Ecological Niche Modeling Course, Nairobi, Kenya: 25-28 February 2013
Ecological niche modeling has fast become an extremely popular methodology in the use, exploration, and analysis of biodiversity data. As a tool, niche modeling offers the possibility of understanding species’ geographic distributions (actual and potential) in detail, as well as an understanding of species’ environmental requirements (i.e., the ecological niche). Although tools for niche modeling are now widely and freely available, a clear and appropriate thinking framework for the use of the tool is often not in hand, leading to many partial or inappropriate implementations. This course is designed to provide in-depth training in the use of niche modeling as an approach to biodiversity data. Instructors include Richard Pearson, Enrique Martinez-Meyer, and Town Peterson, all leaders in this field in North America.

Potential applicants should note that all courses will be taught in English, but that we will make every effort to accommodate French-speaking applicants as well, via translation if possible.


Eligibility

All researchers, students, technicians, planners, managers, and other interested persons from across Africa are welcome to apply. To maximize cost-effectiveness, participants from outside of East Africa will be limited in number, particularly in light of plans to hold parallell courses in at least three other African cities in the near future. Approximately 20-25 applicants will be selected to participate in the training course. Final selection of participants will be based on the following criteria:

1. Applicability of course material to the applicant’s occupation, research, studies, or overall interest.
2. Adequate knowledge or experience in related fields so as to maximize the benefit of participation in the training course.
3. Potential for further sharing and diffusion of knowledge acquired during training.
4. Strength of letter of recommendation from current employer/supervisor.


Cost of Attendance

Thanks to support from the JRS Biodiversity Foundation, costs of participation in the course will be covered by the program. Transportation costs will be covered, and meals will be provided during training sessions; per diems will not be provided, in light of all relevant expenses being covered.

To maximize numbers of course participants that the program can accommodate, participants residing in Nairobi or within a commute of approximately 1 hour of the ICIPE campus will be reimbursed for daily travel to and from the ICIPE campus during the course. Lunches and snacks during breaks will be provided for these local participants.

Course participants traveling from outside Nairobi will be funded for travel from the closest major city in their home or resident country to Nairobi and back. These longer-distance participants will be provided food and lodging on the ICIPE campus for the duration of the course.


Application Requirements

Applicants are responsible for assuring that all of the following materials are in the hands of the program organizers.
     1. Application form (found below)
     2. Letter of recommendation from employer/home institution
     3. Curriculum vitae (CV)

Completed applications are due no later than 1 NOVEMBER 2012 and applicants accepted to the training course will be notified by 15 NOVEMBER 2012. Application materials and any questions regarding the application process may be addressed to the course organizers (Town Peterson is the project director) at BiodivTraining@gmail.com.



All prompts denoted by a " * " are required information.
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Given Name *
Surname or Family Name *
Preferred Name
Email Address *
Telephone Country Code *
Telephone *
Home Address *
Education *
Indicate the highest level of education you've completed.
Employer or Institutional Affiliation *
Your "institutional affiliation" or "home institution" is your current academic site or employer.
Occupation *
Briefly describe your present title and role at your home institution. Limit 200 words.
Employer or Institutional Address *
What is the principal role of your home institution? *
Choose all  that apply. If "other" please specify.
Required
Describe any previous experience relevant to biodiversity informatics, statistics, and computation. *
Be sure to include any coursework completed, participation in relevant trainings/seminars, and involvement in related fields. 500 word maximum.
Describe your previous experience in biology and biodiversity studies. *
Be sure to include any coursework completed, research, participation in relevant trainings/seminars, and involvement in related fields. 500 word maximum.
Please provide information about institutional infrastructure *
Provide a general evaluation of your institution's infrastructure to support your work in biodiversity informatics; ratings go from 1 (no infrastructure, completely lacking) to 5 (excellent infrastructure, everything needed for success) in each of the following categories
1 (None)
2
3
4
5 (Excellent)
Office and laboratory facilities
Computational facilities
Library facilities
Biodiversity collections facilities
Statistical expertise
GIS expertise
Biodiversity expertise
Computational expertise
Describe your interests, in terms of education and research, as they relate to biodiversity informatics as a field and this course in particular. *
Please be sure to specify: 1) how you will incorporate acquired knowledge in your present and future research/work and 2) how you will  pass on the knowledge gained from attending this course. Limit 500 words.
Describe how your participation in this course will benefit you as an individual. How do you intend to apply the skills, tools, and experiences gained during the workshop to your research/projects over the next year? *
Limit 500 words.
Describe how your participation in this course will benefit your institution. *
Please be sure to specify: 1) any particular areas of research or management/planning that will benefit from your completion of the course, and 2) if there are plans to provide education/training for others at your home institution (or elsewhere) on the course material. Limit 500 words.
Computer facilities available to you *
Please describe (briefly) the computer facilities that you have available and, in particular, whether you will plan to bring a laptop computer with you to the course, if accepted for participation. Limit 200 words
Do you reside in Nairobi and within a 1 hour commute of the ICIPE Campus? *
Lodging at the ICIPE Campus is available for course participants, however, if you live or can stay within a 1 hour commute of the ICIPE campus in Nairobi, please indicate 'yes'. This will allow for the participation of a greater number of participants.
           If you do not reside in Nairobi, from what city would you be traveling to attend the training course?
           Please include city and country.
Language abilities *
Please indicate languages in which you can speak and understand.
Required
English language ability *
Courses will be taught in English; however, to every extent feasible, we will work to assure that language assistance is provided to students lacking English proficiency.  Please provide a candid evaluation of your facility in English in terms of listening to lectures, and interacting with lecturers.
How did you hear about this course? *
That is the end of the form ... HOWEVER, please ...
We ask you for two (2) further pieces of information, in order to complete your application.

1. Please provide a letter of recommendation from your supervisor at your home institution describing how
        your institution will derive maximum benefit from your participation in this course—e.g., time dedicated to
        such endeavors, opportunities to teach others what you have learned, etc.
        Please name this file as 'YOURSURNAME_YOURFIRSTNAME_INSTITUTIONALLETTER"

2. Please provide a curriculum vitae describing your education experience, research and/or employment
        history, achievements, and interests.
        Please name this file as 'YOURSURNAME_YOURFIRSTNAME_CV"

Both documents should be emailed as either Word or .pdf attachments to BiodivTraining@gmail.com by 1 NOVEMBER 2012. Upon receipt of these two items, as well as this form completed, we will advise you that your application is considered complete.

Thanks very much, Town Peterson
BiodivTraining@gmail.com

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