Creation of BIOPOLIS CoE Legal Entity (WP1)-This task contributed to all the specific objectives of BIOPOLIS, and involved the establishment of the BIOPOLIS Association as an independent legal entity, with full autonomy. This will sets the basis to increase the critical mass of science by hiring a range of talented researchers, and enhancing lab and logistic capacities to develop excellent research and innovation.
The Human Resources Recruitment Strategic Plan for the BIOPOLIS (WP2) was developed. The first revision of this deliverable initially provided in the Teaming proposal was undertaken, involving a thorough analysis of the workforce of CIBIO contracted by ICETA, and that will be transferred to the BIOPOLIS Association in 2021. This revised strategy was incorporated in the Business Plan submitted to the Commission to obtain the financial validation of the Association BIOPOLIS, and it will be regularly revised if needed. In addition,PBS prepared a Human Resources Strategy for BIOPOLIS (D2.1) that will guide all aspects of human resource management, including recruitment, career development, performance evaluation, gender balance and equality of opportunities, among other aspects.
The activities developed to set-up the education and training programme of BIOPOLIS (WP5)–submission of the BIODIV doctoral program renewal application and the protocol established with Centro de Ciência LP to secure a regular annual flow of 20 PhD grants – highly contribute to reinforce the on-going doctoral programme BIODIV. Also the creation of a Transnational Master Course in Biodiversity, Genetics and Conservation, in Association with the TwinLabs of Angola and Namibia, will contribute to strength the Education and Training programmes of BIOPOLIS.
Promoting corporate partnerships through problem-solving research (WP8).
BIOPOLIS as strongly engaged with the private sector at national and international level to reinforce and expand the program of Invited Chairs and Programs that CIBIO has with major companies. These efforts resulted in the establishment of 3 new invited Chairs – Parques de Sintra, EDIA and TOTAL as well as in the renewal of another 2 – EDP and REN, in addition to a collaboration agreement established with SONAE for the design and implementation of a Strategy for Nature and Biodiversity.
Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation
The BIOPOLIS activities and achievements have been communicated and disseminated to other researchers, the private and the public sectors, and the general public, mainly through the participation in conferences and workshops, scientific publications, dissemination material, via the BIOPOLIS dedicated website and the weekly CIBIO newsletter.
