The World Federation for Culture Collections invites applications from young microbial taxonomists for the WFCC Skerman Award for Taxonomy. The Award was established to honour the contribution made by Professor V. B. D. Skerman to bacterial taxonomy, to the establishment of the WFCC World Data Centre on Microorganisms, and to the development of the WFCC.

The aim of the Award is to encourage taxonomic research by young microbiologists and to reward excellence in taxonomic research and significant contributions to the discipline.

The successful recipient of the Award will receive a prize of $2000 together with a return economy class airfare and registration costs to attend the tenth International Congress for Culture Collections (ICCC 10) to be held in Tsukuba, Japan, during the period 10-15 October 2004, and will be invited to deliver the Skerman Award Lecture on their research. The recipient will also receive a certificate of the Award.

Applicants should normally be less than 40 years of age at the time of application. Applicants should provide a Curriculum Vitae, a list of research publications, the names and addresses of two referees familiar with their research who have agreed to act as referees, and copies of their three most significant research publications.

Applications should be submitted to: Dr. David Smith, WFCC Secretary, CABI Bioscience UK Centre, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY
Tel: +44 1491 829046; Fax: +44 1491 829100

The deadline for applications is 1st March 2004 and the applicant must be under 40 years old at the time of application.