Background

EuroBioFund was set up in 2006 by the European Science Foundation, with support from the European Commission, to identify future grand challenges in the life sciences which require a coordinated European approach for their financing and implementation. Identification of these topics was based on ideas put forward by the scientific community in line with the strategic goals of public and private funding organisations across Europe.

EuroBioFund aimed to facilitate collaboration at a European level through the organisation of an annual conference, EuroBioForum, where selected ideas will be presented and discussed by representatives from the research and funding communities, to define, develop and coordinate future research programmes.                      

Objectives of EuroBioFund

• To create and develop a market for innovative research ideas of European dimension and new networking mechanisms at the European level to establish public or public/private partnerships  

• Create an annual "funders' forum", EuroBioForum, where Europe's main sponsors of life sciences research meet to discuss synergies and to address life sciences challenges in a coordinated way.

Steering Committee

Professor Marja Makarow, Chief Executive of the European Science Foundation, Steering Committee Chair, 2008

Professor Bertil Andersson, Former Chief Executive of the European Science Foundation, Steering Committee Chair, 2006-2007

Professor Charles Buys, Vice-Chairman, Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)

Professor Carlos Martínez-A., Secretary of State for Research, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, 2008 (2006-2007, President, Spanish National Research Council, CSIC)

Dr. Manuel Hallen, Acting Director, Health, DG Research, European Commission, Steering Committee Member, 2008

Dr. Octavi Quintana Trias, Former Director, Health, DG Research, EC, Steering Committee Member, 2006-2007

Dr. Zdena Palková, Charles University of Prague

Dr. Wouter Spek, Director, EuroBioFund

Professor Janet Thornton, Director, European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI)

Dr. Luc van Dyck, Executive Coordinator, European Life Sciences Forum (ELSF)

Professor Eero Vuorio, Chancellor, University of Turku