Environmental changes are taking place across the globe at an unprecedented pace and concerted efforts in research are being engaged through various institutions and programs. In recognition of these changes and an effort by the ESA Governing Board to enhance international participation and awareness across the scope of ESA activities, a panel of experts will convene to discuss the various research areas and opportunities available for international collaboration. The objective of this session is to communicate various avenues of engaging in international research efforts in ecology, with a particular focus on motivating the participation of Latin American scientists, which are targeted as an under-represented group in such initiatives. Each panel member will give a 10 minute presentation, and there will be 30 minutes of questions and answers with attendees. The panel will be asked a set of questions to address key areas concerning their specific programs, such as: 1)What is the specific scientific area of focus of your program?; 2) How is the coordinated research efforts organized?; 3) What are the funding constraints, opportunities, and mechanisms?; 4) What is the participation of scientists from Latin America? The invited panel will consist of representatives from international programs and institutes such as: Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE), International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), Diversitas, Inter-American Institute for Global Environmental Change (IAI), Global Environment Facility (GEF), International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER) Network, Global Change SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training (START).