The proposed ALFA programme, which we featured in our previous Newsletter, has not received funding at this, the first stage. We were informed that our programme was one of 521 proposed programmes of which 77 did receive funding. The Latin American Congress which will be held in Santiago, Chile from the 27th of September until the 1st of October, will be attended by many members of the Newton network and will provide us with the opportunity to ask advice on how to alter our strategic plan in order to deliver a more closed format for our second application. We shall keep you informed of any further developments.