Abstract
On the basis of results from CropBooster-P WP1 and WP2 individual research fields were defined that are associated with “Yield” (five research fields), “Nutritional Quality” (five research fields) or “Sustainability” (six research fields). Within these research fields, the landscape of interactions in Europe was mapped, between researchers, research institutions, countries and research fields. The strengths of these interactions were quantified, and three important and several interconnected aspects could be addressed:- which researchers excel, by their numbers of publications, in a given research field,- which institutions are strong in a research field and, moreover, in more than one of these fields,- which research fields are not adequately covered in Europe's research institutions, and- how strong are the interactions between hubs of plant research in Europe?The implications of these results for structuring the European plant research landscape are obvious. Already existing research centers and their interactions have to be further strengthened, and additional research centers have to be established at a broader European scale and incorporated into the existing networks, adjusting the European plant research agenda to the EU strategic goal setting, including all relevant scientific expertise and creating synergistic effects. Moreover, the scope and intensity of Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) in Europe has been evaluated, in scientific fields relevant for CropBooster-P. The focus of the analysis has been put on PPPs in Central- and South-European countries, and also on the interaction of such PPPs of individual countries with other European countries. PPPs play a very crucial role for science integrating the aspect of transfer of research results into economic exploitation, in all these countries.Major players could be identified in the public as well as in the private sector in each of the countries analyzed. Such major players are always involved in several such partnerships. Across country borders, PPPs are mainly built between partners from France, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. For the establishment of Public-Private Partnerships within individual countries as well as for building consortia across country borders, the “driving forces” are seen in the search for complementary scientific expertise, the ambition to transfer scientific excellence into economic value and the opportunity to get these mutual interests supported by public funding programs. This system should be further strengthened and extended to Southeast- and East-European countries.Expert panels (“Focus Groups”) have been formed for each individual research field (see above), to elaborate and propose strategic research actions that are expected to contribute to reaching the EU strategic goals as outlined in the so called “Green Deal” and the “Farm to Fork” concepts. The reports of the “Focus Groups” will be discussed with stakeholders at a meeting to be organised in March 2021. Inputs received from the stakeholders will be incorporated into the reports and an aggregated final report will then be forwarded to WP5, as a basis for proposing a detailed future plant research agenda, with priorities set according to the strategic goal setting of the EU Commission.