The Marine Ecosystem-based Management Tool Innovation Fund Request for Letters of Intent The Marine Ecosystem-based Management Tool Innovation Fund is now accepting Letters of Intent to submit grant applications. The Fund is a two year initiative supported by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation to stimulate the development and dissemination of creative software tools for Marine Ecosystem-Based Management (MEBM). We seek to expand the network of MEBM tool developers through the establishment of targeted small grants and an associated technical support program. The program will grant approximately $500,000 a year for two years in small competitive grants to a broad range of organizations and developers. The initiative will aggressively provide detailed tool development guidelines, technical support, training workshops and assistance in tool development to the grantees for the duration of the fund. The primary deliverable products will be the innovative, interoperable and freely disseminated tools developed by the grantees. We encourage all applicants (there are currently no restrictions on who may apply) to submit letters of intent. To apply: please visit our website (http://mgel.env.duke.edu/mebm) and read the instructions under "Grant Application Process". Letters of Intent along with a 1-page letter of introduction are due by March 30th. If possible, please submit via email. Letters of Intent will be reviewed and full application packages sent to all relevant projects by April 10th. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact our project manager at daniel.dunn@duke.edu. Sincerely, Patrick N. Halpin Gabel Associate Professor of the Practice of Marine Geospatial Ecology, and Director Geospatial Analysis Program Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences Duke University Corresponding Contact: Daniel Dunn Research Associate Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences Duke University Daniel.dunn@duke.edu Daniel C. Dunn Associate in Research Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab The Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences Duke University Daniel.Dunn@Duke.edu