Cases

DTU Biosustain x Innovayt // MSCA Initial Training Networks

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (CFB) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) was created with the aim of developing new knowledge and technologies to help facilitate the transformation from the existing oil-based chemical industry to a more sustainable bio-based society, in which chemicals are produced biologically.

Extensive and structured training of researchers is an important means to achieving this objective. In this context, and as part of an overall service agreement with CFB, Innovayt have identified the EU programme Initial Training Networks (ITN) to help CFB launch a major initiative to strengthen and coordinate its research education as well as research efforts more broadly.

In the BacTory project, CFB is pursuing a multi-disciplinary platform providing scientific and industrially relevant skills necessary for the establishment of next-generation biorefinery activities in Europe. The project is designed to integrate state-of-the-art research in relevant areas associated with future biochemical production scenarios with corresponding industrial activities and production plans. The objective is to train some of the most talented European young scientists (ESR) to a level where they can take on leadership in the required scientific and technological development of next-generation industrial biorefinery applications.

In the BacTory ITN project funded by the EU, CFB will receive support for 14 PhDs, which translates into more than €4 million in support. This is the largest EU funding allocation provided to any single Danish partner under the ITN programme.

The EU funding is an important step for us in our goal to bring future biorefinery processes to the industry. By training future European bio-entrepreneurs to have a closer connection to and understanding of industrial perspectives and requirements, it will be easier to make a direct crossover from Academia to Industry. The help we received from Innovayt was very important to the success of the proposal, both in terms of ensuring compliance with the rules of the programmes and managing the whole application writing process.

– Søren Molin, Professor, Centre for Biosustainability

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