University of Groningen Secures Major Grants for Biodiversity and Origins of Life Research, Engaging Communities and Interdisciplinary Teams

University of Groningen Secures Major Grants for Biodiversity and Origins of Life Research, Engaging Communities and Interdisciplinary Teams

(IN BRIEF) The University of Groningen’s Faculty of Science and Engineering has received two €6.7 million grants for research into biodiversity restoration in farming regions and the origins of life on Earth and beyond. Led by Professors Han Olff and Inge Loes ten Kate, these projects involve interdisciplinary teams and community collaboration to drive scientific and societal advancements.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRONINGEN, 9-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at the University of Groningen has secured two significant NWO grants totaling €6.7 million, supporting groundbreaking research in biodiversity restoration and the origins of life. Professor Han Olff will lead the “CurveBend” project, focusing on creating a new framework for restoring biodiversity in livestock-dominated regions. By fostering collaborative efforts between diverse stakeholders—including local residents, farmers, conservationists, and the agrifood sector—the project will develop adaptable strategies tailored to regions in the Netherlands, South America, and East Africa.

In parallel, researchers from FSE will join a consortium led by Professor Inge Loes ten Kate, working on the PRELIFE project to explore the origins of life on Earth and the universe. This interdisciplinary initiative brings together expertise from fields such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, and earth sciences to investigate conditions that may have led to life. Public engagement will be central, involving educators, students, and the general public through collaborations with artists and museums.

These initiatives are part of the Dutch Research Agenda’s Research on Routes by Consortia (ORC) program, which promotes interdisciplinary research with societal impact by connecting academic institutions, knowledge organizations, and community stakeholders.

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Email: communicatie@rug.nl

SOURCE: University of Groningen