EPSO,
the European Plant Science Organisation, is an independent academic
organisation currently representing 59 institutional
members bringing together more
than 185 research institutes, departments and universities from 27
countries in Europe and beyond.
EPSO’s
mission is to improve the impact and visibility of plant science in
Europe. EPSO's top priorities are to facilitate the understanding of
plant science, to boost funding for basic research and to coordinate
research activities at the national and European levels – and beyond.
The
association was founded in 2000 to represent the needs and interests of
European plant science. Since then, it discusses with the European
Commission, Members of the European Parliament and national politicians
recommendations on European science policy. EPSO was a key driver to
ensure that funding is available for plant research in the Sixth and
Seventh
Framework Programmes for Research (FP6 - FP7) and to foster the
establishment of the ERA-NET on Plant Genomics.
In 2004, EPSO together with EuropaBio started one of the first European
Technology Platforms “Plants
for the Future” that launched its
final Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) at the European Parliament in
Brussels in June 2007. The SRA presents a vision of plant research for the next 20
years and identifies challenges for Europe’s society and economy to
which the plant sector can contribute. The Technology Platform currently works on the SRA implementation at the European and national levels, with a focus on promoting and advocating strategic research and internationally competitive research.
EPSO
has one NGO, two European industrial organisations and individual companies as
observers. It also has links to specialised organisations in the area of
plant and life sciences in Europe, and plant science organisations
worldwide.
EPSO
organises a biannual conference that is one of the top plant science
events not to be missed. After Switzerland (2002),
Italy (2004), Hungary (2006) and France (2008), the next EPSO conference will take place in September 2010 at a location to be announced before the end of 2008.
Scientists from Europe and other continents will present and discuss
cutting edge science. Together with non-plant scientists they will build
an interface to new areas.
EPSO
membership is open to
universities and research institutions conducting research in the field
of plant science (institutional membership) worldwide, as well as to
individuals interested in plant science (personal membership).
This latest opportunity is open to all nationalities, professions,
career stages and age groups worldwide. We are looking forward to
welcoming
you as a member.
