The International Seabed Authority launched its Endowment Fund project to encourage the conduct of collaborative marine scientific research in the international seabed area in India on February 18, 2008.
To facilitate these activities, the Secretariat will create and maintain a list of ongoing opportunties for collaboration including research cruises and deep-sea sample analysis through training and internship programmes and by building a network of co-operating groups interested in or undertaking these types of activities and programmes.
The launching of the Fund also coincides with a workshop on Polymetallic Nodule Mining Technology the Authority has jointly organised with the Ministry of Earth Sciences and which is being held at the National Institute of Ocean Technology in Chennai.