ICGEB receives USD 6 million grant from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Gates Grant received by ICGEB to strengthen and expand biosafety systems
The ICGEB has received a grant exceeding USD 6 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the implementation of a project to assist the regulation of agricultural biotechnology products in sub-Saharan Africa.
The project will be carried out by dedicated personnel of the Biosafety Unit, based at ICGEB Trieste, Italy and at ICGEB Cape Town, South Africa. The focus will be the development of effective safety and regulatory systems for GMOs.
It is envisaged that over 20 fellowships will be offered for a two-year Master programme tailored for the project by a prestigious university; as well as critical personnel exchanges between governmental offices with extensive and highly-regarded GMO regulatory experience (such as Canada and Australia) and those of the sub-Saharan African region, where those systems are still evolving. Training workshops will also be organised and offered to scientists and regulators of the National competent authorities responsible for GMO regulation.
This funding effectively doubles the contribution received from the Gates Foundation in 2008; a tangible demonstration of the effectiveness and credibility of ICGEB's scientific approach in this sector.
Press Releases:
12 November 2012:
BioTecNika: ICGEB Receives Grant to Expand Biosafety Systems
Trieste Science System: ICGEB receives a new grant to strengthen and expnd biosafety system in sub-saharan Africa
9 November 2012
All Africa: ICGEB Receives Grant to Expand Biosafety Systems
Meridian: Ghana: ICGEB receives granto to expand biosafety systems
8 November 2012
The project to assist the regulation of agricultural biotechnology products in sub-Saharan Africa
Ghana News: ICGEB Receives Grant To Expand Biosafety Systems
From the ICGEB Biosafety Unit; the people who have done most of the work to formulate the proposal and who will do all the work for its implementation. From left: Monica Racovita (Romania), Francesca Farolfi (Italy), Wendy Craig (UK), Decio Ripandelli (Italy), Anna Russo (Italy), Marianella Araya Quesada (Costa Rica), Dennis Obonyo (Kenya)
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