Author: microbes_admin

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE launches its 1st Transnational Access (TNA) Open Call

We are excited to announce the launch of the first Transnational Access (TNA) Open Call under the MICROBES-4-CLIMATE project! This call is open from March 31^st, 2025 to June 30^th, 2025, providing researchers with funded access to cutting-edge Research Infrastructures (RIs) across Europe. The MICROBES-4-CLIMATE TNA Programme is designed to remove geographical barriers, promote collaboration, and accelerate scientific progress by offering researchers access to state-of-the-art infrastructures, data, and expertise. Through this initiative, users from research organizations, universities, and industry (biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, environment, and more) can apply for access to a range of advanced services.

Who can Apply?

✔ PhD students, postdocs, and researchers affiliated with academic institutions, non-profits, industries, or companies.

✔ Applicants must have legal affiliation with their home institution and obtain full support from it.

✔ Fast-track access is available for Ukrainian researchers from government-controlled territories.

✔ Applicants must apply for at least two services, each from a different RI or M4C beneficiary. Priority will be given to cross-disciplinary projects, integrating microbes and the environment (plants, soil, etc.) to address climate change.

✔ Users must complete an ethical questionnaire and ensure their projects do not receive double funding (a statement may be required).

The TNA online portal is now available with full details on the eligibility, access providers, submission and reporting rules and guides, and more. The M4C TNA Catalogue of services can be accessed directly here. For eligibility inquiries, contact the Access Officer (accessofficer@microbes4climate.eu). For feasibility assessments and technical questions, users must reach out the respective facility/service manager.

Check for the official Press release on the 1^st Transnational Access (TNA) open call for more details.

Open call TNA

Bioethics and Regulatory Workshops: Shaping the Future of Climate Research

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE hosted the Bioethics and Regulatory Workshops in Vienna, Austria, from 25-27 November 2024. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders from EU projects, Culture collections, Biobanks and Universities.

The first part of the workshop covered ethical aspects and included Impulse talks from Lene Lange (LL-Bioeconomy) who spoke about bioeconomy and impacting ethical considerations and Stephanie Laurel Schnorr (University of Vienna) who gave a perspective considering the human microbiome. This was followed by discussion sessions led by Tanja Kostic (AIT) which considered the current ethical practices in research projects, biobanks and culture collections, followed by a gap analysis. The final part of the first session then began to consider how to address the gaps identified and to involved stakeholders. The second part of the workshop considered the legal and regulatory landscape and how it impacts culture collections, biobanks and the potential for microbial interventions to mitigate climate change. Impulse speakers included Amber Sholtz (DSMZ) who summarised the recent impacts of the COP decision on Digital Sequence Information, Djamila Djeddour (CABI) gave a real use case example of how an international organisation negotiates the regulatory landscape ensuring compliance, Anthony Kermode (CABI) spoke on best practice and Ursula Hunger (Austrian Patent Office). Cornelia Stumptner (BBMRI MUG) also provided a helpful summary of progress with developing standards for microbiome biobanking, made through the sister EU Microbe Project.

Célia Soares (University of Minho) and Matthew Ryan (CABI) then led two sessions on 1) Best Practice, Biosecurity and Patents, and 2) Nagoya, ABS Challenges and Environmental regulation respectively. As with the ethical section of the workshop, notable gaps were identified and discussion had on how we might fill them.

The WP6 Task leaders and Workshop facilitators are now reviewing the outputs of the workshop, with key outputs to be disseminated to the wider project and scientific / stakeholder community during the first part of 2025.

Useful links:

Find the Workshop Agenda here.

https://microbes4climate.eu/2024/07/10/save-the-date-bioethics-and-regulatory-workshops/

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE participated at the AgroServ Workshop in Italy

On October 3rd, Professor Nelson Lima from Micoteca da Universidade do Minho – MUM had the honor to present the MICROBES-4-CLIMATE initiative during the Working Session 3, focused on “Enhancing the role of RI in Agroecological Transition”, where the critical role of microbes was highlighted as they are extreme relevant at promoting sustainable agricultural practices and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Professor Nelson Lima presented the Microbes 4 Climate EU Project at the ‘Workshop – Research infrastructures (RIs) towards Agroecological transition: How to boost our impact by working together?’ held in CIHEAM Bari, Italy from October 2nd to 3rd, 2024.

This event, promoted by the AgroServ EU-funded project, emphasized the importance of collaboration among Ris in advancing the agroecological transition, driving for innovation at agroecological practices, and at addressing the global environmental challenges.

