FUGE participates in the thematic network on aquaculture as a step in the collaboration with North America. One of four important topics in this network is genomics. Fish health, escapees and feed are the other three. The collaboration is also connected to the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs along with other programmes in the Research Council of Norway.

Focus on salmon and cod
In this network the main focus is on the challenges in cod and salmon farming. So far, two network meetings have been held, where the researchers working in these fields discussed common problems and project opportunities.
Regarding genomics, there is general agreement that the focus for the collaboration should form the basis for the possibility of sequencing salmon and cod genomes. In addition to the network, there are two other international collaborations: the Consortium for Genome Research on All Salmonids Project (cGRASP) and the International Cod Genomics Consortium (ICGC).

Meeting on cancer in May 2007
Cancer is the other thematic network with FUGE participation connected to the North America collaboration. FUGE will in May 2007 help organise a network meeting where cancer researchers are invited to discuss possible projects on breast cancer and other topics. The meeting will be held in the Research Triangle Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, as a joint effort by Innovation Norway, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington DC and other programmes in the Research Council of Norway.

Valuable assets
Researchers are also encouraged to form international collaborations within their respective fields. Substantial international research collaborations are valuable assets that count when time comes to review applications for project grants from FUGE.