Research Programme on Nutrition Food and Health ELVIRA ( ) “Novel high-quality and innovative research that in the long run helps consumers to make healthy and safe food choices”

Preparation phase Preparatory group: autumn 2004 Exploratory workshop: December 2004 On 15 November 2005 the Board of the Academy of Finland decided to launch the ELVIRA programme Call announced on 1 December 2005 (draft) Final modifications in February following the recommendations of the evaluation of Finnish food sciences and related research Deadline for applications: 28 April 2006

Research Programme on Nutrition Food and Health ELVIRA ( ) Main objectives: create new knowledge aiming at significant societal and economical impacts, in addition to scientific impacts establish new collaborative networks across disciplinary boundaries reinforce cooperation and knowledge transfer between scientific community, enterprises and public authorities promote mobility of researchers – national and international support the balanced structure of research groups (post docs) Other objectives maintain and develop the current strengths of research and boost the areas that need further development promote efficient training of researchers both in academia and industry strengthen the international competitiveness of Finnish research develop optimal environment for food, nutrition and health research meet the information needs of society on a healthy, safe and balanced diet in addition to general objectives of research programmes

Research Programme on Nutrition Food and Health ELVIRA ( ) Themes: 1.Consumer behaviour, lifespan and health 2.Nutrition, genetic factors and metabolism 3.Food, immunity, intestinal microbes and health 4.Food-related risks and food safety 5.Food processing and health Driving force: public health benefit how good health and well-being can be created and maintained with good nutrition? how tasteful food supporting health health-promoting nutrition can be developed and made available? how consumers can be guided to choose wisely form the large food selection? how food selection can meet all safety requirements?

Research Programme on Nutrition Food and Health ELVIRA ( ) National funding cooperation Academy of Finland: 7 million € Tekes Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry Finnish Food Research Foundation Finnish Work Environment Fund Each funding agency uses its own procedures and criteria in making funding decision

Research Programme on Nutrition Food and Health ELVIRA ( ) International cooperation International cooperation is favoured Mobility of researchers is highly recommended and supported Similar programmes in other countries: National Research Agency in France: Food and Human Nutrition Danish Research Agency Research Council of Norway >> opportunities for joint projects ! Other useful contacts: USDA/ Agricultural Research Services (Tekes agreement)

Timetable: Deadline for proposals 28 April 2006 Scientific evaluation: during summer International expert panels Funding decisions: early autumn Projects may start after funding decisions (Academy), but actual programme activities will start in January 2007 Funding period: 4 years 2011: final evaluation of the programme

Programme activities added value of the programme = more than individual projects! active exchange of information and communication: including scientific community, funding agencies, industry, society, foreign contacts meetings, seminars, workshops, courses most activities open to everybody! Programme manager Steering group* *Tiina Mattila-Sandholm (chair), Pirjo Pietinen (vice-chair), Kari Rissanen, Marja Tuominen, Leena Vestala, Kalervo Väänänen, Markku Järvenpää, Jari Toivo, Liisa Rosi

Guidelines for applications consortium applications are preferred new, innovative, multidisciplinary collaboration consortium has a joint research plan (15 pages) separate application form from each partner evaluated as a whole (one joint review) each partner is responsible on his/her own funding consider, which funding agency is the most relevant for the funding and indicate this in the application submit using online services of Academy of Finland or Tekes

Evaluation criteria Scientific evaluation by the expert panels project compatibility with ELVIRA programme and its objectives impact of research on society scientific quality and innovativeness of the research plan feasibility of the research plan competense and expertise of the research team(s) balanced composition of the research team (post docs!) national and international networks research training Ranking by the Steering Group: considering evaluation statements, objectives of the programme and appropriate programme entity Decisions by funding agencies

ELVIRA Research Programme ( ) More information: Important document: Programme memorandum