ECOGENE · Unlocking the European Union convergence region potential in genetics

Arising from the outlined conceptual principles, objectives of the proposal are formulated primarily in order to improve the quality of our research capacity, in particular as far as participation of EBC in FP7 is concerned, but also wider, keeping in mind specific needs as well as possibilities related to the present-day Estonian R&D policy in its socio-economic context. Based on the evaluation of current needs and our earlier experience, the work programme is almost exclusively addressing human capital development, leaving only minimal part of the resources asked for material resources. The work programme foresees different work packages serving the objectives, but largely independent in their fulfilment. Workshops and hands-on training courses, open internationally, will be carried out both to improve scills of our researchers, as well as in order to disseminate particular knowledge, gathered here. Organizing/supporting already traditional international Gene Forum conferences allows to make our R&D visible for invited participants from leading groups in Europe. “Women in science” sub-programme will be included into the general package of measures to unlock “hidden resources”, alongside with attractive repatriation scheme. Knowledge transfer between EBC and well established research groups elsewhere is supported by mobility package for different categories of researchers and is seen as measure to build strong informed personal contacts, encouraging preparation of joint research proposals, twinning of research groups.