EUROPEAN CONFEDERATION OF AGRONOMIST ASSOCIATIONS FP7 – Opportunities for Agronomy Research

1. EUROPEAN CONFEDERATION OF AGRONOMIST ASSOCIATIONSFP7 – Opportunities for Agronomy Research Catriona Ward, Enterprise Ireland

2. OUTLINE • General Comments on FP7 • Food Ag Fisheries & Biotech • FP6 v FP7 • Activities • 2008 Opportunities • Shaping the Future • Useful Information

3. Towards the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013) • EU research: the story so far • Lisbon Strategy • R&D – European weaknesses • Research: filling the gap • Research and economic development • Why research at European level?

4. R&D – Europe’s challenges Data: Eurostat, OECD. Source: DG Research Notes: (1) EU-25: 2003; US, JP: 2004. (2) EU-25: 2004; US: 2002; JP: 2003.

5. EU research: the story so far 1952: ECSC treaty; first projects started March 1955 1957: Euratom treaty; Joint Research Centre set up 1983: ESPRIT programme 1984:First Framework Programme (1984-1987) 1987: ‘Single EuropeanAct’ – science becomes a Community responsibility; Second Framework Programme (1987-1991) 1990:Third Framework Programme (1990-1994) 1993: Treaty on European Union; role of RTD in the enlarged EU 1994:Fourth Framework Programme (1994-1998) 1998:Fifth Framework Programme (1998-2002) 2000: European Research Area 2002:Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006) 2005: Proposal for the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013; 2007-2011 for Euratom)

6. Why increase the FP7 budget? Tackle under-investment by exerting leverageon national and private investment • Increase EU spending on R&D: 1.97% of GDP vs 2.59% (US) • Help leverage business R&D (EU-wide projects, solutions and market) • Encourage Member States

7. Why increasethe FP7 budget? Reinvigorate the Lisbon Strategy • Objective:to become the most dynamic knowledge-based economy • Supports the integration and attractiveness of the ERA • Contributes to increased competitiveness • Contributes to sustainable development

8. Why increasethe FP7 budget? Tackle fragmentation of research effort in the EUand enhance its efficiency and effectiveness • Achieve critical mass, share knowledge and facilities • Better dissemination across the EU • More excellence through EU-wide competition • Less fragmentation through stronger coordination

9. Why increasethe FP7 budget? • Widen the scope of the FP • Launch essential new initiatives • Reinforce existing successful actions • Help to meet new S&T challenges • Rising costs of research mean that higher funding is neededto produce same impacts • New research fields are emerging (hydrogen economy, etc.)

10. Budgets of the EU Framework Programmes1984-2013 NB: Budgets in current prices. Source: Annual Report 2003, plus FP7 revised proposal

11. The Structure of FP7 4 specific programmes • Cooperation – 9 Thematic Areas/ Priorities • Ideas – Scientific Excellence • People – Marie Curie • Capacities - SMEs, regional potential, Science in Society and international cooperation.

12. FP7 budget(€ 50 521 million, current prices) • Note: Euratom FP: €2.7 billion over 5 years - not included above

14. Why research at European level? • Pooling and leveraging resources • Resources are pooled to achieve critical mass • Leverage effect on private investments • Interoperability and complementarity of big science • Fostering human capacity and excellence in S&T • Stimulate training, mobility and career development of researchers • Improve S&T capabilities • Stimulate competition in research • Better integration of European R&D • Create scientific base for pan-European policy challenges • Encourage coordination of national policies • Effective comparative research at EU-level • Efficient dissemination of research results

15. FPs: significant impacts on S&T and the economy • Economic benefits • Reduced commercial risk • increased turnover and profitability • enhanced productivity and market share • Innovative performance • Enterprises participating in FP: • tend to be more innovative • more likely to patent • engage in innovative co-operation with other firmsand universities €1 €4-7 (long-run, econometric models) (research) at European level

16. WHY WOULD I GET INVOLVED IN FP7 • Simple psychology • To work with and be the best in the EU at what you do • Status . . . . You and your organisation • Implications for career and future funding • Movement to other institutions (outside coop) • Attracting the best post grads and post docs..

