Saltar para o conteúdo principal

FCCNFCT Digital Services

Access the national information on scientific and technological funding in Portugal

Activity Funded

Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research

Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental

Reference
UIDP/04423/2020
Project Start Date
2020-01-01
Project End Date
2024-12-31
Principal Investigator
Scientific Area
Natural sciences
Funding Program
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Programático

Abstract

10.2 Summary in English for general dissemination purposes CIIMAR will develop state-of-the-art research, promoting technology transfer to a wide range of stakeholders, supporting graduate and post-graduate training, promoting scientific outreach with an Open Science approach and supporting public policies in the area of the ocean and the environment. This is done in a multicultural environment (researchers from more than 30 nationalities) taking advantage of a large network of international collaborations (projects, networks, infrastructures). To implement our strategy, we have an enthusiastic staff, a highly qualified multidisciplinary team of biologists, chemists, biochemists, geneticists, pharmaceuticals, oceanographers, engineers and legal researchers able to work in a challenging interdisciplinary environment. CIIMAR main scientific objective is to produce fundamental knowledge in the areas of marine biotechnology, aquaculture and seafood safety and global changes and ecosystem services, which can be transferred to relevant stakeholders, increasing the opportunities for job creation and economic and social impact in the area of Blue Economy. CIIMAR specific objectives are: to explore the chemical and biological diversity of the ocean as source of novel materials with health, environmental and industrial applications, responding to societal and economy needs using a multidisciplinary approach; to tailor and develop safe aquaculture products targeted to correspond to the increasing awareness for high quality and environmentally friendly seafood at a maximum convenience and acceptable price; to provide knowledge, technology and products to address the effects and risks of global changes, environmental contaminants, invasive species and other stressors in marine (including deep-sea), freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems towards their protection and sustainable exploitation of their services. CIIMAR will contribute to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, by developing research and innovation covering areas linked with the promotion of healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages, fostering new biotechnological marine products, food security and improved nutrition using aquaculture; promoting conservation and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, and taking actions to understand and mitigate climate change; and to ensure access to modern and sustainable energy through the development of new marine renewable technologies. Gender equality is a key policy. We will promote a multi- and interdisciplinary approach in the area of Sciences and Technologies of the Ocean seen as a whole system where biological, chemical and physical processes take place and interact. 10.3 Summary in English for evaluation CIIMAR is a leading research and advanced training institution of the University of Porto on Ocean Knowledge and Innovation. CIIMAR uses knowledge-based approaches to promote the natural capital and the sustained management of marine resources through monitoring of ecosystems health, optimization of aquaculture, and biotechnological exploitation of the resources for environmental and human health applications. CIIMAR provides innovative solutions and products to regional (NORTE2020), national (Portugal2020, MAR2020) and international (H2020) economic and societal challenges, and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The centre develops research and innovation that contribute to the promotion of healthy life-styles and well-being for all ages by fostering new biotechnological marine products, food security and improved nutrition through aquaculture; conservation and sustainable use of marine resources; actions to comprehend and address global changes; access to sustainable and innovative energy sources via marine renewable options; and achieve gender equality. CIIMAR promotes a multi- and interdisciplinary agenda in Marine Science and Technology, considering the Ocean as a whole system where physical, biological and chemical processes interact. CIIMAR generates exceptional science and innovation, supporting graduate and post-graduate training, promoting technology transfer, increasing job opportunities, having economic and social impact in Blue Economy and supporting public policies. Science outreach follows an Open Science approach. CIIMAR fosters an international atmosphere (> 30 nationalities) and a wide range of international collaborations (projects, networks, infrastructures). CIIMAR’s major advantage over comparable institutions is the highly qualified and enthusiastic staff that creates a fruitful environment for serendipity problem solution, based on complementary expertise among a multidisciplinary team of biologists, chemists, biochemists, geneticists, pharmaceuticals, oceanographers, engineers, and legal researchers that are able to interact in a challenging interdisciplinary way. CIIMAR is organized into three thematic lines (TL): Marine Biotechnology; Biology, Aquaculture and Seafood Safety and Global Changes and Ecosystem Services, responding to key societal and economic challenges. Specific objectives encompass: Exploring the chemical and biological diversity of the ocean as source of novel products with health, environmental and industrial applications; Maximizing the growth potential of farmed species using sustainable aquaculture practices, and developing safe aquaculture products targeted to correspond to the increasing awareness for high quality and environmentally friendly seafood; Developing an integrated, multi-disciplinary understanding of the structure and dynamics of marine ecosystems, and their response to global changes at multi-scales; Quantifying relationships between human society and the ecosystem services; Bridging the gap between research, innovation, technology transfer and societal needs. CIIMAR aims to be the reference institution in marine and environmental research in Portugal and a world leading institution. CIIMAR plans to increase the annual turnover of around 6 M euros in 2017 to 13 M euros in 2022. Apart from the expected FCT Unit Pluriannual Funding to support core expenses, CIIMAR plans to increase the regional, national and international funds, such as the industry-driven projects MARVALOR, MOBFOOD and VALORALGA (2017-2021), all led by major industrial partners in Portugal with a total of 29 M euros (45 academic partners and 49 industrial stakeholders). CIIMAR-TECH – Technological Centre of Innovation and Development on Blue Biotechnology and Aquaculture - a Technological Infrastructure to interface between research centers and industry, was submitted in 2017 and is pending the decision of the National Agency for Innovation. Knowledge transfer will be also materialized by our current growing trend in patents (6 submitted and 3 in preparation) and spin-off creation (3 being launched in 2018). CIIMAR and CESAM are developing a joint proposal with a diversity of industrial partners to form a new Collaborative Laboratory (CoLab) on applied marine sciences and blue biotechnology. CIIMAR will implement an ambitious agenda for job creation, at research and administrative levels, offering an enriching multi-cultural environment to further boost and diversify the Centre performance. CIIMAR will increase the job opportunities for doctorates, taken advantage of various funding schemes. CIIMAR plans to increase from 180 PhD holders in 2018 to 230 in 2020, reaching a total of 500 researchers, attracting outstanding early career and experienced scientists to fill the existing gaps and expanding scientific areas. The attraction of young generations to Science starts at very early ages. CIIMAR’s comprehensive outreach program annually impacts> 150000 people. CIIMAR Blue Young Talent (BYT) program for undergraduates will be extended to MSc students, funding the best students from UPorto. CIIMAR plans to fund 25 new PhD students a year, allocated to the 8 PhD programs that CIIMAR embraces, with FCT and industry support. Current and new H2020 ITN proposals will help to surpass this goal. CIIMAR is actively involved in international networks of excellence (e.g. EMB, Euromarine, ICES, GEOBON) and research infrastructures (e.g. EMBRC, EMSO, OPENSCREEN, MIRRI, EPOS) to foster the successful participation in new projects. This will be enhanced by the planned MoU with leading worldwide institutions such as GEOMAR, NIOZ, IFREMER, IMR, SMMI, IEO, SCRIPPS and WHOI. By the end of 2022 CIIMAR expects to have contributed to the production of new knowledge to be published in prestigious journals and to be translated into new products, processes and services with direct impact in the Blue Economy, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Agenda.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Universidade do Porto Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (UP CIIMAR)
  • Universidade do Porto Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (UP CIIMAR)

Funding 1.400.000,00 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

1.400.000,00 €