RESEARCH COUNCIL RESTRUCTURES PROGRAMME
Ambitious new biotechnology programme being launched
The new BIOTEK2021 programme is designed to further the development of the field of biotechnology and provide a foundation for new value creation in Norwegian trade and industry.
As the ten-year Programme on Functional Genomics in Norway (FUGE) draws to a close, the Research Council of Norway is launching its new initiative for biotechnology: BIOTEK2021. The new programme will promote biotechnology research by funding large-scale, long-term projects that address wide-ranging societal challenges.
Cooperation between research community and industry
Anne Kjersti Fahlvik (Photo: Sverre Jarild)
“Close collaboration between industry players and research institutions on projects that draw upon the combined knowledge of multiple disciplines is essential for dealing with major societal challenges in the areas of health, food safety, climate change, and energy needs,” states Anne Kjersti Fahlvik, Executive Director of the Research Council’s Division for Innovation.
The BIOTEK2021 programme will have roughly NOK 130 million to allocate annually and plans to issue its first call for proposals in April 2012. Priority will be given to funding for comprehensive projects whose applicants are consortia comprised of both research institutions and industry players.
Built on evaluations and insight
The programme’s structure is based on insight gained over the last few years under the Research Council’s Biotek 2012 process.
“Over 60 submissions came in from Norway’s biotechnology community regarding potential issues to address under the new programme. We have structured the BIOTEK2021 programme based on this input and the evaluation of the FUGE programme,” explains Ms Fahlvik.
A hybrid of basic research and innovation projects
Basic research in biotechnology that was previously supported under the FUGE programme will now be given a boost through the Research Council’s funding scheme for independent basic research projects (FRIPRO). Many of the purely innovation-oriented projects within biotechnology will still obtain funding under the Research Council’s other large-scale programmes such as User-driven Research-based Innovation (BIA), Aquaculture – An Industry in Growth (HAVBRUK), and Clean Energy for the Future (RENERGI).
The BIOTEK2021 programme will issue funding announcements for large-scale, network-based projects that incorporate a blend of independent basic research and research-based innovation.
Biotechnology, a component of the bioeconomy
Promoting Norwegian bioeconomic activities will be high on the list of Research Council priorities for the years ahead. R&D in biotechnology should aim to generate new and improved products, services and processes which contribute to the emerging knowledge-based bioeconomy.
A key objective of developing Norway’s bioeconomy is to maximise sustainable production and processing of renewable biomass for a variety of products.
Sector-based biotechnology
The Research Council promotes business development within all four sectors encompassed by biotechnology. These are often labelled by colour: green (the agriculture sector), blue (marine), red (health and medicine) and white (biotechnology processing industry).
Biomedicine and health currently comprise the principal field for Norwegian R&D in biotechnology. Many companies are well established, often focused on developing new medicines and diagnostic tests.
“In the marine sector, Norway is already a global leader in several research fields, and now we are seeing many business opportunities in the other sectors as well,” adds Ms Fahlvik.
- Published:
- 01.12.2011
- Last updated:
- 22.02.2012
See also
Contact
- Øystein Rønning Special Adviser 22 03 71 06 oro@forskningsradet.no
