CSA Biotech: Need for a future ERA-net in the area of marine biotechnology to be discussed in Hamburg 8-9 October
On 26-27 April 2012 the CSA MarineBiotech’s first workshop was held, to encourage the ‘mobilisation and engagement of funding agencies and stakeholders’ in supporting a future ERA-NET in the area of marine biotechnology. CSA MarineBiotech is an EU-funded preparatory Coordination and Support Action aimed at laying the foundations, and preparing a high-quality proposal, for this ERA-NET.
The CSA MarineBiotech’s workshop was successful in enlarging the group of interested funding agencies. Continuing exchanges on research priorities and gaps, resource problems and the need to bring complementary expertise together will pave the way forward towards the establishment of the EU MarineBiotech ERA-NET. Current work also involves inviting representatives of funding agencies to form an ERA-NET working group, to discuss the scope and contents of an ERA-NET in marine biotechnology and begin the process of responding to the EU FP7 call of July 7th with a concrete proposal. CSA MarineBiotech will facilitate and support this group.
A 2nd workshop takes place on 8-9 October in Hamburg and will continue the exchanges of views and information between stakeholders, funding agencies and the CSA MarineBiotech. The 2nd workshop will also see the launch of the MarineBiotech Register, which will aggregate information on institutes, academic activities, persons, government funding agencies and other marine biotechnology interests, in a publicly-accessible form on the IMIS (Integrated Marine Information System). The Register will shortly be accessible through the www.marinebiotech.eu site, for individuals and institutions to add their own information