U.S.
State Department
BUREAU OF OCEANS AND INTERNATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS (OES)
List
of
Acronyms
ACRONYM
DEFINITION
-A-
AAAS
American Association for the Advancement of Science
ABACE
Argentina-Brazil Bilateral Nuclear Safeguards Agency
ABI
Association of Biodiversity Informatics
ABRC
Advisory Board for the Research Councils (UK)
ACA
Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan, part of the
Ministry of
Education)
ACBE
Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment
(UK)
ACC
Administrative Committee on Coordination (UN)
ACDA
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
ACMRR
Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research
ACOST
Advisory Council on Science and Technology (UK)
ACRV
Assured Crew Rescue System
ACTS
African Center for Technology Studies
ADB
African Development Bank
ADB
Asian Development Bank
ADEOS
Advanced Earth Observation Satellite (Japan)
ADEPT
Assisting in Deployment of Energy Practices and
Technologies
Program (DOE)
AEA
Atomic Energy Authority
AEC
Atomic Energy Commission (India)
AEC
Atomic Energy Council (South Africa, Taiwan)
AECB
Atomic Energy Control Board (Canada)
AECL
Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
AEDD
Arctic Environmental Data Director
AEE
Atomic Energy Establishment
AEES
Arctic Environment Protection Strategy (cooperative
program between U.S., Canada, Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia - 1991)
AEPS
Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (8 nation
members, including Canada and the US)
AFRIMS
The Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical
Sciences (HHS
& DOD)
AGARD
Advisory Group on Aerospace Research and Development
(DOD)
AGASP
Arctic Gas and Aerosol Sampling Program
AGBM
Ad-Hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate (climate change)
AID/OFDA
Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID)
AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AIHA
American International Health Alliance
AIJ
Actions Implemented Jointly
AIST
Agency of Industrial Science and Technology of the
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Japan)
AIT
American Institute in Taiwan
ALERT
Arctic Long-Term Environmental Research Transects
Program (EPA)
ALS
Alternate Launch Site
AMAP
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program
AMMTAP
Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archive Project
ANCSA
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971
ANL
Argonne National Laboratory
ANPA
Agenzia Nazionale per la Protezione dell'Ambiente
(Italy)
ANRE
Agency of Natural Resources and Energy (Japan - part
of MITI)
ANWR
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
APEC
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Forum)
APELL
Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local
Level
APFIC
Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission
APGERN
Asian-Pacific Global Environmental Research Network
APHIS
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA)
APIC
Assembly of Pacific Island Communities
AQC
Air Quality Commission (U.S. & Canada)
ARC
Arctic Research Commission
AR&D
Automated Rendezvous and Docking System
ARPA
Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984
ARPA
Advanced Research Projects Agency
ARPPS
Advanced Research Perspectives Program (NATO)
ARS
Agricultural Research Service (USDA)
ARW
Advanced Research Workshop (NATO)
ASAP
As Soon As Possible
ASC
Association of Systematics Collections
ASEAN
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
ASFIS
Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Information System
ASI
Advanced Studies Institute (NATO)
ASI
Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (Italian Space Agency)
ASIC
Application-specific Semiconductor Chip
ATC
Air Traffic Control
ATLAS
Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science
ATOC
Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate
ATV
Automated Transfer Vehicle
AVHRR
Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (NASA)
AZT
Anti-AIDS Drug
-B-
BARD
Binational Agricultural Research and Development
Foundation (U.S.-Israel)
BATAN
National Atomic Energy Agency (Indonesia)
BCAE
Bulgarian Atomic Energy Commission (NRC)
BCIS
Biodiversity Conservation Information System
BDM
Biodiversity Data Management Project
BECC
Border Environment Cooperation Commission (NAFTA)
BENS
Board of Directors of Business Executives for
National Security
BEPC
Beijing Electron-Positron Collider
BERPAC
Program for Long-Term Ecological Research in
Ecosystems of the Bering and Chukchi Seas and the
Pacific Ocean
BID
Banco Internacional de Desarollo (Latin American
International Bank for Development)
BIFADEC
Board for International Food and Agricultural
Development and
Economic Cooperation (White House)
BIN21
Biodiversity Information Network (of the CBD)
BIN-BR
Biodiversity Information Network - Brazil
BIRD
Binational Industrial Research and Development
