The 32nd IGC GEOHOST Program was developed following the principles originally outlined by the Organizing Committee of the 28th IGC, i.e. giving priority to young scientists with academic qualifications.
A GEOHOST Committee was established, including representatives of UNESCO, IUGS, European Commission and the Organizing Committee (Mediterranean Consortium). The funds were provided by the European Commission, UNESCO, the 32nd IGC Organizing Committee and the IUGS. The GEOHOST Committee was also in charge of the selection of the awardees of the Hutchison Fund of IUGS.
The GEOHOST Committee met in Florence on 20-21 January 2004 for the selection of the awardees. Aim of the GEOHOST Committee was to satisfy the highest possible number of applications from the highest number of countries.
The selection of the applications was made on the basis of the documents submitted by the applicants. 551 (46% of the total) candidates from 91 Countries were selected.
All the applicants were notified of the decision taken by the GEOHOST Committee within February 10th and were requested to express their acceptance no later than March 15th. Nearly 10% of the selected awardees (58) declined or did not answer.
With the resulting available funds it was possible to give some support to all the applicants inserted by the Commission in the waiting list and to offer some grants to a few more late applicants, selected on the basis of their scientific contribution to the Congress. In total the awarded candidates were 582 (424 men, 158 women) from 90 Countries. 571 were awarded with the waiver of the registration fee, 388 received free lodging in Florence for the duration of the Congress, and 178 a partial travel grant.




European Commission