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Biotechnology for Innovation (BIOTEK2021)
Deadline Announcement
30.05.2012
13:00 CET 		Large-scale, industry-relevant Researcher Project in biotechnology Choose
30.05.2012
13:00 CET 		NOK 20 million for Innovation Projects for the Industrial Sector relating to marine bioprospecting Choose
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Objectives:

The BIOTEK2021 programme has been established as part of the implementation of the Government’s national strategy for biotechnology (published in Norwegian only). The strategy identifies biotechnology as an enabling technology that is vital to the development of the agricultural, marine, industrial and health sectors.

The strategy also identifies four cross-cutting focus areas:

– biotechnology and society.
– international cooperation.
– industrial development.
– knowledge base and infrastructure.

The strategy provides a framework for research initiatives in the interface between sociatal challenges, national competitive advantages and the opportunities created through biotechnology activities.

Objectives (preliminary)

The BIOTEK2021 programme will generate research-based knowledge by applying biotechnology as a basis for understanding life processes, developing policy and generating innovation and industrial development to help to solve major social challenges.

Secondary objectives:

i. To generate research-based knowledge in the field of biotechnology to help to find solutions for pressing societal challenges.

ii. To facilitate the application of this knowledge, primarily by trade and industry, but also by society at large.

iii. To promote responsible and sustainable technological development within the thematic priority areas.

BIOTEK2021 will develop international collaboration through participation in various ERA-nets.

Thematic priority areas
 

i. Marine biotechnology – further developing the knowledge base
Marine biotechnology was a thematic priority area under the now concluded Programme on Functional Genomics in Norway (FUGE). In addition, activities under the programme Aquaculture – An Industry in Growth (HAVBRUK) and the national marine bioprospecting initiative have contributed to positive developments in the field of marine biotechnology in recent years. Thus, a firm foundation is now in place for value creation and industrial development in this area. However, this foundation must be further strengthened and the role of biotechnology in this process must be defined. Biotechnology research is relevant for addressing problems and research questions relating to the aquaculture industry (feed, selective breeding, fish health) and the utilisation of marine genetic resources and biomass.

ii. Biotechnology in agriculture – strengthening and further developing knowledge base
In response to current challenges relating to food security, bioenergy from food plants and climate change, a number of countries have increased their focus on biotechnology in land-based production systems. In Norway, biotechnology in agriculture is primarily associated with selective breeding and food processing. This foundation must be further strengthened; at the same time areas in which biotechnology expertise needs to be enhanced must be identified. Relevant areas in addition to selective breeding and food processing include animal and plant health, food and health, and utilisation of land-based biomass.

iii. Industrial biotechnology – establish a knowledge base
The use of biotechnology processing steps may in many cases lead to more environmentally sound, sustainable industrial production. Research activities focusing on the use of biotechnology in industry are essential to developing the knowledge-based bioeconomy. Efforts to develop biotechnology for use in industrial applications, a field which is in its infancy in Norway, must be based on national and international cooperation between leading knowledge environments and users. Industrial biotechnology encompasses biocatalysis, biorefining processing steps and environmental biotechnology and will make it possible to use the latest developments in systems and synthetic biology.

iv. Medical biotechnology – further developing and harvesting the knowledge base
Medical biotechnology is one of the most well-developed areas of biotechnology in Norway. Research activities under the FUGE programme and a significant amount of funding from other instruments at the Research Council have contributed to the accumulation of expertise in this area. In addition, research conducted by the regional health authorities has also helped to build significant competence within this field. There is a considerable amount of industrial activity based on medical biotechnology as well. It is vital to further expand this area of biotechnology research, while at the same time laying the framework for better utilisation of existing research findings. The commericialisation path for medical products and services is longer than in other areas of biotechnology. Thus, priority must be given to industry-relevant research (the demonstration phase) at the R&D institutions. Particular priority should be given to research on personalised medicine and the use of human biobanks and health registries in this context.

 

This programme/activity normally accepts grant applications from:

Trade and industry, independent research institutes, and universities and university colleges in Norway.

Duration:

2012-2021

Overall budget:

The budget for 2012 is approximately NOK 140 million. The estimated budget for the entire programme period is approximately NOK 1.4 billion.

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