July 30, 2007
Announces New $300,000 University Initiative
Arlington, VA July 30, 2007 The Yerevan, Armenia-based National
Foundation of Science and Advanced Technologies (NFSAT) celebrates a
milestone tenth anniversary this month. Established with support from
the U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation (CRDF) in 1997,
NFSAT has demonstrated the viability of peer review as a funding
mechanism; setting a precedent for the wider region and for all former
Soviet republics.
News Facts
* NFSAT was established on July 4, 1997, according to a
legislative act of the Republic of Armenia and was modeled after the
United States National Science Foundation and National Institutes of
Health. CRDF provides a major source of the financial support for
NFSAT under a U.S. Department of State program aimed at furthering
scientific and technical assistance to Armenia.
* To mark the anniversary, NFSAT will hold an international
conference reflect on NFSATs achievements and to announce the results
of the University Centers of Excellence Program (UCEP)in partnership
with CRDF and Yerevan State University. Under the program, three
university centers will be created and maintained by NFSAT to focus on
the preparation of young researchers and students in internationally
competitive fields of science. Each center will also receive $100,000
for modern equipment.
* CRDF Director of Centers & Institution Building Programs John
Modzelewski will attend the conference, as well as U.S. Embassy of
Armenia Charg daffairs Rudolf Perina and Deputy Chief of Mission
Joseph Pennington.
* Since its inception, NFSAT has supported Armenias scientific and
engineering potential by conducting objective, peer-reviewed research
competitions for joint teams of Armenian-U.S. scientistsessential for
building legitimacy within the Armenian scientific community for this
Western method of distributing science funding. Its focus on training
and infrastructure has also been a stimulus for regional cooperation.
* Building upon NFSATs success, CRDF patterned sister
organizations in Moldova (2000), Georgia (2001) and Azerbaijan (2002)
after its structure and principles.
Media Resources
* Hi-resolution photos of the event are available at
* More information about NFSAT is available at
* Information about CRDF-established institutions is available here.
About CRDF
CRDF is a nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress and
established in 1995 by the National Science Foundation. This unique
public-private partnership promotes international scientific and
technical collaboration through grants, technical resources, and
training.
About NFSAT
The National Foundation of Science and Advanced Technologies is an
independent, nonprofit, non-governmental foundation which is aimed to
prevent the dissolution of great Armenian scientific assets, to
promote scientific research and technological development in Armenia
according to the international standards, as well as the integration
of the Armenian scientific establishment into the international
scientific community.
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