Study Visits Report Summary
The rules, conditions and criteria surrounding the study visit application process were in conformity to the requirements identified by the EC during the negotiation stage. Information regarding these study visits was distributed to all relevant FP6 coordinators, at the time, with a request to distribute details to their own participants. In addition information was sent to numerous research community contacts across Europe. In excess of 300 direct contacts were made in this way. As a result, over 70 applications to fill the 20 places available were received. All partners then participated in a formal assessment of the applications against defined criteria. The host organisation identified in each specialised area took the lead in making the final decision of who would be invited to visit. It was pleasing to note that sufficient high quality candidates were identified in the first trawl. Each host organisation then “signed off” the invitation before international travel arrangements were made. All study visits occurred between January-May 2008
The Food-Frenz New Zealand partners received 17 visitors in all – three of the 20 originally selected unfortunately cancelled their trips at short notice due to changes in personal circumstances. Efforts were made to replace these from the original list of applicants but due to short notice this was not possible. As a compensation for this and more host time being available the programme of visits was extended so that visitors had the opportunity to spend time with more than one host and visit local companies and other organisations. In total there were over 70 such visitor host interactions covering the main themes of:
- Food Safety
- Personalised Foods
- Animal Health and Welfare
- Sustainable Production
- Innovative and Emerging Technologies
The seventeen visiting fellows represented, as intended, a wide scope of scientists from diverse career, skill and organisational backgrounds: from Professors to Postgraduate researchers; from academia to commerce, via Government research bodies. The fellows comprised eight males and nine female scientists from thirteen countries across Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland [X3], Portugal [X2], Romania, Spain [X2], United Kingdom).
Note: EU Gender and nationality criteria were met.
- 9 of the 17 places filled by female scientists (target 50:50 minimum 40% females)
- 13 countries represented (target minimum 7 countries represented)
The study visits were considered to be highly successful by both the visitors and their host organisations. From the reports and the feedback provided at the conference in Budapest it was evident that there was a very real intent to build upon the relationships established during these study visits.
