ERA-NET Industrial Biotechnology funds 8 transnational research projects through 1^st joint call

The 1^st joint call of ERA-IB provides academic and industrial researchers to establish cross-border partnerships in industrial biotechnology research. Out of the 32 applications, 8 projects were selected for funding. The total granted budget is 9.7 Million €. In all, 51 research groups in academia and industry were funded, and an additional 7 partners participate with own funding. The projects will run at least 3 years.

On 28 April 2009 ERA-IB organises a kick-off meeting for the granted projects in Helsinki, Finland. During the meeting all granted projects will present themselves, and the participants have the opportunity to meet ERA-IB and each other and thereby to enhance their network.

On the 29 April the participants have the opportunity to attend the satellite meeting: the SymBio – Industrial Biotechnology and BioRefine programmes Networking Day, which is organised by the Finnish Funding Organisation for Technology and Innovation Tekes.

Procedure

First Joint Call

ERA-IB launched Europe’s first jointly coordinated, transnational call for project proposals in Industrial Biotechnology, entitled: "Industrial biotechnology for Europe: an integrated approach" in February 2008. With this call ERA-IB aims at establishing cross-border partnerships between industrial and academic industrial biotechnology research, improving and accelerating technology transfer, and strengthening European efforts to achieve sustainable industrial development.