About EPSO

EPSO, the European Plant Science Organisation, is an independent academic organisation currently representing 61 institutional members bringing together more than 204 research institutes, departments and universities from 29 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 from 18 to 22 April 2010 in Finland. 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.