Agriculture in the Mediterranean region: a transnational call dedicated to Young Researchers to be open soon
The countries of the Mediterranean basin face a number of similar problems in relation to agriculture. The vulnerability of Mediterranean ecosystems and unsustainable farming systems have led to problems such as soil erosion and runoff, overexploitation of natural plant cover, loss of fertility of agricultural land, soil degradation, underground water overexploitation, contamination and food safety problems.
However, the socio-economic contribution of agriculture and food sectors to economic growth, rural development and employment is very important all around the Mediterranean. The diversity of products and the traditional know-how in food production and processing are important assets that have led the Mediterranean region to be deemed for the high quality and diversity of its food. Nevertheless, traditional Mediterranean food chains are suffering difficulties to face the increase in urban demand and changes in consumption and life styles. This induces also poor nutrition and significant health problems.
The development of sustainable agriculture and local food industries, which generate employment and value-added products, is a common objective for the Mediterranean countries.
Two topics covered
To this end, the ARIMNet 2 consortium will soon launch a call dedicated to young researchers (somebody who has obtained his/her PhD or equivalent within the last 10 years).
The aim of this call is to promote international collaborations among young researchers to take up in an innovative approach the global stakes and challenges that the Mediterranean Agriculture is facing and to prepare the new generation of young research talents to become leaders and pioneers in their research area. The call will support research consortia in a broad scope of topics to give researchers the opportunity to develop their own networks and research ideas and to facilitate the establishment of long-lasting collaborations and partnerships among young scientists around the Mediterranean.
This call will cover two topics:
- Promoting sustainable agriculture for socio-economic development.
- alorising local products through food value chains improvement.
Application Procedure
Through this call, the ARIMNet2 consortium is willing to support Young Researchers leading research projects aimed at producing innovations that enhance the contribution of agricultural and food systems to social and economic development in a sustainable way. The consortium must include 3 young researchers from 3 different countries with at least:
- One Young Researcher from a southern country: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco or Tunisia.
- One Young Researcher from a northern country: France, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Slovenia.
- A third Young Researcher from one of the above list without distinction between north and south.
The call is co-funded through a virtual common pot by the Mediterranean countries participating to the ARIMNet2 project. The list of participating countries will be published on ARIMNET2’s website with the names of their respective national contact points.
Proposals must be submitted via the Electronic Submission System that will be open during summer. The application process is a one-step process. The submission of a full proposal is mandatory.
Important Dates
- Call publication: 1 June 2017
- Deadline of proposal submission: 14 September 2017
- Communication of final evaluation results: December 2017.
More information:
What is ARIMNet2? While agriculture in the Mediterranean countries faces common issues and challenges, Agricultural Research in the Mediterranean is scattered and requires a coordination effort to step up the cooperation and coordination of research activities carried out at national level by joining forces to promote innovative research and cooperation. The ARIMNet2 Project, funded by the European Union through the EU 7th Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration, aims at coordinating National Agricultural Research Programmes to strengthen the capacities of its partners to address in a coordinated way the major challenges that the Mediterranean agriculture is facing. ANR participates actively in this Mediterranean initiative. In its role as a funding agency it supports the French teams involved in the selected projects. It participates with the other countries' funding agencies in defining the Mediterranean region's scientific strategy priorities. |
