The OBFS Station Exchange Program (SXP)

This program provides mini travel awards for field station staff to visit other field stations in the OBFS network for shadowing, cross-training, and mentoring opportunities. Reciprocal (2-way) field station visits are highly encouraged and will receive priority. Look for announcements via the OBFS listserv.

The Matching Program

Brings stations together for three years (or longer) so they can: 

• Deepen networking opportunities throughout our international community
• Establish support systems among our often isolated and remote FSMLs
• Jump start multi-year collaborations across our diverse lands and expertise

Calls for applications are sent out in the fall and in the spring we offer a Matching Program Workshop so stations can meet each other, talk ideas/interests/priorities and identify which stations they most want to partner with so the Matching Committee can make the matches!

• The years are generally organized as follows:
  • Year 1: Planning
  • Year 2: Development
  • Year 3: Implementation and Deliverables
• Each group has an annual budget of up to US$5,000 for up to three years (we encourage groups to find matching funding, use this as seed money for additional funding, and donations back to the program are encouraged!!)
• OBFS will financially support up to 6 groups annually. 
• The matching program committee facilitates the partnerships but each team works independently.
• Have questions? Contact IC leadership

Virtual Cafés

One hour conversations - bring your choice of drink! 

• Dates, times, and links are announced on the listserv or posted as an event on the OBFS calendar.
• Field station presentations are encouraged as are Speaker Series; consider using the program for region-specific topics!
• Let the International Committee know if you have some ideas or are interested in being featured.

International and Early Career/Student Travel Awards

These awards support attendance at the OBFS Annual Meeting for international and early career/student members.

AIBS Congressional Visit Day

OBFS collaborates with the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) annually to sponsor a few OBFS members to an in-person training and advocacy opportunity on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. The call for OBFS participants goes out to the OBFS listserv around February each year for the late-April trip to D.C. Find out more about all of OBFS' Advocacy efforts or read a highlight from the visit day here!