Project description
A sustainable research ecosystem will support tropical biodiversity research and its impact
The tropics are home to more than a third of the world's population with an amazing amount of biodiversity. Tropical forests affect the global carbon cycle, produce over 40 % of the world's oxygen, influence global weather, and can sustain billions of people. They also provide a wealth of genetic resources used in agriculture and medicine. In short, human life depends on tropical biodiversity yet tropical ecosystems are sounding an alarm. TROPIBIO is enhancing an existing cooperation between the University of Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries to facilitate sustainable development of the tropics. Boosting research capacity and international partnerships of this uniquely qualified collaboration will have inestimable impact on the future of our planet.
Objective
This project aims to expand the research and innovation potential of CIBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, through the creation of an ERA Chair in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems Research (TROPIBIO). Taking advantage of historical and cultural links, the project is rooted on the network of TwinLabs established between CIBIO and institutions from Portuguese-speaking African countries, aiming to support research in biodiversity assessment, conservation and sustainable use, and ecosystem function and services, thereby contributing to achieve the Life on Land goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project builds on human resources and lab facilities supported by previous FP7 CAPACITIES and H2020 WIDESPREAD projects, expanding their capacity to deal with complex research and innovation challenges linked to sustainable development in the tropics. To achieve its objectives, TROPIBIO will develop the following main activities: (i) Upgrade research capacity by expanding the human potential and fostering a critical mass of researchers with inter-disciplinary expertise in tropical biodiversity and ecosystems research; (ii) Consolidate the TwinLab network by strengthening internal communication, enhancing in situ technical and logistic conditions, and promoting collaborative research among institutions; (iii) Reinforce CIBIO’s network of international partnerships at the EU and global level; and (iv) Enhance long-term sustainability of tropical research at CIBIO by increasing innovation potential and impact, and thus the capacities to attract national and international funding. These activities will contribute to the advanced training of human resources, and to the communication, dissemination and exploitation of CIBIO’s research and innovation. Also, they will better integrate CIBIO with the European Research Area (ERA), and foster its participation in EU-Africa cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.4.c. - Establishing ‚ERA Chairs’ Main Programme
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
4485-661 VAIRAO, VILA DO CONDE
Portugal