Deadline: 15-Feb-22
European Commission is calling for proposals for Strengthening the European Forest-Based Research and Innovation Ecosystem.
Scope
- A key R&I challenge for the coming years is to address the complexity of the forest-based sector in environmental terms (long life cycle, ecosystem functioning and diversity, spatial variability, interface between the soil and the atmosphere, in the middle between cultivated and natural assets), economic terms (multiple forest owners and SMEs, competitiveness on global markets) and policy terms (many forest-related policies including biological diversity, climate and energy, bioeconomy, rural development, trade, agriculture, etc.).
- A successful transition of the forest-based sector towards greater sustainability needs to be underpinned by a comprehensive scientific assessment. Better coordination of research activities is also required to overcome fragmentation of public research efforts, to strengthen the link between forest managers, industries and society and to streamline the activities of European, national and regional stakeholders.
Funding Information
The check will normally be done for the coordinator if the requested grant amount is equal to or greater than EUR 500 000, except for:
- public bodies (entities established as a public body under national law, including local, regional or national authorities) or international organisations; and
- cases where the individual requested grant amount is not more than EUR 60 000 (lowvalue grant).
Expected Outcomes
To support the new EU forest strategy, successful proposals will assess research needs and funding possibilities for forestry and the forest-based sector, notably for the multifunctionality and management of forests in Europe based on the three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental and social). Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Better insights into existing funding sources (including Horizon Europe, rural and regional development funds) and streamlining of research and innovation (R&I) actions in Europe.
- Establishment of a co-creative environment allowing stakeholders to identify jointly existing research gaps and future priorities to coordinate research efforts at regional, national and European level.
- Intensified trans-national R&I cooperation in forestry and the forest-based sector on research priorities, critical and key technologies.
- Creation of an open-innovation ecosystem with relevant stakeholders in the EU and associated countries to support the evolution of the forest-based sector.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions;
- the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States
- eligible non-EU countries:
- countries associated to Horizon Europe
- low- and middle-income countries
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3Er9xrt