In response to the absence of safe, reliable and tax-free channels to send
assistance to the former Soviet Union and the Baltic educational communities
the International Science Foundation is currently offering its logistical
infrastructure free of charge to those in the academic community wishing to
transfer funds and/or equipment to the fSU.  ISF is currently assisting
nearly 100 universities, private non-profit organizations and government
agencies with the transfer of over $3 million in funds and equipment to this
region.  Those wishing to take advantage of this service will be responsible
for all direct costs associated with the transfer, but will enjoy ISF''s
exemptions from personal income, VAT and customs taxes throughout the
region, which typically account for 40% of the total value of a donation in
additional costs.  In addition, participants will have the benefit of ISF's
local offices which deliver vouchers directly to individual recipients, who
may then exchange them , tax-free, for hard currency in selected banks.
This offer should be considered seriously by grant recipients who are unsure
of how to get funds or materials safely to colleagues in the fSU.

For more information, please contact Carrie Simon at (212) 576-8450 or by
fax (212) 576-8457 or email at: xxxxxx@interport.net