SMI feels an obligation to assist future researchers in mucosal immunology achieve their goals. Also the society recognizes that some researchers in developing countries do not have the financial resources to attend meetings as easily as their more financially supported colleagues in other countries. To help our less financially supported colleagues the SMI Emerging Countries fund provides assistance for travel to International Congresses and also membership in SMI.

SMI is recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax free charitable organization and so donations made to SMI are tax deductible from US income taxes. There is an annual opportunity to make a small donation to the fund when renewing membership. Also, more senior members of SMI may wish to consider including SMI in their estate planning. A gift of $10,000 as a bequest will go a long way to help less fortunate colleagues and also perpetuate the memory of a senior mucosal immunologist. For more information contact Mark Epstein, Executive Director, at 301-718-6539.