To encourage the participation of early career scientists in international scientific investigations and to promote their involvement in the management of the marine environment, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) invited a group of early career marine scientists to form the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) to plan and organize an international conference for their peers on a marine topic of their own choosing. The resulting conference will be held on Majorca Island, Spain from 24 to 27 April 2012.

Participants are expected to arrive on the 23rd for a welcome address and ice-breaker reception at the Palma Aquarium. The main conference will take place over the following 4 days. Each day will begin with an invited plenary address followed by two parallel sessions. In the afternoon of Day 2 and Day 4 there will be workshop breakout sessions, predominantly addressing career advice for research scientists (e.g. proposal writing, communication, attracting funding) and the development of new collaborations. Several outing activities are planned to promote informal discussion among participants and explore the atmosphere and landscape of the island.

NEW - Abstract Submission Closed

The Deadline date for applications has now passed so no new applications are being accepted. All applicants will be notified in December 2011 about the fate of their application.

A select suite of papers based on the conference will be published in ICES Journal of Marine Science. Presenters interested in contributing with a paper should contact the SSC at the conference. All papers submitted will be subject to the Journal’s normal review process.

Overview of scientific themes

Read more about Key Note Speakers and Early Career Speakers

The conference will take place over 4 days. Each day will begin with an invited plenary address followed by two parallel sessions. In the afternoon of Day 2 and Day 4 there will be workshop breakout sessions, predominantly addressing career advice for research scientists (e.g. proposal writing, communication, attracting funding) and the development of new collaborations. Several outing activities are planned to promote informal discussion among participants and explore the atmosphere and landscape of the island.

All early career marine scientists who would like to participate must apply for an invitation from the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC). Applicants should be under 35 years in age or have completed a PhD after 2007. Room and board expenses will be covered for successful applicants and travel expenses will be covered for a portion of attendees (based on financial need and scientific potential). Applicants will be evaluated on their productivity and potential for novel science as well as the relevance of their research to the session themes.

• Call for abstracts deadline 31 October 2011
• Application for financial assistance deadline 31 October 2011
• Applicants notified of decisions December 2011
• Invitees to confirm participation January 2012

The conference will be held 24-27 April 2012 at Son Caliu Hotel Spa Oasis (Calviá, Majorca, Spain), close to Palma city, the
capital of the Balearic Islands. The host is the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, CSIC/UIB).

There is no registration fee.

Room and board will be provided to all elected candidates, but travel expenses can be covered for only some of the attendees and candidates will be evaluated according to their financial need and scientific potential. Details of financial status will be requested in the application process.

Bryan Black (USA)
Ignacio Catalán (Spain)
Helen Findlay (UK)
Hanna Na (Korea)
Nina Overgaard Therkildsen (Denmark)
Marta Varela (Spain)
Naoki Yoshie (Japan)

Sukyung Kang (Korea)
Julie Keister (USA)
Franz J. Mueter (USA)
Elizabeth W. North (USA)

Adi Kellermann (ICES), Skip McKinnell (PICES)

Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA), Spain