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The Plant Industrial Platform (PIP) was established in 1992 and since 1997 it is a society according to Dutch law.
Membership to the platform is open to all (EU) plant biotechnology
companies, plant breeders and seed producers. The platform
provides means to interact with EU researchers and to gain
easy access to the results of research programmes.
A Steering Committee of approximately 5 industrial members
supervises the activities of the PIP and interacts with EU
officials on a regular basis. The composition of the Steering
Committee is changed regularly to stimulate close involvement of
PIP members. PIP members are invited to attend research meetings
of EU funded research programmes, participate in PIP-driven
workshops and are consulted on developments in the design and
management of EU research programmes.
A PIP Newsletter is published at regular intervals and
provides details about current EU funded research programmes,
details of otherwise restricted meetings organised by researchers
in these programmes, company profiles of PIP members, requests
for involvement in new research initiatives and all relevant
details of new developments concerning future EU research
interests. Company requests for sample copies or any submission of
contributions can be directed to the PIP permanent secretary.
PIP members also receive E-mail News Alerts for urgent matters, general news items and a range of publications, pertaining to agro-biotechnology, collected from the Internet or from other sources.
Aims of the Plant Industrial Platform.
- The platform will provide means and opportunities for the
exchange of early results, materials and techniques between
Industry members and the academic laboratories, involved in the
EU BIOTECH and AIR research programmes and projects. New plant-biotech
programmes, to be initiated in the future, will also gain the
immediate attention of PIP.
- The platform will concentrate on scientific liaison and
will not become involved in political or regulatory affairs, nor
produce general position papers. These areas are already dealt
with by existing organisations such as GIBiP. PIP members will
however be able to use their influence on future research
programmes of the EU.
- Membership is open to any European company.
- PIP will stimulate the attendance of PIP members at the 1
or 2 yearly meetings of the contracting laboratories in EU
research programmes. The results of these meetings will be
distributed among the PIP members. Industrial contributions to
these meetings will be encouraged.
- Information presented in specific EU research programme
information sources will be made available and industrial contributions
will be stimulated.
- PIP members will be able to receive EU Commission
manuscripts, scientific documentation, lists of publications from
EU funded projects, the available basic information on the
projects and gain opportunities to contact responsible
scientists.
- The existence of the platform will not affect contractual
rights of companies or scientists already participating as
contractors in the EU funded projects.
- Through a well balanced PIP Steering Committee, PIP has
representation in boards of EU research programmes, in GIBiP and
a good access to information pertaining to EU plant biotech
program developments.
A permanent secretary is located in the Netherlands.
Membership fees:
EU members : 1500 ECU per annum
non EU members : 4500 ECU per annum.
In order to stimulate the application of results from EU-
funded research projects, the Plant Industrial Platform (PIP)
fulfils an active role in the dissemination of the structure and
results of these programmes.
Although these activities have been succesful, the PIP
considers it important not only to network its members with
ongoing research projects, but also to employ its capacity to
stimulate new possibilities for initiatives and cooperation.
Therefore the PIP Newsletter will be used as a forum for
scientific researchers searching industrial partners for the
inception or refinement of new research initiatives.
With reference to an available flyer and a sample Newsletter,
we ask you to consider the preparation of a contribution to the
PIP Newsletter. It is important to realise that for an effective
application for research funds in the EU Framework-4 period of
EU research funding, the matching up with colleagues and
industrial partners may turn out to be essential.
A contribution should not exceed 500 words and may contain the following sections:
- Introduction to your research group (history, size).
- Description of the scope of general research interests.
- Description of the proposed research field.
- Description of the possible application of research results.
- Information on additional contacts regarding the proposed programme.
- Your full address details for further inquiries.
Benefits for Laboratories in EU funded programmes:
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- Evidence of commitment and interest from industry.
- Improved industrial contact / relationships
- Circulation of views on industrial requirements
- Improved possibilities of future funding of long term projects.
- Improved chance of actual use of obtained results.
- Bilateral funding opportunities outside the platform.
- Exchange or distribution of materials, techniques and information not eligible for publication.
Benefits for Industrial members:
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- Improved academic contact / relationships.
- Improved Commission relationships.
- Improved possibilities of future funding of long term projects.
- Wider view and chance in the scouting for useful results.
- Bilateral funding possibilities outside the platform.
- Exchange, distribution and recognition of useful materials,
techniques and information inadequate for individual publication.
Dr. Gert E. de Vries
Meerweg 6
9625 PJ Overschild
The Netherlands
Phone (+31).596.566.321
FAX (+31).596.566.508
Email: biotech -at- hetnet.nl
pip_info.htm