US - The Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR), which lost at least 56 of its members and chartered financial analysts (CFA) candidates in the terrorist attacks of 11 September, is establishing a $1m scholarship fund to benefit disabled survivors and the families of victims.

The "11 September Memorial Scholarship Fund" will be funded with an initial grant of $1m from AIMR, a non-profit membership organization for investment professionals worldwide.

AIMR is also inviting its members and CFA candidates - of whom there are more than 150,000 in more than 100 countries - to make additional contributions, along with their employers and other friends.

The association says the goal is to create a multi-million-dollar memorial fund that can benefit eligible applicants throughout the world for the next 20
years or more.

College and university scholarships of up to $25,000 each will be reserved for those who meet the following two criteria:
* They were permanently disabled in the attacks, or were the spouses, domestic partners or dependents of anyone killed or permanently disabled in the attacks, and
* They pursue college- or university-level education in finance, economics or related fields.

AIMR will absorb administrative and promotional costs from its regular operating budget, so that 100 percent of all contributions can be paid out in scholarship grants.

Contributions to the fund may be made online at www.aimr.org or may be mailed to: AIMR 11 September Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3668, Charlottesville, Va., 22903-0668.

Scholarship grant applications will also be available online at www.aimr.org.

More information is available by calling +1 (800) 237-8132 in the U.S., or Daisy Johnson on +44 (0)20 7306 9000 or johnsond@fleishman.com