The IAOS/IASS Jordan Conference WBG Support Fund will have the following characteristics:

• The maximum amount available from this Fund is 50,000 US$.

• Prospective participants (in particular from developing nations who live and work in those countries) can apply for financial support from the Fund to cover their economy class travel costs (a copy of economy class ticket is eventually to be submitted to the ISI Permanent Office), registration fee and perdiem (based upon standard UN rates, from which the participant will be expected to cover all accommodation, food and incidental costs including ground transportation) based upon attendance at the November 29 - December 1, 2004 IAOS/IASS conference in Jordan. Funds may also be used, should the applicant wish to extend his/her attendance to participate in the ISI Briefing Seminar for Chief Statisticians) but may not be used to cover registration fees for that Seminar.
• Preference will be given to candidates from developing nations who did their work in a developing country. Candidates from other countries will be considered, funds permitting.
• Applicants should include two references from standing IAOS/IASS/ISI members if they are not already a member.
• Preference will be given to candidates who take an active role in the conference (by presenting a paper, or acting as Chair or discussant). Proposed papers of applicants will receive a quality assessment to determine priority.
• Applicants should attach brief curriculum vitae to their application.
• Female applicants will be preferred over male candidates, and younger applicants will be preferred over older applicants, all other things being equal.
• Applications for the IASS/IAOS funds may be submitted at any time up until the application deadline of September 1, 2004.
• Candidates are to use the form provided by the ISI Permanent Office, and address it to the Director of ISI, Prinses Beatrixlaan 428, 2273 XZ Voorburg, the Netherlands.
• If not already an IAOS, IASS or ISI member, applicants will be registered to an ISI Section of their selection. Section registration costs are to be incorporated into the application budget.
• Applications submitted to the ISI Permanent Office will be judged on the basis of the criteria outlined above until the Fund has been depleted.
• Application forms can be obtained on request from:
• The ISI Permanent Office, P.O. Box 950, 2270AZ Voorburg, The Netherlands (@cbs.nl) or obtained from the IAOS website at (www.stat.fi/iaos)
• Representatives from the IAOS/IASS will decide on each application in a timely manner, assisted as the need arises by experts who will be approached for that purpose. Exceptions to the above guidelines will only be made under very exceptional circumstances. Decisions are final, and there is no procedure for appeal.