1 - Introduction

One of the greatest challenges facing the biotechnology community today is to be able to make use of the vast and dynamic influx of "omics" data. The synchronised development of bioinformatic concepts and related computational tools for prediction and modelling is a prerequisite to enable the exploitation of this wealth of biological data as a source of new biotechnological applications. These can range from industry and health to the environment and agriculture. Ethical aspects such as those related to confidentiality, sensitive data and data property are relevant to some bioinformatics applications.

2 - Scope

Action primarily consisting of activities aiming to establish new knowledge and/or to explore the feasibility of a new or improved technology, product, process, service or solution. For this purpose they may include basic and applied research, technology development and integration, testing and validation on a small-scale prototype in a laboratory or simulated environment.

Proposals should develop innovative bioinformatics approaches to close the gap between data availability and the discovery of new biotechnological applications. Proposals should in particular address the needs of SMEs active in the bioinformatics sector and should take into consideration international activities with the objective of fostering global solutions, standards and interoperability. Practical testing for validation of bioinformatics approaches should be considered.

3 - Eligibility

At least three legal entities. Each of the three shall be established in a different Member State or associated country. All three legal entities shall be independent of each other.

4 - Budget

Total call budget is EUR 28,840,000,00. The European Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 6 and 10 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. Funding rate is of 100%.

5 - Deadline

* VHIR deadline is on 16/03/2015

* The official deadline is on 26/03/2015

* Stage 2 deadline is 08/09/2015

* VHIR deadline for stage 2 is 31/08/2015.

6 - Timetable

Information on the outcome of two-stage evaluation: maximum 5 months from the final date for submission.

Signature of grant agreements: maximum 3 months from the date of informing successful applicants.

7 - More information

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