Evidence has been rapidly accumulating that very short, cheaply obtained sequences of DNA suffice to identify almost all animals to the level of species, just as longer sequences can definitely identify individuals within a species. A comparably effective gene sequence is expected to be identified for plant species. These minimal DNA sequences sufficient to make taxonomic identification have come to be known as DNA barcodes. Foundation-supported conferences held in 2003 have explored and discussed the science of DNA barcoding and developed a strategy for an International Barcode of Life Project and Consortium. The essential element of the strategy is to prepare barcodes first for the 500,000 or so plant and animal species already collected in drawers and jars in natural history museums and similar institutions. This grant supports the Smithsonian Institution in forming and operating a consortium of institutions to expedite barcoding. Natural history and university museums in many major cities around the world will cooperate in the project. Among the longer-range goals of the Consortium is creation of a rugged handheld device for use in the field that would accept a tiny piece of leaf or a hair, check its DNA, and identify the species or note it is not yet in the database. Such a “barcoder” could become a fundamental tool of conservation biology as well as a field guide for the 21st century. Grant funds will be used to help the Consortium get started, to support its first director for two years, and also to support a technical working group and conference. The founding institutions are confident that they can obtain funding to cover costs of the actual barcoding. A major role of the Consortium will be to help raise funds. The institutions will assume responsibility for maintaining the Consortium after this initial Foundation support. Project Director: Scott Miller, Chairman, Department of Systematic Biology, National Museum of Natural History.

For a two-week visit by members of the faculty of Baghdad University to Harvard University to discuss new developments in science and technology. Project Director: Richard Wilson, Professor of Physics.

To begin implementation of the IAC report, “Inventing a Better Future: A Strategy for Building Worldwide Capacities in Science and Technology.” Project Director: Bruce Alberts, President.