6 aims of the project

The MicrobiomeSupport consortium will support the set-up of an internationally agreed microbiome definition, best practices and standards, as well as consistent protocols in research. Based upon the jointly developed research and innovation (R&I) agendas, the project will build a basis for joint international action in research programmes.

MicrobiomeSupport will support the need for a better alignment of R&I (policy) agendas in Europe and worldwide. The improvement of the following 5 key policy challenges can lead to innovative applications in the promising microbiome field, according to a September 2017 OECD-Report.

  1. Science policy
  2. Enabling translational science
  3. Public-private collaboration
  4. Regulatory frameworks
  5. Skills, communication and the public

The MicrobiomeSupport project will address these as well as additional points to enable innovative microbiome applications in the food system and beyond generating true benefit for our society.

The MicrobiomeSupport project will reduce the overlap and fragmentation between EU and other national/international funding in microbiome research by a coordinated approach to reinforce collaboration and knowledge exchange within international networks, including the International Bioeconomy Forum (IBF). 

The MicrobiomeSupport consortium will maintain a dialogue between multiple stakeholders, actors and the public and disseminate the know-how in microbiome research through a series of communication and promotion activities.

The MicrobiomeSupport project will educate the public about microbiomes and microbiome applications, discuss potential risks and communicate realistic expectations. 

The MicrobiomeSupport project will maximize its outreach and impact through effective targeted dissemination of project outputs via represented partners, as well as, targeted communication with multi-level stakeholders to support a sustainable mobilisation of a wide diversity of actors.

6 objectives of the project

Identification and mapping of microbiome activities in the EU and worldwide, including programmes and facilities, along the food chain and beyond.

Creation of a platform for scientists, regulatory experts, industry, funding and policy organisations as well as support of the International Bioeconomy Forum to implement the ‘Food Systems Microbiome’ working group.

Improve use of existing data to allow comparability and improved mining of microbiome data, including microbiome standards and best practices.

Define strategic agendas to enable joint international microbiome applications in the food sector and beyond.

Collaboration and coordination in support of a sustainable bioeconomy in Europe and beyond, in line with the FOOD 2030 policy goal to support the global food system.

Raising awareness and exchange of knowledge across scientific and political communities, including the International Bioeconomy Forum (IBF), and the general public.