Agricultural Research In the Mediterranean Network (ARIMNet2) Call for Young Researchers
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.
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. It is the purpose and the ambition of ARIMNet2 partners.
Young Researcher Transnational Research Call 2017
The aim of this call is to reinforce the capacities of young scientists around the Mediterranean Area 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.
It aims 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.
Call Topics
Topics covered in the present call have been defined according to the priorities of the Integrated Strategic Research Agenda (ISRA) developed under ARIMNet2 and the current national priorities. 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.
Enhancing Mediterranean agricultural and food value chains
The countries of the Mediterranean basin face a number of similar problems in relation to agriculture, mainly as regards the use and management of natural resources, such as soil and water, and threats to the security and sustainability of agricultural production resulting from climate change. 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 , is a common objective for the Mediterranean countries.
This call will cover two topics:
- Promoting sustainable agriculture for socio-economic development.
- Valorising local products through food value chains improvement.
Application Rules
This call is dedicated to young researchers ONLY. We considered a young researcher somebody who has obtained his/her PhD (or equivalent*) with in the last 10 years (meaning in this case that applicants must have obtained their PhD after 1 January 2007).
*Equivalent diploma or experience will depend on the national rules to be published in June 2017.
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.
Other countries could join this Call soon; please check the ARIMNet2 website.
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.
Participating Funding Organisations
The call is co-funded through a virtual common pot by the Mediterranean countries participating to the ARIMNet2 project.
