FP7
FP7 is Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. That's the EU- funding research in Europe and a major instrument in 2007-2013 years. His budget was about 50 € billion.
All research institutes and universities could take part, as well as a wide range of organizations and individuals, small and medium businesses and large companies. "Public legal entity" had a right for participation, but there were different rules.
Participant countries were:
- EU 27 & Associated Countries (AC)
- Candidate Countries
- Third Countries
There was encouraged cooperation with third countries.
ANTHRAX ENVIRONMENTAL DECONTAMINATION NETWORK or ‘AEDNet’
Anthrax, caused by the spore forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is a disease of animals which can infect humans either directly through contact with infected animals or indirectly as a consequence of bioterrorism. In regions of the world such as Eastern Europe and Central Asia the pathogen still constitutes a significant threat to human and animal health. A lack of effective veterinary facilities, access to vaccines and the burial of untreated infected animals has resulted in the contamination of large areas due to the ability of the spores to survive in soil for many years. Given that the bacteria is non-contagious its elimination from contaminated soil and surfaces would have a major impact on disease incidence. We are seeking to develop an approach which is specific for B.anthracis and will have minimal impact on the environment. Following preliminary field trials on animal burial sites in Turkey we have developed a technique which triggers the conversion (germination) of B.anthracis spores into bacteriophage (phage) susceptible vegetative bacteria. Phages are natural preditors of bacteria, are species specific and found in close proximity to their prey. We hypothesize that a combination of germinant and B.anthracis specific phages will be an effective and ecologically friendly means of reducing spore numbers. Indeed in laboratory studies we have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. While there are a number of funded phage based anthrax deacon projects in the region there is as yet no dedicated scientific network to facilitate the sharing of best practices and to link researchers in neighboring countries facing similar problems. It is our intention to link these projects together in a manner which maximizes the current investment and will deliver an environmentally friendly decontamination system.
From 2013 Ilia State University is participating in the project funded by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme.
„Chain Reaction: A Sustainable approach to Inquiry Based Science Education” is a three-year project founded by European Commission within FP7 framework program. It aims to develop Inquiry Based Science Education( IBSE) across twelve partner countries. The project will provide interactive and engaging IBSE professional development to teacher education professionals from each participating country using tried and tested inquiry based science resources. The project also provides a strong and sustainable IBSE framework both for teacher educators and for teachers, along with resources tailored to each partner's individual cultural and curricular needs. Science teachers are able to build their knowledge and skills, learning independently as well as being part of a wider teacher network. Chain Reaction is rooted in problem solving and inquiry based learning principles, aiming to actively involve students in their science studies, and enable them to experience the excitement and challenges of experimental and investigative science.
The project officially started on 1st of June, 2013. Overall budget is 3 600 000 EURO. The consortium includes partner universities from 12 countries.
• Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom – Coordinator
• Naples University Federico II, Italy
• Matej Bel University Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
• TED Universitesi Ankara, Turkey Plovdiv University, Bulgaria
• Centre International de Formation Pédagogique, France
• University Ljubljana,Slovenia
• University of Crete, Greece
• University of Limerick, Ireland
• Jordan Society of Scientific Research, Amman, Jordan
• Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
Project coordinator from Ilia State University is Prof. Marika Kapanadze.