Climate Change Regulatory Research Infrastructure Workshop

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE participated at the miCROPe Symposium 2024 in Austria

Cintia Mayr from the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology presented MICROBES-4-CLIMATE project at miCROPe Symposium 2024, at the stunning Schönbrunn Castle in Vienna from July 15th–18th, 2024.

The researcher introduced the project at the “Microbe-assisted Crop Production – Opportunities, Challenges, and Needs.” session through a poster presentation and discussed with leading experts the vital role of soil and plant microbiomes in enhancing Agro-systems, including nutrient delivery, plant fitness, stress tolerance, and pest control.

Climate Change Regulatory Research Infrastructure Workshop

Earth Day

Today, on Earth Day, we reflect on our planet’s beauty, diversity, and urgent need for environmental stewardship. On our way to this journey of sustainability, it’s essential to highlight initiatives that contribute to mitigate Climate Change and preserving our rich ecosystems.

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE exemplifies the spirit of Earth Day by promoting sustainable practices and scientific innovation to address pressing environmental challenges. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to advance research, boost collaboration, and drive for positive changes for our planet!

On this Earth Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. Happy Earth Day!

Join us on this extraordinary expedition by following the M4C updates by our social media channels:
Linkedin: https://lnkd.in/dWTWmtEJ
Twitter: https://lnkd.in/dnhDDpqD
Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dzJcXp28

#M4C #Microbes4Climate #ResearchforClimate #M4CHorizoneurope #ResearchInfrastructure hashtag#HEU #STI #INFRASERV #ClimateAction

About the Project

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE, a Horizon Europe project, started in February 2024 to address the critical intersection of biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate change, and will run until January 2029.
MICROBES-4-CLIMATE aims to unravel the intricate relationships between microorganisms, plants, soil, and climate in an attempt to aid the effort to face unprecedented environmental challenges.

The projects entails to enhance understanding, foster resilience, and drive sustainable solutions for agriculture, forestry, and beyond.
Through the Trans-national Access (TNA) programme, MICROBES-4-CLIMATE offers researchers unprecedented access to cutting-edge research infrastructures and integrated services. The Project will help and empower researchers challenge the frontiers of knowledge to harness the power of plant-microbiome interactions. 🚀

Get in touch with us and join us in our mission to advance climate resilience and sustainability for a healthier planet and humanity.

#M4C #Microbes4Climate #ResearchforClimate #M4CHorizoneurope #ResearchInfrastructure hashtag#HEU #STI #INFRASERV #ClimateAction

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE Goals

The main objectives of 𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗦-𝟰-𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘, are to tackle the challenges posed by Climate Change on terrestrial biodiversity and Ecosystems. Here is a glimpse:

To 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 and refine frameworks and tools that facilitate access to data and data services crucial for research on Climate Change. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, to streamline the process of data access and analysis, empowering researchers to make significant strides in their work.
To 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 the integration of services offered by multiple Research Infrastructures (RIs), providing comprehensive training and scientific/technical assistance to both RI staff and researchers/users. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, to maximise the benefits of available services and resources.
To 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 the access to tailored and efficient services lies at the heart of our mission. Whether physical, remote, or virtual, the goal is to provide researchers an easy access to a suite of services designed to support curiosity-driven research on Climate Change impacts. By removing barriers to entry, to empower researchers to focus on what they do best— advancing scientific knowledge.
To 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 the active engagement from the target user communities is essential for to ensure the sustainability of our project. MICROBES-4-CLIMATES is dedicated to promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and community involvement to guarantee that services developed during the project’s duration have a lasting impact.

Stay tuned and join us in our mission to advance Climate resilience and Sustainability for a healthier planet and humanity!

#M4C #Microbes4Climate #ResearchforClimate #M4CHorizoneurope #ResearchInfrastructure #HEU #STI #INFRASERV #ClimateAction

Project Kick Off Meeting

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE Kicked-off for two days full of sessions to boost the project, from the 20th to the 21st of February 2024.

31 dedicated partners from 13 countries were present in Braga, Portugal at Headquarters of MIRRI-ERIC uniting forces to propel research and unravel the interactions between soil, microorganisms, plants, and the environment.

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE has an ambitious quest to elevate our understanding of these relationships. The mission is to provide researchers with an unparalleled and integrated access to a vast network of infrastructures, fostering collaboration and amplifying the collective knowledge on this crucial subject.

Join us on this extraordinary expedition by following the M4C updates by our social media channels:
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dWTWmtEJ
Twitter: https://lnkd.in/dnhDDpqD
Instagram: https://lnkd.in/dzJcXp28