Project Governance

The Organization of the iBOL Team

iBOL is a not-for-profit Corporation governed by its Board of Directors which has final decision-making authority over all aspects of the project.

The Board appoints a Science Advisory Board (SAB) whose members are knowledgeable in the program areas but independent of iBOL. The SAB Chair presents recommendations to the Board every three months.

The Scientific Director, Dr. Paul Hebert, is responsible for scientific oversight of iBOL. He is a member of the Board of Directors and chairs the Scientific Steering Committee.

The iBOL Secretariat, hosted by the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario at the University of Guelph, assists the Working Group leads in organizing reports and in communications related to iBOL milestones. The Secretariat is headed by the Executive Director, who reports to the Scientific Director. The Executive Director oversees all communication and reports from Working Group leaders and ensures that iBOL finances are accounted for and that iBOL policies and regulations are followed.

The Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) assists and advises the Scientific Director on overall research plans and deliverables. The SSC includes a representative of each participating nation and the lead of each Working Group. It meets once a year.

The research activities of iBOL are largely advanced by its Working Groups. There are 26 Working Groups operating in six theme areas: DNA Barcode Library, Methods, Informatics, Technologies, Administration and GE³LS. Each Working Group has a detailed work plan with milestones, deliverables and resource requirements.

The Technology and Applications Advisory Board provides guidance to the Board of Directors on innovations in barcoding technology and applications.