Low Income Countries / Regions

This page lists countries and regions that are eligible for SMM’s low-income status designation, as defined by the International Relations Committee and the Committee of Scientific Advisors. Eligibility under this list is used to determine access to reduced membership rates, discounted conference registration fees, and funding opportunities such as the Eric A. Ramos SGIAR Small Grants Program. Please review the list carefully to confirm eligibility.

A country is considered eligible for reduced-fee membership, conference registrations, and to apply to relevant SMM grants if it meets any one of the following:

  1. World Bank low-income or lower-middle-income classification

  2. Human Development Index (HDI) < 0.85

  3. National R&D expenditure < 1% GDP

  4. Significant inequality and/or limited research infrastructure despite “high-income” classification.This can be indirectly measured with the Gini Index (> or = 40). The index does not incorporate scientific research infrastructure, but reflects inequality outcomes in investment in innovation and productivity through technology and research.

EXCLUDED COUNTRIES/REGIONS

Based on the criteria stated above, the following countries/regions are excluded from the low-income category for relevant grant applications, SMM membership, conference registration, and other applicable programs or services:
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • United States (except for Puerto Rico)