Teaming to upgrade to excellence in environmental biology, ecosystem research and agrobiodiversity
The BIOPOLIS proposal of ICETA (Institute for Research in Agroenvironmental Sciences and Technologies), an institution from a Widening Member Country (Portugal), addresses the upgrade of its research unit CIBIO (Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources) to a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for R&D&I, through a teaming with a leading scientific institution, the University of Montpellier (France), and with the participation of a business partner, the Porto Business School (PBS; Portugal). The proposal results from a successful application to the call H2020-WIDESPREAD-2016-2017, under the topic WIDESPREAD-04-2017. Rooted on an ambitious Business Plan, the project envisions to establish BIOPOLIS as one of the best international Centres of Excellence in Environmental Biology, Ecosystem Research and AgroBiodiversity, with the capacity for spreading excellence towards innovation in the areas of Environment, Biodiversity and Agriculture, and thereby contributing to socioeconomic development at the regional and national levels. The CoE will advance biological understanding from genes to ecosystems, and to use this knowledge to address pressing societal challenges through the development of world-leading research, the establishment of long-term strategic partnerships, the engagement of stakeholders, and the transfer and exploitation of research outputs. This will be achieved by attracting talented researchers, providing excellent conditions for research, training, internationalisation and networking, aligning research with societal challenges and smart specialisation strategies, engaging in ambitious advanced training programmes, developing strong communication, dissemination and exploitation activities, and setting a strong affiliates programme and other mechanisms to promote the translation of research and innovation into applications and business opportunities. BIOPOLIS will thus upgrade excellence in a widening country and promote sustainable economic development.