JRC and University of Hohenheim establish the basis for scientific cooperation

The JRC has signed a Research Framework Arrangement (RFA) with the University of Hohenheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With this, both organisations set the basis for cooperation in bioeconomy, global food security and ecosystems, health sciences and digital transformation, as well as innovation research.

JRC Director General Vladimir Šucha and University of Hohenheim Rector Stephan Dabbert signed the RFA (by correspondence on 14 December 2018) to help facilitate the development of an effective scientific cooperation between the two organisations. It will last for an initial period of five years.

On 11-12 December, a kick-off meeting for the implementation of the RFA took place at the JRC's site in Ispra, Italy. A delegation from the University, led by Vice-Presidents Julia Fritz-Steuber and Andreas Pyka, was welcomed by the JRC's Director for Sustainable Resources, Giovanni De Santi. Throughout the 1 ½ day intense workshop, dedicated to bioeconomy, health, food and climate issues as well as innovation research, preliminary discussions on opportunities for synergies and possible areas for future collaboration took place.

Background information

Founded in 1818 after a series of devastating famines, the University of Hohenheim has traditionally been committed to developing innovative solutions for some of society's most pressing problems, in addition to conducting intensive scientific research. The University of Hohenheim specialises in a combination of scientific disciplines (agriculture, food and nutrition, economics and social sciences) that is unique among German universities. This strong specialisation is complemented by Hohenheim’s broad network of international partners, with distinguished specialists across all scientific fields.