New CORDIS service for the European 'Knowledge-based bio-economy'
The Seventh Framework Programme for research and development (FP7), in funding research under Theme 2 'Food, agriculture and fisheries, and biotechnology', aims to establish and promote a European 'Knowledge-based bio-economy' (KBBE). The CORDIS FP7 Service has launched a new KBBE Service, developed in collaboration with the European Commission's DG Research, to support these aims. The funding available through KBBE is geared towards three major activities: - Sustainable production and management of biological resources; - Fork to farm - food and its links with health and well-being; - Biochemistry and biotechnology for sustainable non-food products. In a first for CORDIS, the new KBBE Service will include a series of regular video interviews with Christian Patermann, Director for 'Biotechnologies, agriculture & food' research at the European Commission, in which he explains an aspect of the new research programme. These short videos can be downloaded directly from the CORDIS KBBE Service. KBBE will incorporate collaborative research projects, expected to last two to five years, which are objective-driven to tackle major societal needs. Furthermore, recognising their innovation potential, EU-supported research is actively seeking participation from small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). Support services providing assistance through National Contact Points (NCPs), and other FP7 support services, can provide personalised guidance and practical information in the proposer's own language. The diverse range of actors within any country's NCP system will reflect the nature of the individual national research landscapes. International cooperation is a high priority in KBBE, and the participation of non-EU countries is an integral part of Theme 2. Cooperation with participants from third countries is encouraged throughout all areas of this theme. For participants and interested parties, there are also links to events and a library. Events include high-level conferences and symposia for all interested parties. The library offers a comprehensive resource containing recent publications such as first results, projects and case studies in areas relevant to KBBE. The aim is to help all actors, from the farmer, academia and industry, through to the consumer, to cooperate to make the bio-economy a workable, dynamic and successful initiative.