Since 2010, ICSU ROLAC has been hosted at the Mexican Academy of Sciences (MAS) and financed by the National Council for Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACyT). The CONACyT’s commitment to support the Office ends in mid 2016. From then on, a new host country and institution will need to be identified to support the operation of ICSU ROLAC.
Like the other Regional Offices, ICSU ROLAC was established to promote the further development and strengthening of science in the region, and to integrate the science of Latin America and the Caribbean into ICSU’s global activities. The Office supports the work of ICSU and its National Members in the region, Scientific Unions, ICSU co-sponsored research programmes, scientific committees and networks, as well as its partners such as UNESCO and TWAS. The Office works in association with networks in the region and helps to strengthen them where appropriate. As the Office performs important functions in the region and ensures improved linkages to the international efforts under the ICSU umbrella, the hosting of such an office would be of considerable benefit to the scientific community in the host country. A description of the functions of the Regional Offices and their modus operandi, agreed by the ICSU Executive Board at its 109th meeting in April 2013, is enclosed. Examples of ICSU ROLAC activities can be found in its annual reports (see ICSU ROLAC Annual Reports 2014 and 2013).
Interested members should review the functions of ICSU Regional Offices, specifications and criteria for the Office and the bid template. The ideal offer should combine relevant hosting arrangements and resource commitments, both of which will be necessary to support the functioning of the Office. The deadline for offers is 15 December 2015. All offers will be considered by the ICSU Executive Board. Additional information may be requested by the Board and the final decision will be made after a site visit.