The First Science Progress Meeting of DESERVE will be held from 28 October to 30 October 2013 at the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Sweimeh, Jordan. The meeting is aimed to discuss the science plan, to exchange the scientific results of the first year of DESERVE and to coordinate coming research activities. The meeting is subdivided into interdisciplinary sessions addressing the DESERVE research topics as well as their implementation. Additionally, group meetings provide a framework to focus on a particular research topic as well as to discuss and plan an event or research campaign.