17. DEFINITIONS FOR FAFB • SMALL COLLABORATIVE PROJECT – up to €3m • LARGE COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS & NETWORKS OF EXCELLENCE - €3 - 6m • COORDINATION AND SUPPORT ACTIONS - €1m

18. Theme Area 2: FAFB • 1/3 Continuity with FP 6 Food Quality and Safety • 7 Year Programme • Major differences: +Sustainable Agriculture Research +Fisheries • Importance of Biotech aspect to research • Forestry • Overlaps with Health, Energy, Environment, Nanosciences

19. The Objective and Context • Bringing together Science, Industry and other Stakeholder to exploit new and emerging research opportunities that address social, environmental and economic challenges: • The demand for: • safer, healthier, high quality food • Sustainable use and production or renewable bio-resources • Increasing risk of epizootic and zoonotic diseases • Food related disorders • Threats to sustainability and security of ag, aquaculture and fisheries • Animal welfare NEVER WRITE A PROPOSAL THAT DOESN’T REFER TO THESE REFERENCE EU POLICY DOCS (RUSSIA INDIA CHINA)

20. ACTIVITIES – FAFB’s 3 PARTS • 2.1 Sustainable Production and Management of biological resources from land, forest and aquatic environments* • 2.2 Fork to Farm: Food, Health and Well Being • 2.3 Life Sciences & Biotechnology for sustainable non-food products and processes *Agronomy areas

21. 2.1 Sustainable Production and Management of biological resources from land, forest and aquatic environments • Enabling Research • Incr Sustainability of all production systems (agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture) • Optimised animal health production and welfare across agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture • Socio-economic research and support to policies AGRONOMY!

22. 2.2 Fork to Farm: Food, Health and Well Being • Consumers • Nutrition • Food Processing • Food Quality and Safety • Environmental Impacts & Total Food Chain

23. 2.3 Life Sciences & Biotechnology for sustainable non-food products and processes POTENTIAL FOR NEW LAND USES • Improved Biomass & Plant based renewables • Bioprocesses • Environmental biotechnologies; Use of waste and by-products

24. 2008 OPPORTUNITIES • CALL 2B Publication end of Nov 07 • Examples of Plant Topics given in hand out • Strong emphasis on plant breeding will continue in future calls. • Traditional plant breeders short in supply which is a worry • 2009 topics now being collected • Can ECAA influence? Most definitely • How? Via the National networks where you are active. Delegates and NCPs from the Programme Committee

25. Where do the calls come from? • Advisory Committee • Programme Committee • SCAR • Research Community • EFSA JRC etc • Expert workshops • Conferences • Ongoing Research analysis • TPs • Interservices in Commission

26. Preparation of Work Programmes • Annual process • Following consultation and expert advice: • Advisory Groups • European Technology Platforms • Open consultations • Workshops, expert meetings, etc • Consultation with other Commission directorate generals • Subject to opinion by Programme Committees (Member State representatives)

27. ARMING YOUR NCP • If we want to shape future calls, now is the time • Talk to your NCP about your area…. Think EU • Get involved in EU projects, COST, ERA NET etc • THINK BEYOND CO_OP PROGRAMME

28. Cooperation – Collaborative Research (1) • Under each theme there will be sufficient flexibilityto address both Emerging needs and Unforeseen policy needs • Dissemination of knowledge and transfer of resultswill be supported in all thematic areas • Support will be implemented across all themes through…

29. Cooperation – Collaborative Research (2) • Collaborative research (Collaborative projects; Networks of Excellence; Coordination/support actions) • Joint Technology Initiatives • Coordination of non-Community research programmes (ERA-NET; ERA-NET+; Article 169) • International Cooperation

30. Ideas – Frontier Research • Frontier Research is a key driver to innovation and economic performance • Establish European Research Council (ERC) – the first pan-European funding agency for Frontier Research • Support investigator-driven frontier research over all areas of research • European added-value through competition at European level

31. People – Marie Curie Actions • Initial training of researchers • Marie Curie Networks* • Life-long training and career development • Individual Fellowships • Co-financing of regional/national/international programmes • Industry-academia pathways and partnerships • Industry-Academia Knowledge–sharing Scheme* • International dimension • Outgoing & Incoming International Fellowships • International Cooperation Scheme • Reintegration grants; • Support to researcher ‘diasporas’ • Specific actions • Mobility and career enhancement actions • Excellence awards * Open to third-country nationals

32. USEFUL WEBSITES Official Websites • www.cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home.html • www.europa.eu.int/comm/research/future/index_en.html • Cordis News: www.cordis.europa.eu/news/en/home.html • Expert Evaluators: www.cordis.europa.eu/emmfp7/index

33. Financial Assistance in Ireland • EI & DAFF will continue support for Researchers • Coordinator - preparation of proposal up to €25,000 • Other Assistance from EI: • Travel Support • Feasibility Studies

34. Contact Details for FAFB Area Dr. John Dardis FP7 National Contact Point for Food, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Biotechnology Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Tel: 353-1-607-2351 John.dardis@agriculture.gov.ie Catriona.ward@enterprise-ireland.com