[agents] 2nd Call for Proposals: Agent and Multiagent System Schools in Under Represented Countries

[Ana L. C. bazzan]

please distribute

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS AGENT and MULTIAGENT SYSTEM SCHOOLS
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The International Foundation for Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems
(IFAAMAS, www.ifaamas.org) invites proposals for Agent and Multiagent
System Schools
from countries or regions that have been traditionally under-represented
in the
AAMAS conference (International Joint Conference on Agents and Multiagent
Systems). For more information on the conference series, please look at
www.aamas-conference.org <http://www.aamas-conference.org>

The intent is to encourage further participation of researchers from such
countries in AAMAS, and to foster research in the field of agent and
multiagent systems. Attendees at such schools may be graduate students and
established researchers, or from industry.


WHAT IS IFAAMAS?

IFAAMAS is the International Foundation for Autonomous Agents and
Multiagent Systems. It is a legally registered not-for-profit organisation
responsible for organising the AAMAS conference series. Broadly, the aims
of IFAAMAS are to promote research into and awareness of multiagent
systems, primarily by means of its involvement in organising the AAMAS
conferences, but also by providing student travel scholarships, and the
like.


WHAT IS IFAAMAS TRYING TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS INITIATIVE?

A number of advanced schools on agent systems have been held throughout
the world since 1999 (AgentLink schools in Europe, the Americas schools,
the Pacific Rim region school). While these events have been enormously
successful, they have primarily been focussed around regions and countries
that already have substantial agent research communities, and that in
addition have the resources to travel to international conferences. For
this reason, IFAAMAS has initiated similar teaching events in regions that
are not so well represented in terms of established research groups, and
that do not have easy access to funds for international travel.


WHAT KIND OF EVENTS ARE WE AIMING AT?

IFAAMAS will consider any reasonable proposal for a training event, but
typically 5 to 7 days of intensive courses (or tutorials), presented by
internationally recognised speakers, on a variety of topics in the agent
systems area, with some 10-15 courses, each of 1/2 day to a day duration.
The aim is usually to provide both introductory and more advanced courses
and in addition to provide a "balanced curriculum" insofar as this is
possible. Please do not feel constrained by this model, however; IFAAMAS
will consider any reasonable structure, provided a justification is given.


WHICH SUPPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE?

IFAAMAS will provide financial support for such schools, in particular, by
providing travel support (but not honorarium) to internationally
well-recognized lecturers in the arena of agents and multiagent systems.
This financial support will be in the form of a (roughly $5000 to $10,000)
grant.


WHICH REGIONS/COUNTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE?

Broadly, regions/countries that (i) do not have major established research
groups in the agents area, and (ii) do not have easy access to funds for
international travel.


HOW DO I APPLY?

Proposal writers are encouraged to submit proposals as soon as possible
but no later than *31 of March of 2008*. Proposals will undergo an
evaluation and selection process. Please send your proposals in plain text
form to Ana L. Bazzan (bazzan [at] inf.ufrgs.br <http://inf.ufrgs.br>
and/or bazzan [at]
gmail.com <http://gmail.com>). Proposals should include the following
information:

* Is there significant interest in agents and multiagent systems in
  the region you plan to hold your school, and will there be
  significant attendance at the school?

* What structure do you envisage the event having? How many
  courses/lecturers? How many parallel sessions (if any)? Not all lecturers
  need be international lecturers; some local representation would
  be very useful/desirable.

* Is there potential for other support (sponsorship) for the school
  beyond IFAAMAS?  For instance, would some universities, industry, or the
  government potentially support the school?

* Can you give a *preliminary* breakdown of costs? Note that a
  detailed breakdown is not necessary at this stage.

* When will the school be held, and what will be the duration of the
  school? (Please provide multiple possibilities).

* What is the location of the school and will this be easily
  accessible to lecturers and students?

* Will affordable student accommodation be available? If so, how many rooms
  and how much will they cost?

* How many students might be expected to attend?

* What is the "catchment area" for your school, i.e., which
  countries/regions might you expect students from?


Best regards,

IFAAMAS Subcommittee on education and training committee

Ana L. Bazzan, UFRGS, Brazil (chair)
Les Gasser, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
John-Jules Meyer, Utrecht University, The Netherlands