The ILS Board has received questions regarding the use of society funds for travel activities by Board members. We would therefore like to provide clarification on the purpose and scope of these expenses.
As part of the society’s outreach and community-building efforts, the ILS President and Vice-President may use designated ILS funds to support participation in conferences where official ILS workshops are organized. The purpose of these activities is to increase the visibility of ILS, foster collaborations with related scientific communities, and support the development of new initiatives relevant to our members.
Examples of outcomes from these activities include:
- the ILS workshop at ISPL 2024, which initiated collaboration with the plant science community and contributed to the establishment of a successful ring trial;
- the ILS workshop at AOCS 2025, which led to the formation of the Food & Nutrition Interest Group and subsequent development of an additional ring trial initiative.
Importantly, ILS funds have not been used to support personal conference attendance or individual travel to ILS conferences, GRC meetings, or other scientific events outside official ILS workshop activities.
Approximately 15% of corporate membership contributions were allocated to travel activities associated with these official workshops. Individual membership fees have not been used for such travel expenses and will continue to be reserved for member-focused activities, including support for early-career researcher travel awards (currently €4,000 annually). In addition, the society maintains ongoing operational expenses related to server maintenance and infrastructure.
The ILS Board remains committed to responsible financial management, transparency, and the appropriate use of society resources. We greatly appreciate the continued engagement and support of our members and corporate partners as ILS continues to grow.
The ILS Board