The workshop call is now closed

All submissions will be assessed and the applicants will be contacted by January 16th 2012.

We would like to thank everyone who applied for an eTaxonomy Workshop Bursary.

If you have missed the workshop deadline there are still other ways that eMonocot could assist you in your e-taxonomy work. Therefore if you are interested in the eMonocot project and wish to learn more, please contact us at enquiries@e-monocot.org

eMonocot (http://e-monocot.org) is a 3-year project aiming to create a global online information resource for monocot plants. The project has funding to support five international workshops in partnership with monocot taxonomists worldwide. The financial support and training involved will support groups of specialists in using eMonocot as a platform to facilitate assembling and presenting taxonomic data: nomenclatural, descriptive and associated information. This will enable taxonomic communities to share the results of their own research, to deliver information on monocot flowering plants and mentor others to do the same.

Guidelines for Submission

Workshop bursaries will be awarded on a competitive basis up to a ceiling of £8000/US$12000. Each workshop will:

• bring together a small group of systematists in a monocot family or other substantial monocot taxon with eMonocot project team members.
• involve pooling taxonomic resources and information for specific taxa and seek to agree a consensus classification.
• have time allocated for training in the use of the eMonocot system.
• be organised around an existing conference or meeting, or be held independently.
• be hosted in a taxonomic/biodiversity institute, ideally in a range of locations including London.
• take place in 2012 or early 2013

London (UK) based proposals will have the option of using facilities at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and/or the Natural History Museum for meetings of up to 16 people free of charge.

Background

eMonocot is a consortium based at RBG Kew, the Natural History Museum London, and Oxford University. We aim to provide identification tools, up-to-date checklists, taxon descriptions and links to a range of other resources for a variety of users. Project members at RBG Kew are developing content to generic level though existing community collaborations covering Araceae (aroids), Arecaceae (palms), Asparagaceae, Cyperaceae (sedges), Dioscoreaceae (yams and relatives), Liliaceae, Orchidaceae and Poaceae (grasses). In addition species level resources are being developed for European monocots, “Sampled Red List Index” monocots and Cypripedioideae (slipper orchids). We are seeking to add content and expertise from other communities to that on the core taxa listed above.

Submission Procedures

Applicants are required to complete the bursary applications online. Submissions must be received for review by midnight, GMT on 30th November 2011 and will be considered by the eMonocot project board. Applicants will be notified if their applications have been approved by January 16th 2012.

Review Criteria

The eMonocot project board will evaluate applications using the following criteria:

• past involvement in monocot taxonomy
• access to electronic or hard copy data suitable for collection in the eMonocot system
• potential contribution of data through the e-Monocot system
• cost effectiveness of the meeting, including account logistical & practical issues
• taxon coverage, extending beyond data already being collected

Please contact enquiries@e-monocot.org if you require further information or help in developing your ideas.

The workshops will be coordinated by Bill Baker, Simon Mayo, Dave Simpson and Paul Wilkin (RBG, Kew), Vince Smith (NHM) with other members of the eMoncot team (http://e-monocot.org/team).