The BIO-EARN Newsletter  A Publication from the BIO-EARN Regional Coordination Office No 2, December 2006 BIO-EARN Programme Updates Innovation Fund Proposal The Regional Coordination Office developed the BIO-EARN Innovation Fund (IF) proposal. This was reviewed by BIO-EARN Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) which agreed on the key principles/concepts which the IF proposals must capture (scope, eligibility to apply and evaluation process) before it was submitted to Sida for funding. Details on application procedures will be available in the call for concept notes in January 2007, subject to Sida approval of the proposal. After approval, the IF project will be managed by the existing structures set out in the BIO-EARN Programme proposal. It is hoped that the IF Project will further strengthen the ability of BIO-EARN network partners to build functional linkages, and technology diffusion pathways for disseminating strategic technologies/products generated within the BIO-EARN research consortia. Project Funds disbursements The first disbursement for 2006 Project funds was received from Sida in early August 2006. So far, a total of about US$900,000 (approx. 6.7 million SEK) has been disbursed to 14 BIO-EARN network institutions in Eastern Africa to implement BIO-EARN Programme activities. Similarly, a total of about US$179,000 (approx. 1.3 million SEK) was disbursed to 6 collaborating institutions in the North for activities to be undertaken at institutions in Sweden and Helsinki. Following funds disbursements, project activities began at full throttle and we expect requests for the next funds release by January 2007. Dr. Claes Kjellstrom, Officer responsible for BIO-EARN Programme at Sida/SAREC, visits the Regional Coordination Office Dr Claes Kjellstrom was in Uganda between 25-28 November 2006. During his stay he visited the BIO-EARN Regional Coordination office at IUCEA, where he was briefed on the projects and had discussions with the Programme Coordinators. The discussions centered on the progress of Programme implementation and management. Dr Kjellstrom also visited the Crop Science Department, Makerere University, where he toured the Biotechnology Laboratory partly established with funds from the BIO-EARN Programme, and held discussions with scientists about the Programme. Dr Kellstrom was happy with the progress made in the implementation of the Programme and pledged to support the coordinators in realizing the achievement of the Programme goal. BIO-EARN Programme Project’s implementation begins Implementation of the five BIO-EARN projects (four R&D and one biopolicy) has started. The four R&D projects are expected to among others have the following impacts: proof of concepts; crop varieties with improved traits for biotic and abiotic stresses; pest and disease management strategies and regional capabilities to harness biotechnology. The expected outcomes from the research projects are linked to the national systems and private sector to ensure technology uptake and adoption by the end users. In addition, all five projects will contribute to publication of research outcomes to the benefit of policy-makers and planners, at both national and regional levels. (Page 2 of 5) Go to next page: Collaborators, Issues of Access and Benefit Sharing