WP1 was responsible for efficient management of the whole project(D1.4). The rights and obligations of the both Teaming partners in the project were laid down in the Consortium agreement (D1.1). The Quality assurance plan facilitated a smooth run of the project (D1.3). In total, 5 Executive Board and 11 project office meetings took place, supplemented by many bilateral meetings (D1.2).
Communication, dissemination and exploitation activities were performed by the WP2. The communication channels were set up (D2.1). The unified visual identity of the project was implemented to create a strong brand of ARIB. The project website (D2.3) and the twitter account were used for spreading information to the stakeholders. The main outcome of the WP2 was the Operational plan for dissemination and exploitation (D2.2) which was discussed during two WP 2 meetings (D2.4). In total, 14 PR activities were performed during the 12-month period (D2.5).
The main goal of WP3 was to establish a framework for successful transfer of ARIB outputs and research results into praxis based on best praxis of the DRESDEN-concept (D3.3). The WP3 involved mostly Czech stakeholders, however the advanced partner took the lead to ensure that its technology transfer knowhow is reflected. Inspirational meetings showed best praxis examples and suggested upgrades of technology transfer activities at IMG (D3.2). All WP3 activities delineated how to incorporate ARIB into the broader plans for further socio-economic improvement of the region (D3.1).
The WP4 tasks were fulfilled as follows:
• The scientific agenda was defined through a series of meetings culminating with the joint scientific meeting. Studying organ formation using 3D cell culture models was agreed on as a promising agenda having a large potential for basic research as well as technology transfer, (D4.1).
• A comparison of the PhD programs and the situation of postdocs resulted in formulation of the Moldau/Vltava PhD and Postdoc fellowship program. The conditions for facility exchange were also defined (D4.2).
• Administration at IMG and MPI-CBG was compared. ARIB will reinforce IMG administration by funding multiple administrative positions (D4.3).
• The incubator will provide open access to academic/industrial partners interested to fund or host a junior group with ARIB conditions and measures of excellence (D4.4).
• The recruitment procedure and rules were defined (D4.5).
The main goal of the WP5 was to prepare a Business plan (D5.3 and D5.4). An extended SWOT analysis was performed (D5.1). The budget for Phase II, using the two funding sources (H2020 Teaming and the MEYS OP VVV Teaming II) was proposed. In addition, the project transformation strategy and long-term sustainability was developed (D5.2).
The Teaming Phase 1 project prepared the ground for the foundation of the ARIB incubator. ARIB will create conditions for attracting junior research talent to Prague and Central Bohemia by offering the opportunity to establish junior research groups supported by internationally competitive start-up package. The science of the newly established groups will focus on the emerging area of mammalian tissues self-organization summarised by a research mission “From tissues to organs: understanding and re-engineering”. This research agenda leverages existing scientific and infrastructural strengths of the project partners. The cooperation between the partners will also support the education of junior scientists, establishes exchange programs between scientific services and sets up channels for transferring the excellence of the advanced partner in the areas of career development, administration, technology transfer, internationalization and public outreach. The ARIB activities will be connected to the nascent STAR technology cluster in Central Bohemia, providing innovation friendly environment for transfer of research results to socio-economic benefits. ARIB will build a scientific bridge between IMG and MPI-CBG, between Dresden and Prague and between MPG and CAS that will serve as a lighthouse of scientific excellence impacting the entire Czech Research Area with ambitions to reach European significance.
