Work package leader: FCT
Participating partners: ESF and DEFRA

Objectives

• To compare the methods used to manage biodiversity research in each country, including foresight, programme structures, project selection, monitoring, evaluation and benchmarking.
• To map thematic areas of common and divergent interests between countries (e.g. scope for social sciences involvement), and identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Identify the technical, legal, administrative and other barriers to the closer integration of biodiversity research in Europe, and place this in the context of other relevant areas of academic and applied research and other ERA-Nets.
• To make recommendations for overcoming these barriers to cooperation both between BiodivERsA partners and other potential partners (through addenda to the contract when agreed by the Commission).
   

Task 1: Comparison of methods used to prioritise, manage and fund national and European transnational biodiversity research
Task leader: UK – DEFRA (18)

Specific Objectives:

• To compare methods for stakeholder consultation used to identify research priorities and programme structures.
• To compare methods for setting benchmarks, monitoring and evaluating programme outcomes.
• To compare existing funding mechanisms used in national and translational research programmes.

Task 2: Identification of priority thematic areas for collaboration
Task leader: Portugal – FCT (13)

Specific Objectives:

• To map thematic areas of common and divergent interests between countries to identify complementarities and opportunities for collaboration;

Task 3: Identify the technical, legal, administrative and other barriers facing the closer integration of biodiversity research in Europe, and produce recommendations for overcoming barriers to collaboration.
Task leader: ESF (12)

Specific Objectives:

• To describe and analyse the current situation (technical, legal, administrative and other barriers for collaboration) and the conditions under which the barriers could be overcome.
• To compare the outcome (analysis of the situation) with the experience of other ERA-Nets and other existing scientific networks in relevant area.
• Engagement of a wide range of stakeholders to consider solutions and methodologies for enhanced cooperation.
• Develop a plan for overcoming barriers to collaboration, and produce a report outlining solutions.