It is widely recognized that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is a key instrument for economic empowerment and capacity building of a country. STI also plays an important role in protecting and expanding strategic interests. Science often becomes a necessity in improving relations between countries and creating linkages among various nations.

To meet development objectives, a country cannot be in isolation from other countries, and must manage its political differences with others and collaborate on matters of mutual interests, such as scientific research, technical cooperation, trade and commerce. Negotiations between countries many times face conflicts and controversies which can be sorted out by thoroughly understanding and discussing the merits and demerits of any proposed collaboration from a scientific angle. Cooperation, therefore, plays a much stronger role than that of coercion, which plagued the international relations playing field during the world wars and cold war.

In the age of global knowledge economy, STI Diplomacy has become an important mechanism for South-South and North-South relations in pursuit of scientific collaboration, co-generation of knowledge; and usage of innovative technology for socio-economic benefits. This reality is a clear indication that there is a need for countries in the global south to deepen cooperation and enhance competitive and comparative advantages through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). STI Diplomacy thus, plays a critical role as an enabler and driver of knowledge and technology led economic development across the borders. Experts in S&T can help the diplomatic community and facilitate negotiations on many issues with serious foreign policy implications. On the other hand, acquisition of S&T knowledge, resources and expertise from other influential countries might face enormous problems and bottlenecks; therefore, appropriate dialogue and cooperation are required to sort them out.

Diplomats who may not otherwise fully understand the scientific and technological intricacies need help from the scientists in such a scenario. In order to ensure that STI Diplomacy, as well as Research and Development (R&D), contribute positively to foreign policy and vice versa, leading to strong global STI governance through the deployment of STI policy as a mechanism to resolve common developmental challenges, the Centre for Science & Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre), New Delhi, India jointly with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Pretoria, South Africa announces the organization of an intensive International Training Course on “Science, Technology and Innovation Diplomacy” in Pretoria, South Africa from 28 November - 03 December 2019 i.e. just preceding the “Science Forum South Africa – 2019” scheduled to be organized by DSI from 04 December 2019.

About the Michelson Prizes
The Michelson Prizes are scientific awards of $150,000 given annually to young investigators who are applying disruptive concepts and inventive processes to advance human immunology, vaccine discovery, and immunotherapy research across major global diseases.  

The 2020 Michelson Prizes will focus on transformative research in human immunology, with trans-disease applications to accelerate vaccine and immunotherapeutic discovery. The selection committee will be looking to support research that is both highly innovative and has the potential for high impact. Specifically, projects should propose innovative ideas and approaches that can be applied across many disease areas and states. Projects should have the potential to significantly expand our understanding of the human immune system and accelerate the development of vaccines and immunotherapies. 

While the Michelson Prizes are focused on research in the fields of immunology, vaccine and immunotherapy discovery, applicants from the full spectrum of related disciplines, including clinical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence/machine learning, biophysics, nanotechnology, etc., are encouraged to apply. 

Pre-applications for the 2020 Michelson Prizes will be accepted from September 9 – October 31, 2019. Applicants selected to submit a full application will be notified in late December 2019. Prizes will be awarded in June 2020 as part of an annual scientific conference on the future of vaccine and immunotherapy development, which brings together top scientists from across disciplines and disease areas.
 
Additional info can be found at
https://www.humanvaccinesproject.org/michelsonprizes/