On 15 December 2009 at 10:00 (local time), Azerbaijan National Science Foundation (ANSF), the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and the U.S. Civilian R&D Foundation (CRDF) will host a conference entitled “Progress and Innovation: Scientific Center for Innovative Research (SCIR)” to unveil the newest ANSF initiative to establish a modern research facility in Baku. The event will be held at the Presidium of ANAS located at Istiglaliyyet kucesi 10.

The conference will feature presentations by President of ANAS, Dr. Charles Dunlap, CRDF Sr. Program Manager, Fuad Ismayilov, ANSF Director, Dr. Bahruz Suleymanov, Director of Azecolab and other prominent members of the science & technology community of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan National Science Foundation (ANSF) is a private, non-profit organization operating in accordance with the Civil Code and Constitution of Azerbaijan. ANSF’s goal is to develop the Azerbaijani scientific-engineering community’s potential through financial and technological support of research programs in priority fields. Further information on the ANSF can be found at http://www.ansf.az

ANSF announces recruitment for a position of the Laboratory Manager (Lab Manager) for the Scientific Center for Innovative Research (SCIR). The deadline for submission of the resumes is November 20, 2009.

Through its established Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Program, CRDF provides business training to local researchers and introduces the local business community to their potential partners. In addition, this program offers learning environment for Azerbaijani entrepreneurs/companies to supplement their work experience by providing them with expert reviews of their business plans, helping them prepare concise presentations and executive summaries of their prospective technologies, and training them in pitching their concepts to an international audience of investors and potential strategic business partners. American experts are involved in providing the training.

CRDF, Azerbaijan National Science Foundation (ANSF) and Azerbaijan Ministry of Education (MoE) granted a $300,000 award to Baku State University to establish a modern, well-equipped, interdisciplinary center to integrate environmental science research into the academic curricula and
provide new opportunities for young investigators in biology, chemistry and geology, 50% of funding for this program came from the MoE.