BU Research Blog

Societal Challenges, by their nature, require input from across the disciplines. Please read on, even if you think this is not applicable to your direct area of research.

Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy, (Horizon 2020, Societal Challenge 2) has a number of opportunities relevant to BU in 16/17. With specific calls ranging from health to economics and conservation to robotics, there really is something for everyone in Societal Challenge 2.

> Sustainable Food Security – Resilient and resource-efficient. This is a wide-ranging call with funding opportunities across a many disciplines. The following are just highlights from the list of over 20 forthcoming calls:

• New partnerships and tools to enhance European capacities for in-situ conservation (closes: 14 February 2017)
• Robotics Advances for Precision Farming (closes: 14 February 2017)
• Innovative solutions for sustainable food packaging (closes: 14 February 2017)
• How to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic? (closes: 14 February 2017 with second stage closing on 13 September 2017)
• Bee health and sustainable pollination (closes: 14 February 2017 with second stage closing on 13 September 2017)

> Blue Growth: Demonstrating an ocean of opportunities, highlighting:

• Interaction between people, oceans and seas: a strategic approach towards healthcare and well-being (closes: 14 February 2017)
• Innovative sustainable solutions for improving the safety and dietary properties of seafood (closes: 14 February 2017)
• Blue green innovation for clean coasts and seas (closes: 14 February 2017)

> Rural Renaissance – Fostering innovation and business opportunities, highlighting:

• Coastal-rural interactions: Enhancing synergies between land and sea-based activities (closes: 14 February 2017 with second stage closing on 13 September 2017)
• Business models for modern rural economies (closes: 14 February 2017 with second stage closing on 13 September 2017)
• Coastal-rural interactions: Enhancing synergies between land and sea-based activities (closes: 14 February 2017 with second stage closing on 13 September 2017)

> Bio-based innovation for sustainable goods and services- Supporting the development of a European Bioeconomy, highlighting:

• Bio-based products: Mobilisation and mutual learning action plan  (closes: 14 February 2017)
• Strategies for improving the bioeconomy knowledge of the general public (closes: 14 February 2017)

Find out more about the  Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy Societal Challenge.

Please also take a look at the 16/17 Work Programme for this Societal Challenge. You may find it easier to review the opportunites by scanning through a PDF, with links from the contents pages.

More information about Horizon 2020 is located on their dedicated website and on the Particpant Portal. The Societal Challenges form one of the three pillars, which make up this flagship EU scheme.

You can advertise for potential partners or promote your area of expertise to others leading bids using the EU CORDIS website.

Watch out for further blog posts outlining other EU and international opportunties in 16/17.

What next?

Take a look at the dedicated BU Research Blog page for Horizon 2020. If you are considering applying to any EU calls, please contact Emily Cieciura, RKEO’s Research Facilitator: EU & International, as soon as possible, so that we can support your bid.