WP 1 INFORMATION EXCHANGE AS BASIS FOR ERA-PG ESTABLISHMENT

January 2004 - October 2004

Workpackage leader: Partner 1, NL
The Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI), part of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)

The aim of this workpackage is to exchange information on national research priorities, running projects, existing evaluation practices, programme management approaches, administrative procedures, national RTD landscapes and industry and research community. Based on the information gathered ERA-PG will elaborate on best practices.

Objectives

• Develop structure and systems for information exchange
• Setting up joint information documents and communication tools
• Identify best practices in programme management
• Provide overview of the research community

Tasks

National programmes content and strategy
A complete inventory on the state of the art of all the existing national programmes, running projects and respective RTD priorities in the field of plant genomics. Information relevant for collection includes organisation scheme, science topics, funding models, public-private co-operation, IPR issues, etcetera. This task is initiated by questionnaires and interviews addressed to programme managers. The tool and format for the exchange of information is webbased and takes into account that such information is dynamic and has to be updated, especially as new countries set up national plant genomics programmes and decide to join ERAPG. The information exchange and the webserver are the basis to support a long lasting and sustainable co-operation even byond ERAPG itself.

Programme implementation approaches
The whole process of project evaluation will be documented for each national programme along with a strategic analysis (SWOT). The management approaches will be outlined, with emphasis on review and follow-up of the projects within a programme. Administrative procedures, budgetary aspects and legal implications shall be described. This overview will provide a basis to work out best practices.

RTD actors and overall environment
National and regional research and technical development landscapes are described to identify synergies and complementarities. Characteristics such as the type of research, concentrations of efforts on specific topics, and existing transnational RTD approaches will be considered. The aim is to identify nuclei for sustainable cooperations between the partners.

Europe's competitiviness
To assess the global competivineness of Europe in plant genomics an inventory will be made of programmes in this particular field outside the EU (USA, Japan, China, Brazil, Australia, Canada). Aspects to be considered inclde the type of research, concentrations of efforts on specific topics, and existing transnational RTD approaches.

Setting up of a joint secretariat and the Network Steering Committee
Set up of a joint secretariat that supports all workpackage and task leaders in secretarial and reporting tasks and is responsible for preparation, organisation, reporting and follow-up of consortium meetings. Establishing a Network Steering Committee composed of high level representatives from the main participating countries.

Events and reports of WP1

A combination of joint information documents, communication tools and a joint workshop are scheduled for the first year.