With the aim of capacity building in deep-sea faunal systematics for the purpose of better marine biodiversity resource management and environmental impact assessment, China Ocean Mineral Resource Research and Development Association (COMRA) has taken initiatives to run deep-sea invertebrate taxonomy standardization workshops. COMRA will organize its second workshop in November 2015 (see information of workshop in attachment). The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has been invited to act as co-sponsor for this upcoming workshop and now calls for applications to be workshop participants from the ISA members.The recommended participants must demonstrate a good track-record in deep-sea biodiversity research/survey and be dedicated scientists who are willing to continue their work on deep-sea taxonomy. Some background in systematics and invertebrate taxonomy will be a big asset.

All the applications must reach the ISA office by August 10, 2015. Each application shall include a supporting letter from the ISA member, a CV, and contact details.

COMRA will assess the applications in coordination with the ISA. Skype interviews will be conducted to check applicant’s scientific background and standard of English. Official invitations will be sent to successful applicants (around 6) before the end of August. For each participant, COMRA will cover the living expenses of participant during the workshop while the ISA and ISA members will be responsible for international traveling expenses of their participants.