Foundation
(U.S.-Israel)
B-ISDN
Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network
BMFT
Federal Ministry of Research and Technology - Bundesministerium fuer
Forschung und Technologie (Germany)
BMU
Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety
(Germany)
BMZ
Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany)
BNC
Binational Commission (on Conservation and Environment)
BNL
Brookhaven National Library
BNSC
British National Space Centre
BO
Branch Office of Embassy
BOM
Bureau
of Mines (DOI); ceased to exist as of January 8, 1996
BPPT
Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (Indonesia)
BRDCD
Bangkok Diplomatic Courier Division
BRGM
Bureau de Recherches Geologiques et Minieres (France)
BRIM
Biosphere Reserve Integrated Monitoring Program
BSF
Binational Science Foundation (U.S.-Israel)
BSP
Biodiversity Support Program (USAID)
BTU
British Thermal Unit
BUREC
Bureau of Reclamation (DOI)
-C-
C
Consulate
C-175
Circular 175 (interagency process for authorization to negotiate and
conclude cooperation agreements; coordinated by DOS)
CAE
Common Agenda for the Environment (US-India)
CAFF
Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna
CAMP
Code Applications and Maintenance Program (NRC)
CANEX
Canadian Experiments (aboard Space Shuttle)
CARAD
Civil Aircraft Research and Technology Demonstration Program
CAREC
Caribbean Epidemiology Center
CARICOM
Caribbean Community
CARPE
Central African Regional Environmental Program
CAST
Cooperation in Applied Science and Technology
CBD
Biodiversity
Convention
CBIC
Canadian Biodiversity Informatics Consortium, Inc.
CBIN
Canadian Biodiversity Information Network
CCAMLR
Convention on Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (28
signatories, including U.S.)
CCCO
Committee on Climate Changes and the Ocean
CCMS
Committee on the Challenges for Modern Society (NATO)
CCNAA
Coordination Council for North American Affairs (Taiwan)
CCOHS
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
CDA
Conceptual Design Activity (for ITER)
CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/PHS)
CDM
Clean Development Mechanism (Kyoto Climate Change protocol element)
CDP
Cooperative Development Program (U.S.-Israel)
CDR
Cooperative Development Research Program (USAID-Israel)
CD&RI
Contraceptive Development and Research in Immunology Program (U.S.-India)
(HHS)
CDTI
Center for Technological Industrial Development (Spain)
CEA
Council of Economic Advisors (White House)
CEA
Atomic Energy Commission (France)
CEAO
Communaute Economique de l'Afrique e l'Ouest (also known as West African
Economic Community, 7 members and 2 observers, established 1972)
CEBAF
Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (Italy)
CEC
Commission on Environmental Cooperation (NAFTA)
CEC
Commission of the European Communities
CEE
Space Studies Committee (Chile)
C&EE
Central and Eastern Europe
CEES
(FCCSET) Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences
CEFIC
European Chemical Industry Council
CENAM
Center for Metrology (Mexico)
CENAPRED
National Center for Disaster Prevention (Mexico)
CENR
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
CEOS
(International) Committee on Earth Observations Satellites
CEP
Caribbean Environment Program
CEPH
Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain (France)
CERN
Centre Europien de Recherches Nucleaires (European Center for Nuclear
Research - Geneva, Switzerland)
CERT
Committee on Energy Research and Technology (OECD/IEA)
CEQ
Council on Environmental Quality (White House)
CFC
Chlorofluorocarbon
CFDT
Committee on Forest Development in the Tropics
CFS
Committee on Food Security (FAO)
CG
Consulate General
CGIAR
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
CGMS
Coordination Group on Meteorological Satellites
CHINAPAC
Chinese public packet switching data network (opened in 1993)
CHM
Clearing House Mechanism (CBD)
CHP
Combined Heat and Power Technology
CIFOR
Center for International Forestry Research
CIS
Commonwealth of Independent States
CISET
Committee on International Science, Engineering and Technology (FCCSET)
CIT
(U.S.) Court of International Trade
CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
CISET
Committee on International Science, Engineering and Technology
CMA
Chemical Manufacturers Association
CMAA
Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement
CNE
Chile's National Energy Commission
CNEA
National Atomic Energy Commission (Argentina)
CNEN
National Nuclear Energy Commission (Brazil)
CNES
Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (French National Center for Space
Studies)
CNG
Compressed Natural Gas
CNPQ
National Research Council (Brazil)
CNR
National Research Council (Italy)
CNRS
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (French National Center for
Scientific Research)
CNS
Council for National Safety (South Africa) (NRC)
CNSNS
Comision Nacional de Seguridad Nuclear y Salvaguardias (National Nuclear
Safety and Safeguards Commission) (Mexico)
COA
Council of Agriculture (Taiwan)
COARE
Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment
COB
Close of Business (End of Workday)
COBAE
Comissao Brasileira de Actividades Espaciais (Brazilian Commission for
Space Activities) (NASA)
COCOM
Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls
COEECT
Committee on Energy Efficiency Commerce and Trade
COF
Columbus Orbital Facility
COFO
Committee on Forestry
CONABIO
National Commission on Biodiversity (Mexico)
CONACYT
National Council of Science and Technology (Mexico)
CONAE
Civilian National Commission on Space Activities (Argentina)
CONICIT
National Council for Scientific and Technological Investigations
(Venezuela)
CONICYT
National Commission on Science and Technology (Chile)
COP
Conference of the Parties (signatories of convention, agreement; highest
level of international meetings)
COPUOS
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN)
CORECT
Committee on Renewable Energy, Commerce and Trade (DOE)
COSMT
Czech Office for Standards, Metrology and Testing (DOC/NIST)
COSTA
Council on Science and Technology in the Americas
CPC
Climate Change Policy Work Group
CPPS
Permanent Commission of the South Pacific (Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and
Peru)
CRDF
Civilian Research and Development Foundation (1995, US-Russia)
CRESP
Coordinated Research and Environmental Surveillance Program
CRG
Collaborative Research Grant (NATO)
CRSP
Caribbean Regional Seas Program
CRSP
Cooperative Research Support Projects
CSA
Canadian
Space Agency
CSCT
Superior Council for Science and Technology (Portugal)
CSD
Commission on Sustainable Development
CSIR
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (Indonesia)
CSIST
Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (AIT Taiwan)
CSMT
U.S. Country Studies Management Team
CSN
Nuclear Safety Council (Spain)
CSP
Country Studies Program
CSTP
Committee on Science and Technology Policy (OECD)
CTIS
Center for Trade and Investment Services (USAID)
CVG
Guayana Development Corporation (Venezuela)
CVI
Children's Vaccine Initiative (U.S.-Japan)
CZMU
Control Zone Management Unit
-D-
DAD-IS
Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (FAO)
DARA
German Space Agency
DARPA
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DOD)
DEA
Defense Exchange Agreement (DOD)
DESY
German Electron Synchotron Facility (Hamburg, Germany)
DFA
Development Fund for Africa (USAID)
DG
Director-General, Directorate-General
DHHS (or HHS) U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
DLR
German Space Research Facility
DNA
Defense Nuclear Agency (DOD)
DOC
U.S. Department of Commerce
DOD
U.S. Department of Defense
DOE
U.S. Department of Energy
DOI
U.S. Department of the Interior
DOS
U.S. Department of State
DOSE
Dynamics of the Solid Earth Program (Architecture-Engineering Academy,
Kazakstan)
DOT
U.S. Department of Transportation
DRAM
Dynamic Random Access Memory
DRG
Defense Research Group (DOD)
DRDO
Defense Department (India)
DRN
National Research Council (Indonesia)
DTI
Department of Trade and Industry (U.K.)
DTICC
Defense Technological and Industrial Cooperation Committee (Korea and
DOD)
DWFN
Distant Water Fishing Nation
-E-
E
Embassy
EA
Enterprise for the Americas
EA
Environment Agency (Japan)
EB
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (DOS)
EBRD
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
EC
European Community (see EU; title changed in 1994)
ECE
Economic Commission for Europe (UN)
ECN
Energy Research Foundation (the Netherlands)
ECOFIN
EU Ministers for the Economy and Finance
ECOSOC
United Nations Economic and Social Council
ECSD
Enquete Commission on Sustainable Development (Germany)
ECU
European Currency Unit
E-Cubed
Energy, Environment, and Economics
EDA
Engineering Design Activity (for ITER)
EEC
European Economic Community
EEO
Equal Employment Opportunity
EEZ
Exclusive Economic Zone
EF
Environmental Fund
EFM(s)
Eligible Family Member(s)
EIA
Environmental Impact Assessment
EID
Emerging Infectious Diseases
ELCI
Environmental Liaison Centre International
ELI
Environmental Law Institute (Mexico)
EMAP
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
EMEP
Co-Operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of Long-Range
Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe (ECE)
EMINWA
Environmentally Sound Management of Inland Water
EMR
Department of Energy, Mines and Resources (Canada)
ENB
Earth Negotiations Bulletin
ENEA
National Agency for New Technology, Energy, and the Environment (Italy)
ENREN
Ente Nacional Regulador Nuclear (Argentina) (NRC)
ENRESA
Nuclear Waste Management Authority (Spain)
ENRM
Environment & Natural Resources Management Project (G-7)
ENVICAN
Ministry of Environment (Canada)
ENVISAT
Environment Satellite Mission (ESA)
EOS
Earth Observing System
EOSDIS
Earth Observing System Comprehensive Data and Information System
EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPACT
Energy Policy Act of 1992 (U.S.)
EPD
Environment Policy Dialogue (US-Japan)
EPOC
Environment Policy Committee (OECD)
EPPR
Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (Coast Guard)
EPT
Environment Policy and Technology Project (USAID)
EPZ
Environmental Pollution Prevention Project (USAID)
ERC
Engineering Research Center Program (Korea)
EREFEN
Protocol for the Regional Study of the El Nino Phenomenon
ERIN
Environmental Resources Information Network (Australia)
ESA
European Space Agency
ESCAP
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
ESD
Conference on Environmentally Sustainable Development (World Bank)
ESPOO
ECE Convention on Transboundary Impact Assessment
ESPRIT
European Strategic Program for Research and Development in Information
Technology
ESRC
Economic and Social Research Council (U.K.)
EST (or ES&T) Environment,
Science and Technology
ESTR
Environment, Science and Technology Resources Statistical Package (DOS/OES)
ESV
Experimental Safety Vehicle (DOT)
ETI
Experts Center for Taxonomic Identification
EU
European Union (originally EC, but changed in 1994)
EUMETSAT
European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites
EURATOM
European Atomic Energy Commission
EURECA
European Retrievable Carrier (ESA)
EUREKA
European Research Coordinating Agency
EV
Electric Vehicle (DOT & DOE)
EWG
Environmental Working Group
EXACT
Executive Action Team (management body of the
Middle East Peace Process' Regional Water Data Banks Project)
-F-
FAA
South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency
FAA
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (DOT)
FACA
Federal Advisory Committee Act
FAG
Forestry Advisers Group
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization (UN)
FAST
Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer
FCCC
Framework Convention on Global Change (UN)
FCCSET
Federal Coordinating Committee for Science, Engineering, and Technology
(U.S.)
FERRO
Far Eastern Regional Research Office (USDA & New Delhi, India)
FFA
South Pacific Forum Fishing Agency
FGDC
Federal Geographic Data Committee
FGF
Fisherman's Guaranty Fund
FHA (also FHWA) Federal Highway
Administration (DOT)
FIBIN
Finnish Biodiversity Information Network
FODAG
Food and Agriculture Organizations
FOE
Federal Energy Office (Switzerland)
FOFCC
Federal Oceanographic Laboratory System
FOIA
Freedom of Information Act
FOMENTO
Development Ministry (Venezuela)
FRA
Federal Railroad Administration (DOT)
FRD
Foundation for Research Development (South Africa)
FRDCD
Frankfurt Diplomatic Courier Division
FSI
Foreign Service Institute (DOS)
FSK
Federal Counterintelligence Service (formerly Russia's KGB)
FSL
Forecast Systems Laboratory (DOC/NOAA)
FSM
Full Scientific Material
FSN
Foreign Service National
FSO
Foreign Service Officer (DOS)
FSU
(Former) Soviet Union
FUNDEA
Foundation for Environmental Education (Mexico)
FWF
Fund for the Advancement of Scientific REsearch
FWIE
Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange
FWS
Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI)
FY
Fiscal Year
-G-
GAAC
German-American Academic Council (established in 1993)
GAN
Federal Nuclear and Radiation Safety Authority of the Russian Federation
(NRC)
GATT
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
GAW
Global Atmosphere Watch
GC
Governing Council
GCC
Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission (U.S.-Russia)
GCC
Global Climate Change Program
GCC
Gulf Cooperation Council (also known as the Cooperation Council for the
Arab States of the Gulf - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, & UAE)
GCDIS
Global Change Data and Information Management System
GCMD
Global Change Master Directory (NASA)
GCOS
Global Climate Observing System
GCRMN
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
GCRP
Global Change Research Program
GDB
Genome Data Base (John Hopkins University)
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
GEEP
Group of Experts on Effects of Pollutants
GEF
Global Environment Facility (World Bank/UNDP/UNEP)
GEMS
Global Environmental Monitoring System
GEMS/WATER
Global Water Quality Monitoring Programme
GERD
Gross Domestic Expenditure on Research and Development
GESAMP
Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution
GGS
Global Geospace Science Program
GHG
Greenhouse Gas(es)
GIEWS
Global Information and Early Warning System for Food and Agriculture (FAO)
GIFA
Governing International Fishery Agreement (DOS)
GIPME
Global Investigation of Pollution in the Marine Environment
GITSB
Government Information Technology Services Board
GIWG
GPS International Working Group
GLFC
Great Lakes Fishery Commission
GLOBE
Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (DOS &
EPA)
GLOBE INTERNATIONAL Global Legislators for a Balanced Environment
GLOBEC
Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics Research Program
GLORIA
Geologic Long-Range Inclined Asdic System (DOI/USGS)
GLOSS
Global Sea-Level Observing System
GLRS
Geoscience Laser Ranging System
GMO (s)
genetically modified organism(s)
GNG
Greenhouse Gas(es)
GNP
Gross National Product
GOOS
Global Ocean Observing System
GOS
Global Observing System
GOSSTANDART State
Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Certification of the Russian
Federation (DOC/NIST)
GPS
Global Positioning System
GRID
Global Resource Information Database (UN/UNEP)
GSO
General Services Operations
-H-
HAN
Highly Advanced National Projects
HCFC
Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
HDTV
High-Definition Television System
HERA
Hadron Electron Ring Accelerator
HFC
Hydrofluorocarbon
HFSP
Human Frontier Science Program
HHS (also DHHS) U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services
HIMAC
Heavy Ion Metal Acceleration in Chiba (Japan)
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS)
HMG
Her Majesty's Government (U.K.)
HMIP
Her Majesty's Government's Inspectorate of Pollution (U.K.)
H&SE
Health and Safety Executive (U.K.)
HST
Hubble Space Telescope
HUD
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUGO
(International) Human Genome Organization
-I-
IABIN
InterAmerican Biodiversity Network
IAC
Information Analysis Center
IADB
Inter-American Development Bank (also known as Banco Interamericano de
Desarrollo - 44 members, established 1959)
IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency (117 members)
IAF
Inter-American Foundation
IAI
Inter-American Institute for Global Climate Change Research
IAPG
Interagency Arctic Policy Group
IAP-WASAD
International Action Programme on Water and Sustainable Agricultural
Development
IARPC
Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee
IAQMB
International Air Quality Management Basin
IASAP
International Arctic Sea Assessment Project
IASC
International Arctic Science Council
IATTC
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission
IBAMA
National Environment and Renewable Natural Resources Institute (Brazil)
IBEC
International Bank for Economic Cooperation (established 1963)
IBEP
International Border Environmental Plan (U.S.-Mexico)
IBRAE
Institute of Nuclear Safety of the Russian Academy of Sciences (NRC)
IBRD
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (part of World Bank
lending to credit-worthy developing countries with high per capita incomes - 177
members)
IBSRAM
International Board of Soil Resources and Management
IBWC
International Boundary Water Commission (U.S.-Mexico)
ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization (181 members, established 1944)
(UN)
ICAR
International Centers for AIDS Research (HHS)
ICC
Inuit Circumpolar Conference
ICC
International Chamber of Commerce (members are 59 national councils,
established 1919)
ICCA
International Council on Chemical Associations
ICCAT
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
ICDA
Integrated Conservation and Development Areas
ICES
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
ICFA
International Committee for Future (particle) Accelerators
ICFTU
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (164 national
organizations in 117 areas, established 1949)
ICIDR
International Centers for Infectious Diseases Research (HHS)
ICJ
International Court of Justice (15 judges, also known as the World Court,
established 1945)
ICMES
International Cooperation on Marine Engineering Systems (DOT)
ICOT
Institute on Computer Training (Japan)
ICPIC
International Cleaner Production Information Clearing House
ICRAF
International Center for Research in Agroforestry (UN)
ICRC
International Committee of the Red Cross (25 Swiss nationals, established
1863)
ICRD
International Cooperative Research and Development Program (DOD)
ICRI
International Coral Reef Initiative
ICSU
International Council of Scientific Unions
ICTDR
International Centers for Tropical Disease Research (HHS/NIH)
IDA
International Development Association (156 members, established 1960)
IDB
Interamerican Development Bank (also see IADB)
IDB
Islamic Development Bank (47 members plus the PLO, established 1973)
IDNDR
International Decade on Natural Disaster Reduction (UN)
IDRU
Tropical Disease Research Units (HHS)
IEA
Information Exchange Agreement (DOD)
IEA
International Energy Agency (OECD) (23 members, established 1974)
IEEA
Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting
IEP
Information Exchange Project (DOD)
IFAD
International Fund for Agricultural Development (150 members, established
1974) (UN)
IFC
International Finance Cooperation (World Bank) (159 members, established
1955)
IFCS
International Forum on Chemical Safety
IFDC
International Fertilizer Development Center (USAID)
IFF
Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (successor to IPF)
IGADD
Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (6 members -
Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda) (established 1986)
IGBP
International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (ICSU)
IGBP/START
International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme/Global Change System for
Analysis, Research and Training
IGEB
Interagency GPS Executive Board
IGOSS
Integrated Global Ocean Services System
IIEC
International Institute for Energy Conservation
IHO
International Hydrographic Organization
IIB
International Investment Bank (established 1970; now a Russian bank with
new charter)
ILO
International
Labor Organization (169 members, established 1919) (UN)
IMF
International Monetary Fund (179 members, established 1944) (UN)
IMI
International Market Insight
IML
International Microgravity Laboratory
IMO
International Maritime Organization (146 members, established 1958 as
Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization, name changed in 1982) (UN)
IMS
Intelligent Manufacturing System(s)
INA
Immigration and Nationality Act
INBio
National Biodiversity Network (Costa Rica)
INC
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (for FCCC) (after COP, next
highest level of international meeting)
INCD
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the Elaboration of a
Convention to Combat Desertification
INCLEN
International Clinical Epidemiology Network (HHS/PHS/CDC)
INEN
Institute of Standardization (Ecuador)
INFOTERRA
International Environment Information System
INMARSAT
International Maritime Satellite Organization (69 members, established
1976)
INPARQUES
Institute of National Parks of the Ministry of Environment and Renewable
Natural Resources (Venezuela)
INPE
National Space Research Institute (Brazil)
INPEN
Institute of Nuclear Energy (Peru) (NRC)
INSALUD
National Institute of Health (Spain)
INSAT
Indian National Geostationary Satellite System
INSERM
National Institute of Health and Science Research (France)
INTA
National Institute for Aerospace Technology (Spain)
INTELSAT
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (126 members and
56 nonsignatory users, established 1971)
INTERPOL
International Criminal Police Organization (170 members, established
1956)
INTLO
International Nuclear Technology Liaison Organization
IOC
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
IOC
International Olympic Committee (184 members, established 1894)
IODE
International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange
IOFC
Indian Ocean Fishery Commission
IOM
Institute of Medicine (National Academy of Sciences)
IOM
International Organization for Migration (48 members and 40 observers,
established 1951 as Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration)
IOMAC
Indian Ocean Marine Affairs Commission
IOTC
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission
IP
Intellectual Property
IPC
Integrated Pollution Control
IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN)
IPCS
Interational Programme on Chemical Safety
IPF
Intergovernmental Panel on Forests
IPHC
International Pacific Halibut Commission
IPM
Integrated Pest Management (World Bank)
IPP
Industrial Partnering Program (U.S.-Russia)
IPR
Intellectual Property Rights
IPS
Institute for Policy Studies
IPSN
Institute for Protection and Nuclear Safety (France) (NRC)
IREP
International Recruitment Programme
IRIS
Research Interim Stage (Italy)
IRPTC
International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (UN/UNEP)
ISAS
Institute of Space and Aeronautical Sciences (Japan)
ISF
International Science Foundation (U.S.-Russia)
ISO
International Standards Organization (73 members and 20 correspondent
members, established 1947)
ISRO
Indian Space Research Organization (Department of Space - India)
ISS
International Space Station
ISTC
International Science and Technology Center (Moscow, Russia) (established
by US/Japan/EU/Russia to provide work for former Soviet weapons scientists)
ISTP
International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Program
ISY
International Space Year (1992)
ITCPPGP
International Technical Conference and Program on Plant Genetic Resources
(FAO)
ITER
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
ITER
International Technological Engineering and Research
ITIS
Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITTA
International Tropical Timber Agreement
ITTC
International Tropical Tuna Commission
ITTO
International Tropical Timber Organization
ITU
International Telecommunication Union (182 members, established 1932)
(UN)
IUCH
International Union for Circumpolar Health
IUCN
International Union for the Conservation of Nature
IVHS
Intelligent Vehicle-Highway System (DOT)
IWC
International Whaling Commission
IWG
Interagency Working Group
IWGDMGC
Interagency Working Group on Data Management for Global Change (U.S.)
-J-
JAERI
Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute
JAMSTEC
Japan Marine Science and Technology Center
JC
Joint Committee
JCG
Joint Consultative Group
JCIC
Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission
JCS
Joint Chiefs of Staff (DOD)
JDL
Joint Directors of Laboratories (DOD)
JEM
Japanese Experiment Module
JESSI
Joint European Submicron Silicon Initiative
JET
Joint European Torus
JGOFS
Joint Global Ocean Flux Study
JI
Joint Implementation
JICST
Japan Information Center for Science and Technology
JIGE
Joint International Group of Experts (IMO)
JINS
Japan Institute of Nuclear Safety
JNICT
National Board of Scientific and Technical Research (Portugal)
JOMAR
Joint Office for Mapping and Research in the EEZ (DOI-USGS & NOAA)
JRC
Joint Research Center
JRRC
Japanese Reprographic Rights Center
JSCNOET
Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear and Other Energy Technologies
(U.S.-Korea)
JSPS
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
JT-60
Japanese Torus (Tokamak) Fusion Device
-K-
KAERI
Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute
KAON
Canadian High Energy Physics Project (located at Vancouver, British
Columbia)
KARI
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
KBN
State Committee for Scientific Research (Poland)
KEDO
Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization
KEFRI
Kenya Forestry Research Institute
KEIL
Kansas Environmental Information Lab
KEMRI
Kenyan Medical Research Institute (HHS)
KETRI
Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute
KEVEVAPI
Kenyan Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute
KIER
Korean Institute of Energy and Resources
KIET
Korean Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade
KIGAM
Korean Institute of Geology, Mining and Minerals
KINS
Korean Institute of Nuclear Safety
KIRDI
Kenya's Industrial Research and Development Institute
KIST
Korea's Institute of Science and Technology
KMA
Korea's Meteorological Administration
KMUFA
Central Technological Development Fund (Hungary)
KOMSAT
Korean Multi-Purpose Satellite System
KORDI
Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute
KOSEF
Korea's Science and Engineering Foundation
KRISS
Korean Research Institute of Standards and Science
-L-
LAC
Latin America and the Caribbean
LAES
Latin American Economic System (27 members, also known as Sistema
Economico Latinoamericana (SELA), established 1975)
LAGEOS
Laser Geodynamics Satellite
LAIA
Latin American Integration Association (11 members and 16 observers, also
known as Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI), established 1980)
LANL
Los Alamos National Laboratory (DOE)
LAPAN
Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Indonesia)
LAS
League of Arab Nations (20 members, also known as The Arab League,
established 1945)
LBS
Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution
LDC
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and
Other Matter (aka London Convention)
LDCs
Least Developed Countries
LHC
Large Hadron Collider
LIGO
National Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory
LLDCs
Least Developed Countries
LNG
Liquid Natural Gas
LO
Liaison Office
LOA
Letters of Authorization
LOCA
Loss-of-Coolant Accident
LOICZ
Land-Ocean Interaction in the Coastal Zone
LOS
Law of the Sea (60 parties, not yet in force)
LPG
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
LRTAP
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
LWR
Light-Water Reactor
-M-
M
Mission
MAB
Man and the Biosphere Program
MAC
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Venezuela)
MAD
Magnetic Anomaly Detection Technology (DOT)
MAFF
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (U.K.)
MARAD
Maritime Administration (DOT)
MARI
Mexico City Air Quality Research Initiative
MARNR
Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (Venezuela)
MARPOL
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
MBR
Methyl Bromide
MBT
Migratory Bird Treaty (US-Canada, US-Mexico)
MEA
Multilateral Environmental Agreement
MEDLARS
Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (HHS/NIH/NLM)
MEDLINE
On-Line Medical Library (NIH)
MEM
Ministry for Energy and Mines (Venezuela)
MENA
Middle East/North Africa Economic Summit
MEPA
Meteorological and Environmental Protection Administration (Saudi Arabia)
MEPC
Marine Environmental Pollution Committee
MEPNE
Middle East Peace Network
MEPP
Middle East Peace Process
MERC
Middle East Regional Cooperation Progarm (USAID)
MERCOSUR
Southern Cone Common Market (4 members - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and
Uruguay, established 1991)
MERP
Marine Ecosystem Response Project
MERTU
Medical Entomology Research and Training Unit (HHS/CDC)
METEOSAT
Meteorological Satellite(s)
MFA or MOFA Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
MFCMA
Magnuson Fisheries Conservation and Management Act
MIDS
Multi-Functional Information Distribution System (DOD)
MIGA
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (World Bank)
MITI
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Japan)
MLS
Microwave Landing System (DOT/FAA)
MMC
Marine Mammal Commission
MMHSRP
Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program
MMPA
Marine Mammal Protection Act
MMS
Minerals Management Services (DOI)
MNR
Ministry of Natural Resources (Suriname)
MOA
Memorandum of Agreement
MOC
Memorandum of Cooperation
MOH
Ministry of Health (Vietnam)
MONBUSHO
Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Japan)
MORT
Ministry of Research and Technology (Germany)
MOST
Ministry of Science and Technology (Israel, Korea)
MOSTE
Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (Vietnam)
MOU
Memorandum of Understanding
MOY
Ministry of Transportation (Germany)
MPLM
Mini Pressurized Logistics Module (NASA)
MPRM
Marine Pollution Research and Monitoring
MRC
Medical Research Council (U.K.)
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRI
Meteorological Research Institute (Korea's Meteorological Administration)
MSAT
Mobile Telecommunications Satellite
MSC
Marie Sklodowska Curie Fund (U.S.-Poland Science and Technology Joint
Fund)
MSMU
Moscow State Mining University (Russia)
MTA
Academy of Sciences (Hungary)
MTCR
Missile Technology Control Regime (25 members, established 1987)
MTFF
Man Tended Free Flyer
MTPE
Mission to Planet Earth Program
MUSIC
Multi-Spectral Infrared Camera (DOD)
MW
International Mussell Watch
-N-
NABE
North Atlantic Bloom Experiment (JGOFS)
NABIN
North American Biodiversity Network
NABST
National Advisory Board on Science and Technology (Canada)
NACC
North American Calibration Cooperation (DOC/NIST)
NACC
North Atlantic Cooperation Council (38 members, established 1991) (NATO)
NACE
North American Commission on the Environment
NACEC
North America Commission on Environmental Cooperation
NAEC
National Atomic Energy Commission (Hungary)
NAFO
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization
NAFTA
North America Free Trade Agreement
NAGRA
National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (Switzerland)
NAIP
Nuclear Accident Incident Program
NAM
Nonaligned Movement (107 members plus the PLO, 21 observers and 21
guests, established 1961
NAPAP
National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program
NARSTO
North American Research Strategy for Tropospheric Ozone Charter
NAS
National Academy of Sciences
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASCO
North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization
NASDA
National Space Development Agency (Japan)
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (16 members, established 1949)
NBII
National Biological Information Infrastructure
NBST
National Biological Status and Trends Program
NC
Nordic Council (5 members - Denmark including Faroe and Greenland,
Finland including Aland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, established 1952
NCAR
National Center for Atmospheric Research (Boulder, Colorado)
NCI
National Cancer Institute (HHS/NIH)
NCIH
National Council for International Health
NEA
Nuclear Energy Agency (23 members, established 1958) (OECD)
NEI
National Eye Institute (HHS/NIH)
NEPA
National Environmental Protection Agency (China)
NERC
Natural Environment Research Center (U.K.)
NESDIS
National Environment, Satellite, Data and Information Service (DOC/NOAA)
NEST
Network for Environment, Science and Technology
NGO
Non-Governmental Organization
NHLBI
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (HHS/NIH)
NIA
National Institute on Aging (HHS/NIH)
NIAAA
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (HHS/NIH)
NIAID
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (HHS/NIH)
NIAMS
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
(HHS/NIH)
NIB
Nordic Investment Bank (5 members - Denmark including Faroe and
Greenland, Finland including Aland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, established
1975)
NICs
Newly Industrializing Countries
NICHD
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HHS/NIH)
NIDRR
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation (HHS/NIH)
NIEs
Newly Industrializing Economies
NIH
National Institutes of Health (HHS)
NII
National Information Infrastructure
NIMH
National Institute of Mental Health (HHS/NIH)
NIMHANS
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (India)
NINDS
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (HHS/NIH)
NIOSH
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (HHS/NIH)
NIS
New Independent States (formerly part of the Soviet Union)
NIST
National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly The Bureau of
National Standards)(DOC)
NIT
Institute of Technology (Norway)
NLM
National Library of Medicine (HHS/NIH)
NMC
National Meteorological Center
NMFS
National Marine Fisheries Service (DOC/NOAA)
NMR
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (DOD)
NMSAE
The Netherlands Ministry for Social Affairs and Employment
NNSA
National Nuclear Safety Administra