ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE SUPPORT FOR UKRAINIAN CYTOGENETICISTS

The President and Board of the European Cytogeneticists Association, ECA, express their shock and concern at the events unfolding in Ukraine, with the loss of life, personal suffering, and devastation we are seeing. We wish to send a message of our support to all those affected by the conflict, both within the country and more widely. We are fortunate to have close involvement of cytogeneticists through ECA and our Cytogenomics Congresses from the countries involved, and count them among our friends and colleagues. We have seen their incredible progress in research, generating new knowledge, building scientific partnerships, and exchanging research and teaching.
As well as the personal toll and immediate threats, we recognize the devastating effects arising from the situation for our colleagues in continuing their research, cooperations, teaching, and applied work whether in diagnostics or breeding. The situation will affect cytogeneticists at all stages and types of Institution, but will particularly impact those at early stages of their career.

As a Society, where cytogeneticists have been affected by conflict, we are keen to help rebuild research and training, and to defend learning and science. As such, we will be funding attendees affected by the wars, at the two training courses we organize each year, and places at the European Cytogenomics Congress in 2023. The details will be announced in due course, but in the first instance please contact the President. We also know that a number of laboratories and countries are offering fellowships or placements for people who are affected by conflict, and we hope some of those associated with our field will be able to take up these opportunities.

Once more, we offer our strongest support for all those affected by this unprecedented situation. We very much hope that the facilities and structures will be able to be rebuilt and peace, stability and safety will return.

Below, you will find the requests for support we have received, and links to institutions/initiatives that provide scientific support in this regard.