International Science and Technology Centre approves projects for funding

The Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) held its third meeting in Moscow on 22-23 September 1994.The European Union, Japan, Russia and the USA established the ISTC in 1992 in order to support and assist the redirection to peaceful purposes...

The Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) held its third meeting in Moscow on 22-23 September 1994.The European Union, Japan, Russia and the USA established the ISTC in 1992 in order to support and assist the redirection to peaceful purposes of weapons scientists and engineers in the Russian Federation and other CIS States. Representatives of the four initial parties were joined by observers from Finland, Sweden and Ukraine.At the meeting, the Governing Board approved funding for 22 project proposals representing a funding commitment of US$ 10.7 million. The projects are in the areas of:- Fusion energy development;- Remediation of radioactive contamination of the environment;- More efficient and proliferation-resistant nuclear fuel elements;- Medicine;- Nuclear material control and accounting.The projects approved bring the total number of projects to 76, representing a total funding commitment of US$ 40.8 million. These projects will sponsor more than 4,000 scientists and engineers for periods of up to three years, the majority of whom were involved in weapons activities.The ISTC Secretariat reported that project activity has begun for 54 of the 55 projects previously approved by the Board. Since its establishment last March, the ISTC has made direct grant payments to 571 scientists involved in Centre-funded projects.In addition to the initial parties, Finland, Sweden and Georgia are now members. Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Canada have expressed their interest in becoming members.

Countries

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan